ALABAMA COUNCIL OF GRADUATE DEANS

Minutes of the March 5, 2003 Council Meeting

Hill University Center, UAB

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Dr. Annette Allen (ASU), Dr. Dianne Barron (TSU), Dr. William Carr (JSU), Dr. Gordon Emslie (UAH), Dr. Pat Harrison (UA), Dr. Judd A. Katz (AUM),  Dr. Esther Lee   (TSUM),  Dr. Stephen L. McFarland (AU),  Dr. Jean Pugliese (JSU),  Dr. Terry Roberson (UM), Dr. Ron Rogers (UA), Dr. John Schmitt (UA), Dr. Joe Wilkins (UWA), Dr. Jim Wolfe (USA)

 

ACHE REPRESENTATIVE

 Ms. Brenda Carter

 

APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 6, 2002 MEETING MINUTES

Dr. Jim Wolfe requested the minutes be corrected to reflect that Dr. Julio Turrens attended the November 6, 2003 meeting for USA in his place. The minutes were approved as amended. 

 

CHAIR’S REMARKS

Dr. Dianne Barron briefly discussed the CSGS meeting held February 21-23, 2003 in Tampa, Florida.  She indicated that she had found it to be excellent.  She encouraged everyone to attend next year’s conference in Charlotte, South Carolina if at all possible.   Dr. Bill Carr introduce his new associate dean, Ms. Jean Publiese to the group. She was welcomed.

  

TREASURER’S REPORT

Dr. Joe Wilkins stated that the balance on hand as of November 6, 2002 was $6,175.12.  Receipts were $360.00 and there were no disbursements, leaving the ending balance on March 5, 2003 of $6,535.12.   

 

Dr. Wilkins distributed information and registration forms for the Spring 2003 Retreat.  The Retreat will begin Wednesday, April 23, 2003 in the evening and run through April 25, 2003.  It will be located at the Island House Hotel at Orange Beach.  The cost for the conference is $125 and includes a Continental Breakfast on Thursday and Friday, break beverages, hospitality suite (refreshments and snacks) for Wednesday and Thursday and up to $25 towards the group meal on Thursday at Zeke’s Restaurant.  Dr. Wilkins suggested we make reservations directly with Island House and ask for the $89 group rape.  There are also some rooms available at the same rate for Friday and Saturday for those interested in staying over.  The block of rooms will be held until March 27, 2003.  Some ideas were shared concerning the agenda for the Retreat. 

 

One suggestion for the Retreat was to have around-the-table topics that we could discuss.  Dr. Barron stated that she would send out e-mail to solicit topics for the around-the-table portion of the Retreat.  It was suggested that six topics might be an appropriate number.

 

NEW GRADUATE PROGRAM PROPOSALS

Institutional responses and voting forms had been distributed with the agenda on the two graduate program proposals up for a vote; the University of South Alabama, M.S. in Environmental Toxicology and the University of South Alabama, Doctor of Physical Therapy.  Questions were solicited and the vote was taken.  Both programs were approved.  The M.S. in Environmental Toxicology was approved 8-3 and the Doctor of Physical Therapy was approved unanimously. 

 

ACHE REPORT

Ms. Brenda Carter discussed comments made by Mr. Pugh at the last Commission Meeting concerning drafting a resolution for a total program moratorium.  She stated that ACHE staff had been unaware of his intentions prior to the meeting and she believed that although some of the commissioners might agree with him, she is uncertain as to whether the decision is unanimous.  It is unknown at this time what will occur.  Ms. Carter did state that a work session is planned prior to the next meeting that will be held on May 15-16, 2003.  Additional discussion ensued concerning the devastation a total program moratorium would cause. 

 

Ms. Carter stated that another issue of prime importance is post-implementation conditions.  She stated that she has heard nothing at this time concerning decisions on post-implementation. Dr. Barron shared an experience she had concerning post-implementation. Troy State was two graduates short in their MS degree in Environmental Management.  The Commissioners asked if she and Troy would be accountable assuring that they would meet their implementation graduation estimates in the next three years or would end the program.   There was concern that this was an inappropriate request.  Some discussion followed. 

 

Ms. Carter indicated that Dr. Kitty Collier wanted us to inform her about our needs concerning the No Child Left Behind legislation.  Council members stated that we need to know how we all stand.  Changes will impact most of us but especially those institutions that don’t have stand-alone majors.  To add these majors will generate a number of proposals.  If a moratorium is placed on all new programs, this will cause severe hardship.  Additional conversation ensued concerning pending changes.  It is believed many older teachers won’t return for additional courses choosing to retire instead. 

 

Dr. Wilkins stated that a final document has been produced by the ACHE Planning Committee but the K-12 document has dwarfed it.  Dr. Malone will present the document at the next Chief Academic Officer’s Meeting on March 12, 2003. Another issue of concern is that two year colleges want to handle all remediation removing this responsibility from the universities.  One of the main fears is that our students will take additional courses as well as remedial courses at the community colleges reducing the courses taken at our universities.  The closest community college to Montgomery is in Alexander City causing further inconvenience to the students.  Another option might be to return students to their high schools for remediation.

 

ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY:  PHASE TWO DISTRIBUTION

Dr. Wilkins expressed some concern that university presidents had indicated that an economic impact study needed to be done.  This suggested university presidents were unaware of the study that had been completed by the Graduate Council. Council members briefly discussed how they were distributing the Economic Impact Study brochures.  Dr. Carr distributed some around his campus as well as took them to the CSGS.  Other Council members distributed brochures to members of their Board of Trustees, graduate faculty members, donors, supporters, friends, alumni, foundation boards, etc.  It was further discussed that it was time to formally present the study to the Commission during a public meeting.  Ideally, reporters would be present and provide appropriate publicity. 

 

OTHER 

Dr. Barron announced that the nominating committee had been appointed; Dr. Judd Katz, Dr. Bill Carr and Dr. Jim Wolfe.  They would develop a slate of officers for 2003-2004 and present it at the Retreat.  Dr. Carr announced that the Gator Golf Classic would be played on the Friday afternoon of the Retreat at the Gulf State Park Golf Course.  A 30-minute practice would be held at 1:00 with a 1:30 tee-off time. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted by,

 

 

Annette Marie Allen