Meeting Minutes: Committee on Academic Affairs

Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs
April 13, 1999
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

MINUTES

The Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs held its Spring meeting on April 13, 1999 at Georgia Institute of Technology. Chairperson Michael Thomas called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. The following designated institutional representatives and guests attended the meeting: Dr. Michael Crafton, State University of West Georgia; Dr. Philip Buckhiester, North Georgia College & State University; Dr. Sara Connor, Armstrong Atlantic State University; Dr. Gerald A. McIntosh, Fort Valley State University; Dr. Robert Becker, Georgia Perimeter College, Dr. William Teska, ACE Fellow at Agnes Scott College; Dr. Thomas Haynes, ACE Fellow at Georgia State University; Dr. Tim Crimmins, Georgia State University; and Dr. Louis Levy, Valdosta State University.

The minutes of the November 12, 1998 meeting were approved as distributed.

Distance Education
1. Presentation
  Following a brief progress report on the FY 2000 budget, Dr. Muyskens opened the presentation by posing the question, "As the Board wrestles with the technology principles and we work on action items, how can we implement a coordinated, logical array of distance education or on-line programs?" Drs. David Morgan and Kris Biesinger were charged with coordinating two task forces: Task Force #1 - Professional Development Needs (Bachelors' and Masters' programs); and Task Force #2 - Core Curriculum Offered Anytime-Anywhere.
2. Discussion
  Several chief academic officers posed questions relative to the priorities of each task force. Selected issues and questions are listed below:
  
  Task Force #1: Professional Development Needs -- Bachelors' and Masters' Programs
  1. Will admissions criteria differ? Will new transfer tracks require development?
  2. When considering programs, does each institution contribute to on-line delivery or does the institution with the most preparation and readiness offer the program? What is in the best interest of the institution that offers a unique program?
  3. What are the funding sources to support this initiative? In some cases, campuses require funding to upgrade equipment and other resources offered through traditional delivery. How will academic affairs review these types of proposals?
  Task Force #2: Core Curriculum Offered Anytime-Anywhere
  1. What is the SACS accreditation approach? What is the preferred model of collaboration? How is this method of delivery similar to independent study?
  2. The core is not a single entity. There are still inherent differences between institutions concerning the core curriculum. Will these differences be coupled together and honored throughout the System? In other words, how many Area Fs have two or more institutional differences?
  3. How does on-line delivery impact system EFTs?
  4. In a collaborative degree situation, who maintains curricular control?
Senior Vice Chancellor's Report
1. SACS Substantive Change for Distance Education
  Ms. Diane Chubb, OIIT Project Manager for Distance Education, posed the question, "Accreditation and Substantive Change: How do we approach this as a System?" Ms. Chubb informed the Committee that, if approved, Georgia would be one of the first systems to be reviewed for distance education SACS substantive change. The presentation included information on thresholds for SACS notification, federal mandates, procedures for a system coordinated visit, the institutional prospectus, and benefits and outcomes of a System coordinated visit. The benefits of a coordinated visit include the efficient use of time and money and the facilitation of SACS acceptance of future substantive change requests. Discussion ensued and it was suggested that a request be sent to Chancellor Portch advocating this type of review following the recommendation of the Chief Academic Officers.
2. PACTS/Level 14 SET
  Dr. Jan Kettlewell introduced the faculty associates who have worked on the teacher preparation project: Dr. Judy Monsaas, Co-Director of the P-16 Initiative and faculty member at North Georgia College & State University; and, Dr. Dorothy Zinsmeister, Senior Associate and faculty member at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Kettlewell provided the group with a brief history of the initiative, an update, and question and answer session.
  
  History and Focus
  In 1995, Georgia embarked on the Pre-School Post-Secondary Education (P-16) Initiative that brings together the Governor, legislative leaders, the Georgia Departments of Technical and Adult Education, the Office of School Readiness, the University System of Georgia, faculty, educational administrators, school boards, communities, youth advocates and the private sector to focus on five areas: 1) to improve student achievement to high levels from pre-school through post-secondary education; 2) to help students move smoothly from one educational system to another, when movement is appropriate; 3) to ensure that all students who enter post-secondary education are prepared to succeed; 4) to improve the admission and success rates of all students in post-secondary education; and, 5) to focus the co-reform of teacher education, advanced preparation programs for educators, and the public schools toward practices that lead to all students meeting high academic standards.
  
