COUNCIL OF DEANS

August 23, 2000

The Council of Deans met in regular session at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 23, 2000, in the Provost's Conference Room. John Mosbo presided, and the following council members were present: Sam Buchanan, Bob Everding, Neil Hattlestad, Joe Horton, Maurice Lee, Jane McHaney, Elaine McNiece, and Sally Roden. Steve Addison represented Ron Toll.

The COD minutes of August 9 were approved as amended. The COD minutes of August 16 were approved as circulated.

Buchanan reported on advising and registration activities. Some particular difficulties were identified and discussed. Buchanan provided attendance validation forms and instructions for completion of the forms. Mosbo reminded the deans of the importance of accurately reporting student enrollments.

Mosbo asked for comments regarding academic priorities, which had been previously distributed. Discussion followed.

Mosbo distributed a draft "Message from the Provost" to be added to the provost's webpage. He asked for comments or suggestions to be sent to him by the end of the week.

Mosbo (1) reminded the deans of a focused meeting on August 28 at 2:00; (2) reminded the COD that they would discuss the National Survey on Student Engagement next Wednesday - McNiece distributed information to facilitate that discussion; (3) asked for recommendations of new and active faculty to participate in a luncheon series; (4) discussed plans to set a meeting of recently tenured faculty; (5) asked that if deans hold regular faculty meetings he be invited to one at some point during the academic year, and told of plans to visit various areas on campus for casual meetings; (6) asked for input on the provost's address to faculty; (7) discussed logistics for introducing new faculty; (8) stated that the non-classified evaluation form was available in electronic form for those wishing to modify it to their needs - it was agreed to complete non-classified evaluations at the same time as faculty evaluations.

Dean Reports

Everding reminded the council that Blood Brothers would again be staged August 30 through September 1.

Roden (1) announced that Dr. Patricia Draves, associate professor of chemistry, has accepted the position of associate dean of undergraduate studies; (2) informed the deans of coverage of the Summer Reading Program in the Arkansas Times; (3) shared examples of good publicity resulting from the retention excellence award presented to UCA by Noel-Levitz.

McNiece (1) reported that X-grades had been sent to the graduate office through the campus mail, and asked that forms of that nature be hand-delivered to avoid delays in processing; (2) distributed a list of upcoming workshops and seminars from sponsored programs and the IDC; (3) distributed a preliminary report of enrollments in the University College.

Buchanan (1) distributed a list of the membership of the Computing Advisory Committee; (2) stated that Jonathan Glenn is putting together an outline of the format for annual reports, and asked deans to provide a copy of the outline they have most recently used; (3) stressed the need to have correct instructor information in the master course file before the final reporting date.

Lee (1) discussed future consideration of proposals in gender studies and African-American studies; (2) indicated that Joe Hatcher will visit departments relative to his new position as interim director of the Humanities and World Cultures program; (3) reported that there are two Spanish courses for university staff and one for Conway business/industries.

McHaney reported on two minority grant possibilities. She asked deans to share the information with chairs to help get word to minority UCA students who have indicated an interest in a career in education. Lloyd Harvey is the contact person for these student grants. McHaney invited the deans to attend a reception honoring new faculty in the College of Education after college meetings on August 29.

Following a motion by Horton and second by Everding, the meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

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