Academic Council Minutes, December 15, 2004

 I.  Minutes 

• The minutes for the December 1 meeting were approved as written.

II.  General Agenda 

• Data Collection

--Trudy Wortham reported about the same number of registrants as for this time last year—1,772, with 14,430 credit hours.  

• Instructional Technology/Online Issues and Updates

--Chari Norgard indicated student names can be changed any time in Vista, but an ID can be changed only at the beginning of the semester/term.  Changing names in the semester may result in a discrepancy with the grade roster. 

A Mercury Topaz monitor system has been installed to track how Vista equipment and processes are functioning. 

The survey of Vista users ends today (233 responses thus far).  Results should be ready by mid-spring semester. 

--Joe Ferguson indicated that SOPHOS anti-spam software is being installed. 

--Charles Bullock asked about the status of Mathematica software.  Chari Norgard indicated UH had a license and would share copies with UHV for $7 apiece.  The deans requested several, and Joe Ferguson requested copies for the computer labs.  Copies should be available by start of spring semester. 

• Fort Bend Issues and Updates

--Provost indicated that future institutional management of Cinco Ranch hinges in part upon the development of additional centers. 

He also indicated that the annual report to the Coordinating Board on MITCs is being submitted.  The Coordinating Board staff then reports to the Board of Regents. 

--Dick Phillips indicated that a UHS meeting on student services at the centers is being held—with a focus on student clubs and organizations. 

--Chari Norgard indicated that names of students in partnered Vista courses are being collected to head off registration problems. 

III.    Specific Agenda 

·        Student Appeals 

--Some appeals were referred back to Education and Human Development, as more appropriate for the school to decide. 

--A student request to be admitted despite previous suspensions was reconsidered in light of additional evidence and was denied. 

--A request for a TOEFL waiver was approved, pending review by Business Administration. 

--Another request for a TOEFL waiver was approved. 

--A request to complete a degree under an old plan was approved.

--A request to substitute an old course from another institution on a degree plan was denied. 

• Faculty Development and Requests and Reports

--Approved a development grant for conference presentation ($462) to Dr. Jeffrey Di Leo to the 2005 Conference of the American Comparative Literature Association, in University Park, PA, in March.

--Approved the request of Dr. James Walton, for a research grant ($1,000) to be used to conduct an experimental study for assessing consumers’ attitudes toward ads when social issues are used in commercial advertising.

--Approved a request for Faculty Development Leave (sabbatical) by Dr. Cindy Schnebly for fall or spring of next year, as arranged, and will be shared with the Committee on Faculty Development Leave.

--Accepted a grant funded conference travel report from Dr. David Satava.  In that the research report submitted needs to cover results, which are not yet available, the Council will ask Dr. Satava for a follow-up report.

·        Other

--Question about budget hearings.  Not set yet. 

--Question about IT assistance for home computers owned by faculty members but used in teaching.  Probably not possible to service equipment not owned by the university.  Option of choosing a laptop configuration when a replacement is due might solve most of this problem. 

DNW/kw
12/16/04