Present:  Jose Martin, Farhat Iftekharuddin, Douglas Ferrier, John Ronnau, Cindy Lerma, Raymond Rodrigues, Sylvia Peña, Margie Mancillas, Alma Garcia, Martie DiGregorio, Betsy Boze, Jon Steingass, and Dr. Raymond Rodrigues-presiding
Guests: Margie Mancillas, Alma Garcia, and Martie DiGregorio

1.  Gear Up – (A. Garcia)
Introduction of Alma Garcia, Gear Up Director. Alma provided an overview with materials on the Gear Up grant.  The Provost clarified qualifications for curriculum specialists (who will also be UTB/TSC faculty members).  The next Curriculum and Instruction meeting is March 9 at BISD Office.

2. Disney American Fellowship – (Martie DiGregorio)
UTB/TSC has been invited by Disney to nominate students to participate in an internship opportunity titled World Showcase Fellowship Ambassador Program.  The Deans will develop opportunities for offering university credit as part of this experience.  Martie will collect information from Central Florida University, which has been involved in this program for many years.

3. Development of Graduate Assistantship Policies – (J. Ronnau)
Policies and procedures are being developed to govern graduate assistantships at UTB/TSC.  John Ronnau will provide a draft manual to the Council.

4. Increasing Enrollment at Least 2% - (R. Rodrigues)
Implications of enrollment, projections and the proposed budget were discussed.  The deans stressed the need for a comprehensive fund raising plan that would directly benefit academic programs.  The Provost asked the deans to develop plans for increasing enrollment by 2% for the coming academic year, concentrating upon upper division & graduate courses.
Jon Steingass will provide assessment of all retention efforts on campus.  Students also will be polled regarding their level of satisfaction with current services related to retention.

5. New faculty lines
Current budget projections allow for four (4) new faculty lines.  Given that there are a limited number of new lines available, a rationale must be developed for prioritizing needs.  The deans recommended that VP Rodrigues make the final decision.

6. Nomination for Border Doctoral Program
Six applications were received.  The President makes the final nominations.  The deans were asked for their recommendations.  The deans commented on the candidates and asked Provost Rodrigues to make the final recommendation to the President.

7. General Education Assessment
The deans were reminded that March 10th is the deadline for reports to José Garza’s committee on General Assessment.

8. Hoop 7.4.12 Distance Education Guidelines
TABLED

9. Hoop 7.5.1, Selection of Department Chairs and Academic Program Director (within departments) 7.5.3, The Role and Responsibilities of Academic Deans
TABLED

Information Item:
 VPBA:  Ray informed the members that the President had offered Rosemary Martínez the position of Vice President for Business Affairs.  He said that he believed she would make an excellent colleague.

Meeting adjourned at 12:15
Submitted by John Ronnau