Physics Department Meeting Minutes
August 29, 2005
Jarvis Hall Science Wing 103J

Members present: Mark Larchez (chair), Jim Pejsa, Laura McCullough, Ellen Carlson, Jo Hopp, Alan Scott (recording secretary)

Mark called the meeting to order at 2:00pm.

Announcements

1. Bob is next in rotation for recording secretary but is absent.  Alan agreed to be recording secretary.

2. Minutes of previous meetings were reviewed.  Jim moved and Laura 2nd approval of April 22, 2005 minutes.  Minutes were corrected.  Motion passed.  Laura moved and Jim 2nd approval of minutes for April 29, 2005.  Minutes were corrected.  Motion passed.  Laura moved and Alan 2nd to approve minutes from May 11, 2005.  Motion passed.

3. Mark announced that Laura finished serving on faculty senate for Spring 2005 and Alan will continue serving his 2 year term as faculty senator.

4. Ellen discussed office help.  There are 4 tutors returning and there is presently no need to recruit for either tutors or office help.  ellen also indicated that there will be no open lab for the first week.

5. Mark provided an update on General Education Assessment that was worked on during the summer.  We should assume that the General Education Assessment committee will want similar information this semester.

6. Mark talked about promotion and sabbatical applications.  Alan indicated he was applying for promotion this year.

Office Supplies / New Travel Procedures

1. Ellen indicated that university contracts are still being negotiated.  Everyone is to tell Ellen if there are supplies needed.  Ellen has requested a new copying machine.

2. Mark, along with Ellen, discussed new procedures for travel.  All the previous procedures are still required with the addition that everyone traveling needs to use a credit card.  This credit card needs to be used for all travel related expenses.  Maintaining this credit card is the faculty/staff members responsibility.  The department discussed this issue.  Ellen also indicated new restrictions such as airline tickets needing purchased through Orbitz.com.

3. Mark request a note from all faculty/staff to send him a note of intended travel throughout the academic year by Sept. 7, 2005.

4. Ellen updated the department on the health status of custodians.

Department

1. Laura was established as Jo's mentor.

2. Mark indicated that Levi will be working as the lab equipment setup person.  Please coordinate lap preferences with him.

3. Mark requested that people get 3 copies of office hours and 1st day handouts to Ellen.

4. Mark solicited volunteers to teach a 2 cr Heat and Thermodynamics course as an independent study for one student.

Budget

1. Mark indicated that $1,600 is available for travel for AY 2005-2006.  Laura will be attending the AAPT meeting in January but has a grant to cover the cost.  About $600 has been requested for travel.  Alan indicated an interest in attending the Fall WAPT meeting.  Mark would like information about any travel people are interested in doing.

2. There is about $7,000 available in the equipment and supplies funds (after office supplies needs have been removed).  It was recommended that $500 be allocated to each member for department needs and that $1,000 be available at the discretion of the department chair.

3. Learning Access funds were discussed.  About $7,000 is available.  Laura indicated she might use the funds to make subscriptions to Science News for student use.

4. Mark inquired about which faculty/staff computers will be needing upgrading through the computer cost-share program.  John Rompala's computer may be due.

Course/Laboratory Schedule

1. Mark handed out tentative schedules for courses and laboratories.  Everyone needs to review them and point out any corrections needed. 

2. The department discussed the laboratory scheduling for Coll. I and II and Gen. I and II.  Jim and John will work out what is needed for College Physics II labs on Tuesdays.  Wednesday and Thursday's schedule was OK with some additions.

3. Mark talked about student laptops being in the labs for the first time this semester.  He recommended people check to make sure students can print out documents.

Meeting was adjourned at 3:50pm

Submitted by A. Scott