Physics Department Meeting

August 25, 2003

Jarvis Hall Science Wing 103I

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

M. Larchez called the meeting to order at 14:22

Before beginning with agenda items, department members recognized and congratulated L. McCullough on being awarded UW-Stout’s Teacher of the Year Award.

1.      The task of recording secretary for the coming term falls to J. Rompala.

2.      Motion: R. Foley/J. Pejsa: That the minutes of the 2003-02-28 meeting be approved as submitted.

Action: Passed in a voice vote.

3.      Motion: A. Scott/R. Foley: That the minutes of the 2003-03-28 meeting be approved as submitted.

Action: Passed in a voice vote. 

4.      Motion: J. Pejsa/R. Foley: That the minutes of the 2003-05-09 meeting be approved as submitted.

Action: Passed in a voice vote.

5.      J. Pejsa will begin his term as Departmental Senator this semester.  There was no recent senate activity to report.

6.      Announcements:

a)      Regular department meetings will be at 09:05 Fridays as needed.

b)      E. Carlson is recruiting students for office help.  She will interview students attending the Job Fair.  Office help will be available this week from 3:00-18:00 M, T, Th, F and all day W.

c)      Members were asked to identify students who might serve as tutors.

d)      The five year cycle of Post Tenure Review this year falls to R. Foley, J. Pejsa, and J. Rompala.

e)      Journals and other magazines will now be housed in SW 103A.  It was also suggested that this room be used to house technical support equipment and materials and serve as a resource center.

f)        A science teacher from China may visit the department this fall with the purpose of observing our teaching techniques and philosophy.  Logistics for this visit will be overseen by Stout’s International Studies office.

g)      Before the Applied Science’s Material Science concentration is implemented, staffing limitations must be resolved.  Options for overcoming these limitations are being considered by the Dean’s staff and the Program Director.

h)      Other:

                                             i.            Development of the Applied Science’s Biotech concentration is on hold due to cost limitations.

                                           ii.            E. Carlson will be out of the office on September 2^nd.

                                          iii.            E. Carlson distributed copies of building evacuation procedures.

                                         iv.            Members should submit copies of their office hour and teaching schedules along with copies of their course syllabi to E. Carlson.

                                           v.            M. Larchez distributed copies of department wide teaching schedules.

                                         vi.            L. McCullough indicated that she will continue development of an NSF proposal fostering restructuring of the Intro to Physics course.

                                        vii.            Purchases made under last year’s budget are listed on the bulletin board in the conference room.

7.      Budget:

a)      The travel budget for the coming year is approximately 1.6K of which about 250 has been directed to L. McCullough for expenses incurred during the summer.  Members are requested to bring requests for travel during the academic year to the full department for action.

b)      Limited equipment funds are available.  The department agreed that each member can proceed with purchases totaling 200.

c)      Student helper, Luke, will be returning this fall.  His role in setting up labs and the integration of that work with member support was discussed. 

d)      Discussion of computer cost-share was postponed.

8.      Equipment, Lab Scheduling and Setup:

a)      P. Henkiel distributed copies of laboratory room and activity schedules.

b)      Members carried out a review of needs and concerns regarding preparations for the first week of classes.

Dean Murphy dropped by at this point in the meeting to offer members words of support.

c)      L. McCullough asked that members consider a variation in the sequencing of fall lab activities. 

9.      Other: (none)

10.  Adjourn:

Motion: R. Foley/J. Pejsa: That the meeting be adjourned.

Action: Passed in a voice vote.

Respectfully Submitted, John T. Rompala, Secretary