Mark Larchez, Department Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
Members attending: Mark Larchez (chair), Robert Foley, Paul Henkiel,
Laura McCullough, James Pejsa, John Rompala, Alan Scott (recording secretary),
Ellen Carlson, Nani McPherson (Graduate Assistant)
1. Minutes of the March 08, 2002 meeting were distributed to member and considered for approval.
Bob moved to approve the minutes and Laura seconded the motion.
Two corrections were made. The date was changed to the correct date of March 8, 2002, and the meeting time was corrected to 9:05am.
The motion passed on a voice vote.
2. Bob reported on Faculty Senate business. Budget was the main concern. The Wisconsin Senate cuts $20 million from the UW-System, the House cuts $100 million, and the Governor wants to cut somewhere in between these numbers. It will go to committee.
Bob reported on the laptop project. XP Home will be the operating system. Students will be completing a survey to determine their computer skills. Faculty will also complete a survey to determine the necessary level of student computer skills needed for which courses.
Bob reported that the Faculty Senate examined an issue related to grades of a CTEM student from 1998. It was indicated that the Provost changed a faculty's grade of 'F' to a 'WS' without the faculty member's consent. Bob expressed strong opposition to this occurance.
3. Mark began discussing the physics department chair elections. He reminded people that he simply completed the 3rd year of a three-year term.
Faculty suggested names of people, outside the physics department, that would be willing to run the chair election. Ann Parsons, Scott Zimmerman, and Marty Ondris were considered. Mark expressed reservations about having Marty since he was a department chair. Ann Parsons was selected by a hand vote (receiving 3 votes). Scott Z. received 2 votes, and Marty received 0 votes.
4. Jim P. made a motion to have all nominations handed into Ann P. no later than Friday, April 12, and that ballots be returned to Ann P. no later than Friday, April 19. A FAX, sent to Ann P., would be acceptable in lieu of email nominations. Laura seconded the motion.
Mark suggested that Alan contact Ann about the procedures. Motion passes.
Bob voiced opposition and concern over last summer's election process which required faculty to work when they were not on contract.
5. Laura wanted to remind everyone that the Gen. Ed. courses need an assessment of the courses. The exact type of assessment is flexible. Laura also wanted to encourage people to participate in Research Day on May 1st.
Laura discussed the possibility of re-designing an existing course or developing a new course in physics which targets early childhood education majors. Jim inquired about whether the Introduction to Physics course has very many early childhood education students. Faculty discussed the issue and it's impact on staffing issues.
Mark briefly discussed equipment budget. He indicated that biology and chemistry received about $30,000. The Dean did suggest that this round of budget needs includes expenditures related to the Applied Science program.
6. Ellen presented the current state of our department budget. The department currently has $2,700 to spend. An amount of $500 has already been set aside for office supplies. Ink cartridges need to come of the $2,700 balance.
Bob suggested that the faculty review the budget list, re-prioritize items, and reconvene interested people in about one week. Paul indicated that the $447 audio editing equipment be removed (or has been removed).
7. Mark made some brief comments regarding curriculum issues. Alan discussed the APSC-201 and APSC-401 course proposal being reviewed. Alan also mentioned that he had expressed interest in teaching the APSC-201 course to Mark L. and Forrest Schultz. The faculty discussed approval of the two course proposals presented.
Bob moved to approve only the APSC-201 course. Laura seconded the motion.
Mark directed everyone's attention to section D under the heading "Information for New Course Implementation." The statement reads "The faculty of the Departments of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics will have the time and expertise to offer the course when it is implemented." The department discussed whether approving the course at this time reflects the willingness to teach the course with current staffing. It was the consensus of the department that it is possible to offer the course only if the 1/2 additional staffing were given to the department as approved in the Applied Science Plan to Implement document. The staffing issue was discussed.
Motion passes.
Bob moved to consider, but not approve, the Senior Assessment course. Department discussed the discussion/lecture format and whether it should meet only once for 1 hour per week if it is worth only 1 credit hour. Alan indicated that at the last Applied Science committee meeting that Forrest Schultz requested that both Sophomore and Senior Assessment courses be approved. There was no vote on approving the Senior Assessment course, APSC-401.
8. Mark adjourned the meeting at 10:05 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Alan Scott