  Update
  The following documents concerning the design and partnerships for the initiative were distributed: Performance Assessment for College and Technical School (PACTS) and Level 14 Standards for Exit and Transfer (Level 14 SET), PACTS/Level 14 SET Content Standards and Benchmarks, PACTS/Level 14 SET Tentative Committee Assignments, Level 14 SET and PACTS -Action Plans and Time Lines. Faculty representing P-16 Councils developed the materials. Dr. Kettlewell asked that each institution review the learning outcomes and deliverables of each action plan; and, that the group look for ways to strengthen the connection between the pilot and the System general education component.
  
  Discussion
  Issues discussed concerning the Level 14 SET included: monitoring of the pilot and further stages to be developed; long-term issues for transfer credit; and solutions to transfer DTAE credit. Dr. Kettlewell explained that this pilot was developed to help the System address the question, "what is college work," that has been posed by various high schools.
3. Revised Faculty Development Institute
  Drs. Jessica Sommers and Kris Biesinger discussed the new approach to the Faculty Development Institute. Instead of state-level summer institutes, campuses will be funded to develop their own on-campus faculty development programs. Dr. Sommers explained that the cohort of trainees who previously attended the Institute can provide leadership at their respective campuses. Dr. Sommers further explained that the campus-based approach increases faculty development participation rates, and provides added flexibility and specialized training. Dr. Biesinger explained that the modules and learning objectives incorporated in earlier seminars will assist the campuses in building learning communities. The Faculty Development Institute will still provide administrator training and sponsor conferences. Dr. Biesinger also solicited a response from the Chief Academic Officers concerning campus accountability in the use of lottery funds for the Statewide Desktop Learning Initiative.
4. Georgia Postsecondary Education Collaborative Council/Postsecondary Options
  Dr. David Morgan presented and distributed information pertaining to the Georgia Postsecondary Education Collaborative Council. New areas of study are universal cooperative AAS degrees, a process for resolution of institutional disputes, continuing education, and enhanced data. Dr. Morgan indicated that GPECC will also be reviewing the Transfer Principles endorsed in 1998 by the Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs. He also updated the group on proposed DOE changes to the PSO program. Dr. Morgan indicated that a joint committee would bring a recommendation to the group's Brasstown meeting on PSO students' ability to satisfy the fourth math unit with a PSO college course.

Presentation of Regents' Teaching Excellence Awards

Dr. James Muyskens presented the Regents' Teaching Excellence Awards. The Regents' Teaching Excellence Awards are designed to recognize and reward outstanding teaching by faculty, as well as the promotion and recognition of excellence in teaching and service by departments or through programs at the University System's 34 institutions. The criteria used in selecting faculty and staff include evidence of a superlative teaching record on their campus, a strong commitment to fostering the academic success of students through classroom instruction, and interaction with students outside of the classroom. Recipients each receive $5,000. The Regents' Teaching Excellence Awards were presented during the luncheon. The recipients of this year's awards were:

Individual Faculty	Departments/Programs
Dr. Mark B. Finlay, Associate Prof. of History Armstrong Atlantic State University	Dept. of Nursing, Floyd College Ms. Belen Nora, Chair
Mr. J. B. Sharma, Associate Prof. of Physics Gainesville College	Dept. of Risk Management and Insurance Dr. Bruce Palmer, Chair
Dr. Marie Chisholm, Assistant Prof. of Pharmacy University of Georgia	Honors Program Dr. Liza Davis

Committee Reports
1. Regents Administrative Committee on Institutional Effectiveness
  Dr. Thomas Jones, Chair, reported that the RACIE Committee will be focusing on comprehensive Academic Program Review. The Committee will be meeting at Callaway Gardens May 18 - 19 to define the role of the System, the Central Office, and USG institutions in program review activities. Institutional representatives from Bainbridge College, Georgia College & State University, Georgia State University, Savannah State University, and the University of Georgia will share institutional approaches to using academic program review in institutional planning and strategic management. Dr. Jones further disclosed that Dr. Margaret (Peg) Miller, AAHE affiliate, will be the keynote speaker at the summer meeting. It is anticipated that Dr. Miller will discuss more global issues related to System program review. On September 9 - 10 a systemwide conference on Program Review will be held on the campus of Columbus State University. The two-day conference is being held in order to share ideas and policies concerning program review and accountability.
2. Council on Undergraduate Education
  Dr. Joan Lord, Chair, discussed the outcomes of the Ombudsperson Training held February 1999. The Ombudsperson Training was broadcast to all USG system institutions. Dr. Lord indicated that the Council had been asked by RACIE to determine common student outcomes within the core curriculum. The next meeting of the Council on Undergraduate Education will be held May 8, 1999. Dr. Lord distributed the proposed revision of the Core Curriculum Guidelines to be incorporated into the Academic Affairs Handbook, Section 2.04.01. The changes include taking the math and science requirements and incorporating them into the general core. The changes are being made because, in some cases, institutions have "grandfathered" core courses that do not meet the principles.
3. Administrative Committee on Learning Disorders
  Dr. Gregory Powell, Chair, explained that only specific sections of the Academic Affairs Handbook, Section 2.22.01, would be revised. The following proposed changes were submitted to the Committee:
  
