Physics Department Meeting
December 05, 2003
Jarvis Hall Science Wing 103I
Members present: Mark Larchez (chair), Ellen Carlson, Robert Foley, Paul Henkiel, Laura McCullough, Jim Pejsa, John Rompala
M. Larchez called the meeting to order at 09:05 (a.m.)
1. Announcements:
a) Ellen will not be available on several days in the rest of the semester. She will keep us posted, please.
b) Other: Travel funds available for the remainder of the fiscal year amount to about 1.3K$. Those members anticipating business travel during that time should plan accordingly. L. McCullough projects attending a national meeting and has requested support from the department. Members agreed that funds up to 0.6K$ be reserved and placed at her disposal for associated expenses.
2. Minutes of 2003-11-14 meeting:
Motion: R. Foley /J. Pejsa: That the minutes of the 2003-11-14 be accepted as submitted..
Action: Passed in a voice vote.
3. Faculty Senate: report from Departmental Senator Jim Pejsa
a) #128 Account-
The state is recalling 26M$ from this account which funds System initiatives.
b) Add/Drop Policy Committee-
The Senator described some recommendations brought to the senate by this committee. Department members critiqued their merits.
4. Lab Equipment Difficulties:
a) L. McCullough reported that a SW 121 computer crashed.
b) Lab Helper, Luke will be graduating at the end of the spring semester. He will be mentoring a successor during the spring semester.
c) The hotplate currently being used in the thermo labs is proving to be inadequate. M. Larchez will look for a replacement.
5. Budget:
a) Supplies & Services: L. McCullough suggested that stop watches be supplied to students to support activities during Discussion Sessions. Department members agreed and she will begin looking at options.
b) Other: No other suggestions were brought to the floor under this item.
6. Laura’s NSF proposal (of Dec. 4, 2003):
Copies of L. McCullough’s proposal were distributed to members for review. This formal version has been sent on to NSF for funding consideration.
7. Applied Science Program:
The possible ways of implementing the Material Science Concentration and related consequences are being reviewed at all levels within the College.
8. Class Offerings:
a) Summer 2004; The department does not yet have information regarding funding levels or spending limits for the coming summer. Once these numbers become available it is anticipated that the College will require a rapid response to a request for suggested offerings and instructors. J. Pejsa reminded members that the rolling list of members eligible for summer instruction is part of the department by-laws. Among members attending, interest in teaching during the summer was low.
b) Fall 2004: Changes and/or accommodations in the Applied Science curricula have postponed the necessity to offer Modern Physics.
c) Other: The melding of General and College Physics will most likely add extra contact hours to department members' schedules next fall.
9. Departmental Staffing:
No action has yet been taken regarding the status of the department’s sole academic staff position. The Dean has indicated that any long term position be a tenure track position and not a rolling horizon academic staff post. R. Foley suggested that the department advise the Dean that is critical that the department have this support to maintain the present level and quality of offerings.
4K$ has been made available to the department by the Dean for LTE assistance.
10. Other:
No other items were brought before the members.
11. Adjourn (9:47 a.m.)
Motion: J. Pejsa/J. Rompala: That the meeting adjourn.
Action: Passed in a voice vote.
Respectfully Submitted, John T. Rompala, Secretary