EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

Friday, November 14, 1997 - 12:00 noon - Ottensman 149

    1. Approval of Minutes of October 31, 1997
    2. Announcements
    3. Discussion Topics
      1. Curriculum Proposal - Mathematics
      2. Student Evaluations of Teaching
      3. Summer School
      4. Teaching Assignments for Next Year
      5. Exemplary Faculty Awards
    4. Other Business

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, AND SCIENCE

MINUTES - EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

Friday , November 14, 1997 - 12:00 noon - Ottensman 149

Members Present: T. Ceylan, J. Clough, J. Krogman, J. Miller, M. Muslu, L. Riedle, R. Shultz,

F. Tufte, J. Wilson and P. Young
  1. Minutes of October 31 were approved as distributed.
  2. Announcements
      1. T. Salmon wanted the Executive Council to know that over $6,000 had been donated toward the EMS Women’s Scholarship Fund. This amount does not include the match ing funds. Thanks go to all those who participated in the Phone-a-thon.
  3. Discussion Topics
      1. The Mathematics curriculum proposal was outlined by F. Tufte. This proposal would apply only to students majoring in engineering. Six credits of approved engineering courses would count toward a mathematics major. The proposal does not cover credits toward a mathematics minor. Core courses and the depth requirement would still need to be met. Proposal passed on a motion by T. Ceylan and a second by M. Muslu.
      2. The current procedures for student evaluations were discussed. T. Ceylan felt that these procedures are used for the following: a) input on faculty performance for evaluation, b) feedback for improving the course, and c) administrator’s use in improving specific areas. Procedures should be designed to advance these goals. If a subcommittee is set up to look at these procedures, their charge and guidelines should be very clear. J. Wilson felt that the C ollege should start from scratch. Most agreed that the open-ended questions generate the most useful information. R. Shultz asked that this issue be discussed at a departmental meeting to get a feel from faculty about whether a better tool could be developed if the opportunity is presented. This issue will be on the agenda for the December 5 meeting.
      3. The 1998 Summer Session instructional budget will be $69,602. Last year’s budget was $67,666. Twelve students are needed to receive full pay for unde rgraduate courses; ten for graduate courses. Salaries are based on 2/9 of the academic year salary, with nine credits equaling a full load. Last year, thirteen courses were taught by Mathematics, three courses by General Engineering, two courses by Engineering Physics and Civil Engineering, and one course by Chemistry. Departmental requests should be submitted to the Dean by Wednesday, November 19.
      4. Teaching assignments for the next academic year should be carefully reviewed to match up peop le and courses to take care of sabbaticals and the needs of General Engineering. These assignments should be submitted to the Dean before Thanksgiving.
      5. Concerns were expressed about the small pool of candidates for the Exemplary Faculty Awards, and the documentation required for each category. The Council approved the Dean’s recommendation to ask the Honors Committee to revisit the guidelines for the awards.
  4. Other Business
      1. An English as a Sec ond Language (ESL) Program will be implemented by at least this summer, and should generate some potential students.
      2. An agreement with Taiwan will generate some faculty exchanges.
      3. A meeting was held this morning regarding cluster courses. There was enthusiasm expressed for the success in the transfer of knowledge, team building and the sense of community. J. Krogman has proposed that Cluster I (General Engineering 102, English 123 and Speech 101) continue and be expanded to both semester s. Students registering for the second semester offering will have been advised to postpone completing 102 in the first semester. These students would take the discussion section in the fall, and delay the lecture portion until the spring. For the year-long Cluster II course (Mathematics 264 and 274, General Engineering 213 and Physics 251 and 253), the instructors are looking at offering Physics in the first semester, and Statics in the second semester. Some thought will be given to offering the course to sophomores.
      4. There have been some changes in courses approved for Ethnic and Gender Studies, and more changes are in the works. J. Krogman felt strongly that freshmen should be taking Public Speaking.
      5. J. Krogman reported that the Faculty Senate had rescinded the ruling regarding tenured members on DRB Committees. DRB Committees only need two tenured members.
      6. The next meeting of the Executive Council on November 21 will be devoted entirely to ABET preparations.
      7. Stacey H ayden was selected as the student commencement speaker, and Tom Ringelstetter was named the alternate.