Minutes Provost's Office UHV

Academic Council Minutes of August 13, 2001

I. General Agenda

  • Data collection Mary Ann Rivera was present for a discussion of data collection needs. She indicated Steve Webb at UH would be making sure that PeopleSoft incorporates the information needs or that programs for capturing needed information can be added. Liz Branch shared a list of routine data reports already being done. MaryAnn Rivera does, additionally, a number of ad hoc reports each year. It was proposed that these be communicated more widely in case they may be of value to others. Routine and ad hoc reports could also be listed in the annual Fact Book.
  • Instructional technology Joe Ferguson reported on equipment purchases, including laptop computers and combination printers.

Chari Norgard indicated that the student listserv was ready to go and is intended to become primary means of communicating important information to students. The listserv will seek to be informative but discriminating in what is communicated. She also indicated that she is researching a web-learner platform called "Tegrity" and may be able to arrange a demonstration. The platform would supplement, not replace, WebCT. She also shared the job description for a telecommunications position and proposals on administrative tasks that need to be centralized with regard to instructional technology communications.

Charles Bullock noted the scheduled visit of Prometric to demonstrate the kind of proctoring support it can provide.

  • Fort Bend Low enrollments are evident thus far at Cinco Ranch. The deans would like a meeting with the new director, Dr. Debora Butts, to discuss needs, issues, etc. The provost will contact Sandy Frieden about setting up a meeting, since she may wish to attend. An organization chart for Cinco and CampusNet would be helpful. It was also noted that a calendar of recruitment, marketing, and fund-raising activities of the four universities would be helpful, so that these do not unduly confuse or impose on businesses and organizations in the area. It was noted that the same concern was discussed in the recent meeting of the CampusNet academic administration support group (AAS).

II. Specific Agenda

  • Student appeals

--Approved the appeal of a student to have additional hours (beyond 12) transferred from post-baccalaureate to graduate status.

--Denied the appeal of a student to be admitted with a 1.87 GPA. The student needs to take lower-division requirements and raise his GPA.

--Approved a waiver of the TOEFL based on a student's residency status and U.S. university courses completed.

  • Faculty Development Grant Requests/Reports

--Approved development grant reports from the following faculty members Dr. Estella De Los Santos, Dr. Nora Hutto, Dr. Mary Natividad, Dr. Barba Patton, Dr. Louie Ren, Dr. Cindy Schnebly, Dr. Harold Smith.

--Approved a summer sabbatical report from Dr. Rick Harrington.

  • Carried forward items These were carried forward again, owing to lack of time.
  • Other Questions referred to the Council from the President's Faculty Coffees were considered. The provost will note responses in the next Provost's Updates.

DNS/kw
08/17/01