Research and Academic Affairs Council Meeting Notes

Research and Academic Affairs Notes

Monday, May 8, 2006

1.      Web Design Strategy—Mark Hoeting:  Two handouts were provided, "Goals, Objectives & Expected Outcomes" (Toward a Great Web Presence pp 6-9) and Website Templates and Statistics http://www.astate.edu/includes/templates/ Contact Todd Reed treed@astate.edu for full document.

      ASU Web Advisory Team is working progressively toward a unified web presence especially within the first two tiers of the ASU website.  IT will contact departments and deans regarding contract documents that will be provided to each area supervisor and each college outlining what type of support can be expected from IT.

2.      Faculty Fellows-Don Maness: A call has gone out for interested faculty to apply for Faculty Fellowship through the Chair and Dean by submitting a Letter of Qualifications and Letters of Support prior to May 12, 2006.  This will be a 1/2 time reassignment to the new teaching center which is being developed to work with the campus to improve classroom instruction and ultimately student learning. The center is expected to be in operation beginning in August 2006.  To date, 8 Faculty members have applied. 

3.      Update on Statewide Transfer—Rick McDaniel:  Faculty did an outstanding job of supplying ADHE with course syllabi and ASU's standards are being used as the matrix for other universities. 

4.  Survey of Deans Re:  Progress on Hiring-Rick McDaniel:  If a search has not yielded a decent pool by August, the search should be closed by completing the bottom portion of the Request for Personnel annotating "FAILED SEARCH".  An immediate request to Initiate a Search for the 06-07 Academic Year is encouraged.

5.  Minimum Wage-Rick McDaniel (Robin Hicks): Effective July 1, 2006 all part-time labor earning minimum wage will now receive $6.25 per hour and no new dollars will be allocated.  So resources need to be reviewed, and if necessary reallocated.  Requests for payment above minimum wage ($6.25) need to have a justification with the Employee Status Form.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Lynita Cooksey-Please review Curriculum Proposals.  If additional resources are needed, the request has to be noted; failure to note funds request may result in a rejected proposal that would have otherwise been acceptable.

        Feed back on Graduation would be greatly appreciated.  Each ceremony was full; all guests would not possibly have been well accommodated were there one ceremony    

        HLC Focus visit will be the 3rd and 4th of March 2008; Focus points of the visit are 1) Shared governance issues; 2) Assessment; and 3)Strategic Planning

        Three strong candidates have emerged for Assessment Director.

        New Student Orientation is May 23, 2006.

    Ruth Hawkins Delta Heritage Initiatives have been awarded funds for the Hemmingway-Pfeifer house for approximately $78,000.00 and the Lakeport Plantation other for $1,250,000.00!!!

    Cpt. Vincent-LTC Aikman is leaving shortly for Ft. Lewis.

    John Beineke-Teacher Education department is now graduating more teachers off-campus than on campus due to the great collaboration with Regional Programs.

    Andy Sustich-Graduate Fellowships are available at $500 per semester for those who need assistantships.  Each dean shall determine college criteria.

    Gil Fowler-Honors College is looking to offer more courses in English Literature, Sociology and History, preferably those not scheduled for 9:00 a.m.  There is an increase in Honor Student enrollment.

    Russ Shain-College of Communications has a new billboard with the "Powering Minds" theme located at the intersection of 440 and 67.

    Sue Marlay-New Partner in Morocco offers all courses in English and they are looking to engage in short-term and long-term faculty, staff and student exchanges.  They are seeking "best practices" knowledge in higher-education.

    Dan Reeves-Graduate Natalie Berry will be studying in New York for a year.  ASU has hired a Director of Jazz Studies and has the first jazz program in Arkansas.  Work by John Salvest will be exhibited in New York May 18-June 14 at Morgan Lehman Gallery.

    Ray Winters (Susan Hanrahan)-Radiological Sciences department participated in the Quiz Bowl in Ft. Smith, AR and ASU was ranked 2nd of 33 teams.

    Al Romero-Chairs no longer have accessibility to student information.  Dr. Cooksey assured him all that can be done is being done to move forward in the Banner migration.

    Carole Cramer-ASU was highlighted in the ABI statewide evaluation team report.  ABI's budget has been decreased by 17% relevant to current issues with the Tobacco Settlement Funds.

    Gloria Gibson-The Board recently approved 3 new programs and HSS is working on a new program to present in the Fall.  The attendees of last year's CSI and Pre-Law Camps are requesting advanced camps for this summer.  The camps are proving to be a great recruitment initiative.

    Tiffney Frazier-Global Student Leadership will be visiting Europe

    Robin Hicks-If classes have made, get in Summer School Employee Status Forms.  Summer School I there will be 2 checks issued and for Summer School II there will be 3 checks issued.

    Jerry Farris-Environmental Sciences department had two successful defenses of doctoral dissertations this week and students presenting at the Arkansas Waterway and Water Environment Association received 1st and 2nd place awards.

    Beth Hood-ASU received positive feedback from lobbyists in D.C. regarding the funding of 2 or 3 projects.

    Robin Hicks-Robin will be meeting with Sherry Pruitt of The Jonesboro Sun regarding an article on summer camps.

    Terry Merriweather-Pat Looney, Affirmative Action Program Coordinator, will be providing new dispositions for hires on the Federal Compliance Report.  A new template will be published and updates on reports previously provided will be requested.