Academic Leadership Team
January 14, 2020
1:00 pm
RH 220
Members Present: Gayle Arries, Jackie Blakley, Tim Bowen, Ahmad Chaudhry, Jenni Creamer, Galen DeHay, Mark Dougherty, Mandy Elmore, Adam Ghiloni, Pam Goodman, Linda Jameison, Tasheka Johnson, Scott Harvey, Glenn Hellenga, Gabe Hollingsworth, Tom Lawrence, Chris Marino, Bryan Manuel, Mary Orem, Sarah Shumpert, Luke VanWingerden
Members Absent: Tiffany Blackwell, Rick Cothran
Other Attendees:
Length of Meeting: 1 Hour
The minutes of the October 22, 2019 meeting were approved as presented.
With Robin McFall’s retirement, Pam Goodman is the new Faculty Senate President. Galen welcomed her to the group.
Online Teaching Credential
In compliance with SACSCOC, we have an online teaching credential. Our current provider, University of Wisconsin-Madison, has announced a significant price increase, so we are considering other options. A faculty workgroup that designs and updates online courses will evaluate options and provide recommendations for a possible new provider. No processes will change, and until the contract expires, we will continue to use the University of Wisconsin- Madison for this credential.
PolyCom
PolyCom classes were initially used to help community campuses have enough students to run their classes, and was driven by a math faculty member’s interest in and knowledge of the delivery method. The use of PolyCom has grown, and it is time to review some instructional issues. Since most of the PolyCom courses are taught in the Arts & Sciences Division, Tom Lawrence has pulled together a workgroup of the faculty that use the system to identify themes. Some themes to be addressed are academics, policy, governance, and scalability issues. In the future, the other deans, Registrar’s Office/Student Data Center, IT and others will be included in these discussions. Goals for the workgroup are to:
- Gather information.
- Improve planning and management of these classes.
- Plan how to build this out.
- Consider what issues we are trying to solve.
Discussion noted the following:
- Be sure to consider the enrollment and academic strategies for the community campuses.
- Keeping in mind that one small change can have a big impact, the technology and infrastructure will not change in the classrooms.
- Call it synchronous virtual learning rather than a polycom class.
- The workgroup will meet through April.
Equipment Expenditure Update
Galen noted that our current budget has $1.6 million for equipment. With spending of only 400,000 so far, he asked the members of the group to move their requests forward. There may be a significant amount of recurring money available in the state budget. The technical college system will most likely receive some of this money. In order for Tri-County to receive some of these funds, we need to demonstrate a need. Excess money in the equipment budget will not support a need.
Curriculum & Instruction Department Reorganization
Galen reported that the Curriculum & Instructional Support Office has been reorganized, with additional responsibilities for Sarah Shumpert. The reorganization will allow greater support for curriculum development, faculty development, and large scale projects that are unique to Academic Affairs. Faculty Development now reports to Sarah. Sarah will report to the VICE President for Academic Affairs. Sarah noted this office will now be called Academic Development. We are aligning this change with the budget cycle, and an announcement will go out soon.
Service Excellence – Internal Service
Galen distributed the TCTC ICARE Service Standards. Currently, we use those standards with students, but Galen reviewed them with a different focus. He asked the group to consider using those standards with each other. Based on information from the recent focus groups, Galen noted that this is an emergent issue, and one that leaders can address. He noted that anyone at any time depends on someone else, and without each other there is no Tri-County. He asked that we:
- Approach each other in a spirit of kindness
- Respect each other without exception – Do not have to agree.
He noted that while we have made progress in the transformative employee experience, it will take time and work to change perceptions and expectations. Instead of assumptions, he asked the group to ask questions and be curious.
- Wonder why?
- Wonder how?
- Educate each other
- Assume the best of people
ACTION ITEM:
The members of the group will review the ICARE Service Standards with their employees.
Announcements
Galen:
We have contracted with a company to do thermal imaging of the buildings to help identify maintenance and upkeep needs and to address the root cause of any issues.
Linda Jameison:
Working toward being able to enter a success plan for students in Starfish. Will allow academic appeal approvals to be documented in Starfish. A plan is in place for suspension status.
Mary Orem:
- Tonya Walker will leave the college on January. Mary is recruiting for the learning strategist position.
- Added some new data bases.
- Appreciated the input on what to purchase this year.
- SCILS Consortium is ending. We will join the state’s new library system.
Jenni Creamer:
Reported the spring 2020 enrollment numbers – FTE up by 1.64%; down by 19 individual students.
Tom Lawrence:
Thanked everyone for all the support for the Arts & Sciences student engagement event.
Ahmad Chaudhry:
Reported that the Fulp Hall renovations are underway. Bathrooms are first, then moving floor to floor.
Tasheka Johnson:
Announced that there are four advising-related faculty development training sessions this spring. She asked the members of the group to encourage people to attend. Sessions include:
- Math Placement
- Course Placement
- Financial Aid
- Starfish
Tasheka will send this information to Gayle Arries for the Weekly Edge.
Chris Marino:
Perkins 5 is progressing. Working with stakeholders and will meet to ask questions. Must be more insightful about how the funds help students.
- PACE REC Board is conducting a regional needs assessment in conjunction with K-12.
- How do we integrate all the boards?
- We have good, appropriate questions that we can use outside of Perkins.
- Must comply to the focus of career and technical education to get funding.
- Value beyond the funding; worth having good answers to the questions.
Luke VanWingerden:
- Katie Baggott will join the IT team on February 3. She is the IT Knowledge Manager and Trainer.
- PLEAT Phase 1 has moved to the Easley Campus. Anderson and Oconee should be soon.
- Considering next steps for eTC. Mark Dougherty is leading that team
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Recorded By: Anne Bryan
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 28 @ 1:00, in RH 220A
