Academic Delivery Group Meeting
September 14, 2010
1:00 p.m.
Personnel Conference Room
Members Present: Susan Allen, Jackie Blakley, Tim Bowen, Katy Goforth, Eugene Grant, Lynn Lewis, Gwen Owens
Members Absent: Scott Harvey
Others Present:
Length of Meeting: 2 hours
Topics Discussed:
The minutes of the August 24, 2010 meeting were approved, with one correction. In reviewing the minutes, Dr. Buckhiester noted that Tim continues to work on the issue of what to call the non-Pendleton campuses, and the college is moving toward using “community campus” for a full service campus, and “learning center” for a non-full service facility. Dr. Buckhiester reported that Lee Tennent will meet with the group at a later date to discuss IT issues, and that the drop/add reduced period is on the agenda for the next Executive Staff Meeting. We will have Scott update the group on whether or not it is possible to limit the number of hours taken in the summer for one group, but not for another, at a later meeting.
Dr. Buckhiester updated the group on IT issues. IT is trying to follow the posted maintenance schedule. If a faculty member has to move a class, it needs to be noted in Banner, so that the IT group will know about the change. IT does not want to interrupt key learning opportunities, but some unscheduled uses of classrooms can be interrupted, and IT may have to do that to stay on the maintenance schedule. The deans will discuss this at their division meetings.
Dr. Buckhiester reported that Lee Tennent said that Report 223 is the only report student IT workers can access. They do not have access to grade-related information. Dr. Buckhiester will meet with him again to clarify some issues.
The college will move to a better, more sophisticated product to block websites. Matt Edwards is researching products that can replace Lightspeed.
Dr. Buckhiester updated the group on small group advising, and noted that we do not have enough cross-trained, full-time faculty to conduct small group advising at multiple campuses. He met with Robin McFall to discuss the possibility of using long-time adjuncts for small group advising. Robin is gathering information on the number of hours needed this year. Robin noted that there are no small group advisors from the Health Education or I & ET divisions. Dr. Buckhiester asked the group to contact Robin with the names of any full time or long term adjuncts interested in small group advising.
Dr. Buckhiester discussed financial aid information. Faculty and staff in Academic Affairs may distribute to students a handout created by Financial Aid, but will not answer financial aid questions. Employees in Academic Affairs will send students to the Financial Aid Office to answer questions and to provide more in depth information. Bill Whitlock will revise the Life Scholarship Affidavit form to try to address some issues. The affidavit is on the public website and on eTC. Students can access financial aid information and see their status, via their eTC accounts.
Dr. Buckhiester noted that he, Gwen, Amoena Norcross, and Lane Hudson will meet to further discuss the English Fluency Procedure. Several issues are pending.
- There is no limit to the number of times the committee can be convened for the same instructor.
- A full-time faculty member, not on probation, would have to be treated differently.
Due to Scott’s absence, the discussion on the maximum number of credit hours taken in the summer will be discussed at a later meeting.
Under discussion, Lynn noted that the NLNAC site visit will take place in two weeks. She also noted that Easley Campus will need advisors for the November 9 event.
Eugene hopes to fill the academic resource specialist position soon. He announced that we have completed the purchase of the building in Sandy Springs. The renovations must be approved at the state level before we can begin, so we are working on this issue. The building will be opened on Thursday, 9/16/10 between 9:30 – 12:00 for anyone who would like to see it.
Eugene and Tim are working with the Anderson County Museum on a Rosenwald School project. The carpentry class will reconstruct one of the schools. Eugene also noted that the building project near Wilson Hall is a small house. This house will be moved to the Easley Campus and will be used to help teach insulation techniques to students.
Susan announced that the group that attended the Learning College summit will make a presentation to Executive Staff on how people own the learning college initiative. Learning College 102 may be offered. Susan also noted that we are still waiting to hear about the Title III proposal. Awards will be announced by the end of September.
Jackie noted that the ACBSP site visit will take place in October. She announced that Ed Heberling, the soccer coach, has been hired as the academic resource specialist for the division. Jackie mentioned enrollment verification and noted that we need a refined process. Dr. Buckhiester will invite Scott to the next deans’ meeting to discuss this. Jackie reported that, near Oconee Hall, smokers are spilling out of the smoking area, are very close to the building, and are taking up parking spaces. Dr. Buckhiester will discuss this with Gregg Stapleton.
Tim further discussed the collaboration with the Anderson County Museum. We are tying the Anderson Campus to the history of the area. This collaboration has been beneficial for both institutions. Multiple projects are underway.
Tim reported that Brian Swords will move to the Easley Campus during the week of Sept. 13. The Quick Jobs building will open very soon, and the academic building is moving along nicely. Marketing is underway, and three major events are being planned for the campus. He reminded the group about the November 9 event which is a combined open house and enrollment event. Tim updated the group by noting that he continues to work on the Oconee Campus issues and will keep them informed.
Gwen reported that her division, with all its new faculty, has settled in for the semester. She hopes to hire a new sociology faculty member soon. She asked the group to consider whether we need a policy for pregnant students taking labs. She announced that faculty are invited to an advising workshop with Clemson, on September 23.
Katy asked about the November professional development day. Attendance at the professional development day is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged for all employees.
Dr. Buckhiester noted the following.
- He asked the group to encourage attendance at the Learning College Lecture Series.
- As information, he distributed a tuition and fees chart for the different levels of college institutions.
- He noted that senior citizens may audit a class by signing up and registering for the class. They cannot simply show up and sit in a class.
- September 16 is Constitution Day. The SGA took on this project this year. On the 16th, information about the Constitution, provided by Chad Gregory, will be running on the screens in the Café and at the Anderson Campus. The SGA will decorate and serve cake in honor of the day.
- The Athletic Director’s salary is paid by activity fees. This slot is not in competition with faculty funding sources.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Recorded by: Anne Bryan
Next Meeting: Tuesday, September 28, at 1:00, in the Personnel Conference Room, RH 102
