February 7, 2002 Meeting Minutes

Chairs Council Minutes
February 7, 2002
1:00 Hunter Hall

Present: Faye Vowell, Louis Ollivier, Donna Rees, Roland Shook, Gwen Cassel, Bertha Benavidez, Larry French, June Decker, Katherine Woodard, Ken Ladner, Steve Reed, Lloyd Cowling, Junius Logan, Ben Tucker, Julie Miller, Jerry Harmon, Pat McIntire, George Muncrief

1. Update on Network Problems--Steve Reed-Steve Reed handed out a copy of the presentation that he presented at the President's Cabinet meeting.

Why are we having problems with logging on the Internet? (Availability and speed). At this time, there is only one T1 available. Also, there are problems with US West (problem will be fixed on February 12th); more users due to dorms coming online; more applications; and an old routing structure.

What will happen in the future to add more use to system: more applications, web-ct, additional users, and video conferencing.

Things happening to help with the problem: Obtaining an additional T1, more funding, managing current traffic of downloading of music and videos from the Internet. Steve promised that "it gets better."

Julie Miller asked about web problems affecting the library. Steve said , "The best times are early in morning (8:30 to 11:00) or after business hours". Dr. Muncrief asked, "Why is Zianet a faster operating system". Steve responded "That they have a T3 line".

Some asked if there, "Is their way of prioritizes these students who want to find out something for class than just surfing the net". Not to Steve's knowledge but he will look into it.

2. Legislature Update-Dr. Vowell--Budget cuts have not been approved. There will be $130,000 less in I-money, no faculty raises, but promotions will be funded. Building the budgets will be a hard task. Grants may be used to find funding projects, such as network updates.

3. Printing Cost in Academic Labs-In your agenda packet is e-mail from Steve Reed and April Matthews about the large number of copies made last week in the computer lab. Some members of the council proposed two possible solutions: 1) to have students bring in paper, or 2) have ACT put in card readers, such as in the library.

Dr. Shook said, "At the LRC the students get 10 free pages then they pay .05 per page after 10 sheets".

4. CLEP Issues-Roland Shook-All CLEP tests that are available at WNMU are on the bottom at of first page. The cost is now $46 plus $12 administrative fee. The university currently accepts scores from other universities as long as the credit is on the student's transcripts

5. Mandatory Travel Budget-There is little money available from VPAA for mandatory travel. If you must go, be warned to expect a grilling process from VPAA or AVPAA.

6. WIA reporting-This program is paying tuition for miners, and we must certify that we offer these programs listed on handout. Questions about cost of additional materials required for courses will be needed, You may be to provide additional information. Please give fast and accurate information. "Could Zianet be used because of the logging on to the server problems?" Donna will look into this. Several offered to allow Donna's people access to their computers.

7. Flexibility in Teaching Load Relative to Class Size--Ken Ladner-The issue came up in his department. Dr. French suggested a factorial system to help chairs calculate faculty load and help in deciding whether a class must be cancelled. Dr. French and Dr. Ladner would like to work on this formula and bring back to next chair's council. The group also discussed what happens when a certain faculty member has classes, which do not make semester after semester?

8. GPAs for Classes on Campus Relative to Class Size-Ken Ladner and Donna Rees-Donna looked at data on this issue. Grades are definitely higher off campus. She suggested the smaller courses the higher the grades. Another reason could be age of students. Most of students are older off campus than on campus students. Dr. Harmon asked if this could be problem with hiring certain people. Dr. Ladner asked if an instructor could be evaluated after three years. Dr. French and Donna Rees said that all hires are evaluated after the first year. All would appreciate meeting with chairs on adjuncts. Grade distribution would be helpful when meeting with the chair also. Money is available for chairs to visit the adjuncts at off campus sites. Some suggested videotaping. Donna and Larry will follow up and present a policy on adjuncts at the next chairs meeting.

9. A calendar for MBO meetings with Dr. Vowell is being passed around. Please schedule a time-- if not today, please call Norma as soon as possible to schedule.

10. Spreadsheet given to chairs about advisors for web registration. Please check and send Dr. Shook any changes as soon as possible.

11. Degree Plan Format for Faculty Online--Please complete the degree plans on a computer or typewriter. It would be easier to read what is on the degree plan. Degree plans on the General Use drive would help the advising AQIP team for their advising manual. Dr. Linda Lopez will be requesting data from each department on how departments are assigning advisors, obtaining copies of degree plans, etc.

12. Grade Changes without Faculty/Department Approval or Without Going Through Appropriate Channels--Larry French-It was brought to Dr. French that a student pressured faculty member about changing a grade by going to the President's Office. Does President Counts have jurisdiction in changing a grade? Adjuncts feel that they have no power. Dr. Vowell would like the details about this issue so she can to talk to Dr. Counts. Students really do not know the procedures or policies on student appeals.

13. Equipment Requests Update-Dr. Logan and Dr. Vowell will look at this issue tomorrow because of possible use of GO bonds. These GO bonds could be used for Martinez lab/IT requests. The GO money can be used from last year as a rollover type to this year.