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Alabama Council of Graduate Deans (ACGD) |
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Alabama Council of Graduate Deans Spring 2009 RETREAT April 15 - 17, 2009 Island House, Orange Beach , Alabama
Attendees: Keith Harrison, Bryan Noe, Susan Rich, Deb Moriarity, Dianne Barron, Pam Arrington (ACHE), Dave Francko, George Crandall, John Schmidt, Natalie Adams, Jack Riley, Rebecca Hartley, Donna Jacobs, Jean Pugliese, & Jeff Engler
Wednesday, April 15 6:00 PM Evening discussion about issues facing Graduate Deans in Alabama.
Thursday, April 16 8:15 – 9:00 AM Breakfast with the group followed by a brief overview of the retreat agenda with Dave Francko.
9:00 – 9:45 The evolving need for collaboration between graduate education and workforce development (discussion leaders Dianne Barron, Dean and Associate Provost, Troy Univ. and Deb Moriarity, Dean, UAH).
Dr. Barron and Dr. Moriarity presented information on types of opportunities and funding that the community college system currently has and how four-year universities could benefit from using the same ideas. They presented a short video to the group on changes in technology over the years. They stressed the importance of training graduates for jobs now because training in the future will be too late (i.e. the need to train for jobs that do not yet exist). Developing thinkers and lifelong learners must be trained in real life context. They stated that graduate education provides education to leaders of those with the baccalaureate degree. Internships and co-ops in other countries can help students learn to integrate with other cultures. They also pointed out that not all doctoral students will be in academia so it is important to engage industry leaders. The group discussed creating a document that shows what is most important in graduate education. The focus would be to “get the word out” about workforce development while providing a definition workforce development. Dr. Francko suggested that ACGD devote a considerable amount of time to this topic during the summer meeting and put the topic as an agenda item for the July meeting at UAB. Another discussion topic for July would be a “best-practice” to get faculty involved in workforce development as well.
9:45 – 10:30 Penultimate version of ACGD presentation on grad education and Alabama economic development (Jeff Engler, Assoc. Dean, UAB)
Dr. Engler presented UAB's example of the impact of graduate education in AL as a video piece for recruitment. Dr. Engler pointed out that testimonials are used most effectively for prospective students. The common message from the video is that each institution can make the presentation personal yet some common themes will resonate throughout each piece. Dr. Engler also mentioned that the slide that mentioned training could make an easy introduction to inserting the new definition of workforce development. The group discussed the idea of creating multiple versions of the slideshow for publication and for sharing with state legislators. A brochure or pamphlet could be used as a supplemental piece. Another idea is to use a one page handout. Dr. Engler pointed out that there is no state wide data on the number of students who stay in AL after graduate school. A mock version of the ACGD brochure to match the presentation is a possibility for the July meeting. Dr. Francko suggested that the deans take this presentation and begin to make it personal for his/her institution as soon as possible. It would be helpful to have 8-10 versions of the video on institution's websites. Dr. Arrington suggested that it would be a good idea to share the video as an information item for the Commissioners.
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 11:30 RCR/Scholarly Integrity Survey results (UA system) and future implications for ACGD members (Jeff Engler)
Dr. Engler presented a survey to assess ethics awareness. UAB, UA, and UAH used the survey to determine questions that students and faculty may have about ethical considerations in graduate school. The theme of the survey was that there is a need for ethics and integrity training. Trust issues are most urgent (i.e. data integrity, data ownership). Dr. Engler pointed out that ethic decisions are not always clear. The group discussed where to go in terms of implementing the information provided in the survey. Questions/discussion topics that arose included the need for faculty to augment information training with resources, determine how resources work on different campuses, and how to build a culture of professionalism among graduate students.
11:30 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 Roundtable on grad student health insurance issues and preparation for Friday meeting with Sen. Figures (Dave Francko, UA)
Dr. Francko led the discussion on health insurance for graduate students. He stated that increases in premium but less coverage or less prescription drug benefits for the increase in cost was a problem at UA. Other problems included institutions being unable to identify the costs associated with the coverage and that there are more users of coverage for graduate students. Insurance companies suggests that institutions across the state come together to have a larger pool for better coverage options. The group suggested that they would each speak with their chief academic officers about a state-wide insurance policy.
