Administrative Council Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2011
Attendees: John Burns, Norman Hopper, Sukant Misra, Mike Galyean, Cindy Akers, Steve
Fraze, Alon Kvashny, Leslie Thompson, Mark Wallace, Tom Thompson, Eduardo Segarra,
and Jane Piercy
1. Approval of February 7, 2011 minutes
Minutes of the February 7, 2011 meeting were approved.
2. Chairperson Manual
A list of proposed items for a chairperson’s manual was distributed. Members were
asked to review the list and send any additions or deletions to Donna. The manual
will be discussed at a later meeting.
3. Other
Dr. Misra reported the first version of the 2010 RCM model is out and discussed the
numbers for CASNR in comparison to other colleges.
Jane announced Texas Tech Day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will be
March 5th. Please let her know if there are additional individuals that need
invitations.
Dr. Akers distributed the undergraduate application and admission numbers. The
CASNR freshmen numbers are up, but the transfer numbers are down.
Dr. Akers announced the CASNR Career Expo will take place on Wednesday and the
congressional intern interviews will begin on Thursday.
Dr. Hopper reported the Coordinating Board is discussing the possibility of capping
all programs at 120 hours.
Dr. Hopper distributed a draft of a syllabus statement for faculty who want their
distance exams proctored. Any proctoring fees are the responsibility of the student
and these fees will vary. The average range is $20-$40 per exam. If the course is
offered from the TTU campus, the department must have free proctoring of the
exam.
Dr. Hopper reported Academic Council formed an ad hoc committee for the
academic calendar. Dr. Hopper distributed copies of the committee report that was
submitted to the provost. Key issues discussed by the ad hoc committee included
the newly released Coordinating Board’s Common Calendar mandating semester
start dates for all public universities. Combining the new Common Calendar dates
with the university’s traditional scheduling places fall commencement too close to
the Christmas holidays. It also affects scheduling of and participation in the Carol of
Lights. Dr. Hopper encouraged the department chairs to discuss the report with
departmental faculty. The committee recommendations will go to the Faculty
Senate.
Dr. Segarra reported that one of the department’s alumni, Erin Wheeler Cook, was
killed in a boating accident earlier in February.
Dr. Tom Thompson reported that Dr. Glen Ritchie will be filling the vacancy left by
Dr. Bednarz. Dr. Ritchie should begin his employment around April 1, 2011. He also
announced that Dr. Harlan Thorvilson will be retiring the end of August.
Dr. Wallace announced that Dr. Sosebee was presented the “Sustained Lifetime
Achievement Award” at the annual meeting of the Society for Range Management in
Montana.
Dr. Misra reported the CASNR FY11 budget cut proposal was sent to the provost. As
of this date we have not received a response from the provost office.
Dr. Misra reported that in the past the dean and associate deans have made “hill
visits” to legislators and staffers. At this time, the dean’s office will not be able to
make “hill visits” or “agency visits” without coordinating them through the VPR’s
office.
Dr. Fraze reported that Danny Gunn, an agriculture teacher in Idalou, was killed in a
traffic accident last week.
Dr. Segarra reported that Darren Hudson has been named president of the Southern
Agricultural Economics Association.
Jane announced the Distinguished Alumni Dinner will take place this evening at the
Merket Alumni Center. The reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.