Deans’ Council Minutes
November 14, 2006

Attendance: Dr. Frank Ashley, Dr. James Klein, Dr. James Vornberg, Dr. Allan Headley, Dr. Joe Webber, Dr. Yvette Murph, Mr. Greg Mitchell. Dr. Hal Langford and Dr. Mary Hendrix were absent from the meeting. There was not a representative from the College of Business and Technology present at the meeting.

University Studies – Dr. Klein met with the University Studies Committee last week regarding the development of a Core Curriculum Task Force. The committee recommended a group of approximately 8–10 members comprised of 5-6 faculty, 1 librarian, 1 Student Affairs and 1 Enrollment Management representative. The task force would discuss and propose new ideas to assist in making the students' experience at TAMU-C different from that of a community college and promote TAMU-C as a destination university. It was the consensus of the Council to approve the recommendation. It is anticipated that the Core Curriculum Task Force will be developed in time for the spring semester. The Provost and Dean both plan to attend the first meeting of the group.

Foreign Travel – The Provost stressed to Council members that foreign travel (excluding travel to Canada and Mexico) which is paid from state appropriated funds must be approved by the Board of Regents Office 30 days prior to the proposed travel dates, and foreign travel paid from local funds must be approved by the University President 30 days prior to the proposed travel dates. All foreign travel must benefit the State of Texas .

Annual Evaluation of Faculty – The Provost informed the Council that last week he met with Faculty Senate and discussed the pilot implementation of the Kansas State University instrument of evaluation of teaching by students at TAMU-C this fall semester. Following his meeting with the Senate, the President and he received correspondence from the Senate Chair that the Senate had reservations about the pilot. The Provost plans to meet with the Presidents to discuss these concerns.

Miscellaneous :

FTE Analysis - The Provost reminded Deans to review the FTE Analysis data that he sent to them for review. Their responses are due in his office by noon on this date. Their response is needed and the information will be discussed later this week at the President's Advisory Council.

Working Students – 2005 NSSE data provided by TAMU-C Office of Strategic Planning was shared with Council members that reflected a large number of TAMU-C students work off-campus while attending classes.

At least 22% of freshman students work between 1-15 hours per week off- campus; at least 32% of senior level students work more than 30 hours per week off-campus. Many of the students also provide care for dependents living with them such as parents, children, spouses, etc.

House Bill 400/ Higher Education Assistance Act – HB 400 passed by the 77 th Texas Legislature, relates directly to the participation and success goals of Closing the Gaps by 2015. The legislation requires school districts with high schools among the lowest 10% college-going rates in the state to enter into a partnership agreement with a public institution of higher education to develop a plan to increase the district's college-going rates. TAMU-C will be working with two local school districts: Boles and Quinlan.

Fall 2006 – Semester Credit Hour – Data was shared with Council members that reflected semester credit hour by level by department by college. More data showing semester credit hour history can be located on the Coordinating Board website.

College/Division Updates :

Student Affairs – The recent Veteran's Vigil was a huge success. The Moving Wall was located on campus and many guests visited the campus from November 8 – 12, 2006. It was reported that over 3,500 visitor signed the guest book.

Feast of Carols will be the next big event which is scheduled for December 1 - 2.

Memorial Student Center –The ground breaking is for the new Memorial Student Center is tentatively scheduled for January 2006.

James Gee Library – There will be a reception and book signing at Gee Library on November 15, 2006 for Mr. Eddie Barker, Dallas news reporter, and Dr. John Mark Dempsey, TAMU-C faculty, who have co-authored a book entitled Eddie Barker's Notebook: Stories That Made the News (and Some Better Ones That Didn't!).

Graduate Studies and Research – The Junior Faculty Symposium and Pathway Research Symposium were recently held. Sites for future Pathway Research Symposiums have been announced. In 2007 the location will be Tarleton State University and in 2008, TAMU-C.

Dr. Headley shared data reflecting the number of Graduate applications (submissions, acceptances and matriculations) over the past several years. This information will be maintained and shared with Council members periodically.

College of Education and Human Services & College of Arts and Sciences – Dean Vornberg and Dean Klein met recently with Departments regarding “Bilingual Education”.

College of Arts and Sciences – Dr. Klein encouraged Council members to attend the open candidate forums for the KETR General Manager position.

Enrollment Management – University Day is scheduled for November 18. It is anticipated that approximately 300 individuals will register.

The Interim Admissions Director met with college advisors and it was agreed that transfer students with at least 21 hours will not be required to attend orientation sessions.

Dr. Murph provided a handout of the fall 2006 mid-term grade report generated by the Registrar's Office. The report can be used as a valuable instrument in the university's retention efforts. Dr. Murph agreed to send Council members an electronic copy after the meeting so information can be shared with appropriate Department Heads.

Later in the month Dr. Murph will be meeting with administrators at Eastfield College in an effort to increase TAMU-C's spring student enrollment. Following the Council meeting, she will also be meeting with TAMU-C Marketing staff to discuss efforts to increase spring enrollment.