Academic Council Retreat Minutes, January 21, 2005

Note:  Since the topics and discussion tended to be wide ranging, as is appropriate for a retreat, the minutes do not attempt to capture everything. –DS

I.  Faculty Development and Request and Reports 

--Approved a development grant for conference presentation ($1,000) to Dr. Li Chao to the Information Resources Management Association 2005 Conference, in San Diego, CA, in May.  Also approved a request for a research grant ($1,000) to conduct research on various methods to manage Web databases through the Internet which is necessary research needed for a book, Database Implementation and Management, he is writing.

--Approved a development grant for conference presentation ($950), pending receipt of outstanding report, to Dr. Yong Glasure to the Southwest Economics Association meeting, in New Orleans, LA, in March.

--Approved a request for a research grant ($1,000), pending receipt of outstanding report, to Richard Gunasekera to investigate the molecular mechanisms of plant derived bioactive molecules on their preventative and therapeutic action in prostate and breast cancer cell lines.

--Accepted a grant funded conference travel report from Dr. Chien-Ping Chen and two travel reports from Dr. Hsin-Hui Lin.

--Accepted a grant funded research report from Dr. David Satava.

II.  Program Reviews

--Program review recommendations and any follow-up actions were postponed for later consideration.

III.  Curricular Proposals 

--Curricular proposals approved by the Faculty Senate were reviewed and accepted.

IV.  Technology 

--Joe Ferguson indicated that the PC inventory would be distributed soon, along with the replacement cycle, and that an analysis of survey responses on technology needs had been completed and would be shared with FACT. 

--A question of how to handle requests related to possible computer-use injuries was discussed.  It was concluded that such request should be run by Greg Fanelli for a determination of reasonable accommodation.

--Ron Sardessai requested that a computer be made available for the Senate to store its files on.  A laptop was considered the best solution.  IT will assign one, which can be stored/reassigned through Dee Dee Canion in the Provost’s office.

--WebCT/Vista implementation was discussed, with agreement that the beginning of this semester had gone smoothly.  However, some complaints remain, since when technology changes, it is not always possible to foresee what will be gained and what lost as a result of trade-offs made.

--PeopleSoft’s student information system is moving toward implementation and will require more time from the registrar and others.  It is expected to go live in October 06, with implementation in January 07.

--DVD capability is being added to the Library’s Tilt-Rack video contraption, and the prospect of extending its service off campus is being explored.

--The real-time communication/instructional software called Breeze is being tested by ISS and should be available for use in the spring semester.

V.  Budget Priorities and Requests 

--Budget priorities and requests from Academic Affairs for the next fiscal year were previewed.  A/S is seeking new positions for the proposed Nursing program and may seek another Biology position.  Computer Science would like to have a lab on campus similar to the one in Sugar Land.  Some additional funding may be required for replacement positions in Business.  Education will request continuation of a visiting appointment allocated mid year.  IT would like to resume the three-year replacement cycle.  ISS will request an additional support position.  The Senate is requesting an increase in its discretionary funds.  Student Services will need to backfill in some areas, given PeopleSoft and other demands.  Document imaging needs help if it is to be completed. The provost indicated that any restructuring in Fort Bend can probably be accommodated within existing budgets and that meeting faculty equity targets would require $150,000-200,000.

VI.  General Issues 

--The group discussed how career planning and placement efforts might best be handled to accommodate the needs of UHV’s particular student clienteles.

--The council also discussed developing guidelines for employees who are also students with regard to avoiding perceptions of advantage or impropriety, since employee students may have access to information that other students do not.

VII.  Faculty Matters 

--The deans, Senate chair, and provost discussed the percentage split between equity and merit, which has been historically about one-third to two-thirds.  Too little is known about possible state funding at this time to address the question meaningfully.

--They agreed to set up a meeting for the deans and Senate Executive Committee to discuss approaches to academic planning.

--Faculty awards for research and service were discussed.  The Senate is working on a process for these.  The provost indicated that some other institutions have such awards and may have processes in place that could provide some guidance.

DNS/kw
1/24/05