Minutes of the Meeting of the Deans Council
August 22, 2006 – 9 a.m.
Warner Conference Room
PRESENT: Finnie Murray, Lois Flagstad, Bruce Forster, Frank Harrold, William Jurma, Ed Scantling, Kenya Taylor and Janet Wilke
Diversity Funds and discussion on ideas to use these funds more efficiently: Finnie discussed devising a new plan for using diversity funds more efficiently. In the past we received approximately $20,000 and this year we will receive approximately $96,000. Finnie would like to submit a new draft plan to Ed Wimes, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance/Director of Human Resources, Vice President for Business and Finance and Sonya Smith, Associate to the President; Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs for Diversity, both of Central Administration, and have them make recommendations to the plan. Frank and Ed will work on finalizing a plan in the next couple of weeks.
Programs of Excellence: Finnie stated that we need to develop alternate proposals for Programs of Excellence for FY07 and develop new proposals for FY08. We need to focus on a few programs that are particularly strong and can be greatly enhanced by significant funding. Therefore, smaller proposals for such things as equipment should not be presented. Use of POE money to hire new faculty in Priority Programs will be an especially good strategy. Proposals must meet Strategic Framework Goals and Strategic Planning Goals. Proposals generated from the colleges will be considered in the next few weeks.
Dual Enrollment Classes for High School Students: Finnie observed that if we would like to offer dual enrollment courses, we need to work with particular high schools to determine what is needed and how we can address that need. We need to do this sufficiently far in advance of the term to allow us to advertise the offerings and to allow the high schools to adjust their schedules for our classes. The community colleges are already teaching a lot of General Studies, so we need to be able to offer courses that are not already being offered.
Pandemic Flu Updates: Frank reported that the Academic Affairs Committee on Teaching Continuity will be meeting tomorrow and Finnie will give the committee its charge.
Student Life Updates: Lois reported that she had been dealing with student issues, since the start of the new academic year.
Other items: Discussion was held on the minutes of the August 1, 2006, Deans Council Meeting. The minutes were approved with slight modifications with all present in favor.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Deans will be on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in the Warner Conference Room.