Present: Jim Holt, Farhat Iftekharuddin, Marilyn Dyer-Whalen, Doug Ferrier, Sylvia Peña, John Ronnau, Jon Steingass, Wayne Lewis

1. K-16 Initiative (Dr. Felipe Alanis, UT-System)
Dr. Alanis directs the K-16 Initiative for the UT System.  He briefed the Deans Council regarding the status of the Initiative.  The K-16 Initiative is a far reaching and comprehensive  undertaking.  While it presents many challenges and much remains to be accomplished, Dr. Alanis believes that substantial progress has been made.  Members of the Dean’s Council expressed concerns about the various mixed directions regarding teacher certification being received from the State.  Dr. Alanis empathized and stated his intention to help to clarify the situation.

2. Proposed December Interim Session (J. Ronnau)
John Ronnau informed the council that the Registration Committee is exploring the feasibility of establishing a December Session.  The Committee will present a formal proposal when it is completed but the council’s initial reaction was requested.  The following questions and suggestions were offered by Council members:
- How would the courses be counted in the faculty’s workload?  (There is not a sufficient number of current faculty to allow releases from regular session classes)
- What courses would be offered?  The consensus of the group was that a duplication of courses offered during regular sessions would be counterproductive.  It was suggested, instead, that the intersession might be an opportunity to offer innovative or non-traditional courses, thus attracting a different group of students;
- The December session may be a good opportunity to offer “travel courses” (courses that combine field visits with classroom work);
- How would the cost of the December session be funded (faculty pay, facilities, etc.)?
- There may be a negative impact upon support service units (e.g., additional hours required of the library during what has become a time of reduced schedule to allow for staff vacations); and
- It was suggested that the intersession courses could be offered as extension credit, versus regular academic credits.
These questions and concerns will be communicated to the Registration Committee.

3.  Division of Academic Affairs Goals 1999-2000 (R. Rodrigues)
The Provost initiated a review of the goals set for the Division of Academic Affairs for 1999-2000.  The pertinent deans and directors were asked to prepare a progress report for each of the goals.  Those goals that were accomplished were identified, along with those that should be carried over into the coming year.  Additional goals were proposed in the area of graduate studies.

4.   Faculty Presentation (R. Rodrigues)
The President has proposed a weekly gathering for all faculty to provide an opportunity for socializing and discussing topics of interest.  Each meeting would include a presentation by faculty members of their scholarship or other creative efforts.  The Provost requested suggestions for attracting faculty to these sessions.  The following
suggestions were offered:
- Topics should be intellectual discussion that cuts across disciplines.
- Provide some incentives for attendance (e.g. door prizes)
- Food is an important draw, perhaps a membership fee to support the cost of  refreshments would be feasible.

5.  New Charge in the Library for Printing (D. Ferrier & W. Lewis)
Doug Ferrier and Wayne Lewis have proposed that the Academic Computing Lab, the SETB Computer lab, and the Library Reference Area will begin charging 5 cents per page for copies generated by computer printers.  This proposal must be approved by the Business Affairs Partnership Committee and the TSC Board before it is implemented.  Potential negative imports upon students were discussed, along with possible solutions.  It was stressed that faculty should be reminded to not assign students to make an excessive number of copies for classes at the students’ expense.

6.  Additional Items Noted by Council Members
- Concern was expressed about the number of students who abuse handicap parking spaces.
- A special Bookstore opening for faculty only was proposed as a means to advertise the bookstore and arouse interest in the proposed monthly faculty gatherings.

Dr. Alanis summarized the major efforts of the UT System K-16 efforts:

Meetings have been and are being held with key legislators to establish a common effort to address public policy systematically, K-16.

The Regents want accountability, and we need to advise them on accountability.

The Governor is about to reveal a plan to upgrade mathematics and science teaching.
 
The System is experimenting with on-line software to provide professional development in mathematics for teachers via distance education.

The first 2 of 10 modules have been developed.

Next the System plans to develop professional development in reading for teachers via distance education.