Present:  John Ronnau, Raymond Rodrigues, Victor Fuhro, Farhat Iftekharuddin, Betsy Boze, Marilyn Dyer, Dr. Sylvia Peña

[9:30 am Joined by: Doug Ferrier, Jim Holt, Terry Rives, and Cindy Lerma]

1. Workload Conferences (Raymond Rodrigues)

Discussed draft Workload Materials Transmittal Form.  Considerable discussion ensued regarding expectations, guidelines, and format for the workload conference.  Provost will consult with Academic Senate and Executive Committees regarding HOOP Policies and expectations for workload plans.

2. FY 2000 Carl Perkins Budget (Victor Fuhro)

FY 2000 Carl Perkins Budget was distributed and discussed.

3. HEAF (Raymond Rodrigues)

No extra dollars available this year for academic programs.  All funds going to DATATEL and other campus communication needs.  Small emergency funds may be available for departments.  Deans express the hope that eventually, HEAF funds will be available for purchase of lab equipment and other program needs.

4. Biliteracy Certificate (Betsy Boze, Farhat Iftekharuddin)

Discussion regarding overall goals of UTB/TSC Biliteracy Program, including how it can be evaluated, how the program should be promoted, and how to facilitate faculty development.

The School of Business pilot biliteracy program comes online by Spring 2000.  All other schools and colleges are expected to implement their own program in the near future.

The Provost will establish a university biliteracy program committee.  Faculty representatives will be sought from each school and college.
 
 
 
 

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5. Food functions and travel accounts
Due to budget restraints, few dollars are available from central administration for food functions.  Travel dollars also are in short supply.  The Provost will discontinue food for the Academic Senate and the Deans/Chairs workshop so that more  funds are available for department social events with students.

6. ADD/DROP Period (Victor Fuhro)

It was agreed that there currently is not enough data to warrant changing the drop/add period.

7. Compliance (Victor Fuhro)

In the coming year, we will be audited re. Rules and Regulations.  It is important that all faculty complete and return Conflict of Interest Forms.  Other areas in which audits can be anticipated are misconduct in science and research and protection of human subjects.

8. PEW Grants-Learning Market Place (Victor Fuhro)

A PEW RFP was presented as an example of a quick and easy grant application.  Interested parties are urged to examine it as a model.

9. New contract reporting requirements (Victor Fuhro)

Victor distributed memorandum from the State of Texas Legislative Budget Board regarding new contract reporting requirements.  Deans were urged to become familiar with its contents.

10. Change of Memorandum of Employment

A sample change of Memorandum of Employment was distributed by Victor.  It is important that these forms be completed and on file for auditing purposes.  Deans were asked to provide all information requested on the form except “Annualized and Total Amount.”  Forms are due back to Victor by October 15.
 
 
 
 

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11. Enrollment Update (Cindy Lerma)

There remain 180 sections listed as “staff” & 70 sections with ‘0’ enrollment.  There are significant implications for payroll for adjunct faculty if they do not appear as the instructor of record.  All departments are asked to check their enrollment and facilities assignments as soon as possible.  Cindy will analyze one department in depth to determine if communication between departments and enrollment office is a determining factor (i.e., are staff changes being reported but not recorded).

12. Academic Program Review Schedule (John Ronnau)

A revised program review schedule was distributed.  Deans expressed concern re. the number of reviews due within the current academic year.  Provost allowed that review dates may be renegotiated with the interim program review chair (John Ronnau) within a reasonable time line.
13. Graduate Tuition Scholarships (John Ronnau)

John Ronnau reported that a proposal is being considered to distribute graduate tuition scholarships at a flat rate of $200.00 vs by credit as is the current system.  The advantages of this proposal are; 1) a more equable distribution of scholarship money across all colleges and schools and; 2) simplify the distribution process.  The deans expressed serious reservations, especially concerns about loosing the ability to target scholarship money.  Dean Ronnau agreed to further examine the issue.

14. Student Faculty Load (Terry Rives)
Terry Rives asked for the deans’ help to clean up the number of courses still listed as “Staff” (approximately 115).

Submitted by: John Ronnau