College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science

Executive Council Minutes

October 11, 2007

 

Members Present:      M. Anderson, J. Clifton, C. Cornett, H. Evensen, M. Gill, P. Jinkins, D. Kunz, A. Masoom, M. Meyers, M. Muslu, L. Riedle, R. Shultz

 

Absent:  S. Wills

 

Visitors Present:  Tammy Salmon-Stephens

 

The minutes from September 20 & 27, and October 4 were approved with minor changes to the October 4th minutes.

 

Announcements

1.       Rich passed out a pamphlet containing a rendering of the art work for the new engineering building.

2.      Rich passed out a sheet showing the changes in campus offices as Ullsvik opens.  Lisa has an electronic version and will send out.

3.      Tammy said that Homecoming went well.  The College of EMS Fish Fry had a nice number of attendees.  She announced at the Fish Fry that Electrical Engineering will be honored next year and Chemistry in 2009.

4.      Rich announce that Shane Drefcinski, Director of General Education, will be attending Executive Council next week talking about general education.

5.      Rich sent out sick leave information and said that it was outdated.  He did ask that chairs follow through and make sure that faculty and academic staff in their departments turn in their sick leave forms monthly.

6.      Rich was asked to share that we should not download student information and save on our computers.  Also, do not go into PeopleSoft on a wireless system from an unsecure sight (such as hotels).  (This has been modified to downloading to portable devices such as jump drives and to erase any downloaded data when done.)

7.      Chuck said that Chemistry is hosting a speaker, Dr. Robert Rozmiarek.  He will be talking about alternate energies on Friday, October 12, 12:00 noon, 144 Ottensman.

 

Agenda

 

  1.  GE 1320 – Engineering/Computer Graphics – Dave Kunz

Dave said there are some weaknesses in the Mechanical Engineering (ME) program because of software used by the private industries differs from our graphics eudation.  They would like the GE 1320 course revamped to improve the computer graphics portion for the ME program.  Abulkhair said it was last revamped in 2004.  Dave said that the course currently meets the needs of Industrial and Civil Engineering students.  He was also wondering about a multiple offering so it would fit the ME program.  Following a lengthy discussion, Rich suggested that Abulkhair hold a meeting to discuss the GE 1320 course with a representative from ME, CE, and EP.  Each program should submit the name of their representative to Abulkhair as soon as possible.

 

  1.  International Students and Co-op – Lisa Riedle

Lisa asked that as advising begins to please make sure that students who indicate they’ve received a co-op to go directly to the Co-op Office for registration information.  This is especially important if the student is an international student because there are other issues involved.  Please share this with your faculty.

 

  1.  Ireland Study Abroad Opportunity – Lisa Riedle

Lisa shared information about the summer study abroad for women in Ireland through the University of Illinois.  A large portion of the trip will be paid for.  She will forward an email to everyone about this opportunity.

 

  1. WI Teaching Fellow

Rich has the forms.  Please share with department faculty and staff that if they are interested in an application, the forms are in the Dean’s Office.  They are due back to the Dean’s Office no later than November 2nd.

 

  1. WI Teaching Scholar

Rich has the forms.  Please share with department faculty and staff that if they are interested in an application, the forms are in the Dean’s Office.  They are due back to the Dean’s Office no later than November 2nd.

 

Other

 

  1.  Abulkhair brought up the subject of EMS faculty awards.  He didn’t have anyone nominated in one area and a few in the other.  Discussion followed on why the numbers are so low for faculty interested in these awards.  Faculty do not want to take time to do paperwork.  However, the paperwork has been reduced and really does not take a lot of time.
  2. Hal said that in the EP labs, the faculty are finding solution manuals on the hard drives.  Discussion followed on this subject.
  3.  Rich said that at this time there is still no state budget.  We are currently in a 1.5 million dollar deficit.  The Governor has called a special session for legislators to meet on Monday.  There is a new proposal with a 25 million dollar cut to the UW System which means $375,000 to this campus.  We will continue with searches, but no hiring at this time.  UWP is drawing up a contingency plan where no academic teaching staff will be given a contract for second semester unless they have a year contract.  The biggest impact will be in the Mathematics Department.  We will be looking at doing some contingencies in Chemistry and Mathematics and see what we can cut for the spring 2008 semester.
  4. Joe said that some departments have talked about the GE 1030 course and this needs to be brought up for discussion.
  5. Lisa asked if faculty could take packets about the online and distance courses when meeting with the Advisory Board members.  We will have them in the Dean’s Office.
  6. Tammy said that Joanne Wilson is now chair of SAGE and they would like each department/program to see what non-general education freshman and sophomore level major courses are being impacted by TSI students.  Please get this information to Tammy or Joanne by Tuesday, October 16th.  
  7. Chuck said that NTT day is coming up in November.  There may be some changes to the event, but the information will be coming out shortly.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.