Academic Affairs and Research Council Meeting Notes

Academic Affairs and Research Council Notes

Monday, October 8, 2007
Agenda:

·                   People Admin Update

·                   Update National Lamba Rail

·                   Budget Process

·                   Leave Report Update

·                   Looking Forward 2007-08

·                   Round Table

Opening:

The regular meeting of the Academic Affairs and Research Counsel was called to order at 10:30 a.m. on October 8, 2007 in the ASU-Jonesboro, 8th Floor Board Room by Dr. Glen Jones, Interim Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Research.

Agenda:

Dr. Jones shifted the agenda.  Mark Hoeting was ill and not available to bring the National Lamba Rail update.  The leave report followed the People Admin update because the Budget Process discussion would take more time.

Open Issues:

Lori Roach, Director of Human Resources, gave an update on the implementation of People Admin the new applicant tracking system.  The university began Go Live on October 1, 2007.  After being on the system for a week, Academic Affairs has successfully posted and/or began processing each type of search within its scope.  Users seem pleased and the implementation is a considerable success.  HR will provide continued training and support.

Terry Merriweather, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, brought a report on behalf of Dee Warren, Human Resources Banner Specialist, regarding the leave process.  At the last AARC meeting, deans shared their concerns of improper leave reporting due to difficulty in entering leave into Banner.  Dee provided hard copies of a power point presentation with step-by-step guidelines for proper leave entry.  Employees should select the Leave Reporting option and not Time Sheets, which was the former process when Banner was initiated.  Leave Reporting allows for an expanded period of time entry by using (T) Time entry versus (J) Journal entry.  Employees should also know Banner allows for one submission per employee per pay period.  Any additional questions or concerns can be addressed to Dee Warren extension 8079.

Robin Hicks, Budget Coordinator for Academic Affairs and Research, encouraged deans to strategically plan for summer school to produce entrepreneurial programs.  Strategic planning will allow academic affairs to maximize its resources and benefit the most needed programs.

Dr. Len Frey, Dean of the College of Business, who is on the Summer School Task Force said the task force has met twice and is reviewing voluminous data to assist in improving summer school enrollment.  Some concerns are summer aid for students eligible for financial assistance after graduation.  A survey of student need is currently being conducted and results are expected within two weeks.

A funds allocation process is also being developed.  Deans’ summer school plans are to be submitted to Robin by end of day October 29th to allow for posting of programs offered .  Priority registration begins October 29th for Athletes, Club and Organization members, etc.  Units will enter their own schedules in Banner.  Dr. Jones shared that Markham Howe, Director of Public Relations is reviewing a plan to better market summer school.

Budget discussions turned to the UPC Process.  The process will encompass reviewing division accomplishments; first priority will be funding existing programs; on-line activity; flexibility in ESA dollars; adjunct pay; internal resources; and scholarships.  Deans  and directors were asked to forward their top 3 -5 priorities from the previously submitted strategic plan electronically by Tuesday, October 31st.  The Budget process is an opportunity to tell the world what is important to us.

In Looking Forward, Dr. Jones advised a visit to Lakeport Plantation as it is beautiful and is an entity of which we can be most proud. It was built upon slavery and the whole story is there.

Dr. Dan Howard is officially on board.  He is plugged into budget discussions.  He will be here three to four times this semester.  He said, "I can't believe I've been given the opportunity to work in such a wonderful place doing such wonderful things".

ESA has gone through handbook.  ESA is not centralized.

Shared Governance is going well and is a wonderful process; anyone can submit issues through shared governance.

Fall semester credit hours will be sent out today.

Round Table

Dan Reeves passed out College of Fine Arts programs.  Alyson Gil has just returned from Greece.

Beth Hood over the next three years $13.5 million will be shared across the state.  ASU-J will get about $4.5 million.  Research Misconduct Policy is being prepared and will come up for discussion.  IDC costs distribution will happen in the next couple of weeks.  Sheri Walls is the grant coordinator.  Compliance committees are all electronically tracked.  Travel dollars are internally distributed to colleges and some items may be returned.  Congressional Priorities book is being prepared.

Communications -KASU is celebrating 50 years on the air.  Alumni will be on campus Saturday, October 13th and will help kick-off the Annual Fall Campaign.

College of Nursing and Health Professions GALA is this Friday, October 12th.  Tickets are $55.00 each.

Greg Thornburg, ASU-J hosted 600 hundred high school students on campus.  Admissions is looking at providing a combination of Pre-View Day and Open House to allow potential students who are more academically focused the opportunity to maximize their experience on campus.  Admissions is sponsoring Transfer Day on the 6th November and Welcome Wednesday, November 14^th.

 Traci Finch-Mid-Term Grading is due.

Marti Allen, Museum is preparing for Dia de los Muertos Diversity event on November 2, 2007.

Lynita Cooksey, Textbook lists are due November 1st at noon.

Robin, a request has gone out to units to have P-card limits sent to her.

Glen Jones, the regretful McNair Program termination came suddenly.  We were given approximately one week's notice before the closing date that the program would not be funded this year.
 

Adjournment:

Meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:40 a.m. by Dr. Glen Jones.  The next general meeting will be at 10:30 a.m. on November 12th in the Board Room.

Minutes submitted by:  Terry Merriweather