Academic Delivery Group Meeting
January 25, 2011
1:00 p.m.
Pickens Conference Room
(Revised 2/8/11)
Members Present: Susan Allen, Jackie Blakley, Tim Bowen, Katy Goforth, Eugene Grant, Scott Harvey, Lynn Lewis, Gwen Owens
Members Absent:
Others Present: Amanda Blanton and Rachel Gunby
Length of Meeting: 2.25 hours
Topics Discussed:
Tim presented on a number of reports that he and Rachel Gunby have been creating for campus planning. He wanted to begin a larger dialog with the information and welcomed feedback. Much of the information was pulled from ISIS and placed into the new formats. Intent is that once new reports are finalized, they will be programmed as standard ISIS reports.
- The reports, Sections by Term by Course by Campus and Enrollment by Term by Course by Campus, allow a look at supply and demand with the advantage of monitoring and comparing campuses in an at-a-glance view.
- Snapshot Stats compares enrollment and course section data by campus on key academic dates. It will be used to identify trends and patterns. It was suggested that seat count/room capacity be included in this report as well as data on student withdrawal/faculty withdrawal. Tim will add these.
- The Master Campus Schedule shows course offerings by class time by division by department for each community campus. It provides a big picture of discipline balance and course offerings and will be helpful as we grow the campuses.
- The Course Enrollment report gives a look at course patterns and can help us determine what courses should be added at the community campuses in order to facilitate more students getting a full schedule at one campus.
The class/room scheduling process was discussed. It was noted that we need to revisit “room ownership”/scheduling priority. Scheduling priority allows rooms to be dedicated to a program or department up to a certain point in the scheduling process. After that point, the rooms are open to anyone who needs them. There is no room ownership unless the room is so dedicated (a lab, for example) that no one else could use it. Another consideration for a dedicated room would be one that had equipment in it that could hurt someone or that could be damaged.
The Easley Campus has rooms assigned to each division. The Anderson Campus does not, although the deans agreed that it would be helpful. Dr. Buckhiester agreed, and asked the deans to divide the non-CCE rooms for priority scheduling. He asked the deans to communicate to the department heads which rooms have been assigned to the division, to consider the assignment to be permanent, and to abide by it. The deans will report the room assignments back to ADG. Once the priority scheduling period is over, the rooms will be open for all to use.
It was also noted that the college needs to re-evaluate room ownership at Pendleton, keeping in mind the room capacity. Scott will gather a group to complete this review, and will contact the deans for representatives.
The minutes of the December 14, 2010 meeting were approved.
Anne presented two possible dates for the CCSSE survey. The group decided to use the
March 7 – 11 dates.
Dr. Buckhiester gave an inclement weather follow up. In order to provide correct information to students, he noted that employees should refer to the inclement weather policy. Dr. Buckhiester stated that all classes will start on the same day, regardless of whether they are traditional, hybrid or online. The college has one, common start day. The 60% withdrawal date will not be modified because of the delayed start to the semester. Work missed during the inclement weather will be made up at the course level. Make up days will not be scheduled.
It was noted that announcements posted over the Christmas break need to remain on eTC until after we return to campus. Over the break, information about employees’ accessibility to campus disappeared very quickly. Employees could not refer to the posting as they tried to plan time on campus during the holidays.
The Academic Fresh Start Policy was discussed. Dr. Buckhiester noted that Dr. Booth would prefer that the period from the last date of enrollment to re-enrollment be longer than a year. He reported that seven other technical colleges that have a fresh start policy have a two to five year waiting period. In discussing the policy the following were noted:
- The ADG agreed to keep late registration day in the term in which the student wants to apply as the deadline for petitions.
- Excluded courses can be used to fulfill prerequisites.
- The Faculty/Senate would like to add wording to note that other colleges and universities would not be bound by our fresh start policy.
- The required 24 hours must have been taken at Tri-County and include developmental courses.
- Transfer credit is not affected by this policy.
After this policy is revised, Katy may hold a called Faculty/Senate meeting to present it to them.
Under Announcements, Eugene noted that Tri-County will be hosting the Lego League Tournament on January 29.
Scott reported that a large number of enrollment verifications were missing.
Susan noted that interviews for the Title III Learning Communities Coordinator will take place during the next week. She also reported that Katy will be moving into Margaret Burdette’s former office near Sarah Shumpert and Richard Smith.
Lynn asked for clarification on the use of the new learning center, RH 248. Susan stated that the room can be scheduled via Outlook, but is not available as a classroom.
Historically, at the request of the division secretaries, class rosters have been picked up from Student Records on the Saturday before classes begin. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Saturday pick up would remain in place, but that two division secretaries would be gathering the lists for all divisions. In addition to the Business and Public Services class rosters, Melinda Zeigler will pick up the class rosters for the I & ET Division. Sandra Roddey will get the rosters for Arts & Sciences, as well as the rosters for the Health Education Division. Tonia McClain and Debbie Thrasher will pick up their rosters on the following Monday morning.
Katy noted that the Faculty Senate is working on firming up the attendance policy.
Dr. Buckhiester reported on the budget. Faye is still trying to determine the amount of the shortfall, and will be reviewing budgets to try to reduce the impact of the reductions as much as possible. The guidelines for the proposed reduction in travel are vague. Dr. Buckhiester asked the group to allow travel if the individual was a presenter at a conference, an official representative of the college at a meeting, a nominee for special recognition, or if so much of the travel had been pre-paid it would not make sense to cancel the trip. Foundation money and mini-grants are not included in the restriction and could be used for travel. It was suggested that the in the future, the college set aside funds to cover the travel costs for award nominees, rather than the costs coming from their departmental budgets.
Regarding online survey requests, Dr. Buckhiester pointed out that both employees and non-employees have access to TCTC e-mail addresses through the College’s public website. Consequently, the College has no jurisdiction over requests from individuals that employees complete surveys electronically.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Recorded by: Anne Bryan
Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 8, at 1:00, in the Personnel Conference Room, RH 102
