Minutes

I.  General Agenda 

• Data

--Liz Branch and Dick Phillips indicated that applications and registrations are running well ahead of last spring, though not of last fall.  Projection is for 2150-2300 students.

--It was clarified that the schools call students affected in case of course cancellations.

• Instructional Support Services and Distance Education

--Chari Norgard indicated that the 3.8 upgrade of WebCT has been done.

--Joe Ferguson indicated that two computer labs had been upgraded—UC 204 and 205—and that Web-based e-mail for students will be implemented this spring.  Also, an inventory of university computers has been completed, with over 400 accounted for.  Norgard raised a question concerning dissemination of information on software available.  It was agree such information is needed to avoid duplicate purchases.

• Other

--The provost noted that the auxiliary buildings in Sugar Land are supposed to be ready for occupancy on Friday 10.  The deans and Ferguson prefer that staff wait till Friday 17 to move, since classes get underway next week.

--Norgard indicated that the AAS group would be looking at how to make the schedules for the centers and CampusNet more efficient.

--In response to a question about the addition to UW, the provost indicated that bids were in and were under budget, meaning that some of the alternates could be accommodated.

II.  Specific Agenda 

• Student Appeals

--Approved the request of a student to have I’s become W’s in two courses in which she did not know she had been enrolled.  

--Disapproved the request of a student to be admitted to graduate study with an admission index under 1300. 

--Approved request of a student to be admitted despite three suspensions at a previous institution.  Suspensions were long ago and student has since done satisfactory work at VC. 

• Faculty Development Conference Presentation Requests and Reports

--Approved a request of Dr. Dan Hallock, for a travel grant ($1,049) to present at the 10^th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences, in Las Vegas, NV, in February. 

--Approved the request of Dr. Dan Hallock and Dr. Joseph Szendi, to continue their research ($1,700 from FY 02) on determining if specific personality profiles and learning styles, and other demographics are common and significant among practicing professional project managers. 

--Approved a request of Dr. James Holm, for a travel grant ($1,200) to present at the American Humanics Management Institute in Las Vegas, NV, in January. 

--Approved a request of Dr. Nora Hutto, for a travel grant ($1,200) to present at the 2003 Professional Development Schools National Conference in Orlando, FL, in March. 

--Approved a request of Dr. Carol Klages, for a travel grant ($800) to present at the Northern Caribbean University Literacy Conference in Mandeville, Jamaica, in January. 

--Approved a request of Dr. Donald Loffredo, for a travel grant ($600) to present at the Southwestern Psychological Association Convention and also present at the Popular Culture Association Convention in New Orleans, LA, in April. 

--Approved a request of Dr. David Satava, for a travel grant ($765) to present at the Federation of Business Disciplines Conference, in Houston, TX, in March. 

--Accepted reports on grant-funded travel from Dr. Elizabeth Heywood.   

• Other

--Approved language for the catalog reflecting university policy on experiential learning.

--Discussed the report of the Academic Affairs Committee on the most recent round of program reviews and response to the report.  The provost will draft a response.

--Approved a proposal to create a student satisfaction survey tailored to UHV’s needs and to drop the use of the ACT.  It was noted that the ACT could be used from time to time for comparison purposes, since some of the survey items are more or less standards ones.  Student Relations will coordinate development of a new instrument, which would likely be web based.

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1/6/03