ACADEMIC COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Friday, September 14, 2012, 1:30 pm, Centennial Center, Conference Room A
The Academic Council met at 1:30 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012, in Conference Room A of
the Centennial Center. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richard Beck, Vice President for
Academic Affairs.
The following members were present:
Sherry Alexander
David Barron
Dr. Richard Beck
Dr. Jerry Bowen
Dr. Frank Elwell
Dr. James Ford
Dr. Roy Gardner
Dr. Bruce Garrison
Dr. Jeff Gentry
Dr. Frank Grabowski
Dr. Jamie Graham
Dr. Myra Haulmark
Dr. Ken Hicks
Alan Lawless
Dr. Abe Marrero
Dr. Keith Martin
Dr. Mary Millikin
Professor Gary Moeller
Dr. Bert Tollison
GUEST
I.
Director, Pryor Campus
Executive Director, Enrollment Management
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Interim Department Head, Biology
Dean, School of Liberal Arts
President, Faculty Senate
Department Head, Applied Technology
Dean, School of Business and Technology
Department Head, Communications
Interim Department Head, English and Humanities
Department Head, Mathematics and Physical Sciences
Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
Department Head, History and Political Science
Director, Stratton Taylor Library
Department Head, Psychology, Sociology and Criminal
Justice
Dean, School of Mathematics, Science and Health Sciences
Assistant Vice President for Accountability and Academics
Department Head, Fine Arts
Department Head, Business
Dr. Steve Housel
Chair, University Assessment Committee
ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE/ PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
RECOMMENDATION (Dr. Housel - handout)
Dr. Housel provided an update of the activities of the University Assessment Committee. The
professional development component of Convocation received strongly positive evaluations; the
UAC urged that its success be replicated, including a faculty survey to elicit topics for breakout
sessions and a catered lunch.
THE UAC offered suggestions for best practices and reported on plans for the broader sharing of
assessment results, via internal and public websites, both to be developed along with a best
practices newsletter.
Initiatives recommended by the committee include creation of a General Education Forum and an
Assessment Facilitator position. The Forum will include a report of General Education pretest
and post-test results for first-time freshmen and sophomores to measure the value added by
coursework. The General Education forum would disseminate the results of current assessment
protocols plus other data collected and analyzed by the Office of Accountability and Academics.
Academic Council Meeting Minutes
09/14/2012
The proposal for an Assessment Facilitator, while still in development, seeks to maintain
continuity and preserve institutional memory of assessment activities, provide guidance and
advice for all faculty, and encourage coordination, collaboration and cooperation among
Dr. Housel will return with a formal recommendation after committee and Faculty Senate review.
II.
PRYOR COURSE SCHEDULE
(Sherry Alexander - handouts)
Ms. Alexander shared a handout showing the comparison of available facilities for the current
campus and the Mid-America campus, scheduled to open next fall. She also provided a class
schedule demonstrating the cohort enrollment for Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes, and
Tuesday-Thursday and evening schedules to raise awareness of the differences in scheduling and
the difficulty of staffing to meet Pryor campus needs. She has been active in trying to locate
Pryor-based adjuncts to ease the demands on faculty or adjuncts travelling from a greater
distance.
III.
CONTRACTS FOR GRADE OF "I"
(David Barron)
Mr. Barron discussed the difference between language in the bulletin concerning grades of
incomplete and current practices, including student contracts for completion. After discussion, it
was agreed that after one academic year, an incomplete would automatically be converted to a
letter grade of "F". In addition, changes in language to the bulletin and student contracts will be
drafted by the Registrar and presented to the Academic Council for final approval.
IV.
BULLETIN/ ADMIN SYSTEM ISSUE (Dr. Elwell for the deans)
(English Composition/Microcomputer Applications/ Math completion requirements)
Dr. Elwell shared the deans' concerns about completion of general education requirements, the
required sequence and time allowable for completion of English composition, math and science
requirements and Microcomputer Applications. Changes to the present system were discussed,
including changes to the ADMIN system, to provide warnings or block enrollment when
requirements have not been completed timely. The deans will draft revisions to reflect that these
General Education courses should be completed within the first two semesters of eligibility, and
present the proposed changes to Academic Council for approval; Administrative Computing
Services will be consulted to determine technical feasibility.
V.
XITRACS UPDATE
(Dr. Millikin)
Dr. Millikin reported that the Xitracs database is now being populated with the CVs and
transcripts that have been requested from the departments, an activity supported by her newlyhired administrative assistant, Susan Wong. These documents will be attached in the appropriate
places and linked to strategic plan goals as evidence for the five Higher Learning Commission
criteria. She further requested that all syllabi be submitted electronically beginning in
Spring 2013.
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Academic Council Meeting Minutes
09/14/2012
VI.
STRATEGIC PLAN DUE DATES
(Dr. Millikin)
Dr. Millikin noted that the University Planning Group will have priorities set for the 2013-2014
year by February 28, 2013. Strategic Plans for 2013-2014 will then be due on April 1st, in time to
inform the upcoming budget cycle.
VII. GENERAL COMMENTS
Dr. Gardner raised a question concerning e-textbooks. Dr. Beck's response noted prior litigation
when certain editions offered by publishers did not provide access for blind or deaf students, and
that the selection process should take such access into account.
Dr. Marrero requested an update on the consideration of tuition remission for dependents of
university faculty and staff. Dr. Beck noted that the matter had been raised in a President's
Cabinet meeting, and been tabled due to economic considerations.
Faculty parking remains an issue, although no motion has been received from the Faculty Senate.
Dr. Ford commented that the item is to appear on the next Faculty Senate agenda.
Dr. Garrison asked about timing of requests for capital outlays. Dr. Beck responded that these
should be brought up in the spring, along with the regular budget cycle. He further noted that the
capital contingency fund has traditionally been reserved for office and classroom equipment and
furnishings, with requests for computers or software being addressed in the ACS budget.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
DISTRIBUTION: Sherry Alexander, David Barron, Dr. Richard Beck, Bill Beierschmitt,
Dr. Nancy Diede, Dr. Frank Elwell, Dr. Roy Gardner, Dr. Bruce Garrison, Dr. Jeff Gentry,
Dr. Frank Grabowski, Dr. Jamie Graham, Dr. Jerry Bowen, Dr. Myra Haulmark, Kelly Hicks,
Dr. Ken Hicks, Alan Lawless, Dr. James Ford, Dr. Abe Marrero, Dr. Keith Martin,
Dr. Mary Millikin, Professor Gary Moeller, Joy Lin Husted, Dr. Bert Tollison, Dr. Susan Willis,
Cathy Burns, Michelle Canan, Cheryl Hakel, Nan Melton, Nancy Page.
BY EMAIL: Shelly Borgstrom, Amy Henderson, Jenny Miller, Jean Genske, Ronna Hatley,
Heather Isaacs, Kim Moody, Yvonne Pace, Bonnie Paul, Debbie Ragland, Lynsey Simmons,
Donna Spencer, Reneen White, Susan Wong, Michelle Yoder.
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