MEMBERS PRESENT

Dr. Annette Allen (ASU), Dr. Yardley Bailey (UA System), Dr. Dianne Barron (TSU), Dr. Alan Belsches (TSUD), Dr. Gordon Emslie (UAH), Dr. Judd Katz (AUM), Dr. Esther Lee (TSUM), Dr. Steve McFarland (AU), Dr. Charles Nash (UA System), Dr. Jean Pugliese (JSU), Dr. Chandra Reddy (AAMU), Dr. Terry Roberson (UM), Dr. John Schmitt (UA), Dr. James Wolfe (USA).

ACHE REPRESENTATIVES

Ms. Brenda Carter and Dr. Mike Malone

Dr. Dianne Barron introduced Dr. Michael Malone, Executive Director of ACHE and new ACGDs’ members. She further stated that this would be Dr. Jim Wolfe’s final meeting. He will be retiring at the end of August, 2003. We will invite him back at a later date for a luncheon ceremony.

APPROVAL OF SPRING RETREAT APRIL 23-25, 2003 MINUTES

Dr. John Schmitt requested that the minutes be amended to reflect his attendance at the 2003 retreat. The minutes were approved with the change as noted.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Dr. Joe Wilkins was not present due to a family emergency but the financial statement was briefly summarized. The balance on hand as of April 25, 2003 was $8,285.10. Receipts equaled $364.00 with disbursements of $2,085.35 leading to an ending total on August 6, 2003 of $6,563.75.

ACHE REPORT

Dr. Michael Malone stated that ACHE, like all educational institutions has suffered from budget cuts. ACHE is taking advantage of retirements to reduce the staff without utilizing layoffs. ACHE is currently down two positions and has only one associate director, Tim Vick, rather than four associate directors. Dr. Vick will manage day to day affairs while Ms. Brenda Carter will assume the duties of Academic Affairs. Ms. Ellen Haulman has returned and will be handling tasks including post-implementation conditions. Dr. Malone further stated that Dr. Elizabeth French will head up institutional effectiveness and planning. She is also working on the no-child left behind legislation.

Dr. Barron thanked Brenda Carter for everything she does and stated how much we all rely on her for her help. Dr. Malone then briefly discussed the twelve (12) commissioners and their great dedication. He stated that there are currently three openings on the Commission that need to be filled by the governor’s office. The new chair of the Commission will be Roland Pugh and vice chair will be Danny Patterson. Dr. Malone discussed that during his tenure as executive director, the commissioners have been meeting on the Thursday prior to the Friday Commission meeting, sharing Thursday night dinners, as well as having work sessions. He stated that much work was conducted on the moratorium during work sessions. Unless the governor quickly makes five appointments to the commission, there may only be seven members attending the October meeting. Dr. Malone spoke briefly concerning the Unified Budget Committee. He said that they had to work hard to get consensus from the presidents. The primary focus these days is on efficiency and accountability.

Some discussion ensued on post-implementation conditions. The Attorney General stated that if programs don’t meet post-implementation conditions, programs can be terminated. Consideration should be given when determining the number of graduates expected within the five year timeframe. If appropriate market analysis is conducted, however, it is believed that the estimated graduation numbers should be appropriate. Ms. Carter stated that if she notices numbers are too high, she generally contacts the university to check on the accuracy of the numbers.

Dr. Malone stated that more than ever, the commissioners want each university to prove that programs being presented are for the greater good. All programs brought forward will be highly scrutinized. Ms. Carter stated that new programs must meet the August 15, 2003 deadline to make it onto the October agenda.

Concerning program viability, Ms. Carter stated that letters have been mailed out concerning core liberal arts programs. Some institutions were given a set number of years to work out their numbers. On another issue, concerning whether students are granted in or out of state status, the fifty mile radius is still being considered. Dr. Charles Nash stated that there has been some interest generated among surrounding states. Mississippi has requested the right to solicit from bordering states. We currently have reciprocity with only certain states. Dr. Barron stated that competition might be problematic because other states have excellent scholarship programs that we are lacking.

HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP

- MR. GORDON STONE

Mr. Gordon Stone stated that everything comes down to the September 9, 2003 vote. This can be a win-win opportunity if the package passes. We all need to get the votes out. This is our opportunity to get people to vote yes. We need to get at least 70-80% of higher education folks out to vote to get the positive results that we need. We can’t pay attention to the polls. Polls can’t measure when people vote in blocks. Mr. Stone stated that we will win because we are right and we have the army. He has been working hard to involve faculty senates. He has been in contact with staff, staff leaders and Student Government Associations. The Partnership for Progress has put together a vehicle to teach about the referendum. The plan is designed to focus on fundamental problems to make taxing more equitable. It is a cohesive, thorough document. Opponents to the plan are telling partial truths and scaring people off. We must do everything we can to get positive votes for the Referendum.

One concern people have is that the money is not earmarked specifically for scholarships. Some are concerned that the money will go to the General Fund and will be misused and abused. Some individuals don’t trust the legislators to make the proper decisions. Governor Riley has asked newspaper editors to put information on the Referendum on the front page to inform people about his plan. He wants people to be aware that most peoples’ taxes will be reduced rather than increased as the popular belief is. Dr. Malone stated that he does not believe that the scholarships are being emphasized enough. This would also be coming out in the newspaper. Some school boards have been asked to not discuss or encourage the Referendum. This is reducing the power that K-12 could have in pushing the Yes vote. There are three reasons why most people may vote against the plan (1) Philosophically against taxes (2) Scared of what might happen (3) Don’t understand the plan. ACHE helped to write the scholarship package and it is general with much flexibility involved. It can be rewritten if necessary.

ACHE DISCUSSION ITEMS

The state plan is on the web site for everyone to view. The state plan has been worked on for over 13 months now. Dr. Collier took on an advocacy role and Dr. French also worked on it heavily. The changes were color coded. There are several themes in the plan; quality, access, affordability, cooperation/partnership, work force development and accountability. A large number of resource people were brought in during the plan development. There may be criticism on the governance section regarding a better form of governance. Dr. French rewrote the Economic Benefits section, expanding that section from one to three pages using input from the ACGDs.

Dr. Malone further stated that the plan does not go beyond objectives. There is no action plan, resource plan or strategies. It is a very general plan that will be turned over to the universities for their input.

PROGRAM PROPOSALS

Current proposals being considered are; AAMU Ph.D. in Reading, JSU MS in Emergency Management, JSU Master in Manufacturing Systems Technology, UAB DPT and AU/AUM MSN. It was discussed that although the electronic vote is easier for the ACGDs, fewer people are voting which can be problematic. It was discussed that the Commissioners want to know the number of positive and negative notes not just that it was a majority. Suggestions were made concerning how to encourage more people to vote and whether we should hold out for at least two/thirds of the members to vote.

CURRENT NISP REVIEWS

Current NISPS being considered by provosts are: JSU Masters in Manufacturing Systems, UNA MSN and UAB MS Surgical Physician Assistant Program.

UPDATE ACGD DIRECTORY

A list of current members with addresses, phone numbers and email was distributed for updates to be made for the 2003-2004 ACGD’s directory.

OTHER

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00 noon.