Deans Council

Minutes of October 6, 2004 Meeting

UC 310

 

 

Present:  Bruce Speck, Houston Davis, Jim Diehr, Stan Groppel, Tom Buttery, Charles Pinder, Deborah Fetch, Sean Hogan, Gaines Hunt, Sheila Bryant. 

 

 

1.      e-Faculty Draft Proposal  - Stan Groppel  (Attachment A)

Stan Groppel and David Denton prepared a draft of the e-Faculty proposal.  The objective is clear; we need a pool of non-tenure track faculty who are available to teach RODP and APSU Online courses.  However, it is a concern that a university representative needs to sign proof of identification for the I-9 document.  It was suggested that we not limit the qualifications to ABD status; this criteria would not be applicable in some disciplines, such as Music and Art. 

         We should also consider limiting the number of e-faculty to be hired in each department.

A motion was made to accept this proposal, motion was seconded; one abstained, all others approved.

 

Dr. Speck asked each dean to provide what they believe research means on this campus, what the undergraduate mission is and how we are going to get there.  Dr. Specks needs a cohesive message from deans in terms of research.  We need to strategically identify areas that will be research units and how to obtain these goals over a period of time.  A vision of how research fits in, how reassigned time fits in, grants, etc.  Each dean’s perspective should be considered in order to get a proposed goal. Charles Pinder will chair the sub-committee of deans in writing the proposal outlined above. The sub-committee will provide proposal in three weeks – Oct. 27. 

 

2.            Improving the Graduate Admissions Process  - Charles Pinder

We have excellent people working in the graduate admissions process; however, the process is flawed.  Most graduate admission processes are conducted within the graduate school.  The flow is often not efficient.  April 15 is a national date to assign graduate assistants – we are at a disadvantage in recruiting graduate students – in order for us to be a major player and have an efficient system, we need to bring the admission process to graduate admission in the College of Graduate Studies.    A motion was made that Charles Pinder, Houston Davis meet with Scott McDonald to discuss the issue of the graduate admissions process returning to the College of Graduate Studies and provide a proposal to Deans Council.  The motion was seconded; all approved.

 

3.      Property Control Policy  (Charles Pinder, Deborah Fetch, Mike Gotcher)

         This subcommittee has not yet met.  Dr. Speck asked the subcommittee for a preliminary report next week.  A department has missing inventory that cannot be accounted for.  Please provide any information regarding these issues to this subcommittee.

 

 

Tom Buttery

   -     Dr. Buttery expressed concern regarding transferring credit from a university who did not accept credit from a school previously attended by the student.  APSU’s current practice is to have the dean review the courses not accepted at the other university and make a decision to accept or not accept based on AACRO guidelines.  Currently when the dean makes the decision to accept credits from a non-accredited university, the decision remains on the APSU books to be accepted.  APSU’s form indicates that the credit is from a non-accredited school which is not the case, the school may be accredited.  The form needs to be changed to say that this school is not accepted by AACRO but is an accredited university.  APSU is limited to seven accrediting agencies.  Dr. Davis will provide the seven accrediting agencies that we accept.  A motion was made that we would automatically accept any credit from an institution accredited by one of the seven accredited agencies; the motion was seconded and approved by all.

   -     It was agreed that students may, on a limited basis, complete a form for any institution that does not fall under one of the seven accredited agencies.  The forms will be collected over time and be sent to the three academic deans and Gerald Beavers for their approval as one body.  The student should not be sent directly to the dean only the form.  Sheila Bryant should meet with the deans and Gerald to discuss this process.  Sheila will provide a preliminary report of the form and procedures to follow.

 

Sean Hogan

   -     Mr. Hogan asked if there is concern that Fort Campbell may go to E-Army U?  Dr. Speck responded that there is not enough information to know how the Fort Campbell issues will work out. 

 

Gaines Hunt

  -     Regarding tenure, retention, and promotion:  Dr. Hunt stated that some universities link tenure and promotion to Associate Professor.

  

Houston Davis

   -     Dr. Davis stated that when tenure-track faculty request to “stop the clock” during their retention process that the clock is stopped for one year, not for one semester.  This eliminates the need for alternate cycle.

   -     Restricting the list of access to the TLC screens will not be helpful but being able to identify who makes the changes will be helpful.  All agreed.

 

Bruce Speck

-          Dr. Speck asked the deans to update the web sites within their divisions.

-          The budget proposals from colleges will be submitted this afternoon.  He feels good about the budget this year.

-          He reported that the McCord Building is expected to be ready by fall 2006.

 

Stan Groppel

-          It had been previously announced and that the Tennessee Small Business Development Center would close at the end of October.  However, it will not close; funds have been found and the TSBDC will return to 106 Public Square for at least 3.5 years.