Meeting Minutes: USC-CACE
Fall 2003
The Fall 2003 meeting was hosted by Macon State College in the Faculty Conference/Dining Room. Those in attendance were: Ann Loyd, Macon State College; Barbara Myers, Armstrong Atlantic State University: Bridgett McDonald, Southern Polytechnic State University; Glorya Williams, Albany State University; Romelda Simmons, Fort Valley State University; Julie Goley, Augusta State University; Carl McNair, Georgia State University; Beverly Kirchner, North Georgia College & State University; Michael Briscoe, East Georgia College; Kristina Miller, Gordon College; Joan McElroy, Clayton College and State University; Warren Ryals, Georgia Southern University.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by Ann Loyd, USC-CACE Chairperson for 2003-2004. Welcome and introductions were made all around, then a formal welcome was extended by Macon State College's Dean of Students Lynn McCraney. Dean McCraney also serves as the Macon State College representative to the Regents' Advisory Committee for Student Affairs. (RACSA).
Update on University System Standards for Career Services/Centers: Julie Goley reported that the Research Universities had formally adopted the NACE Standards. The Two-Year Sector and State College/State University sector had previously adopted NACE Standards with modifications, including revisions in changing many "must" statements of standards to "Should" statements. The Standards for all three sectors of the University System have been approved by the System Central Office. She also relayed information that, because of the very tight budget picture at the state level, the anticipated 2004 audit of Career Services Centers is unlikely.
Reports from Center Directors: Each Career Services director or representative was given the opportunity to discuss any concerns/issues/best practices of career service significance at his/her institution. Issues of budget cuts and very limited availability of resources were a common concern.
Workforce Investment Act: Ann Loyd gave a brief description of the Workforce Investment Act. Then a general discussion ensued as to the benefits and/or issues in relation to utilizing this technology. One main concern is that while the program is beneficial in tracking outcomes of students funded through the program, retrieving information on students educational/career outcomes is labor intensive. Some colleges/universities including Macon State College are planning to implement this technology soon, and will report back on the program and its' uses at the Spring, 2004 meeting.
USC-CACE Research sub-committee survey results of Spring 2003 were reviewed. Beverly Kirchner, NGCSU, served as Research Sub-Committee Chairperson and compiled survey results during Spring 2003. Background: last November the USC-CACE Chairperson charged the Research sub-committee to develop a survey instrument to be sent to the 34 Career Services/Career Counseling-Advising offices in the University System. The instrument surveyed for information such as office organization, administrative reporting, structure, programs/services available, student populations served, reported student contacts, staffing, physical space and operating budget allotments. Of the 34 units, 29 provided at least a partial response. Some schools provided all available information requested; others either didn't have information available, or were unwilling to provide responses to certain questions.
Meeting attendees were given a summary report of available information for each sector of institution in the System. After review some issues were discussed i.e., in the future a definition of what constitutes "student contacts" should be clarified, primary missions of the program/service should be designated, etc. It was noted that the wide diversity, mission and service of each office is reflected in the uniqueness and each institution, and therefore some of each institution's information would not necessarily fall neatly into a single category. Ann Loyd, as Chairperson, will provide copies of the summary report through email attachment to those who were unable to attend the meeting.
Liability issues, especially in the worker comp/liability/negligence areas concerning experiential education participants and other situations were discussed. Discussion on whether there was one acceptable Waiver of Liability Statement/Assumption of Risk document available for general use was considered. Julie Goley suggested the institution representatives search the Board of Regents web pages; there are a number of Memorandums of Intent statements that might work for certain situations. Chairperson Ann Loyd made note of the fact that she will request the Legal/Ethics sub-committee chair, Angelyn Cheyne, look further into the matter and report back to the committee at the Spring 2004 meeting.
Time and location of the next meeting was discussed: Carl McNair, Georgia State University, offered to look into hosting the meeting location at Georgia State U. He will report to the Chairperson when a suitable time/date/location has been set.
Having no additional "old business" or "new business" to be brought before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly A. Kirchner, Secretary
USC-CACE