Academic Delivery Group Meeting
July 11, 2011
10:00 a.m.
Personnel Conference Room
Members Present: Jackie Blakley, Scott Harvey, Lynn Lewis, Gwen Owens, Donna Shannon, Sarah Shumpert
Members Absent: Tim Bowen, Eugene Grant
Others Present: Deborah Brock
Length of Meeting: 1.50 hours
Topics Discussed:
Dr. Buckhiester welcomed Deborah Brock to the meeting. Deborah discussed New Faculty Orientation Advisor Training and distributed a handout. She noted how much she appreciates the designated space for the Faculty Development office, and the released time to work with faculty development. She mentioned that one of the themes for this year is retention. She is working on things that faculty can do to retain students, and is open to suggestions. She briefly discussed new faculty orientation, noted the tentative schedule, and polled the group to determine that we are expecting 12 new full-time faculty on campus this fall.
Deborah discussed advisor training, and is trying to help new faculty become advisors. She noted that most of the orientation session is technical rather than philosophical. She wants new advisors to have the philosophical background, but feels that it is too much information to try to add to the new faculty orientation session. She suggested moving that aspect to a later time, and the group agreed that a second session would be beneficial. Deborah noted that six advising sessions will be offered to update seasoned advisors. These sessions are open to everyone.
Dr. Buckhiester welcomed Donna Shannon, the new Faculty Senate President, and Sarah Shumpert to the group.
The minutes of the May 27, 2011 meeting were approved. In following up on the minutes, Dr. Buckhiester noted that the Maximum Student Load procedure was approved by the College Commission at its last meeting.
Gwen discussed Policy 3-2-1015, Placement Testing, and Procedure 3-2-1010.4, Placement Retesting, and distributed the procedure. The group discussed, at length, the use of the Ability to Benefit (ATB) guidelines and asked for clarification on why it is not considered a test attempt. The group also questioned removing textbooks and study guides from purchase at the Bookstore and use in the Library. Scott will try to get some clarification on the ATB issue, and Gwen will work with Wanda Screws for additional clarification. This will be an item on the next meeting’s agenda.
Dr. Buckhiester discussed procedures for addressing complaints of online students and noted that SACS is requiring a process to allow an online student to register a complaint and to go through the entire procedure without coming on campus. Our procedure will accommodate those students who take only online courses. If a student drives to class, he/she can drive to attend an appeal meeting. Dr. Buckhiester noted that confirming the identity of the student is a FERPA concern, and Scott mentioned the identity questions that the Student Records’ staff asks for phone inquiries. He agreed that there is only so much that we can do to identify the student. Scott will discuss FERPA issues with Margaret Burdette and Chris Marino, and will conduct further research. We will put this procedure in place and then wait for further input concerning FERPA.
Under announcements, Gwen reported that there are five finalists for the math positions. The last two interviews will be completed today (7/11/11). She also noted that we are moving forward with a feasibility study and looking into grant possibilities for a Fine Arts program.
Lynn reported that the air conditioning in Fulp Hall is not working well, and ants have become a problem. During the week of August 8, the air conditioning unit will be repaired.
Donna reported that she has two Faculty Senate vacancies, one in Health Education and one in Business & Public Services. Faculty Senate will also need an adjunct faculty representative from each of the divisions. Donna also noted that the attendance policy will go back to Faculty Senate for further review and revision.
Scott noted that he plans to attend the Business & Public Services fall division meeting to update the division and to answer any questions. He also reported that this year’s graduation served as a pilot to see how many Bridge students would graduate with the University Studies Certificate. Scott would like to expand the pilot and asked the deans to think of any degree programs in which the student could get a diploma or a certificate. Lynn mentioned the Nursing Prep Certificate.
Sarah stated that due to a problem with SunGard, Blackboard will not be integrated with Banner. We will upgrade Blackboard, so the training is still beneficial. And, while it is not real time communication, it will be much better. Sarah noted that we are working on securing passwords.
Dr. Buckhiester announced that Educational Talent Search received a grant of over $391,000.
He thanked the group for all the work on the request from Worklink to update the programs in their provider listing. The updated spreadsheet was sent to Windy Graham on July 7.
It was noted that we have seven certificates that do not qualify for gainful employment. Scott will send a letter to students in these programs to make them aware of financial aid options. As a new program moves through the Curriculum Committee, the gainful employment requirements need to be taken into account. The Department of Education needs a 90-day advance notice that we plan to offer a new program. The Department of Education can follow up with questions about the program at any time prior to our being 30 days away from implementation. Bill Whitlock needs new program information as early as possible. Margaret Burdette is working on a draft of what is needed for a new certificate or diploma. A new program should not be listed in the catalog until it has gone through the entire approval process. Quick responses to needs will be provided by Corporate and Community Education.
Dr. Buckhiester stated that he was notified recently by a SACS staff member that the Horticulture Certificate does not qualify as a workforce development certificate. Upon inquiry, he learned that SACS is in the process of modifying its criteria for what constitutes a workforce development certificate. It appears that new criteria will likely include (1) the certificate is offered in response to a specific employer request; (2) the institution plans to offer the certificate only once, in response to the specific employer need; and (3) the certificate is not offered at what SACS would call the “main campus” of the institution. Any credential not considered a workforce development certificate requires a full prospectus, rather than a modified prospectus.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Recorded by: Anne Bryan
Next Meeting: Tuesday, August 23, at 1:00 p.m. in the Personnel Conf. Room, RH 102
