Administrative Council Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2009
Attendees: John Burns, Norman Hopper, Sukant Misra, Steve Fraze, Tom Thompson, Philip
Gipson, Alon Kvashny, Eduardo Segarra, Cindy Akers, Kevin Pond, Norman Martin, Jane
Piercy
Guest: Dr. David Roach, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Ethics in the Curriculum Task Force
1. Dr. David Roach is a member of the Ethics in the Curriculum Task Force. He
distributed updated information regarding the need to collect ethics in the curriculum data
in Spring 2009. This data is needed as part of TTU’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)
for SACS. The TTU Ethics in the Curriculum Committee is charged to gather data in
Spring 2009 in three basic areas. 1) Data is needed on professional ethics codes taught in
colleges at TTU. A template is provided to report this information. 2) Data is also
needed in Spring 2009 on student learning outcomes, assessments, and curricular impacts
of ethics instruction in the colleges. Pretest and post test assessment data is needed from
all stand-alone ethics courses in the colleges. 3) In the Ethics and Curriculum section of
the QEP it states that TTU will document and evaluate faculty involvement in
conferences, research, and other professional activities that emphasize ethics. This type
of information is contained in faculty and departmental annual reports.
2. Dr. Hopper reported that TTU faculty and administrators are invited to submit
applications to serve as SACS evaluators. Please submit names to either Dr. Burns or Dr.
Hopper.
Program assessments will take place this semester. Follow-up workshops will be
forthcoming.
3. Dr. Burns reported that he is has been asked to be available on Thursday to discuss tenure
and promotion cases from CASNR.
4. Dr. Akers distributed application and admission information. These numbers are “run”
the 15th and 1st of each month by major and department. Numbers for applications are
up, but down for admits. The Area of Admissions is two months behind loading
transcripts. This presents major concerns. The Student Services Center has received
permission to use the software for viewing applicant’s information. Admissions’
numbers for enrollment at TTU are up, but there are no numbers for CASNR. In the past
a “Gateway letter” has been sent to applicants if they were denied admission, but CASNR
has learned that the letters have not been sent. The Student Services Center is working
with Ethan Logan to correct this problem.
5. Dr. Misra reported the summer budget calculator and information is not available. The
RAE (Revenue Allocation Enhancement) Task Force will meet today to discuss the
summer budget.
Dr. Misra reported that airport interviews with candidates for the Vice President for
Research position will take place in Dallas the end of this week. There are eight
candidates. Each candidate will have an opportunity for a two hour interview. The goal
is to bring three or four candidates for campus interviews.
Dr. Misra reported the college has funds to offer international graduate students $1,000
scholarships for the fall semester. Two scholarships per department may be awarded for
one year. The dean’s office will develop guidelines for a competitive selection process.
Dr. Misra reported that they are working on a PowerPoint presentation for the
Washington, DC visit. They will also be making visits to legislative offices to discuss
federal line items.
Dr. Misra reported the college is working on a pre-proposal for an international project
with Israel through the National Science Foundation, which involves water. The college
is also working on a proposal with the USDA for an international program with Brazil
regarding cotton. CASNR is working with USID on two proposals; one in
Africa/Ethiopia and another in Africa/Mozambique that are due next Monday. CASNR
is also working on an exchange program with Tazakistan.
6. Dr. Hopper announced that Dr. Tom Thompson has been accepted into the LEAD²¹
Program.
7. Jane announced the date for the 2009 Pig Roast has been scheduled on November 5th at
the Civic Center.
8. Dr. Gipson reported that their department has been understaffed and they are in the
process of hiring replacements.
9. Dr. Akers reported that five students have made reservations for the Growing Graduate
Program. The program will also be open to TTU undergraduates. It has been suggested
to change the meeting time to the fall or summer. Fred Hartmeister will be contacted to
discuss the possibilities.
10. Dr. Segarra reported that a replacement for their staff vacancy will start on February 1st.
11. Dr. Thompson reported the lab spacing has planned for the new building. There will be a
meeting on Friday with the architect.
12. Dr. Fraze reported that the department’s vacant faculty position has been filled. An offer
letter has been sent from the provost’s office to Erica Irlbeck.
13. Dr. Pond announced the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association 2009 Cattle Industry
Convention and NCBA Trade Show will take place on January 28-31 in Phoenix,
Arizona. AFS will have a booth at the convention. If you have items you would like to
include in the booth, please bring them to Dr. Pond before Wednesday. Dr. Misra
mentioned the college brochure would be a good item to include in the booth.
Dr. Pond reported the recent Hoopfest held in the Livestock Arena was a success. This
was the first basketball “tailgate” event sponsored by the Athletic Department. There
will be one more scheduled on February 21st. This is a good location for a college booth.
14. Dr. Kvashny reported the Department of Landscape Architect has three visiting
professors. The department hopes to fill the faculty vacancies in the near future.
15. Dr. Akers announced the dinner on Tuesday evening honoring the 2008-2009 AgriTechsans and Ambassadors for Agriculture. The dinner will be held at the Lubbock Club
at 6:30 p.m.