Attendance: Wayne Lewis, Cindy Lerma, Mimosa Stephenson, Sylvia Peña, Jose Martin, Douglas Ferrier, Ray Rodrigues - Presiding.

Dr. Rodrigues announced the resignations of Edwin Barrera and Margaret Esparza-Ramirez. These resignations when coupled with the earlier resignation of Carolyn Green will leave some important functions without personnel so Dr. Rodrigues will be asking members of the Deans Council for assistance.

Dr. Rodrigues said that the Vice Presidents will go on retreat after the Deans Chairs meeting and he would like suggestions from members of the Deans Council on possible ways to improve operations that could be discussed at the Vice President’s meeting.

The Academic Deans will have a retreat on August 16-17, 1999.

Dean Peña stressed the need to improve the availability of uniform data so decisions and plans can be made. For example, the need to track majors, institutional effectiveness and planning, all of which are critical to the success of the overall operation.  Dr. Rodrigues suggested this would be a good topic for the Deans-Chairs meeting and the Deans retreat.

Cindy Lerma gave a summary report on the enrollment for Summer II.  Enrollment is down overall. TSC drop is high but clock hour conversion to credit hour has driven some of this drop. For UTB, numbers may still drop because of the low number of students in some of the classes which will force some cancellations.

While overall figures are down, some departments actually increased, for example Business Administration among others.

Dr. Rodrigues noted that we need to look at course patterns and ensure that courses are offered as needed.

Sylvia Peña would like to see course enrollment history for the last 2-3 years to discuss at the Deans-Chairs meeting.

Mimosa Stephenson said she would like to set a goal of improving retention by 2% the 1st year and 4% the second year so that by the 6th year we would have a goal of 60% year-to-year retention. She felt that retention could be improved by requiring every instructor of freshmen students to meet individually with the student twice during the semester. The individual attention would have a positive affect.

Dr. Rodrigues pointed out that the Deans Chairs Workshop agenda was attached to the Deans Council agenda and he would like everyone to look it over and suggest changes.

Dr. Rodrigues informed the Council that the Merit Task Force had submitted a report, but unfortunately it needs revision.  A sheet listing possible changes was passed out for consideration and discussion. The main problem is that the Task Force Plan calls for a Basic Merit to be given across the board and the UT System will not allow this.  Merit must be exceptional; hence it cannot be given across the board.

Mimosa Stephenson passed out two HOOP documents that need revision, (1) Grants and Contracts Received and (2) Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.  Dr. Stephenson questions whether a revised copy of the Grants and Contracts should be given out at the Deans Chairs meeting.  Since this document is from Business Affairs she wondered who should begin the revision process.  Dr. Rodrigues suggested that it be sent to Jeanie Ralston to ask her to begin the process.

Document number 2 was actually returned from System without approval since it does not meet the Federal guidelines for animal research.  A revision has been done, but it needs to go through the approval process here on campus and then be sent to System.
 
 

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Deans Council Minutes
July 8, 1999
 
 

Dr. Rodrigues passed out a copy of a revision in the Texas Education Code concerning the right of faculty to file a grievance with the Chief Academic Officer over the failure to award tenure.  A discussion ensued on the ramifications of the law and the impact it might have on tenure decisions here on campus.

A copy of the “Report of the Community and Technical College On-Site Review of TSC” was passed out for the Deans to read, and Dr. Rodrigues asked that any questions or comments be sent to Pat Wade.

The final item on the agenda was a report from Wayne Lewis on the Conference on Technology to be held on this campus in August.   Dr. Lewis emphasized to the Council that the conference was an excellent opportunity for faculty to attend and participate in a conference.  He encouraged the Deans to let him know if any faculty in their schools could not afford to attend since he did have some money to pay registration fees for local attendees.  The requests need to be in to him immediately.

Meeting adjourned.