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

PRESENT: Bill Barnes, Alan Gabrielli, Steve Hamrick, Joyce Mills, Mike Murphy, Dawn Ramsey, Zvi Szafran, and Wayne Unsell.

GUESTS: Ann Watson, Public Relations

Richard Bennett, International Programs

Item 1: New SPSU Magazine

Ann Watson introduced a new Southern Polytechnic publication (name to be announced) which will showcase the university and include an overall theme, profiles, sections on student life, academics, etc. The magazine will be published in addition to Polytechnic Today and our Annual Report and will have a broader concept. The magazine will be published annually. Ms. Watson asked for input for the first issue which will be out May 1, 2006. She also would like each area on campus to select a person to be responsible for relaying news to public relations. Information for the magazine is needed within two weeks. Ms. Watson will also check the distribution list for Polytechnic Today to see if it includes faculty and staff.

Item 2: International Programs

Rich Bennett talked briefly about the status of the exchange students we received for Fall Semester 2005 and explained our 2 + 2, dual-degree, and exchange programs in general. A discussion regarding exchange students took place and Bennett has agreed to provide Dr. Szafran and the Council with a more detailed background on the exchange student activity and the role it plays in Southern Polytechnic’s International Programs. (ATTACHED)

Dr. Bennett announced that we may have approximately 35 technical communication transfer students from Northeast Normal University in China attending Fall Semester 2006. Per the agreement negotiated between SPSU and NENU, these students will pay a somewhat discounted tuition rate of $4,000 each. Concerns were raised about language skills, language concepts, cultural differences, ethics differences, etc. associated with students from different countries. Gabrielli stated that these concerns are being addressed and that Ken Rainey is going to offer workshops for his faculty to help them prepare for these students. Dr. Bennett hopes to have numbers in late spring for fall admittance.

Bennett announced that the Letter of Intent for Cameroon has been received and is going through their governmental channels.

Item 3: Update on the New Term

Steve Hamrick announced that we are still registering new students, students dropped for non-payment, waitlist students, and student unable to pay until later who have made arrangements to defer their tuition. Hamrick stated that rules are not being followed and if enforced potentially we could lose approximately 125 students and the revenue they generate. Suggestions from the council included reinstating drops for non-payment at the end of advance registration or requiring a non-refundable deposit to hold a schedule.

Other problems noted by Hamrick included the incorrect coding of classes, especially distance learning courses which potentially cause loss of revenue, and other errors in the schedule. Hamrick will work with Kelly Payton to see if he can write a program to make it easier to input the schedule. Dr. Szafran will meet with the chairs to discuss their role in ensuring that their departments’ schedules are input properly.

Hamrick will schedule a meeting with Ron Koger, David Ballentine and Patrick McCord to review policies and procedures. Another issue that needs addressing is disbursement of financial aid. Dr. Szafran will investigate how best to move forward in addressing these issues.

Item 4: EIFs for Adjuncts and Graduate Assistants

Dr. Szafran addressed the issue of employment forms (EIFs) for part-time faculty and graduate assistants being submitted late and the problems caused by this. He also stressed that part-time faculty budgets should not be over-spent without explanation from the chairs in advance of sending through EIFs. An effort needs to be made to submit EIFs well in advance of the deadlines set by payroll. Hamrick will meet with Ballentine to discuss procedures in place regarding graduate assistants and then schedule a meeting with the secretaries to establish a clear policy for hiring graduate assistants.

Another area of concern is faculty credentials. According to our P&P all faculty hired must have a masters degree in a relevant field or a masters degree and 18 graduate hours in a relevant field. Dr. Szafran stated that the deans should work with chairs to ensure that faculty have the proper credentials or provide documentation for deviating from the official policy. Dr. Szafran will provide SACS information to the chairs and consider having an orientation for new chairs who may not be aware of our policies.

Meeting adjourned at 4:10 P.M.