NOTE: At times, issues of confidentiality may require that some items discussed in meetings be excluded from these minutes.

PRESENT: Charles Bachman, Tom Ball, Bill Barnes, Richard Bennett, David Caudill, Venu Dasigi, Steven Hamrick, Ruston Hunt, Andrew McMorran, Joyce Mills, Mike Murphy, Mark Nunes, Jeff Orr, Nikki Palamiotis, Phil Patterson, Dawn Ramsey, Ronny Richardson, Denise Stover, John Sweigart, Zvi Szafran, Andy Wang, and Tim Zeigler

ABSENT: Tom Currin, Ameen Farooq, Alan Gabrielli, Julie Newell, Phil Patterson, Khalid Siddiqi

GUESTS: Ron Koger

Item 1: Updates

“Blowing up the Core” – Dr. Szafran reported that the System Office is interested in changing the core to an outcomes-based core that may be satisfied in different ways on different campuses but would have a common mission. Szafran discussed the System’s overall plan, stated that the outcomes have to be met, measured, and transferable from campus to campus. This proposal is under consideration and no decisions have been made yet as to who will define the outcomes – whether it will be at the campus level or at the System level. Dr. Szafran will share information as it becomes available.

Item 2: Orientation and Registration

Ron Koger visited the ALC meeting today to talk about orientation options for certificate students/post-baccalaureate/non-degree students. Dawn Ramsey stated that an online orientation was developed over the summer and is available for departments to use if they wish. After discussing several possibilities, it was decided that the departments would handle their own orientations and would coordinate their efforts with Ron.

Item 3: Transfer Credit

Dr. Szafran talked about transfer credit problems as it relates to portability. More students are choosing courses based on the idea of whether it will transfer should they need it to. Steve Hamrick talked about the difficulty his department has with the volume of transfer credits and how to handle those that must be evaluated by the departments, specifically in getting them completed in a timely manner.

Some questions/comments included:

Should we determine if there are specific courses that don’t meet out requirements and work with the institutions where we have transfer problems?
This will be an increasing expectation.
Have advisors better inform students about what will transfer.
This is a big issue with international students – evaluating their credentials
Use the CLEP exam as an alternative – it is inexpensive and fast.

If any departments are aware of specific institutions where we have transfer credit problems (or no problems at all) let Dr. Szafran know.

Item 4: Fee Payment Deadline

Dr. Szafran attended a recent RACAA meeting at which the HOPE Scholarship was discussed. There is a possibility that some students may have problems paying tuition because their HOPE Scholarship may not be approved in time for fall registration. This year high schools are required to certify that students are eligible and based on numbers of approved students, it appears that either less students are qualifying for HOPE or their high schools are behind on their certifications.

Item 5: SACS

Dr. Szafran announced that the SACS committees have been set and that the software should be forthcoming. IT is to develop software also and Georgia Tech has something we could. Dr. Szafran stated that the number one thing at SACS reviews is that 86% of the reports are found not to be in compliance in regard to faculty credentials and that they can’t prove faculty are qualified to teach the courses they are teaching. A credential review committee has been created to review faculty credentials. Dr. Szafran suggests that faculty submit a short form stating what courses they teach and what credentials they hold and have the committee review. Dr. Fowler suggested that we look at the report submitted before the on-site review and clear up any problems that may exist.

It was decided that faculty would submit information on their credentials and courses taught to their department chairs and that the department chairs would review them rather than a separate committee.

Item 6: Gearing up for Fall

Enrollment is approximately 3,000 and courses are filling up. Dr. Szafran will run an ad for part-time faculty. Steve Hamrick is working on a way to get the catalog out sooner. The kickoff week schedule will be published soon. The new deans will start in early August.

Item 7: Academic Affairs Organizational Chart

Dr. Szafran discussed the proposed organizational chart and announced that advising will be revamped also and that more details will be forthcoming. He also announced that he would like to go forward and submit all three traditional engineering program proposals by mid-fall.

Budgets – Dr. Szafran has received the new budget but there are problems to be resolved before it can be released to the departments. He and Rob Whitaker are working to resolve the problems. Lab fees should be released soon and Tech Fee proposal approvals have been announced.

Meeting adjourned at 2:45