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: Richard Bennett, International Programs

Nancy Reichert, Honors Program

Item 1: International Programs Update

Dr. Bennett gave a brief update on events since he sent a comprehensive report on International Programs to the campus by email about 10 days ago. He stated that he just received word that the Letter of Intent for Cameroon has been signed but that it will take approximately four months for the Cameroon governmental to approve. Bennett reported that he had no new information to report on Gaza but that they are still interested in establishing a two-year technical college there and working out an arrangement to establish a 2+2 program with SPSU in the future. Dr. Szafran announced that USAID and grant writing possibilities may be available to faculty who are interested in working on this project.

Four students from North China University of Technology (NCUT) have applied for our 2+2 program for the Spring 2006 semester and one additional student has been accepted pending evaluation of transfer credit. Exchange applications from FH Anhalt and NCUT are coming in also for the Spring 2006 semester. Bennett reported that visa restrictions have been greatly relaxed and it is therefore easier for international students to come to SPSU. Dr. Szafran announced that an advisory committee will be established next semester for International Programs.

Item 2: Honors Program Update

Nancy Reichert distributed information on the Honors Program and reported that the program is growing and that they will graduate their first two students this year. Approximately 60 students are now registered in the program. Reichert announced that there will be a need for capstone courses for their students and asked the deans to let their departments know. Dr. Reichert also reported that three of the honors students are transfer students from China. Dr. Szafran asked Dr. Reichert to present information on the Honors Program at the ALC meeting on January 11, 2006.

Item 3: Other Updates

Dr. Szafran announced that the medallions for graduation have been ordered and will have different color ribbons for undergraduate, graduate, and honors students.

Szafran also reported that two ABET accreditation teams were recently on campus to evaluate Software Engineering and Surveying and Mapping. Both visits went very well with only minor issues that need addressing. All three recent accreditation visits were very successful.

The Board of Regents sent out a notice from the Governor’s Office requesting information about the capacity of our science and math programs. Dr. Szafran sent email to the deans for input.

Szafran announced that IPEDS data is out and distributed information comparing SPSU to other similar universities. Compared to comparable institutions, our graduation rates are still very low.

Item 4: Advising

Dr. Szafran noted that the P&P on advising states that assessing advising is the responsibility of the VPAA and Deans, and sent a draft advising evaluation form to the Council for review. He asked for input on implementing such a form for our students to use to evaluate our advising system. Suggestions/comments from the Council included:

If adopted, faculty should be notified in advance that this will happen
Start with a small sampling of students (such as composition courses or STS courses) before implementing campus wide
Students need to understand the role of advising for this to be helpful
Banner has the capacity to handle this type of evaluation
Should the evaluation include the advisor’s name or just the department in the test phase?

Dr. Szafran asked the deans to share this form with their faculty and consider implementing it in the future. [A copy of the draft form is attached. Please email comments to the Deans or the VPAA.]

Item 5: SWOT Analysis

Dr. Szafran and the Council began discussing the findings of the SWOT analysis. Szafran asked the Council to send suggestions/comments to him about the report.

Meeting adjourned at 4:15 P.M.