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

MEMBERS: Bill Barnes, Charles Bachman, Dave Caudill, Tom Currin, Alan Gabrielli, Steve Hamrick, Joyce Mills, Nikki Palamiotis, Jeffrey Ray, Han Reichgelt, Michele Shauf, and Zvi Szafran

MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Ray, Michele Shauf

Dr. Szafran opened the meeting with updates:

Per the last Board of Regents meeting, campuses may not round up grade point averages for calculating HOPE Scholarship eligibility.
Approval was given to SPSU to increase the number of credits by two for our engineering technology programs to incorporate the orientation courses.
Also approved was our transition certificate in Business.

Item 1: Academic Planning

Dr. Szafran talked briefly about the progress of the Academic Planning Committee and stated that the writing phase will begin soon.

Item 2: Review of USG Draft Plan

Dr. Szafran talked about the USG Draft Plan that he distributed to the Council via email yesterday for discussion at today’s meeting. He asked the Council for feedback and suggestions and received the following comments from the Council:

Is this plan based on perception or fact?
Dr. Szafran responded that he is not aware of an official study or research.
Global awareness needs more emphasis.
We are already outcomes based and know if our core addresses this or not.
System wants to change outcomes, not the way we assess outcomes.
Also need to address transferability issues, accreditation, etc. and do not want the core to get larger.
Faculty will defend their courses.
Where is the study that there is a problem with the core?
How will suggested changes affect our relationship with other institutions, especially DTAE?
Many of these are unfunded mandates; how should they be handled?
Do not agree with addition of job counselor.
Some points in the draft are not clearly defined – such as adequately offering courses.
Increase faculty and staff with International experiences is an example of an unfunded mandate.
Issues will arise with registration for on-line courses being offered simultaneously at multiple institutions. How will pre-requisites controls be put in place?
Concerned about the statement that we need to train not just educate in areas of need in the state. How will this be funded?

Dr. Szafran will prepare a response using the concerns and questions from the Council.

Item 4. Pay Raises for Promoted Lecturer

Dr. Szafran asked the Council for a suggested promotion pay increase for lecturers being promoted to senior lecturer. Currently assistant professors promoted to associate professor are given $1,500; associate professors promoted to professor are given $3,000 effective at the beginning of their next contract. Upon advice of the Council, Dr. Szafran will refer this to the Faculty Compensation Committee for review.

Item 5. Updates on Various Academic Planning Issues

Georgia Tech – committee is doing study
Second draft of the Civil Engineering proposal is completed; Mechanical and Electrical are still in progress
Education – no new progress; proposals are being prepared for the UCC
SPSU will be involved in Future Educators and will be hosting high school juniors and seniors who have an interest in teaching. This includes all areas of teaching not just specifically STEM areas.
Architecture is working on a master’s proposal which should be ready by the end of February.
Chemistry currently has 7 majors.
The School of CSE is looking at possibly developing a game design proposal.

The meeting adjourned at 3:15 and all non-deans were dismissed. Dr. Szafran asked the deans to remain and presented an update on a proposal to establish a Division of Engineering. He asked the deans to vote to endorse and they unanimously approved the proposal. Dr. Szafran will circulate the proposal to the four ET departments and arrange a meeting for discussion and a vote, and will also present the proposal to Lance Crimm for his input.

The meeting adjourned at 3:25 PM.