University of Nebraska Kearney

Minutes of the Meeting of the Deans Council
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 – 9 a.m.
Warner Conference Room

PRESENT: Finnie Murray, William Jurma, Janet Wilke, Ed Scantling, Bob Rycek, Gail Zeller, Tim Burkink, Kenya Taylor

GUESTS: Kathy Livingston

1. Kathy Livingston and Bob Rycek RE Activity Insight:  Kathy discussed and distributed handouts regarding the Activity Insight program.  Kathy and Bob reported this fully customizable online information management system is designed with faculty, administrators and staff to assist colleges and universities with managing and reporting on their faculty and staff’s teaching, research and service activities and would help our campus do a better job of reporting.  They also stated UNL and UNO already use this program.  Discussion was held on costs, ownership of the data and the use of technology fee money.  Tim shared B&T already uses a program which is similar which is called Sedona. 
   
2. Responsibility for locking classrooms/computer labs in buildings:  Tim shared he had some confusion regarding whose responsibility it is to lock computer labs, smart classrooms, etc.  It seems the custodial schedules have been changed and they are now only on campus from 5 a.m. – 2 p.m., then a skeleton crew comes in to cover.  Projectors with extremely expensive bulbs have been left on overnight and all weekend and this has become a huge concern.  Several other Deans voiced concerns regarding this as well.  Bill stated there is custodial help from 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building.  Finnie will report this to the cabinet. 
   
3. Update on essential emergency personnel forms:  Bob discussed the November 1st deadline to have the Emergency Operations Team essential forms back to him.  He also discussed the Deans’ offices’ prepare one as well.  He will resend the email and wait for responses.  Finnie mentioned he had noticed a lot of institutions now are putting emergency plan icons on their homepages. 
   
4. Workload credit for large sections:  Bob discussed an issue he’s having regarding the number of students enrolled in a class section.  Is there credit issued for extra students or extremely large numbers in a section?  Discussion was held and was concurred it should not be encouraged and no one is doing it at the present. 
   
5. Announcements: 
   
   • Bob reported by the beginning of spring semester 2009 the implementation of our alert system will be in place.  Alerts can be received by computer, email and cell phone.
   • Finnie reported the budget cuts have been received by the Cabinet, and the Cabinet will be inviting comments from campus. 
   • Ed reported the The University of Nebraska at Kearney/Region IV Student Leadership Conference will host nearly 250 fifth and sixth grade students from area schools Friday, November 21. 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.  The next meeting of the Deans will be on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 9 a.m., Warner Conference Room.