Physics Department Meeting

September 26, 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 09:09

 

1.      CAS Promotion Committee:

Department representatives to the College of Arts and Sciences Promotion Committee were elected.

M. Larchez accepted nominations.  J. Pejsa was nominated.  With no other nominations forthcoming, the members voted as follows:

Motion: A. Scott/L. McCullough: That J. Pejsa serve as department representative to the CAS Promotion Committee.

Action: Passed in a voice vote.

M. Larchez accepted nominations for an alternate to this committee.  J. Rompala was nominated.  With no other nominations forthcoming, the members voted as follows:

Motion: A. Scott/L. McCullough: That J. Rompala serve as department alternate representative to the CAS Promotion Committee.

Action: Passed in a voice vote.

 

2.      Announcements:

a)      e-scholar-

     J. Pejsa has arranged for Nichole Stone to offer department members an e-scholar training session on Friday, October 3rd, from 9:05 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in SW 121.

b)      Dean Murphy-

The department members will meet with the dean at the regular meeting time on Friday, October 10th.

c)      Budget Forum-

Members were encouraged to attend one of the two CAS budget forums.

d)      M. Larchez and J. Rompala will schedule a time for the latter’s presentation on research conducted during the past summer.

e)      Other-

Room reservation sheets are now in the conference room.

A Research Seminar by S. Nole is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. this (09/26/03) afternoon.

           


3.      Minutes of 2003-09-03 meeting-

After reviewing copies of the minutes, members asked that item 4d be clarified by truncating the statement at the word “…. weekend.” and that various spelling errors be corrected.

Motion: A. Scott/R. Foley: That the minues of the 2003-09-03 be accepted with the recommended changes.

Action: Passed in a voice vote.

 

4.      Faculty Senate-

a)      Department Representative to the Senate, J. Pejsa reported activity at the last Senate meeting:

b)      System is reviewing credit transfer criteria for student with courses taken at vo-tech institutions.

c)      The Chancellor reversed the Senate action to extend grade changing authority to the Positive Action Committee under certain circumstances.

d)      The Senate is considering a request from the General Education Committee to review proposed GE courses before they are submitted to the Curriculum Committee.

e)      The Provost announced that attention is being directed to two calendar issues: the length of the non-instruction lead in time to the first semester, and possible variations in the timing of semesters.

f)        The Senate was appraised of possible Salary Compensation and Health packages being considered and is drafting a resolution in response to that information.

 

5.      Lab Equipment Difficulties-

a)      Two hard drives failed in SW121 computers failed under warranty.  They will be replaced and two additional back-up replacements are to be acquired.

b)      M. Larchez asked the department to reconfirm the authority of the Department Chair to submit purchase orders for Department Maintenance Items without first securing formal departmental approval.  Members confirmed that the chair has such authority.

 

6.      Budget-

a)      M. Larchez asked that members consider projected department needs and that those leading to purchases be presented.  R. Foley suggested that a color laser printer be purchased.

b)      Support for attendance at the Wisconsin AAPT meeting was discussed.  Travel Authorizations must be submitted shortly for action by the Dean.  Areas of support included: meals, lodging, mileage, registration and dues.  It was agreed that the department would not acquire a Fleet Vehicle.

Motion: A. Scott/J. Pejsa: That the Department support attendance at the meeting by funding all expense items with the exception of mileage.

Action: Passed in a voice vote.

 

7.      Concentrations in the Applied Science program

 

8.      The future of the sciences

 

9.      Class schedule for 2004 spring semester

 

10.  Astronomy at Stout

 

11.  Departmental Staffing

 

12.  Other if any

 

Agenda headings 7 through 12 inclusive were tabled.

 

13. Adjourn (10:10 a.m.)

Motion: J. Pejsa/J. Rompala: That the meeting adjourn.

Action: Passed in a voice vote.

 

Respectfully Submitted, John T. Rompala, Secretary