Communication Department Meeting
4/18/13
Attendance: Baus, Borchardt, Brady, Davis, Frederick, French, Hixson, Kates, Kranenburg, Ksobiech,
Mead, Penington, Ridgeman, Robinson, Spiegelhoff, Um, Wachanga, Weber, Welch, Wildermuth.
Excused: Casey, Disrude, Fishburn, Lowell, Lucas.
Meeting was called to order at 3:40 pm.
April 18, 2013 agenda approved unanimously on a French/Welch motion.
March 21, 2013 minutes approved unanimously on a Robinson/Welch motion.
Old Business:
Hixson reminded faculty that research release proposals are due by May 1st for the Spring 2014 term. So
far only three proposals have been received. The proposals are based on merit and only tenured and
tenured track faculty may apply.
Hixson reported that all three searches were successful and he thanked all those that chaired and served
on those search committees. The department will be conducting two one year searches next semester
and then the permanent searches for those the following year.
Hixson thanked the faculty for their work on the assessment reports. He asked that each group give a
brief 3 to 5 minute report at the next department meeting.
New Business:
Penington introduced the students that participated in the undergraduate research conference held in
LaCrosse.
Heather Bughman whose topic was “From a Distance: A Dialectical and Cultural Approach to
Understanding How Young Adults Maintain Family Relationships When Separated.” Heather also won
the best presentation for the college.
Megan Cassidy whose topic was “Communication Apprehension and College Adjustment: An
Evaluation of Students and Student Athletes.
Sarah Gruetzmacher, Amanda Long and Bianca Hey whose topic was “The Effects of Facebook
on Self-Esteem”.
Ashley Murphy and Lia Donato whose topic was “Text Messaging and Cognitive Learning”.
The students spoke on what they gained from the Undergraduate Research experience.
Hixson concluded that grants are open for next year and encouraged faculty to recruit students.
Department Goals:
Hixson distributed the 2013-2014 department goals. There was a motion made to approve them as
presented by a Baus/Robinson motion. Motion approved.
Merit:
Hixson reported that he received an email from the Chancellor stating that they are hopeful that there
will be money for merit and asked that departments go ahead and prepare as if there will be. There will
be brief meeting after with the department merit committee after the department meeting.
No Committee Reports.
Announcements:
The Pat Townsend Memorial Service is set for Saturday, April 20th at 3:00 pm. In the Fern Young Terrace.
There will be a remembrance service beginning at 4:00 pm.
Hixson said that he is holding a panel discussion on Monday, April 22 in the Summers Auditorium
entitled “What Ever Happened to Good Government in Wisconsin. It will be from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
State Representative Any Jorgensen along with some other political panelists will be there.
Hixson said there is an opening on the university audit and review committee and to please let him
know if you would be interested in serving.
The College of A&C Scholarship Reception is set for May 6th at 4:30 pm in the Center of the Arts.
Frederick added that the new online scholarship application process worked well and he thanked
Robinson and Welch in their assistance with the review process.
Davis reminded faculty that the university writing awards are scheduled for next Tuesday. Amanda
Ramirez from our department is receiving an award for three of her submissions.
Robinson reminded faculty of the upcoming Whitewater Historical Grand Opening scheduled for April 28
beginning at 1:00 pm. She thanked those faculty that engaged student work for this project (Lucas,
Frederick, Mead, Brady, AMR).
Baus announced the Health Communication Symposium scheduled for Thursday, April 25 beginning at
9:30 am. In UC275B.
April birthdays were observed. Davis was presented with a baby gift from the department.
Meeting adjourned at 4:12 pm by a Davis/French motion.