  The Accommodation of Students with Learning Disorders. Technical standards are essentials to which all students must adhere in a program of study. Students with disabilities may be eligible for accommodations; however, these students are still required to meet all of a program's technical standards.
  
  Criteria for Outside Evaluations. Secondary education eligibility reports, individualized educational plans and provision of special education services in and of themselves are not sufficient documentation for college level accommodations, although this information should be included with reports from any comprehensive evaluation. If no prior services or accommodations have been provided, this needs to be carefully explained as learning disabilities and related disorders are not typically newly identified in adulthood.
  
  Georgia Board of Regents Criteria for Accepting Outside Evaluations Documenting Learning Disabilities. Documentation must be within 3 years of the student's application for assistance . . . Documentation must be comprehensive, including history, diagnostic interviews, test results, differential diagnosis, details regarding a student functional limitations, and recommendations for accommodations which are appropriate in college, graduate or professional educational settings. . . The evaluation must be signed by a professional with expertise in evaluating adult populations and appropriately licensed by the state. In addition, new sections devoted to Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) and Psychiatric Disorders were added to the guideline (See Academic Affairs Handbook, Section 2.22.01). The Committee was advised that further suggestions or changes should be e-mailed to Drs. Gregory Powell or Kathleen Burk.
Business Meeting
1. Academic Advisory Committee on Business Administration, Management and Economics
  Dr. Morgan presented to the Committee the recommendation of the Academic Advisory Committee on Business Administration, Management and Economics a recommendation to support the requests for technology fees from the various colleges. The motion was discussed by the Chief Academic Officers. Committee members present indicated that more technology fee requests had not been requested because many campuses were complying with Central Office mandates.
2. Other
  1. Institutional and Technology Fees
    Committee members discussed student fee paradigms before and after implementation of the HOPE Scholarship. Dr. Muyskens explained that the System would need to see the results of the pilot technology fees before making a presentation to the Board and encouraged committee members to review their infrastructure needs with institutional technology and fiscal officers. The Committee agreed that Georgia institutions need to maintain equipment and labs; information technology encompasses more than a portable computer; increased fees may pose a hardship to some students; and, that the System needs to analyze fees without including HOPE funds in the equation. A motion was passed unanimously by all of the members to review institutional fees.
  2. Teacher Education
    Dr. Bill Bompart requested that Dr. Jan Kettlewell provide an update on Teacher Education programs. Dr. Kettlewell reported that all discussions concerning teacher education programs have been held at the campus level. Institutional reports are due May 30. Dr. Kettlewell suggested that institutions follow the principles as clear guidelines for the comprehensive review of teacher education programs. A subcommittee will report in May on the question concerning transferability and Area F requirements for students majoring in education.
  3. Faculty Working in the Public School and Public Sector
    Dr. Kettlewell explained that three million dollars was available for institutions with teacher education programs and partner schools. Some of these funds will appear within institutional budgets.
  4. Yamacraw Mission
    Dr. John Wolfe described the Yamacraw Mission and progress on the initiative. Dr. Wolfe explained that the University System participates in two ways: 1) eight institutions have submitted RFPs to be included in the economic development initiative and 2) the System participates, as a whole, through GCATT. The Yamacraw mission leverages Georgia's existing high-technology assets and builds on a strong foundation of research-driven economic development. The key areas of the initiative are the High-Bandwidth Communications Cluster, the Education Cluster, and the Electronic Design Center.
Summer Meeting Plans
Dr. David Morgan announced that the Summer meeting of the Academic and Student Vice Presidents will be held at Brasstown Valley Resort on July 25 - 27. A draft agenda was distributed. The meeting will focus on distance education, academic program review and powerful partnerships.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

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Meeting Minutes: Committee on Academic Affairs