SAC Meeting Minutes

Student Advisory Committee (SAC)

Fall Meeting Minutes

Saturday, November 8, 2003, 11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Clayton College and State University

USG Campuses and Representatives In Attendance:

USG Campuses and Representatives Registered but Not In Attendance:

Lunch was available from 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. The meeting began at approximately 12:00 p.m.

Information packets consisting of minutes from April 12, 2003 meeting at Armstrong Atlantic State University and the agenda for the meeting of November 8, 2003 were distributed. Introductions took place from 12:00-12:15. An inquiry was made as to the outcome of the Board of Regents meeting in May 2003. Michael Sanseviro explained that a presentation was delivered to the Board of Regents and that the board was pleased with the progress that SAC has accomplished thus far.

12:15 p.m. Technology Update- Dr. Kris Biesinger, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Advanced Learning Technologies
Updates were given on the multiple initiatives that the Advanced Learning Technologies (ALT) was involved in implementing. The upgrade to the WebCT, WebCT-VISTA is a system that will streamline movement between WebCT, and multiple state database systems, namely, GALILEO and GIL. The process of upgrading the WebCT software had begun in July 2003 with the use of focus groups for viability studies. The target completion date for system wide implementation was for October 2004. Dr. Biesinger also explained that the WebCT-VISTA would become the standard course management system of the USG and for staff technology training. Questions were raised as to the inclusion of professor evaluation tools for the WebCT software, however it was explained that the issue is currently under debate. There is a new system being deployed to assist in advising transfer students about what credits will transfer, enabling students to make better course selection choices prior to transfer. Dr. Beisinger showed a few films made to parody problems that students face on a daily basis in regards to multiple phases of the student services processes. After the films Dr. Biesinger requested feedback, and there was a group consensus that the current registration systems still had room for improvement. Dr. Biesinger also informed the group that the ALT group is currently housed at the Gwinnett University Center. For more information on the WebCT-VISTA, please look onto: http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwets/instructionalsupport/learningobjects/objects/vista_exploration/vista_exploration.html

1:51 p.m. Conflict Resolution by Ms. Terri Taylor-Hamrick
Terri Taylor-Hamrick, of the Clayton College and State University foundation, delivered a presentation on the Chancellor's program on alternative conflict resolution and mediation. This program was established in 1996 for Staff and Human Resources personnel to utilize in order to diffuse the conflict. Ms. Taylor-Hamrick explained that the next phase of the program involved expanding it onto the general student population and creating more tools for students to overcome conflict within the institution. Ms. Taylor-Hamrick distributed a contact list for the campus liaisons for the project and presented a slide show on the history of the program and how mediation takes place.

Presentation on Chancellor's program on alternative conflict resolution and mediation [PDF, 848k]

Campus Liaisons for Implementation of the Alternative Conflict Resolution Program [PDF, 52k]

2:45 p.m. Report from the University System Office (USO)- Tonya Lam
Staff updates in Student Services were shared, along with the main functions of the office. CAPP (Curriculum Advising Planning Program) was discussed, along with an anticipated implementation timeline for December 2004. Ms. Lam also shared that the BOR has recently amended policy 408.02 (Immunization Requirements for Students) to include the requirements established by the state legislature. Ms. Lam also discussed proposed policy additions and changes to the policy manual, namely policies numbered 403.02, and proposed changes to policy 409. Ms. Lam was asked if only undergraduate students were under the purview of policy 408.02 to which Ms. Lam replied that all enrolled students fell under the purview of the policy. Ms. Lam also gave a list of policies that students should be aware of and gave information on how to access the SAC listservs. Ms. Lam also explained the current state budget situation and notable projects.

University System Office Report 11-08-03 [PDF, 251k]

3:22p.m. HOPE issues by Michael Vollmer, President Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
President Vollmer described the beginnings of the HOPE scholarship program in the early 1990's with then- Governor Miller's proposal to fund higher education through a state lottery system. He further described that there was initially an income cap of $66,000 for eligibility that limited participation to lower income brackets, however the income caps were eventually removed and allowed for the entry of the more students. That, he argued, made HOPE a politically charged program. President Vollmer then described the current financial situation for the HOPE scholarship funding and explained that a $200 million savings was needed for the program to continue. The cut is designed to keep the program going for another five to ten years, however there is a reserve system in place that will keep the program as it is for another three years before it becomes exhausted. President Vollmer then explained that the HOPE commission on which he sat was to deliver its suggestions to Governor Purdue on Thursday, November 13, 2003. He explained some of the suggestions that were on the table included:

4:17 p.m. LEAD conference by Michael Sanseviro, Director of Student Life, Georgia Perimeter College, Lawrenceville Campus

Mr. Sanseviro led a brief discussion to determine if SAC was interested in sponsoring a leadership conference, as was discussed in the February 15, 2003 meeting. Mr. Sanseviro explained that sponsoring a leadership conference was in the best interests of the organization, and may expand on the momentum that the organization currently has going for it. The group voted (27 for, 1 against) to participate in the LEAD conference at Armstrong Atlantic State University in the spring. The group indicated that a mid-to late-April date was better than early-April.

4:30 p.m. Legal Issues, by Michael Sanseviro Director of Student Life, Georgia Perimeter College, Lawrenceville Campus
Mr. Sanseviro delivered a power point presentation on laws that commonly affect students and student leaders namely the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), and the State of Georgia's Open Record and Open Meetings laws, also known as "Sunshine laws". For more information on the laws he recommended to search the following web sites:

Presentation on FERPA and Sunshine Laws [PDF, 145k]

5:45 p.m. Open Discussion

A break for dinner was taken at approximately 6:45 p.m. Discussion continued through dinner and the meeting concluded at approximately 9:00 p.m.

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