Administrative Council Meeting Minutes
December 15, 2014
Attendees: Dr. Michael Galyean, Dr. Cindy Akers, Dr. Michael Ballou, Dr. David Weindorf,
Ann Ulmer, Norman Martin, Dr. Phil Johnson, Dr. Mike Orth, Dr. Charles Klein, Dr. Mark
Wallace, and Dr. Eric Hequet.
1. Minutes from the November 24, 2014 Administrative Council meeting were approved
with the appropriate corrections.
2. Expenditures for travel continue to increase. Dr. Galyean noted that travel exception
forms and travel per diems are two means that department chairs can use to help
encourage faculty to make changes to current practices to be more cost-efficient in using
funds for travel. Booking flights in advance to decrease additional airline and seat costs
and claiming only expenses actually incurred on per diems are two ways that travels costs
can be managed.
3. Dr. Akers handed out the Apps/Admits report. She noted that the Apps report reflects all
applications that have been received but not processed. The Admits report includes all
those students who have been admitted. She also provided a report listing students who
had been declined and asked chairs to review this report. If there are students you know
and would like to see admitted, please contact her and she will help you through the
process, as it has to begin with a letter from her. You will need to be specific in your
reasons for wanting to admit these students.
4. Dr. Akers also handed out an information sheet on some of the Student Success Center’s
(SSC) upcoming events. On January 29th, they will host a Reception of Excellence to
recognize the President’s and Dean’s list students. This will be held in the Red Raider
Lounge at the SUB from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Afterwards, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the
Matador Room at the SUB, the SSC along with the Ag Council will host the Winter
Welcome and the 2nd Annual Mr. CASNR contest to help kick off the new semester. She
encouraged everyone to come out and support the students at both the Reception of
Excellence and the Winter Welcome/Mr. CASNR contest.
5. An updated scholarship report was distributed to the chairs from Dr. Akers, and she
hopes this will be a helpful tool in making contact with these students.
6. In regards to Course Inventory and the on-line catalogue, Dr Akers noted the department
chairs should have received an e-mail with their course inventory. If changes need to be
made, please do so quickly. Please pay close attention to prerequisites and restrictions.
Dr. Akers mentioned that a guideline for making changes to prerequisites would be
presented at Academic Council. She will forward those guidelines after they are
approved. The guidelines will outline when changes go into effect. If you have any
questions or need help with the process, please do not hesitate to ask Dr. Akers or
Savannah Leonard.
7. Other
Dr. Galyean noted that the university deans have been asked to submit additional
information and examples for the SACSCOC reports, so it is possible chairs might also
be contacted for further information in addition to what they have already submitted for
these reports.
Dr. Eric Hequet reported that PSS is beginning interviews for the soil physics position,
with the first one this week. They will interview a total of three candidates, with the
remaining two interviewing in January. Also, the genomics position has been advertised
for two weeks.
Dr. Phil Johnson announced that after the first of the year, AAEC will form a search
committee to look for a replacement for Dr. Aaron Benson, as well as decide on the
direction and discipline area they would like this position to focus on.
Dr. David Weindorf returned from India last week and noted he had a very successful
visit and signed an LOI with PDKV University in Akola, India. This is an agricultural
university and seems to have great opportunities for graduate students. They have proper
living accommodations as well as 10,000 acres of research land right out their back door.
CASNR currently has a graduate student from PDKV University enrolled in our PSS
department who is working with Dr. Dick Auld.
Dr. Weindorf also reported that his pre-proposal with Bayer CropScience and RFP is in
the final stages and should be ready for submission within the next week. He also
announced that some of the CASNR deans and a couple of faculty members would be
traveling to Stephenville on Wednesday to visit with colleagues at Tarleton State
University to discuss possible collaboration opportunities.
Dr. Mike Ballou reported that his trip to Washington, DC to attend the release of the
“Pursuing a Unifying Message” meeting was very successful. He also had the
opportunity to visit with some USDA Program Directors to discuss ways in which our
faculty in the college can submit proposals that might be more acceptable.
Dr. Galyean noted that the budget bill passed by Congress maintained funding for
agricultural research programs at 2014 levels. The bill also did away with the
requirement in the 2014 Farm Bill for matching fund requirements for any non-land grant
universities that might receive funding from the USDA.
Dr. Charles Klein announced that one of his classes has been working on a project in the
plaza area behind the CASNR Annex. Because of the cold weather for several days,
work has been delayed and will be finished after the holiday break when the students
return to school. He also noted that the move from the Plant Science Building has gone
well so far, but they are still waiting for computer drops. They have sent several
truckloads of items to storage, surplus, and the Southwest Collections.
Dr. Mike Orth indicated that AFS currently has three open positions. The rodeo coach
position has received several applications, but so far no applications have been received
for the two companion animal positions. He also noted he was excited that AFS has
started an undergraduate research club. For the first time in a long time, AFS will be
sending an Academic Quadrathlon team to the Southern section contest this year.
Ann Ulmer reported to the council that Rita in the Office of Research Services is leaving,
so they will be short a person for a while until she can be replaced.
Dr. Mark Wallace announced that NRM has been moving and cleaning out surplus items
in the CASNR Annex to help make room for additional space resulting from the closure
of part of the Plant Science Building that is currently under construction.