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.

Item 1: Fall Startup

Joyce Mills reported that the Academic Affairs meeting agenda ran long, and did not allow time for the library’s presentation to new faculty. This will be rescheduled at a later date. Software Engineering used space in the Library and Mills encourages other departments to do the same. The Library is very active with almost all computers in constant use. They have welcomed Georgia Highlands students and will provide assistance until a librarian can be hired by Georgia Highlands.

Dean Ramsey reported that Extended University did not have an opportunity to introduce new faculty and staff along with the other deans.

VPAA Szafran asked the deans to send him a short bio on all new faculty and staff within the new few weeks.

Dean Unsell reported that startup meetings were well attended and that he received positive feedback from faculty regarding the Academic Affairs meeting. Enrollments are up, especially in MET.

VPAA Szafran asked the deans about minutes from their departmental and school meetings and suggested they be made available to the campus. All subsequent minutes should be forwarded to Szafran who will find a means of distribution.

Dean Gabrielli noted that school meetings were well attended by full-time, part-time, and temporary faculty. He also reported that classes in most departments are largely full.

Dean Barnes reported that he still needs adjuncts to cover some classes and that he had a good turnout for their meetings.

Dean Murphy reported that all went well in his area.

Steve Hamrick reported that registration had its usual problems. Approximately 200 students have not paid their fees. He is working with faculty to reinstate students when possible. Banks were available to help students with loans and received positive feedback from those students. The Business Office also extended the fee payment deadline and also offered to extend the deadline by two weeks for a small fee. Email was sent to all students who were reported as non-engaged and/or non-paid and approximately 40 of those students responded immediately. Most appreciated the contact.

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Friday is the deadline for faculty to submit engaged/not engaged status for all of their students. All first-time full-time freshmen will receive a letter appropriate to the responses received from their faculty. Those students receiving a high number of non-engaged entries will be required to make an appointment with the Counseling Center. Personnel in the Counseling Center will direct students to where they need to go for help. If approved by the curriculum committee, a new version of the former SCT 101 may be offered to help these students. Joyce Mills offered help from the Library.

Some faculty have reported difficulties accessing Banner. New faculty identification numbers must be used instead of social security numbers to log in. Steve Hamrick and Dave Cline can help with that information if needed. Hamrick also reported that classes scheduled at the wrong times are causing committee meeting time conflicts.

VPAA Szafran has been attending all standing committee meetings and has asked them to meet more often. He has also asked some committees to take on additional responsibilities.

Item 2: Architecture

There are approximately 90 new architecture students and to satisfy NAAB accreditation, more space is urgently needed. The NAAB accreditation board also criticized the department for not having enough full-time faculty. More faculty are needed to meet the recommended student/teacher ratios. Currently more than 50% of their faculty are part-time.

One possible way to generate revenue for hiring additional faculty would be to institute a differential tuition for architecture students. This would raise the per credit-hour fee from $115 to $150. All options will be considered including seeing if Architecture can be reclassified as a high-cost program. Steve will investigate.

Item 3: Early College

SPSU has a good chance of receiving an Early College program if we apply. Marietta City Schools has withdrawn due to time constraints and any commitment from Cobb County Schools is unknown at this time. The Board of Regents may possibly extend the deadline.

VPAA Szafran suggested an alternative idea for Marietta Schools related to Early College. He plans to meet with the Superintendent regarding the International Baccalaureate program. This program would allow students to earn SPSU course credit for some courses taught at their high schools. The VPAA proposes summer workshops for Marietta teachers to help certify them to teach courses on their campuses equivalent to ours. Concerns raised included SACS concerns, teacher qualifications, technical issues and funding. Possible funding sources could be NSF and the Board of Regents.

VPAA Szafran also asked for feedback on offering associates degrees to help with student retention. Research could be done at other engineering schools with large numbers of associates and bachelors degree candidates to determine whether we should pursue this. One concern is that SPSU has struggled to be identified as a university and we don’t want to be confused with a two-year institution.

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Item 4: Evaluation/Promotion/Tenure

The VPAA is looking at ways to combine and or simplify the faculty evaluation, promotion and tenure, and reappointment procedures. A model was distributed for review. Szafran asked for suggestions and feedback and will work with the Faculty Senate

Item 5: Other New Business

Building J will not be ready to move into tomorrow. Contractors are scheduled to begin HVAC work on September 8.