Council of Academic Administrators Minutes
| Meeting Date: | 11/17/2008 |
|---|---|
| Meeting Time: | 1:30 PM |
| Meeting Location: | Lyceum 200 |
Attendance
Other Attendance Information
Al Ling attended for Kathy Gates. Also present was Karen Schiferl. Also absent were Noel Wilkin and Michael Metcalf.
Additional Minutes Notes
Associate Provost Maurice Eftink proposed changes in the Approval Process for Curricular and Course Changes, Additions, or Deletions. Changes were proposed to the current approval process so that the Provost could immediately approve course changes, additions, or deletions on behalf of the Council of Academic Administrators and the Chancellor after prior approval by the Undergraduate Council and the Graduate Council. Further, a change was proposed for the Council of Academic Administrators to request that the Provost reconsider a decision regarding the approval or disapproval of a course item. After a motion to approve by Dean Hopkins and a second by Dean Wells, the Council discussed the proposed changes. Ms. Schiferl asked how course changes are communicated to students. Members discussed how changes are communicated through the deans office and through advisors. It was suggested that course changes, additions and deletions could be posted on the Academic Advisors Network link in the Academic Support Center and that Associate Provost Canty would be responsible for the posting. Dean Hopkins said changes are communicated in two ways in the College (1) to the Curriculum and Policy Committee after approval by Undergraduate Council, and (2) all changes are posted online. Further discussion involved setting up the changes in the workflow process and confirming that any changes approved by the Provost in the new process will only refer to courses, and not to degree changes. The motion was unanimously approved. Interim Provost Stocks announced that the University will experience a 2% budget cut, amounting to $1.6 million. The cut balances the budget through November 1, which leaves the door open for further cuts. Dr. Stocks plans to meet with Vice Chancellor Larry Sparks to discuss covering the budget cut with central funds. If the cut is more than $1.6 million, they will not be able to cover it centrally. Dean Chitwood asked about the distribution of summer school funds. Dr. Stocks said he will take any budget cut amount out of his distribution in Academic Affairs, preserving the deans portion of summer school funds. The timeline is this week. Associate Provost Maurice Eftink announced that the preliminary report had been received from SACS. Out of 80 compliance standards, the off-site committee made recommendations on 7 standards. There were two recommendations on library resources, one on faculty resources (more evidence on qualifications is needed), one on the Research Foundation (language protecting the University from liability), one on acceptance of non-credit courses (we do not accept, but must answer), one on review of administrators outside academic affairs, and one on a policy that is needed to dismiss board members. Work is continuing on the QEP document that must be submitted in two weeks. Dr. Gispen inquired about budget cuts that may be forthcoming. Provost Stocks replied that there is a concern. Theres a possibility that the University may be looking at 4% more or less next fall. Enrollment will help us and especially when Mississippis best and brightest stay in Mississippi. Dean Rholes asked about the payouts from endowments. Wendell Weakley has said that endowments older than three years are okay, but newer endowments face payout issues. Adjourned at 2:05 p.m.