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

PRESENT: Bill Barnes, Dick Aynsley, Alan Gabrielli, Mike Murphy, Sandy Pfeiffer, Dawn Ramsey, Judy Waits, Steve Hamrick
 
GUEST: Ron Koger
 
 
1. Process for Retention:
Koger and the deans discussed a process for retention of first-year freshmen. Koger will attend the Academic Leadership Council tomorrow to talk with program heads about their ideas for retention. SPSU has a 60.3% retention rate this year. A possible goal would be adding 1% each year until 2007.

Koger also asked deans to suggest ways to update student listings when they change majors. Some suggestions were (1) improving advising - students could touch base with an advisor at least once a year, (2) having students look at a pre-registration screen on Banner and complete/change information at that time, and (3) having students confirm the accuracy of major information in order to get exam results. Koger will consider all suggestions.
 
2. Agenda for Academic Leadership Council Meeting:
The ALC will meet tomorrow primarily to review the reorganization of Academic Affairs-from the perspective of the deans, program heads, and directors. Pfeiffer outlined the kinds of issues that would be part of the discussion. The deans offered comments on what they thought might be useful items to have on the table.
 
3. Teaching Loads:
Hamrick will be conducting the annual teaching load assessment in the next few weeks. Consistency in handling of the lab component of courses across the curriculum remains a concern that needs to be addressed further.
 
4. Degree Program Reviews:
Hamrick will coordinate the 12-15 BoR-mandated program reviews to be conducted this academic year. It is a large task that will involve many teams.
 
5. Honors Program:
Gabrielli said that the Honors Committee will meet tomorrow. It will look at the plan that was passed by faculty two years ago. Also, the committee will consider what a course must include to be designated H (honors).
 
6. Floyd and Gwinnett Center:
Murphy said that the degree arrangements being worked out with Floyd College and Gwinnett Center are coming along well. SPSU will be offering several courses in the spring.
 
7. Georgia Aviation:
Aynsley said there will be a meeting of the Aviation curriculum committee to look at the curriculum at Auburn and Embry Riddle, both of which offer aviation management courses.