Deans Council Meeting
Provost Conference Room
March 3, 2009

Attendance: Interim Provost Gary Peer, Dr. Hal Langford, Dr. Brent Mangus, Dr. David Crenshaw, Dr. Allan Headley, and Dr. Randy McBroom. Minutes taken and submitted by Cynthia Rhodes.

Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications (WICHE) Best Practices Guidelines – The Best Practices for Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate Programs were shared with Council members. These guidelines focus on online learning and quality control. Provost Peer recognized the quality of TAMU-C’s distance education. Recently the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Division conducted a study of online learning at TAMU-C and released a white paper reflecting the results. Provost Peer asked council members to review the report and be prepared to discuss at the next Deans Council meeting. Dr. Peer would specifically like to discuss the recommendations reflected in the report. 

Division Service Standards – Deans were requested to have their colleges prepare their division’s service standards; drafts of the standards are due to the Provost Office no later than April 15th.

Rule 09.04.01.R1 Litigation – Deans were reminded and were asked to share with department heads that that as employees of the State of Texas, employees of TAMU-C are entitled to certain legal protections, including representation of the Office of the Attorney General in civil litigation.

Procedure 11.04.99.RO.11 “Admission to Graduate School” – Dr. Healey proposed changing the wording in this procedure from probationary to conditional. The Council unanimously passed the proposal with an effective date as soon as possible. Dr. Headley inquired if the effective date could be retroactive; however, several members did not feel this was feasible since the academic year had already underway. Dr. Peer stated he would discuss the possibility with Student Access and Success (Student Financial Aid) to see if this a retroactive date was feasible.

Summer School – Deans recommended that Alicia Currin be their contact in the Business Administration Division so that could work with her to discuss and plan a model for summer school.

Foreign Travel – The United States government has issued an advisory regarding travel to Mexico. Travel to Mexico is not recommended at this time; therefore, deans were encouraged to share this information with department heads and request their review of the necessity and/or propriety of the requested travel.   

Collin Higher Education Center (CHEC) – Council members expressed concerns regarding the proposed teaching center specifically issues relating to SACS requirements. Currently the tentative start date for the center is Fall 2010.

Early Intervention – Deans are to remind faculty of a recent notice release by the registrar requesting their responses regarding students and their need for early intervention.

Tenure and Promotion Procedures – On March 3, Dr. Singh provided Deans Council members with an electronic copy of proposed changes to Procedure 12..01.99.RO.01 “Academic Freedom, Tenure and Responsibility. Due to the extent and magnitude of this procedure, Provost Peer asked Council members to review and be prepared to discuss at the March 24th Deans Council meeting.

College of Business and Technology – Re-affirmation was received from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

College of Arts and Sciences – Within the next couple of week, the search committee for the dean’s position will be inviting three (3) search candidates to campus for interviews.

Graduate Studies and Research – Dr. Mary Beth Sampson will host a roundtable for all administrators, faculty and staff who interact with and assist graduate students on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, from 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. in room 213C of the Sam Rayburn Student Center. Representatives from the graduate school, academic departments and the registrar’s office will share information and ideas and facilitate discussion regarding services and support to our Graduate Students from inquiry to graduation. 

Institutional Effectiveness – Jack Hared has prepared a report regarding summer school. The report does not reflect a lot of splitting of classes. Mr. Hared can also prepare executive summaries for the deans which reflect statistical data by colleges..