The College of Education Executive Committee met on Thursday, June 8, 1995, at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Education Center with Dean Toth presiding. Present were: Drs. McGahee, Ducharme, Uhlir, Gunter, Bauer, Price, Morris, Hertzog, Wylie, Reed, Swank, Ms. Roberts and Ms. Teel. Guest: Dr. Gaumond.

Dr. Gaumond explained what he sees in the future for the Odum Library at Valdosta State. He explained the current initiative in the state of a "state-wide library system." The State Legislature has appropriated $10 million for this initiative. However, the initiative won't be formally announced until later this summer by Governor Miller and Chancellor Portch. Dr. Gaumond announced that the cornerstone of the entire project is databases. Many of the materials which the library currently retains in "hard copy" form will, in the future, be accessed electronically through a network of databases. This system will be implemented throughout the state library system over a period of time; it will probably take about two years to fully implement. At first, materials available will primarily be for undergraduate students. Some services, like ERIC, will remain a part of VSU's LAN (local area network). Dr. Gaumond does not see the Odum Library going to only electronic access for all materials; there are a number of materials which the library will continue to receive in "hard copy" format.

The discussion then turned to library resources for the new Ed.D. program. Dr. Gaumond explained the recommendation from the library that the $50,000 for library resources for this program be used to purchase a series of appropriate databases rather than more subscriptions to journals and other print materials. The problem is that the initial cost for these databases for the first year will be slightly over $50,000, and the subscriptions to these databases must be renewed each year at an approximate cost of $30,000. A problem is that funds for library resources for the doctoral program are not on-going; that is, $50,000 has been allotted only for each of the first two years.

Dean Toth announced that annual reports are due from department heads by Friday, June 9.

Dean Toth gave out copies of a handout from Chancellor Portch dealing with "zero-based budgeting." This process is an attempt by Governor Miller to "redirect" the state budgeting process. Basically, the idea is that the budget process by state agencies will no longer be "business as usual." Year-to-year budgets for state agencies will no longer be merely an inflationary increase above the previous year. For VSU, the implication may be that growth in programs will be handled through a redirection of existing resources. The entire process will require a more detailed review of every program and every function in terms of cost, effectiveness, and overall relevance to the state government's long-term goals and objectives.

Dean Toth asked that department heads announce to all faculty that the last day for students to add a class is June 30 at 3 p.m. Also, for this summer only, an exception will be made for students taking a second-session summer course. In other words, these students will have another deadline for registering for a second-session course, probably a couple of days after the second session begins.

Dean Toth discussed the impact of distance learning on VSU's SACS accreditation. SACS has a set of guidelines dealing with distance learning courses. Dean Toth said that he was not sure how this would impact on the College of Education. He plans to talk with Dr. Bailey and discuss this issue further at a later meeting.

Dean Toth announced that the Educational Technology Training Center's (ETTC) service area has been reduced somewhat. The service area is now almost the same as VSU's traditional service area.

By July 1, space and furniture needs for fall quarter will need to be addressed. Dean Toth asked Ms. Teel to copy and send each department head a copy of a form devised by Dr. Brown. This form is a request for office space and furniture needs for new faculty for fall quarter. Dean Toth would like the forms returned by Friday, June 9.

Dean Toth announced that State Superintendent of Schools, Linda Schrenko, will be in Valdosta on Tuesday, June 13, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. to hold a town meeting at Lowndes High School.

Dean Toth thanked the department heads for all of their hard work during the past year.

Announcements

Ms. Roberts announced that VSU students could take the Regents' Test at another state institution, provided they got a letter giving approval from Mary Barron in the Testing Office. Ms. Roberts also reminded department heads that a student coming from the Advising Center to a specific COE department as a major did not need to complete a "change of major" form and submit it to the Registrar's Office.

Dr. Swank asked department heads to encourage faculty to get their student teacher evaluation forms turned in to his office.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,