Present:  Jose Martin, Farhat Iftekharuddin, John Ronnau, Sylvia Peña, Betsy Boze, Cindy Lerma, Jim Holt, Victor Fuhro, Marilyn Dyer and Raymond Rodrigues-presiding.

1. Chancellor’s Teaching Award – (R. Rodrigues)
Nominations for the Chancellors Teaching Award are due to the UT System office by March 27.  Nominations are due in the Provost’s Office from the academic departments no later than March 24.

2. Portfolios for Exceptional Merit (R. Rodrigues)
The concern was expressed that the preparation and review of portfolios for exceptional merit consumes an inordinate amount of time for both faculty and administration.  Deans Boze and Peña were asked to propose suggestions by the next meeting for reformatting the portfolios and the review process to make them as concise and efficient as possible.

3. Distance Education (DE) – (R. Rodrigues)
A Draft Goal Statement for DE issued by the UT-System was presented for review.  The proposal includes specific outcomes regarding DE for all UT components.  These outcomes include a time by which there “will be an active cadre of faculty and staff who utilize the TeleCampus for delivery of DE” at each component and that by Fall 2005 “the Telecampus will be a major provider of in service education for public school teachers.”
The realities and implications of DE were discussed including the population to be served, access to computer hardware, and the relationship of DE to traditional courses.  A key strategic question to be asked is whether we should focus our DE efforts or allow them to evolve naturally overtime.
Dean Holt expressed the opinion that Continuing Education could effectively develop the DE market, especially in Mexico.  Following discussion, Continuing Education was encouraged to explore the DE market with the understanding that courses to be developed would not compete with those offered by academic units and that all courses would be approved through existing academic channels.

4. HOOP Distance Education Guidelines
TABLED

5. Faculty Evaluations – (C. Lerma)
A memo will go to faculty after Spring Break announcing the time line and format for the administration of student evaluations.  The deans asked to review the draft  instrument before it is distributed.  Schools and Colleges will be given the option to add evaluation items specific to their department.
 

6. A P Courses – (J. Holt and J. Ronnau)
UTB/TSC through Continuing Education, presented a workshop sponsored by UT System for middle school counselors in the Valley.  The March 7 meeting was held to encourage participation in the Advanced Placement (A. P.) program.  The Summer A. P.  Institute schedule was distributed by Dean Holt.  It was noted that the AP exam pass rate for BISD students across all subject areas is low.
A proposal was made for UTB/TSC to offer an A. P. Summer Institute on campus.  The Institute would attract highly motivated high school students in the Valley.  It was suggested that the Development office should be encouraged to provide scholarships for those who are qualified but cannot afford the tuition.

7. American Faculty Poll – (V. Fuhro)
A report of the American Faculty Poll will be routed to Deans Council.  Victor noted that it included interesting observations regarding the opinions of faculty from across the country.

8. National Association of Colleges and Universities Business Offices (HACUBO)         - (V. Fuhro)
Victor distributed a hand out from a recent meeting of HACUBO.  The hand out summarized the results of a strategic planning workshop that was part of the conference.  Even though the workshop participants represented many different institutions across the country, there are many parallels to the UTB/TSC strategic planning process.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.