Academic Council Minutes – April 16, 2008

 

I.  Review of Minutes – April 2, 2008

     -- Motion for approval made by Dr. John Stansell.  Motion seconded by Joe Ferguson.  The minutes were approved as circulated.

 

II.    General

·        Guests

Ms. Carolyn Mallory, Director, Financial Aid.

 

1.      Mr. Danny Ochoa gave an update on the LEAD program.  Mr. Ochoa responded to questions raised at the last Academic Council meeting. 

 

Regarding tracking prospective students, LEAD maintains an active list of prospective student through a database that has been developed; but, this database is still a work in progress.  Mr. Ochoa spoke with his coordinators to determine what follow up process is being used after initial student contact.  Follow up depends on the prospective student.  For instance, some students come from area high schools and some from junior colleges.  Different strategies are being used in following up with these students.  Mr. Ochoa provided a copy of the contact information card that is completed each time contact with a prospective student has been made.  Ms. Wortham suggested adding a line to indicate which community college(s), if any, that the student has attended.

 

A question was raised at the last Academic Council asking what types of training do coordinators receive so that they provide the most recent information regarding academic courses offerings?  Mr. Ochoa stated that the coordinators do not receive specific training on each program.  Although some coordinators use the web site to make that information available to them, the role of the coordinator is to provide direction to prospective students and provide general information that will help the prospective student determine what career interests they have.  The coordinator can then provide them with contact names of recruiters or advisors.  Coordinators do frequently review the BAAS program since it provides a means for students to receive degrees using technical course work.  Dr. Stansell asked that coordinators stress with prospective students, the high need for teachers, especially Hispanic speaking teachers in the community.

 

Mr. Ochoa stated that regarding reports, he is working on developing a report that will provide information to the schools that should prove helpful.  Dean Bullock stated that it would be helpful if the report were could contain the number of events held, what events are scheduled, the number of prospective students, number of applicants, the number enrolled, the number retained, etc.  The report should provide the same data as what is required by the performance indicators which will be reported to the Coordinating Board as part of the Uniform Recruitment and Retention report.  Ms. Norgard stated that this is, in fact, being integrated into the report; however, they are also very concerned about losing any students as a result of the reporting process.

 

Dean Bullock also suggested that LEAD look into creating a fact sheet or Q&A that coordinators can provide contacts.  The schools could help with the Q&A sheet by providing answers to questions commonly asked by prospective students. 

 

1.      Ms. Trudy Wortham provided data for new applications received.  There are currently nearly 100 more students than last year at this time.  Admissions office has been receive 80 to 90 applications each week since mid-March.  Ms. Wortham also provided a summer of missing documentation by school. 

 

2.      Ms. Wortham reminded Academic Council that Monday, April 21st will be the first day of Summer registration.

 

3.      Ms. Wortham stated that she is working on academic student records and is trying to resolve problems before entering grades for the Spring semester.  She is also working on several reports that will be helpful to users including the All Course Inquiry by Student and All Course Enrollment reports.  Ms. Wortham stated that security issues are being corrected for Student Solutions personnel.

 

1.      Mr. Joe Ferguson stated that individual licenses of Survey Monkey were distributed to each school and Student Academic Services.  Each area identified an individual who would retain the Survey Monkey license although multiple users can access and create a survey.  Dean Charles Bullock expressed concern about the integrity of the survey if more than one person could access the surveys.  Dean Bullock feels that faculty should have someone to assist them they have problems with Survey Monkey.  He also asked Dr. Nagarajan Ramamoorthy to ensure the Human Subjects Committee is kept informed.  Dr. Ramamoorthy will send an e-mail to all faculty reminding them of their responsibility forward any surveys that meet the criteria for review by the Human Subjects Committee.  Mr. Ferguson stated that the licenses are on a one-year trial basis to be evaluated at the end of the annual license.  The need for additional licenses can be reviewed at a later time. 

 

 

1.      Ms. Carolyn Mallory provided information on the new TEACH grant.  The TEACH Grant is a new program approved by the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007.  The TEACH Grant is federally funded grant which entitles qualified applicants with $4,000.  The applicant must be in a high need teaching field and must serve four out of eight years after graduating in a school with families identified as low-income.  Ms. Mallory stated there are approximately 14 schools in the Victoria area.  The schools are identified on the web site provided in the handout.

 

If the student does not teach in a high need field in a low-income school then the grant becomes a low-interest unsubsidized loan.  Students will receive an entrance exam prior to receiving the grant to ensure that the student understands the ramifications if they do not serve the required four year term.

 

Dr. John Stansell stated that this is similar to another teaching grant that was received some time ago.  That grant was not effective and he is concerned that this grant will also be underutilized.  LEAD should also be brought in on this so that students can be made aware of the need for teachers in this area.

 

Carolyn asked who will be responsible for identifying which of UHV’s programs will be eligible for the TEACH Grant.  Dr. Stansell and Dr. Barba Patton will identify the programs for SoEHD and Dr. Jeffrey Di Leo and Ms. Tracy Fox will identify the programs for SoAS.  Ms. Wortham can help with identification of current plans, if needed.  Dr Stansell and Dr. Di Leo will report their findings to the Academic Council by next month.

 

III.  Specific.

      None.

 

1.   The following Faculty Development request was approved:

 

-- Dr. Nagarajan Ramamoorthy was awarded an FY08 research grant for $1300 to study the work values and attitudes of software professionals in Indian organizations in the Bangalore region of India.

 

 

As recorded by,

Karen Boldt

4/16/08