2:00 – 3:00 ACGD Business Meeting
Treasurer's Report : Dr. Barron reported that she has applied for a tax identification number for ACGD. The only expenditure on the report was the cost of the trolley for dinner transportation at the retreat. For the 2010 retreat, Dr. Barron stated that the room rate would remain the same at $112 per night for a standard, $230 for the Penthouse, and $171 for a suite. The approximate total for the catering would be $300. Dr. Barron and Dr. Harrison planned to negotiate another contract until 2012, which the group unanimously agreed on, at the conclusion of the retreat.
ACHE Report : Dr. Arrington reported that the strategic plan full document and executive summary are on the ACHE website. She went onto say that some changes have been made to the plan based on information from the chief academic officers from institutions. On April 30, 2009 there will be a conference call with the university presidents. An audit of academic program inventory is currently being conducted and hard copies will be sent to all graduate deans and CAO's. She also added that the program proposal procedures will be finalized in March. She asked for feedback on Priority 6 which addresses workforce development. She concluded her remarks by passing out an ACHE brochure with information about state institutions.
Officers 2009-10 :
Chair: Keith Harrison Chair-elect: George Flowers Treasurer: Dianne Barron Secretary: Rebecca Hartley Member at Large: Donna Jacobs Immediate Past Chair: Dave Francko
Dr. Noe made a motion to accept the nominations and all present voted in favor.
3:00 – 5:30 Reflection on Issues in Graduate Education
This is an opportunity for graduate deans to informally meet with each other to discuss issues/concerns that are common to another institution(s). Further discussion about the retreat agenda is encouraged.
5:30 Hospitality suite and group dinner at Cobalt's.
Friday, April 17
8:00 – 9:00 AM Breakfast with the group
9:00 - 10:00 AM Gordon Stone, Exec. Director, Higher Education Partnership
Gordon Stone began his discussion by asking ACGD to send him an email distribution list so that he can add members to the “partnership update list.” He discussed Senate Bill 581 and encouraged those in higher education to ask their legislators to vote no for this bill. He stated that the bill allows the Legislature to freeze tuition increases on campus. This, in turn, takes control away from the institution's board of trustees to determine what is needed for that institution. The Higher Education partnership is against any plan that takes away power from the institution. He also stated that 2009 was the largest level of participation for Higher Education Day in recent years. The Higher Education Partnership is using social networking through uspeak.org as an innovative way to send out information about higher education. He also mentioned that there were issues with the Education Trust Fund that will possibly decrease the budget by 20%. Mr. Stone stated that the federal stimulus money will help with the cuts. The group presented Mr. Stone with information on the ACGD video and asked if information could be shared. He suggested showing the video to opinion leaders within the state such as members of the Chamber of Commerce, town councils, city commissioners, and other non-profit organizations. He also suggested using current graduates who could spread the word about higher education in AL.
10:00 – 11:45 Sen. Vivian Davis Figures (D), 33 rd district ( Mobile ), Alabama State Senate: presentation of CGS and ACGD Econ. Develop. videos, discussion of how ACGD and Legislature can better work together to strengthen Alabama .
The group presented two videos to Senator Figures including a video on graduate education from CGS and UAB's template video of the impact of graduate education on economic development. Senator Figures felt that the CGS piece was more of a story and that ACGD should try to create a more personal and story-like version. Senator Figures stated that she felt that education should be a top priority within the Legislature and more funding should be available. She suggested that ACGD present the video to education committees, education funding committees, and specific legislative liaisons for the university. She suggested that the group determine a strategic plan to send the information to legislative representatives. She also suggested that presenting the information to a legislative committee would be most effective because the members would already be convened for a meeting. Senator Figures said that tying in workforce development would show the value of the need for increased funding. Her two key points were education needs a more stable source of revenue and that higher education should be more involved in electing legislators that have their interests as a priority.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
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| Developed by Dr. Stephen L. McFarland and Junmo Yang |
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