Executive Council Minutes
February 20, 2013
Present: Jeremy McMillen, Giles Brown, Brandy Fair, Jeanie Hardin, Gary
Paikowski, Roy Renfro
Recorder: Shelle Cassell
Agenda Items
E-Text Pilot Program
Giles Brown and Brandy Fair presented a proposal to conduct a pilot program for E-Texts
this Fall. A broad-based committee reviewed three e-text companies and selected
CourseSmart. Members liked the user analytics, the reviews from peer professors, and the
extended inventory of e-texts available. They also liked that a student would have one
sign-on to access all of the e-textbooks in their schedule, and that the text would
automatically be in the Blackboard shell for the course. The pilot program includes seven
professors from a variety of curriculum areas who use various delivery methods. Students
enrolling in the seven selected course sections would pay a course fee (based on an
average of the e-text cost) at registration, but they would not be required to purchase a
physical textbook. The cost of an e-text is lower than a printed book. Still in progress are
the logistics on making sure the student understands the textbook arrangement and fee,
Business Office procedures for handling the fee, ways to identify the sections that will be
taught with an e-text, etc.
Action/Motion: Council members agreed to implement the pilot program in Fall 2013,
and to add an E-Text fee of $90 per textbook for the seven sections in the pilot group.
The E-Text fee will be presented to the Board for consideration.
SSBTN Report / CCSSE
Dr. McMillen and Jeanie Hardin summarized the recent visit of SSBTN consultant Dr.
Cooper, and said that we are progressing in our ability to make databased decisions and
will continue to dig deeper into the data to discover initiatives that enhance active and
collaborative learning. Discussion ensued on the college’s poor performance on five
benchmarks in student engagement. Dr. McMillen asked members to reflect on the extent
that the institution values those five benchmarks, and to what extent do we need to
allocate budget toward initiatives to improve. Jeanie Hardin pointed out that we already
have professional development funds allocated toward student engagement, and that the
March 1 professional development day has several sessions on the topic.
Action/Motion: No action necessary.
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Insurance Changes - Adjuncts
Dr. McMillen gave a brief overview of recent changes in laws that could affect the
college’s health insurance budget and/or the teaching load of adjunct professors.
Administrators are seeking clarification on the workload of part-time professors, but it
appears that there are new lower limits on the number of hours that can be taught before
making health insurance benefits available.
Action/Motion: No action necessary.
Jensen Dorm Leasing Opportunity
Dr. McMillen announced that a business has expressed an interest in leasing Jensen
Residence Hall. He and Giles Brown are working with them to determine what costs may
be involved in returning the facility to service. Gary Paikowski will provide estimates to
provide wifi service.
Action/Motion: No action necessary.
Alertus and Siren Update
Gary Paikowski reported that the new outdoor siren would be installed and tested during
spring break. He said the new Alertus software would be ready to download on all
campus computers soon. He will send a detailed email to all employees with instructions
on the purpose of the program and how to install it. The campus trainers will be available
to assist with installation. Alertus is a program that runs in the background that can
interrupt computer monitors to deliver an emergency message.
Action/Motion: No action necessary.
Catalog Revisions Due
Gary Paikowski reminded members that General Catalog updates are due March 1, but
could be submitted by April 1 to accommodate the Curriculum Committee
recommendations and recent reorganization changes. He reminded members that the
General Catalog is available online in pdf form or can be printed through a third party
vendor, Lulu. The use of an addendum(s) to capture mid-year changes was discussed, but
not finalized.
Action/Motion: No action necessary.
Fall Class Scheduling
Brandy Fair asked for clarification on the proposed models for scheduling evening
classes.
Action/Motion: Jeanie Hardin will ask the Deans for additional input.
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South Campus Technical Center Name
Members discussed several options for naming the new facility on the South Campus.
Members agreed that it would be good to name each building, with the whole site being
the South Campus. Options for the official name of the new building included: Career
and Technical Center, Economic Development Center, South Technology Center, Tech
Center, and other combinations.
Action/Motion: Members reached consensus on naming the new facility at the South
Campus the Technical Center. A name for the existing building will be made after
receiving additional input.
Austin Update
Dr. McMillen reported that the higher education budget is still being discussed. The
current proposal reduces Grayson’s appropriation by an additional $100,000, bringing the
new reduction to $416,429.
In a related discussion on the college’s current budget projections, members learned that
the CWL revenue goals were expected to be met through new grants and programming.
Dr. McMillen said that tuition rates for the Fall semester would have to be addressed
soon.
Action/Motion: No action necessary.
Announcements
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Brandy Fair announced a triple treat for Saturday evening (Feb. 23) Art Exhibit
LOL will open and live music will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the final
performance of “Treasure Island” at 7 p.m.
The regular Board of Trustees meeting has been moved to Monday, Feb. 25, at
3:00 p.m. on the South Campus. The Board will be attending the Technical Center
Groundbreaking at 2:30 p.m.
The Communications Council meeting will be held Friday, March 8. The usual
date falls on Professional Development Day.
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