Physics Department Meeting Minutes – November 11, 2005

Jarvis Hall Science Wing 103J

 

Members Present: Mark Larchez (chair), Jim Pejsa, Laura McCullough, Jo Hopp (recording secretary), Alan Scott, Bob Foley, John Rompala, Ellen Carlson

Mark called the meeting to order at 9:10am.

 

Mark asked that agenda go slightly out of order to insure discussion of topics prior to members needing to leave for class. 

 

These minutes reflect the order of the agenda and will indicate if topics were not covered due to adjournment prior to discussion.

 

I. Announcements

 

1.  Mark mentioned that it looks like there is enough money for Learning Access Funds and the budgets might not be so tight.  Promising outlook for department’s request for 0.75FTE lab person.

 

2.  Jo Hopp is to take over as recording secretary for this quarter.

 

3.  Retention decision for Jo Hopp and Tenure decision for Laura McCullough needs to be recommended by the department by late January/early February.  Mark requested that Jo and Laura arrange with Ellen when student evaluations will be done.   Mark also requested that arrangements be made between Jo and Laura and the rest of the faculty to have observations done in the classroom.  Both Jo and Laura pointed out that the last couple weeks of the semester students will be doing presentations and observations should be made prior to that time.

 

4.  Mark indicated that the hiring hold-up in CAS is coming to an end.  Ellen indicated that Paul Heinkel’s hiring process has moved outside the dean’s office. Mark informed the department that Paul is willing to talk with the instructors that he will be replacing, and Mark will forward his contact information to Laura, Jo and John.  Mark and Ellen are making arrangements to have Paul’s office (103J), computer and phone available.

 

5.  Alan has agreed to offer a test-out option for University Physics, and Jo has agreed to offer a test-out option for Introduction to Physics.  Alan and Jo will talk with Ellen about getting the proper forms.

 

6.  University Physics is now required for the Applied Science Major and there are scheduling conflicts with a required Chemistry and Math course.  Mark will meet with the chairs of Chemistry and Math to work out a solution to this problem.

 

7.  The issue of retaining the Physics Minor was mentioned as one student is completing a minor this year.  The majority of the department expressed an interest in removing that Minor for the books and simply not offering it as an option.  Discussion and a decision about this issue was tabled for another meeting but Mark asked the department to think about it for later.

 

8.  Since the department does not use the University’s Optical Scanner, it was decided that our input on what to do about the service would be to discontinue the service.

 

9.  Ellen requested the department to think about tutors for the spring semester.  Currently there are no openings, but in the event that an opening becomes available, she would like us to have some ideas ready.  Also, we will need more office help in the spring, but that is an issue for a later discussion.

 

II. Minutes:

 

1.  Minor changes (spelling and typos) were made on the minutes from the department meeting on 10-07-2005.  Laura made a motion to approve the minutes; Jim seconded.  Minutes were approved.

 

2.  Minor changes (spelling and typos) were made on the minutes from the department meeting on 10-14-2005.  Jim made a motion to approve the minutes; Alan seconded.  Minutes were approved.

 

III. Faculty Senate Report:

 

Meeting was adjourned prior to this report.

 

IV. Science Wing Renovation

 

Mark asked that all faculty review the information provide by Chuck Bomar including filing out the matrix.  He mentioned adding a lecture prep room to the matrix.  It was also pointed out that the number of physics lab rooms was reduced.  Input on the matrix needs to get to Laura by Nov. 18.  She will gather the information and put together our department’s recommendation.

 

The cut in funding for the science wing is ~$10mil.  The square footage is fixed (i.e. it will not go up).  This information came from Chuck Bomar via Mark.

 

In addition, Mark shared information that he had a sense that the department will not have much influence over the process from here on out.  He asked the department to think about ways we can insert more department involvement.

 

Bob informed the department that he talked with Dean Murphy and Forrest Schultz (chemistry) about the possibility of finding one room to house all the advanced equipment shared among the departments (physics, chemistry and biology).  This room would be designated the Materials Analysis Lab (or something similar).  The idea would be for one lab specialist to be responsible for the lab (this falls in line with Forrest Schultz’s proposal to hire a lab equipment support person to be shared among the three departments.  Bob is going to write up a formal proposal to the Dean and is planning on talking with George Acker about space in the new building.  Although the idea is to implement this lab prior to the new building.

 

V. Lab Equipment and Procedures:

 

Meeting was adjourned prior to this report or comments pertaining to this issue.

 

VI.  Budget (current year)

 

Bob asked the department to purchase equipment for research.  The total cost is ~$250.  The department thought he should purchase the equipment from department funds.

 

Mark mentioned an idea pertaining to reallocation of the personal funds granted to each department member for those members who use their funds early.  This idea will be discussed more fully at a later date.

 

The meeting was adjourned prior to any other comments about the budget.

 

VII Summer School 2006:

 

The meeting was adjourned prior to any discussion pertaining to this issue.

 

Adjournment:

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am.

 

Submitted by Jo Hopp (recording secretary)