Physics Department Meeting
February 18, 2005
Jarvis Hall Science Wing 103J

Members present: Mark Larchez (chair), Ellen Carlson, Robert Foley, Paul Henkiel, Laura McCullough, Jim Pejsa, Alan Scott, John Rompala

M. Larchez called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.

1.      Announcements;

a)  ‘Science Ed concentration will be submitted to Arts and Sciences Council for approval next week.’

b)  The department’s Personnel Committee will be acting on L. McCullough’s retention for the ’06 – ’07 academic year.

c)  The department will be electing a Chair for the next three years.  The Dean would like to confer with members before the election.

d)  E. Carlson will be out of the office on February 23^rd and will be attending a conference in River Falls on February 28^th.

e)  L. McCullough will present a research seminar next Friday on campus.

2.   Minutes for the meeting of 2005-01-08;

·        Item 8 should read “announced” rather than “attended”

·        Item 1 should read “undergraduate” rather than “graduate”

·        Item 5a should have “or about” deleted.

Motion: (McCullough/Scott) The Physics Department accepts the minutes of its 2005-01-08 meeting as amended.

Action: Approved on a Voice Vote.

3.  Faculty Senate: report from Senator (pro tem) L. McCullough;

Senators received copies of the NSE executive summary.  That copy is available for department member review.

The Senate accept a revised Grade Review Policy.  Notable policy features include: a one year limit, and a process proceeding from the department level, to the Dean of Students, to the Grade Review Hearing Committee, and to the Chancellor.

Senators enacted contingency processes for dispersing salary increase funds.  The process to be followed is based on the percentage increase awarded in the state budget.

3.   Hiring:  Faculty position beginning Fall 2005 (Personnel Committee):

Applications are coming in.  Recruiting Tools are approved and in place.

4.  Curriculum:

‘Approval of the new course APSC 401 Applied Science Profession II was tabled by the Arts and Sciences Council.’  The council objected to the inclusion of topics on ‘interviewing’ which are part of the Speech course.  Department members agreed that M. Larchez can OK any revised proposal which addresses this issue.

5.  Budget – special

‘Another RFP for substantial spending is expected soon.’  R. Foley suggested that members re-evaluate and amend their list.  Members should submit detailed information on potential items for consideration at the next meeting (two weeks hence).  Members concurred with this suggestion.

6.  Budget – regular

a)  E. Carlson reminded members that not all have utilized their individual professional account funds.

b)  1.6 K in Access to Learning funds remain uncommitted.  P. Henkiel asked that 3.0 C be set aside for kits to be distributed to GPII students. Members should bring other suggestions for utilizing these funds to the next meeting. 

c)  3.5 K in Support and Services funds remain uncommitted.  Members elected to purchase a new computer for the research area and cycle the current research computer to the front office.  Members also directed monies toward a new fax machine.  J. Pejsa will review possible model options.  It was also noted that the new SW103I computer needs a new floppy.   Members were asked to bring potential lab resources needs to the next meeting.

d)  Member’s Research Support Funds needs should be brought to the department’s attention at the next meeting.  P. Henkiel asked that LN₂ tanks be maintained.

7.  Fall Class schedule;

The department members agreed that, in response to projected Construction Program needs, Geology & Soil Mechanics and another section of Intro to Geology be added to the schedule.  These changes would require accompanying changes in staffing assignments.  A. Scott and R. Foley offered to instruct these added offerings and J. Rompala offered fill the resulting staffing shortfall in University Physics.

8.  General Education Assessment;

Consideration of this item was deferred.

9.  Other;

An item under this heading was deferred

10.  Adjourn;

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 a.m. by common consent.

Respectfully submitted,

JTR