Deans Council

Minutes of January 5, 2005 Meeting

UC 310

 

 

Present:  Bruce Speck, Houston Davis, Mike Gotcher, Gaines Hunt, Tom Buttery, Jim Diehr, Deborah Fetch, Stan Groppel, Charles Pinder, Sheila Bryant.  Guest:  Jennifer Meningall, Carmen Reagan.

 

1.      Student Complaints against Faculty – Jennifer Meningall

         Jennifer Meningall, Vice President for Student Affairs, addressed the deans council and requested their input for things to lessen the number of complaints that are received in Student Affairs regarding faculty.  Three categories of complaints, 1) Inappropriate comments or language, 2) Inconsistency in what is written in the syllabus and what is practiced regarding absences, 3) Inappropriate touching.  It is believed that it is time to remind faculty and staff of inappropriate language/behavior and inform them of possible results.  The deans suggested that they be given a brief, written report from Student Affairs and they be allowed to inform their faculty of these issues.  Also, students should be educated as to how to handle issues. It was noted that each syllabus should be very clear regarding absences.  

 

         Another related issue involves institutional absences for student athletes and student absences due to institutional supported activities.  A very specific policy should be developed regarding institutional student absences.  Tom Buttery will draft a policy of what constitutes an institutional absence and present to deans council on Jan. 12.  

 

The current grade appeal process is for the student to submit a written complaint to the instructor, then to the chair, and then to the three academic deans, recommendation from deans to VPAA, if student wants to take it further, the grade appeal may be taken to the Academic Grievance Committee.  The Academic Grievance Committee also reviews academic grievances other than grade appeals.

 

  1. Master’s in Professional Studies – Carmen Reagan

TBR wants to have a RODP master’s degree in professional studies.  Areas would include leadership, professional studies, communications, computer technology, as well as others.  Question, which department or college should house the master’s degree in professional studies?  A motion was made that the RODP and on-ground master’s degree in professional studies program be housed in the College of Professional Programs and Social Sciences.  The motion was seconded.  All approved.

 

  1. Registration Priority for True Online Students – Stan Groppel, Sheila Bryant

For full-time online degree seeking students can be given priority for core classes by appropriate coding for only online core courses.  A motion was made that any student who declares a major online will have registration priority for all and only online classes.  The motion was seconded.  All approved.  Stan and Sheila will talk with Information Technology regarding setting up the priority coding.

 

Dr.  Speck asked deans to look at their options for additional online courses.

 

Dr. Speck reviewed announcements.

 

Stan Groppel – E-instructor applications have been coming in, the department chair will make the decision for hiring.   RODP are constantly looking for instructors, if we provide the instructor, APSU gets credit for the students.   /   In process of heavily advertising online degrees in Nashville, community colleges, and state-wide businesses.

 

DSP Reorganization is out on the web – Dec. 16 email was sent and will be sent again week of Jan. 18.  Feedback may be submitted by Feb. 4 to Houston Davis by email or campus mail.  Hunt, Fetch, Beavers, and Pinder are on sub-committee to review the feedback.  The issue of DSP delivery is not up for discussion.  DSP classes for credit will not be offered in summer 2005.  The Admissions staff recommends community college to students needing DSP courses for non-credit.  

 

Deborah Fetch –Library will be piloting a print cost management program beginning this semester, funded by TAF.  Please remind chairs the importance of getting book orders by Feb. 15.  If not allocated by April 1, the monies will have to be returned.  Sean Hogan will send a break down of departments that have submitted book orders to deans council. 

 

Charles Pinder – Graduate applications are up.  Some students already have master’s degree and we need a policy regarding use of prior credit and substitution of courses.    

Distribution of graduate assistantships is being reviewed by a sub-committee of Graduate Students; report will be provided to Deans Council. 

 

Sheila Bryant reported that  438 grades were still missing upon the due date.  Sheila will provide a list to Dr. Speck and the deans.  Dr. Speck noted that this number is better than the past, but any number of missing grades is still unacceptable.  The next three semesters

 

Jim Diehr – Recommends that an incomplete grade form be created, the form should indicate what is necessary to remove the incomplete - - due to Deans Council on Jan. 25.

 

 

Budget process will begin soon, cohesive reassigned time costs, graduate assistantships, and any other items should be included in a budget package from Deans Council.  Requests from all Academic Affairs division.