ALC Minutes

Meeting of 29 April 2009

1. Introduction of Bob Homer, new Director of Assessment

2. Updates:

a. TCSG Articulation: SPSU has taken the “point” for the USG on articulation with the TCSG; articulation is a possible alternate path to merger of the TCSG and two-year schools; our draft umbrella agreement and sample programs have been shared with the system office; TCSG institutions are trying trimesters and moving toward matching USG course names/numbers.

b. Restructuring the Core: The latest word is that the new core will remain largely the same; the most significant difference is a specified minimum size (number of credits) for each area rather than a specified absolute size; the Deans recommend that our area D stay the same as it is now (including math); every core will have to include American content, Global Context, and Critical Thinking; transfer credit is going to be a big issue; the new core is supposed to be in place (except Critical Thinking) by fall 2010, fully in place by fall 2011.

c. Pandemic preparation: SPSU is currently reviewing the Cobb County policy (County takes the lead); anyone taking students abroad needs to be especially vigilant.

d. African-American Male Initiative: proposal just went out and focuses on mentoring incoming first-year students; should be coordinated with QEP and PSLSAMP programs.

e. Searches: first-round searches in architecture, surveying, engineering, electrical still open; a recommendation has been made in business; hires have been made in chem., biology, psychology, political science, engineering, and 2 in CS; second round of hires is still possible.

f. Capital Budget: all requests received so far have been sent forward; any additional requests need to go to your Dean NOW; May 31 is the probably close for spending; send memo detailing how much needs to be encumbered for what to Patrick and Zvi, but careful follow-up will be required.

3. Georgia On-My-Line coordination with campus deadlines (Dawn Ramsay)

a. All our on-line degrees and certificates and classes are listed on GOML. The two franchise programs moving forward at the moment will be registered and admitted thru GOML.

b. GOML deadlines are very much earlier than ours, and as a result it often looks like we aren’t offering anything. (Spring deadline at the end of September; the deadline for Summer and Fall is the third week of March.)

c. This difference will become more important as articulation and franchise arrangements come on-line.

d. Result of discussion: we will meet the GOML deadlines of on-line courses (900 sections), but not for the rest of our schedule

4. Migration from Vista 3 to GeorgiaView Vista 8 (Dawn Ramsay)

a. Move it or lose it. There will be no Vista 3 access 22-26 June and after July 30^th.

b. Think back carefully—are there any courses in Vista 3 that your department needs to move forward that are not currently being taught or might otherwise be missed? (Chairs and Program Coordinators need to double-check for their areas.) Request migration by July 6.

c. Dawn has sent out a link for checking the list of what has been migrated; the list is updated once a week. Check to make sure everything you expect to be there is there. If you need assistance, just ask. And there will be more workshops forthcoming.

5. New Time Blocks in the fall schedule:

a. The new time blocks provide more efficient use of classroom space for many departments.

b. Two significant problems have surfaced:

i. Scheduling sufficient afternoon lab slots

ii. Math starting at 1:30 à students can’t make afternoon labs

c. We need some, but not absolute, rigidity in the scheduling guidelines

d. We need to make an effort to coordinate scheduling across departments so students can take courses across departments as needed.

e. We also need a standardized time for faculty meetings to help assure representation / participation of all departments.

f. For Fall 2009, there should be no classes 12:30-1:30 pm on TR. The discussion about what happens after that will continue.

6. Discussion of the Annual Report model distributed by Zvi:

a. Purpose:

i. To let departments make their “case” (for resources, etc.)

ii. Easy access to information that is needed for many things and in many places

b. Include a summary of the scheduled assessment measures for the year (not all measures or instruments will be used every year, but those used should be reported; for those not use, indicate when they are scheduled to be used next)

c. Modifications to the template resulting from the discussion:

i. Need to add a consulting report to area F: Faculty Achievements and Issues (required by the P&P anyway; need to review campus compliance with the P&P—should be recommended as an issue for the Senate)

ii. For area E, items g-i: write brief descriptive paragraphs on what you are doing—and how it went, what you will do, what you would like to do

iii. Student achievements, including external competitions, needs to be added

iv. Area I: Industry Issues; add b. Analysis of Employer Satisfaction

v. An on-line template is needed.

7. Visa Card Issue: inability of students to pay with Visa creates real difficulties; Zvi was asked to investigate whether this can be changed

8. Misc discussion about sustainability across the curriculum:

a. Julie needs all chairs to email her with any information they have about “Green Courses” being taught in their departments: faculty names, course page URLS, anything for any course that has environmental content

b. Julie will also be attending the AASHE Workshop on Sustainability Across the Curriculum—and bringing ideas and techniques back to share with the campus.

c. Zvi would like to a way to deal with more “global” issues—at a level bigger than or above the department level; perhaps an endorsement; issues such as sustainability and global perspective