Academic Delivery Group Meeting
May 27, 2011
1:00 p.m.
Personnel Conference Room
Members Present: Susan Allen, Jackie Blakley, Tim Bowen, Katy Goforth, Eugene Grant,
Scott Harvey, Lynn Lewis, Gwen Owens
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Thwanda Davidson
Length of Meeting: 2 hours
Topics Discussed:
Dr. Buckhiester welcomed Thwanda to the meeting. He noted that through a series of earlier
meetings, he gained a better understanding of TRiO and the passion of the staff. He asked the
deans to invite her to attend a division meeting to discuss the program.
Thwanda distributed brochures on each of the programs in TRiO. She explained that TRiO
works with Tri-County, high school, and middle school students. In working on various
initiatives, she realized that the different areas of the college have overlapping efforts. Under the
reorganization, she noted that the different areas may be able to communicate and to collaborate
more effectively.
Thwanda explained that the grant that funded the Student Support Services component of TRiO
was not awarded to Tri-County, and as of August 31, Student Support Services will no longer
exist. She explained that a letter noting all the alternative resources available on campus will be
sent to students, and students are encouraged to use those resources. Thwanda noted that the
Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search components are still available.
Thwanda discussed Educational Talent Search. ETS serves 700 middle and high school students
through the following activities:





Kaplan ACT and SAT prep
FAFSA workshops
Transition workshops
Math and science mini-camps for middle school students
Advising/counseling support for students and their families
Educational Talent search is competing for funding for the next year. Thwanda noted that all
TRiO funding has taken a big cut, but the cut will come from personnel, not from services.
When the grant is awarded, the number of ETS students will increase from 700 to 820. While it
will be a challenge to serve more students with fewer personnel, she will continue to look for
new ways to market the program. Currently, she has radio spots on WSNW, and will work with
Rebecca Eidson and our public relations team to look for ways to even better market the
program.
Thwanda stated that the Upward Bound program serves 85 students and discussed its three
components:
1. Academic – 18 Saturday classes, tutorial support
2. Summer – Six week program at TCTC with classes and activities on various topics.
Students live at Clemson University.
3. Bridge – These students have graduated and are enrolled in college. They can take six
hours (CPT 170 and COL 103) at TCTC to help better prepare themselves for college.
Thwanda noted that she hopes to collaborate more with the credit divisions and is looking for
new partnerships. She welcomes the chance to meet with the divisions and/or department heads.
Dr. Buckhiester noted that this is Katy’s last ADG meeting. He thanked her for all her
contributions to ADG and to the Faculty Senate. Donna Shannon is the new Faculty Senate
President and will join ADG in June.
The agenda was revised slightly, and Announcements were given next.
Dr. Buckhiester passed around missing enrollment verification information. The deadline for this
information is today, May 27, 2011.
Dr. Buckhiester announced that the Perkins money has been allocated. We have a reduced
amount of $289,302. The deadline for submission of the FY ’12 budget is June 10.
The press release about the Clemson/MLT agreement was very good.
Dr. Buckhiester noted that Greenville Technical College has gone to the per-credit-hour tuition
model. With this change, we will continue to be priced competitively with Greenville Tech.
Scott stated that Student Records is diligently trying to communicate to students about the new
tuition model and drop/add period. In reviewing information, he found quite a few students with
at least 13 credit hours. Scott is sending these students a letter to remind them about the tuition
change.
Dr. Buckhiester noted the following:

A 50th anniversary kickoff event will take place in the Library in the spring semester. He
wants to let faculty and staff know about this event early, so that any library work
required of students during that time can be rearranged.
2

In talking with Lee Tennent, he asked the group to encourage employees who use
Outlook to schedule meetings to be sure to lock in the room before setting the meeting.

Greenville Tech sent a note thanking us for the donated respiratory care equipment.

