Deans’ Council Meeting, September 3, 1998
 
Present: Raymond Rodrigues (presiding), José Martín, Marilyn Dyer, Betsy Boze, Farhat Iftekharuddin, Sylvia Peña, Mimosa Stephenson, Jim Holt, Doug Ferrier, Cindy Lerma, Carolyn Green
 
1. Strategic Priorities for the 1999-2000 Budget: The list of priorities was reviewed. Suggested revisions included: adding the planning and construction of the technical training center and bookstore, moving the improvement and accreditation of certificate program to the section for items requiring new funding, and adding improvement of library holdings to the new funding section. Among the items requiring new funding, highest priority was placed on (1) increasing the number of faculty, (2) faculty salaries, and (3) increasing retention. Implementing the new general education program must be funded because the change is mandatory.
 
2. Fall/Spring Enrollment: Preliminary fall enrollment data was reviewed. Ray Rodrigues led the members in a discussion of what faculty could do to increase retention. Suggestions included early intervention programs that identify students who are having difficulty in class so they can be advised or encouraged to go to the Learning Assistance Center; in-class announcements of advising/registration information; spreading faculty office hours over the week so that someone is always there to see students; encouraging faculty members to get student information in their classes (including, for example, phone numbers, major, intentions with respect to completing a program here); and establishing bulletin boards near faculty offices to include pictures of faculty members, office numbers, office hours, etc. Ray asked that deans have this conversation with their departments as well.
 
3. Fullbright Scholar-in-Residence Program: Mimosa Stephenson distributed materials for submitting a proposal for bringing an international scholar to campus. The Fullbright exchange program is specifically targeted for community colleges. Betsy Boze said that the School of Business would submit a proposal.
 
4. ExCET Preparation: Sylvia Peña reminded the members that although UTB/TSC has been accredited for teacher preparation, work still needs to be done. Passing levels for certain tests will be raised in the near future. Special attention must be given to those program areas in which the first-time pass rate was below 70%. Attention must also be given to integrating ExCET competencies and proficiencies and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) into teacher preparation programs.
 
5. General Education: Carolyn Green noted that the General Education task force would be meeting September 4 to establish a schedule for completing the core curriculum proposal. A general faculty meeting to discuss the proposal would be scheduled for early October (possibly October 9). An update on progress-to-date will be included on the agenda for the October 2 Deans & Chairs meeting.
 
6. Meeting Date for Adjunct Faculty Orientation: Ray Rodrigues explained that he would like to have an orientation meeting for current adjunct faculty. Given the teaching and work schedules of the adjuncts, the members decided that it would be best to have two meetings on different nights beginning around 6:00 p.m. Topics to be covered include advising, registration, the library, general education program changes, and the Learning Assistance Center.
 
7. Research Enhancement Awards: The members discussed a proposal that the research enhancement awards be converted to mission enhancement research awards. Mimosa Stephenson will prepare a draft of the new award guidelines for review at the next Deans’ Council meeting.
 
8. Academic Senate and Deans & Chairs Calendar: The proposed calendar was reviewed. The calendar will be modified to eliminate schedule conflicts.