Mark Larchez, Department Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
Members attending: Mark Larchez (chair), Bob Foley, Paul Henkiel,
Laura McCullough, Jim Pejsa, John Rompala, Alan Scott (recording secretary)
1. Announcements
Mark recommended that everyone contact Ellen regarding rental resources needs for next semester.
Mark also encouraged everyone to attend the graduation ceremony this semester.
2. Minutes of the September 26th, 2003 meeting were considered for approval. (A meeting with the escholar representative and the Dean has happened since the last department meeting.)
Laura moved to approve the minutes. Alan seconded the motion. Motion was approved.
3. Faculty Senate Report
Jim indicated that last week he was sick and unable to attend the most recent faculty senate meeting.
Jim reported that on Oct. 14, the senate decided to hold an executive session jointly with the academic staff senate. These sessions last about 45 minutes. At the last meeting, Vice Chancellor gave a presentation, Sankey talked about the health insurance premiums, Julie First-Bowe talked about an accreditation procedure. The senate also re-instated the finance committee.
Mark indicated that scheduling classes can be more difficult by having these joint meetings.
4. Laboratory Equipment
Bob recommended that the position of laboratory coordinator and equipment maintenance needs re-instated when the staffing situation allows. He noticed a significant negative impact on running the laboratories without such a position.
Laura inquired about the history of the laboratory coordinator position.
John indicated that his first position with the University included a 1/2 time laboratory coordinator position. Somehow this half time position was given increasing amounts of teaching loads.
Mark discussed the deliberations during Spring '03 that involved this position. The department was forced to cut 1/2 half time academic staff position. The department wanted to cut a 1/2 time teaching position but the administration was against this proposal and insisted upon cutting the 1/2 time laboratory coordinator position.
John mentioned that the instructor's computer in room 121 was having serious problems running the Excel program.
5. Budget
Mark indicated that our budget is generally divided into supplies/services and equipment or capital costs.
About $9000 is available to be spent after general office supplies have been accounted. By general consensus the department decided to allow Mark the discretion of purchasing equipment needs of the department up to a maximum of $2,000. Mark re-iterated that the department decided to allow each faculty/staff member to make purchases up to $200. Mark suggested that this number be increased by $200 so that each faculty/staff member to make purchases up to $400.
Mark indicated that about $3,900 in learning access money is available. The department discussed ways to use this money.
Alan and Bob agreed to submit a University Physics I and II lab manual for copying before Dec. 1st, 2003. It was recommended that enough should be ordered to cover the needs for next year.
Bob requested that the graph paper in the labs be kept well stocked. Getting calculators for the students to keep was not considered a good use of the money. It was agreed that each faculty/staff member can submit a request to get a discussion manual copied for the students to keep. Bob suggested that we build these discussion manuals by the middle of March, 2004. It was suggested that the department could purchase little pocket lasers for use in lab and discussion. The students could then keep the lasers. John recommended the department purchase textbook supplements that would be appropriate study aids for the students.
Jim asked if the $3,900 could be used for the non-lab courses. Mark responded that some can and some cannot. If possible, this money could be used for students in non-lab courses.
6. Mark indicated that a large amount of money can sometimes become available at the moment from special campus funds such as sick leave, etc. The department discussed what purchases could be made with such money.
A color, laser printer was generally favored by the department. Bob suggested a high-end, black and white laser printer to help with the task of office printing. It was recommended that a service contract would be desirable.
The department decided to surplus all the black and white ink-jet printers in the labs. Bob discussed the possible printing needs of the Atomic and Nuclear course.
7. Course Offerings
College Physics I and II has big demand.
Bob made the recommendation that General Physics I and II be discontinued. He also recommended that College Physics be made an algebra-based, introductory sequence and that University Physics remain the calculus-based sequence. College Physics would still have heat and thermo.
Jim indicated that this change would, of course, impact the majors taking the General Physics sequence the most. It was thought that those students (mostly Graphics Management) could take Introduction to Physics and the light and color course.
Bob moved to change the pre-requisite for College Physics I from calculus I to college algebra II or equivalent. Jim seconded the motion. Discussion ensued regarding the Technical Communications reduction in natural science general education requirements from 6 to 4 credits. It was accepted that students interested in taking College Physics II and having only General Physics I would be allowed into the course by having the instructor sign a waiver. The department generally agreed upon not offering General Physics I and II.
Motion passed unanimously.
Jim moved to adjorn, Bob seconded the motion.
Mark adjourned the meeting at 10:05 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Alan Scott