Lynn Lewis and Lee Tennent are Tri-County’s participants in the System’s Leadership
Academy program.
Lynn announced that the Expanded Duty Dental Assisting site team was recently on campus and
the program received a great report. Only one very minor issue needs to be addressed.
Jackie reported that we have filled the Academic Resource Specialist position in the Business &
Public Services Division. In August, the new Criminal Justice and Paralegal faculty members
will be on campus. Currently, she has two open searches to replace faculty in CIT and ECD.
Katy noted that Donna Shannon is the new Faculty Senate President and will join the Academic
Delivery Group in June. Since many of next year’s Faculty Senators are new, Donna will be
working with a fairly new Senate.
Eugene reported that the work on the Industrial Technology Center is moving slower than
anticipated. Welding will move into the building late next spring. HVAC will follow later that
summer.
Tim reported on the following:

This year’s 5k Race was a great event. Participation increased over last year, and the
positive attitude of volunteers and runners made for a great day.

He invited the members of the group to a reception to celebrate a joint venture with the
Anderson County Museum. The event opens a mini-exhibit showcasing the Rosenwald
Schools. Tim plans to have a permanent space at the Anderson Campus for other exhibits
and hopes that this is the first of many collaborations with the museum.

The Easley Campus Showcase event had a modest turn out. He was pleased with the way
things went.
Gwen reported that she is conducting a search to replace two math instructors, Lou Ann Martin
and Debra Bindschatel.
Susan noted that she is involved in summer faculty development activities. She asked the
members of the group to encourage their faculty to review the activities and to participate when
possible.
The minutes of the April 12 meeting were approved.
3
Dr. Buckhiester reported on the revised Maximum Student Load Policy and Procedure. The
policy is in place, but both documents need to go to Executive Staff for approval. After the
policy is approved, it will go to the Commission for review and approval.
The W after the deadline form was discussed. After discussion, it was agreed that no WFs will
be allowed after the last day of class, so the WF will not be an option on the withdrawal after the
deadline form. After the last day of class the student will receive an F, not a WF.
Dr. Buckhiester discussed part-time student academic recognition. Katy noted that Faculty
Senate is in favor of this recognition, but would like to require that the student be in enrolled in
at least six credit-hours per semester. To differentiate this recognition from other honors, it will
be called “Academic Distinction” and the student will be recognized with a letter and a media
release. After some discussion, it was agreed that this designation will not be placed on the
transcript.
Dr. Buckhiester reported on the Blackboard outage that took place at the end of spring semester.
He met with Lee Tennent. Lee explained that the outage was caused by human error. It was a
test that had been done before without any problems. To avoid this issue in the future, Lee noted
that, in the case of a test that has not been done previously (thereby not allowing him to conclude
that there will be no problems), IT will avoid critical days for the test. The group requested that
testing be avoided on critical days in all cases, and suggested that consideration be given to not
having scheduled maintenance windows during critical items (such as the beginning and end of a
term). Dr. Buckhiester indicated that he will follow up again with Lee.
Scott discussed documentation of attendance. He noted that financial aid regulations are
changing this fall. The new regulations note that a student must log in with active participation
to be in attendance in an online class. Simply logging in does not constitute attendance. The
group agreed that in order to address this consistently, we need a simple, college-wide definition
of online attendance. Scott will work with the deans to clarify what is needed for the definition.
Scott also made the group aware that Student Records is being removed from Financial Aid
audits. In the future, Financial Aid will work directly with faculty. Student Records will not be
involved. In addition, Scott stressed that grade books need dates and other pertinent information.
Lately, the grade books have been in better shape, and faculty seem to better understand the
importance of correct and complete information.
The distribution of class rosters was discussed. Scott explained that hard copies are distributed
on the first class day because not every employee (especially adjunct faculty) is in eTC on the
first class day. If adjuncts are not in eTC, they cannot receive their class rosters electronically.
The official class roster is set after drop/add, and faculty can check eTC for their official rosters.
Dr. Buckhiester discussed the attendance policy and noted that some information that is in the
catalog is not in the Faculty Senate version of the policy. Katy stated that the senators want
students to know that they cannot just walk away from a class and expect to be withdrawn.
Dr. Buckhiester will work on this with the new Senate this fall.
4
Susan reported that the college uses Blackboard instead of Desire to Learn because it is a more
robust system. In addition, Clemson and USC use Blackboard. Since we have articulation
agreements with them, using the same product is beneficial to our students.
Scott added that ELearning will integrate with Blackboard and will be live.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Recorded by:
Anne Bryan
Next Meeting:
Monday, 7/11, at 10:00, in the Personnel Conf. Room, RH 102
5