Communication Department Meeting
8/29/13
Attendance: Bentz, Beyer, Borchardt, Brady, Bristow, Casey, Disrude, Fishburn, Frederick, French,
Galvan, Hixson, Ibrahim, Jones, Knabe, Kranenburg, Ksobiech, Lowell, Mancl, Mead, Penington,
Pervaiz, Ridgeman, Robinson, Spiegelhoff, Taylor, Um, Vogl-Bauer, Wachanga, Welch
Meeting was called to order at 1:38 pm in L1205.
August 29, 2013 agenda approved unanimously on a Robinson/Welch motion.
May 9, 2013 minutes approved on a Welch/Lowell motion.
Hixson introduced new faculty and graduate instructional assistants.
Old Business:
Assessment – Hixson thanked everyone for their work last year on assessment for our department. It
will be an ongoing agenda item for monthly department meeting. Hixson asked that each curriculum
group give a report with the following rotation: November – Corporate/Health; December – Public
Relations; February – Broadcast/Print/Web; March – Advertising and April – Electronic Media.
Vogl-Bauer asked that the assessment groups try to meet in the first two weeks to talk about the
learning outcomes and how they will be put into use for the semester. She said if help is needed to
please let her know.
Searches – Hixson reported that we haven’t heard back from the Dean on our proposed four positions.
Heide 309 Lab – Hixson reported that new computers and a teaching station have been installed.
Communication Department Policies were distributed to faculty.
Course Caps/Enrollment – Hixson reminded faculty that our department policy is not to exceed course
caps. The appeal process is completed now for the semester and was useful in determining where our
demand is for courses. It is also university policy that students not be allowed to sit in class in which
they are not enrolled in on WINS.
New Business:
Goals – Hixson has formed committees to work with each of the department goals. He encouraged
faculty to join one of the following groups.
Goal 1 – Continue to move forward on Assessment of Student Learning. Vogl-Bauer will head up this
committee.
Goal 2 – Develop a Strategic Plan to move the Department toward a culture of sustained involvement in
Undergraduate Research. Frederick and Welch will be heading up this committee.
Goal 3 – Identify opportunities to connect with other organizations or offices on campus to determine
funding sources and best practices associated with recruiting, retaining, and supporting students and
faculty of opportunity within our Department. No one has been assigned to head this committee as of
yet.
Goal 4 – Continue to connect the Department and College with alumni and community and civic
organizations. Hixson and Baus will head up this committee.
Visiting Artists & Professional Speaker Proposals – Faculty are encouraged to bring speakers to campus.
If you have questions on the procedure please see Linda Robinson.
Symposia - The Health Communication symposium last April was a success and Hixson would like to see
more symposiums this academic year.
College Convocation – The date for the fall college convocation is September 17th. Bill Lowell will be the
speaker.
Curricular Changes – Hixson reminded faculty to make sure if they are presenting any curriculum
proposals that they verify deadline dates for proposals on the UCC website.
Communication Ambassadors – Ridgeman said that the Orientation/Training for the Ambassadors is set
for Sunday, September 8th.
Electronic Media Curriculum: Mead presented a proposal with prerequisite changes for Journslm 332
and Journlsm 341. Vogl-Bauer motioned to approve the curricular changes that were presented by
Mead. Robinson seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Committee Reports:
Faculty Senate – Vogl-Bauer is on the rules committee and they are working on cleaning up the
personnel rules.
Scholarship - Frederick said that the first year with the online program was successful. There were 11
more applications than in previous years. Announcement for scholarships will go out in December.
Social – Ridgeman reminded everyone that the picnic will begin around 4:30 pm. She also said that
social dues will remain at $40/year and you can turn your money into her. Check can be made out to
Comm Dept Social Fund.
Elections:
International/Intercultural – there are two seats vacant. Wildermuth asked to continue to serve on this
committee and Kates self-nominated. The nominations were closed and approved unanimously with a
Robinson/Brady motion.
Scholarship - Frederick, Welch and Robinson will continue to serve on this committee.
Social Committee: Welch nominated Mancl and Wildermuth nominated Jones to serve on this
committee. The nominations were closed and approved unanimously on a Robinson/Lowell motion.
Announcements:
Hixson handed out the review schedule for this fall and asked that purple books be turned in at least
two weeks prior to your review date.
Heide Hall Changes – discussion on the new office layout on 4th floor.
Tailgate – October 18th – Prior to the Warhawk football game on October 18th the department will have
a tailgate picnic at Perkins Stadium. More information will be distributed as we get closer to the date.
Classroom Etiquette – Hixson reminded faculty to put chairs back in the original order, erase notes on
the board and turn off can lights when they are done teaching. The teaching station computer can
remain on.
Other – Mead announced that Jeff Kohlmeyer will be leaving and his interim replacement is Eric Stelter.
Mead also reminded faculty that students from his Learning Community, Stars of Tomorrow, may be
contacting them for teacher interviews.
August birthdays were observed.
Meeting adjourned at 3:15 pm by a Frederick/Casey motion.