UW-Stout Physics Department Meeting Minutes

2007-12-14, Jarvis Hall, SW 103-J

 

 

Members present: Mark Larchez (chair), Paul Henkiel, Jo Hopp, Laura McCullough, Jim Pejsa, John Rompala, Alan Scott
 

Meeting was called to order at 9:05a.m.

 

Announcements

 

1. Mark indicated that one more tutor was needed.

 

2. Mark indicated that the manuals for lab equipment should be stored in the file drawer in room 122SW.  Jim recommended we check the “check-out list” to possibly find the missing power meter.

 

3. Mark and Laura found out that the department could not hire someone for teaching if they did not have at least a Masters degree.  The department discussed the additional sections of College Physics II that are needed.  Jim expressed frustration with having to continually request extra sections for courses and suggested the department request additional FTE.  Alan indicated that the administration was told that the courses that service the construction program are in need of a permanent fix to cover the needed number of additional sections.  The department discussed additional FTE requests.

 

4.  Mark discussed the summer offerings.

 

5.  Jo indicated that PHYS-489 is out of CIC and the entitlement to plan for the Cognitive Science program is out of the CAS office.

 

6. Laura indicated a pay raise will appear on the paycheck in February 2008.  An increase 2% was given.  It is retro-active to the beginning of the academic year.  The back-pay will be given as a lump sum on February 12.

 

7. Laura talked with Chuck Bomar.  Chuck gave an indication that all science faculty will be vacated to the Ask5000 help desk area in the Applied Arts building.  This will occur towards the end of May.  It was indicated that labs would not be re-located at this time.  Laura also mentioned that Ellen is planning to place some of her office materials onto a table in rooms 109 or 122 that will be disposed of or recycled if no one is interested in them.  Ellen will begin transitioning into a different office area in January.

 

8. Laura announced that the department is planning a coffee & cake gathering in honor of Mark’s retirement.  The gathering is planned for professional development week.  (Mark requested no gifts be brought.)

 

Minutes

 

1. Laura moved to accept the minutes from the department meeting of 11/16/07, Jo 2nd.  Motion discussed.  Motion passed.

2. John moved to accept the minutes from the department meeting of 11/19/07, Laura 2nd.  Motion discussed.  Motion passed.

3. John moved to accept the minutes from the department meeting of 11/20/07, Laura 2nd.  Motion discussed.  Motion passed.

4. Laura moved to accept the minutes from the department meeting of 11/29/07, Alan 2nd.  Motion discussed.  Motion passed.

5. Laura moved to accept the minutes from the department meeting of 11/30/07, Alan 2nd.  Motion discussed.  Motion passed.

6. Alan moved to accept the minutes from the department meeting of 12/3/07, Laura 2nd.  Motion discussed.  Motion passed.

7. John moved to accept the minutes from the department meeting of 12/7/07, Laura 2nd.  Motion discussed.  Motion passed.

 

Faculty Senate

 

1. John indicated he was not present at the last Faculty Senate meeting but did submit a vote.  The results were 15 affirmative votes for STEM model and 14 against.  Results were sent to the Provost.

 

Budget

 

1. John announced he will not use his allotted travel funds and requests they be placed back into the physics general fund (or remain in travel fund).

 

2. Mark indicated that a color laser printer was ordered sometime around Thanksgiving and should be arriving soon.

 

Server

 

1. Jim discussed transitioning the physics department web pages over to the university wide server.  He intends to make the transition between semesters.  The URL of www.uwstout.edu/CAS/Physics has been indicated but Jim requested that www.uwstout.edu/Physics/ be done instead.  (No reply yet received by Barb Button.)  Jim recommended that no one make changes to the web pages during the transition.  He also indicated that many links may need to be updated after the transition.  Jim indicated our department server will continue to function and re-direct queries to the new web pages.  Just the www files will be moved.  It was recommended that everyone trim the files and folders that are no longer active.

 

It was agreed that the next meetings should be on Wednesday and Thursday (if needed) of next week.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 10am.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Alan Scott, recording secretary