Academic Council Minutes, March 2, 2005

I.  Minutes

--One editorial change of tense and incorporation of the following statement—

In general, appeals related to institution-wide policies go directly to the Council (e.g., undergraduate admission appeals), whereas appeals that relate at least initially to school policies or processes go first to the dean (e.g., grade appeals or graduate admission appeals).

II.  General Agenda 

·        International Study 

--Procedures for international study were again discussed, with Mr. Vic Padelford present.  He provided draft copies of a Course Equivalency Form and accompanying instructions.   

a.       The need for faculty access to course syllabi for the purpose of advising students about how a course could count was noted, with the conclusion that the syllabi would be provided on the P drive (Joe Ferguson agreed to get out instructions again on how to access the P drive from off campus).

b.      The need for verification of the instructor’s credentials (for non-UHV faculty) to meet accreditation mandates was discussed.  The provost will develop a form letter that may suffice for this purpose.

c.   A question was posed of whether formal audits of courses would be possible, if a person wished to have the educational experience but did not want credits or grades.  There appeared to be no objection if spaces were available, though Mr. Padelford pointed out that MSU's London program assumed that the course(s) would be part of the student’s total degree program. 

·        Instructional Technology/Online Issues and Updates

--The Council discussed the issue of how to deal with situations in which students change their name while taking an online course.  Deletion of the prior name results in a deletion of all materials related to that name.

--A further issue was how to deal with drops in online courses, so that an instructor can have an accurate class roster.  There is presently no technological solution to the problem, but some methods of dealing with it were noted, such as occasionally taking roll or going to RARSTU/ROLO.  The registrar noted that in RARSTU/ROLO, a class roll can be generated that will give a list of the students enrolled, as well as those who have dropped ("Action Code" of DS or WS).  This class roll can be viewed on screen, printed, or sent electronically by email. 

·        Fort Bend Issues and Updates 

--A problem was noted with the size of the rooms not being large enough to accommodate some proctoring situations. 

--Joe Dahlstrom distributed an agreement reached among UHS library directors on providing service at the centers, including the provision that the center librarian would report to the library of the managing institution. 

III.  Specific Agenda 

·        Student Appeal

-- A student grade appeal was postponed, pending information on action sought and supporting evidence and rationale (provost will seek that information). 

·        Faculty Development Requests and Reports 

--Approved a development grant for conference presentation ($662), pending receipt of a FY 04 report, to Dr. Ron Sardessai to the Southwestern Society of Economists, in Dallas, TX, in March. 

--Approved a development grant for conference presentation ($1,000) to Dr. Jifu Wang to the International Applied Business Research Conference and College Teaching and Learning Conference 2005 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in March. 

• Other

--A draft statement concerning expectations and accountability for faculty service in governance bodies was discussed, with the conclusion that the questions/issues involved should be referred to the Senate for its deliberation and recommendation. 

DNS/kw
3/3/05