Present:  José Martín, Betsy Boze, Farhat Iftekharuddin, Doug Ferrier, John Ronnau, René Villarreal, Victor Fuhro, Edna Claus, Jim Holt

1. Grade Sheets (René Villarreal)
The Deans were asked to remind the department chairs about the following policy regarding grade sheets, which is effective immediately:
If a “D” appears in the student ID column on the grade sheet-NO BUBBLE SHOULD BE FILLED IN.
If a “W” appears in the grade column-IT SHOULD BE BUBBLED IN

2. Room Capacity and Class Size (Victor Fuhro)
Deans were reminded to review the most current registration report with attention to increasing capacities as needed, canceling sections with low enrollment, and reassigning faculty as necessary.
3. Room Changes (René Villarreal)
The Facilities Coordinator will inform the departments regarding all room changes.  Each departmental office is responsible for posting room changes in a timely manner.
4. Memo from Mario Gonzalez on Telecampus Changes
Tabled for further discussion.
5. HOOP Policy 7.5.1-Selection of Department Chairs and Academic Program Directors within departments.
Suggested revisions were discussed and recorded.  A revised draft of the policy will be distributed.
6. HOOP Policy 7.5.3-The roles and responsibilities of Academic Deans
Suggested revisions were discussed and recorded.  A revised draft of the policy will be distributed.
7. Developments  with ISD’s, Willacy County (Wayne Lewis represented by Edna Claus) [Dr. Lewis’s report is taken from his e-mail message]
We left the meeting w/the agreement that UTB would offer some grad. courses in Education (extended 'live' from our campus) to the Willacy County group this Spring.  Sylvia was to identify the specific courses to be extended.  I think she was going to look at some common 'core' courses, which will have the best enrollment potentials.  The courses need to be identified and announced through the school district offices.  While we provide this 'early success' element, we can proceed to discuss dual/concurrent enrollment, additional classes and/or programs in other areas.
However, the technical problems must be resolved before the courses can be delivered.  We need to interconnect our videoconferencing system with them.  A T-1 has to be installed, equipment interconnected, etc.  One of the ISDs was to include requirements in its technology plan, and apply for E-rate for the T-1, etc.  René can talk w/Gloria at Valley Telephone Coop to see if/how close they are to having all the technical parts ready.  Without this, nothing can happen. René can have his equipment list request ready (with all part numbers, etc.) within 24 hours (as he always does) for submission to Valley Telephone to acquire the equipment for us.
8. UTB/ITM Exploratory Program (Wayne Lewis represented by Edna Claus)
[Dr. Lewis’s report is taken from his e-mail message]
The conference took place right before ITM was to shut down for the holidays.  They were going to discuss among themselves, their faculty, the issues raised at the last meeting (see my notes from that meeting).  Since they've been closed (as we were), little has happened.
Linda Forse agreed to offer ESL (Cont. Ed.) classes to Mexico in the Spring; René can update on progress.
Grad programs (engineering).  We need to assess what is best for us (if we use this opportunity to 'grow our own' programs), best for ITM, best for the Maquiladoras (we'll need to meet with the association executive group) and look at the various collaborative 'options' available (institutions that grant grad. engineering degrees and are willing to work with us).  Austin previously indicated a willingness to collaborate on Mech. Eng., and Arlington on electrical...but these were informal discussions.  We need to 'revisit' to see what options exist now.  I know that Dr. Martin is very interested in an Environmental Science/Engineering program; Mario Gonzalez pointed to a collaborative ongoing right now in Environmental Science between 2 components.  This will take some time. The 'short course/certification' interests of ITM and the Maquilas must be explored with the same logic as indicated above.  The Maquilas have the wherewithal to fund high-quality short courses.
With regard to extending the MBA courses, I was not aware of the changed funding procedures from THECB.  Betsy will need to determine if it is workable to extend classes into Mexico.  If a 'workable' method is found, we could aim for a summer 'launch' of that program.
I remain concerned about the issues of: a. language; it seems clear to me that many faculty at ITM are not prepared to take grad. courses in English (some are, buy many aren't).  This will be less a problem for Maquiladora employees.  I think we'll have difficulty finding U.S. 'partner' institutions willing/able to deliver courses in Spanish (and I don't think the Maquilas would support it very strongly).
b. cost:  I don't think most faculty at ITM could afford 'foreign student' tuition and only approved institutions in Texas can offer 'tuition waivers' for Mexican nationals.  Hence, if we build program development on the basis of 'affordability', we're limited to approved institutions.  Mario indicated a forthcoming System initiative to extend approval to all institutions in the System, but this is for the next legislative session.
9. Statement re: meeting the needs of persons with disabilities (Wayne Lewis represented by Edna Claus) [Dr. Lewis’s report is taken from his e-mail message]
Any Web pages we produce will reflect the policies and procedures approved.  My question is: "Do we have the policies and procedures in place?".  I remember a discussion of a procedure whereby students would identify themselves to the appropriate Student Affairs office and that office would notify faculty, but I'm not sure this has been approved.  If we could include disability info. on applications for admission (with clear language that disability status has no bearing on admissions decisions), we'd be able to collect data early, rather than wait for students declare disabilities after they arrive (we'd be better prepared to accommodate them).  Victor Fuhro distributed the following statement, which has been recommended by both the disability services Advisory Board and UT System Counsel.  It should be included in all syllabi for UTB/TSC courses.
Syllabus Statement on disabilities
Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request academic adjustments in this class should notify the Disability Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate accommodations may be made.  In accordance with federal law, a student requesting academic adjustments must provide documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Services counselor.  For more information, call or visit the Counseling Center at Tandy 205 (956-544-8292).
[N.B.  Clarification will be requested on the implications of this policy for online courses.]
 Academic Affairs will distribute the statement to all faculty.  The deans are asked to emphasize its importance to the faculty.
10. Deans/Chairs Meeting on 1/14/00
The Deans were reminded to submit agenda items to Pilar for the next Dean/Chairs Meeting.
11. Academic Affairs Partnership Meeting
The agenda for the next Academic Affairs Partnership Meeting was distributed.
Official Notice
of the
Academic Affairs Partnership Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 20, 2000
5:30 p.m.
South Hall 117

Call to Order
1. Approval of November 11, 1999 Minutes
2. Industrial Technology Equipment needs:  Wayne Moore and José Martín
3. BS in Engineering Physics Proposal:  Mario Diaz and José Martín
4. MS in Public Health Nursing Proposal:  Ella Herriage and Marilyn Dyer
5. AACSB Accreditation Process:  Betsy Boze
6. Certificate in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
7. Other Business
8. Adjournment

12. Program Development
Deans were reminded to submit the previously requested data regarding the programs forecasted for development in their Schools or Colleges.
13.  Meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.

NOTE:  Dean’s Council Cancelled for Thursday, 01/13/00
Submitted by John Ronnau