The College of Education Executive Committee met on Thursday, February 8, 1996, at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Education Center with Dean Toth presiding. Present were: Drs. McGahee, Dorminey, Price, Ducharme, Milbrandt, Faber, Ramsey, T. Reed, Gibbs (for Morgan), Johnston, Gunter, M. Reed, Bauer, Ms. Roberts, Ms. Teel, and Mr. Arbis.

Dean Toth introduced Mr. Charles Arbis, who is the new student representative to the Executive Committee.

Dean Toth asked department heads to turn in their summer schedules to Ms. Teel as soon as possible. Dean Toth also requested that department heads include the faculty costs of their summer schedules.

The regular eight-week summer schedule will be used for classes again this summer. Dean Toth addressed the problems of teachers who may need to return to their schools for pre-planning before VSU classes end. Each instructor should inform all students on the first day of classes that if they can't be here on campus during the last week of classes, then they shouldn't sign up for the class. In the case of our pre-service, undergraduate students whose opening school field experiences may begin before VSU classes end, Dean Toth suggested that we may have to allow them to begin the field experience a little later than usual, thereby extending the experience a little further into the school year. Dr. Bauer asked about changing final examination schedules for these students. Dean Toth approved of moving final examination schedules for those students who were scheduled to do an opening school field experience to the evening during the final exam period.

Dr. M. Reed discussed the COE Mission Statement and Diversity Plan. She distributed a copy of a diversity plan process. It calls for an annual reporting of our movement toward diversity. Dr. M. Reed would like input from department heads within the next week or two. The outcome of this plan would be to increase student and faculty diversity; this plan begins at the departmental level.

Dean Toth stated that Ms. Teel would complete a request from Dr. Crowe for some institutional research data pertaining to individual departments.

An additional $103,000 has been added to the College of Education's budget in the following areas: Travel, $21,000; Printing, $10,000; Fitness Center, $10,000; Psychological Tests, $30,000; and SLP/SPE Diagnostic Instruments, $32,000.

Dean Toth stated that the planning process for the FY 97 budget needs to be started. Department heads should provide a list of any needed increases in their respective budgets, with a justification, by February 16. Additionally, Dean Toth requested that each department head examine his/her most recent budget summary sheets for negative balances in the "Personal Services" accounts. Any shortfalls should be reported to Dean Toth as soon as possible.

The University Task Force on Semester Conversion met for the first time last Friday. This group will meet every other Friday. The COE representative on this group is Dr. Glenda Akins. One issue which this group is discussing is the Board of Regents' directive that no program will be longer than 120 semester hours.

Dean Toth and Dr. T. Reed have, at Vice President Benjamin's request, worked on a proposal for the use of redirected system wide funds. There is a possibility that VSU could receive as much as $3.4 million of these funds. Some of the suggestions submitted by Dean Toth and Dr. T. Reed were: (1) a Teaching and Learning Center with VSU's College of Education and College of the Arts with Valdosta City Schools and Lowndes County Schools, (2) a Center for Collaborative Initiatives (advising center expansion, speech pathology partnerships, and pre-school intervention).

Dean Toth distributed a list from Registrar Martha Reynolds of each department's approved faculty, both full time and part time. Ms. Reynolds has requested that each department head update this list and return it to her office.

Bob Driscoll has requested that the COE's rejoinder to the Professional Standards Commission's final report be returned to him as soon as possible. Dean Toth stated that the errors contained in the report were very minor.

Dean Toth reported that he and Dr. M. Reed had met with Mr. George Gaumond, Director of the Odum Library. One of the NCATE weaknesses cited was the lack of "systematic library purchases." Dr. M. Reed suggested that one possible plan was for the departmental library liaisons to meet as a committee to review all library purchases. This committee would look at the overall needs of the COE before individual departmental needs would be considered.

Dr. M. Reed announced that the department heads would meet on Tuesday, February 13, at 9:00 a.m. to further revise the COE Mission Statement. The final Mission Statement should be ready to be presented at the next Executive Committee meeting.

Dean Toth announced that he has ordered some Compaq Computers to examine for possible purchase. If they are acceptable, these may be used for future lab replacements.

Dean Toth reported that the Professional Standards Commission had voted to require all students to pass all sections (reading, writing, and mathematics) of the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) before being admitted to a teacher education program. Beginning Fall, 1998, no student will be admitted to a teacher education program without passing all parts of the PPST. VSU will probably be a test site for the PPST. There is a tutorial for the PPST, called Learning Plus.

Drs. Woods-Cripe, H. Wilson, and T. Reed are looking for a means to consistently measure a student's oral communication skills prior to being admitted to teacher education. This will be part of the admissions process to teacher education by 1998.

Dean Toth stated that the P-16 initiative will be a very time-consuming activity. It is his opinion that the COE needs someone to coordinate this activity. This person should be able to work with faculty and students in the public schools, community, and with the Arts and Sciences faculty. Dean Toth asked department heads for nominations.

Dean Toth announced that he will take all COE secretaries to lunch on Tuesday, February 13.

Dean Toth announced that Vice President Benjamin had made it very clear at the previous day's Deans' meeting that no student will be allowed to withdraw from a course for academic reasons after mid-term. In Dr. Benjamin's opinion, each student should have had some type of assessment in each course prior to mid-term; if so, withdrawals for academic reasons should occur before mid term. The only acceptable reason for withdrawal should be non academic, extenuating circumstances. In addition, the late registration deadline will be adhered to more closely.

If a faculty member is teaching a course in a location outside the COE which is usually locked when class begins, a key for that location can be requested.

Visitation Day is scheduled for Saturday, February 24.

Dean Toth announced that academic advising forms will be in the Dean's Office by next week.

On July 21, the Olympic Torch will stop in front of the VSU campus on Patterson Street.

The Student Government Association is revising its Student Handbook.

April 21-24 have been designated as Diversity Days; several activities are planned during this time. The activities are sponsored by Dr. Hardee's office.

February 29, March 1-2 are the dates of the Gulf South Conference Basketball Tournament. It is very likely that the VSU Lady Blazers will be hosting the tournament.

Announcements

1. Dr. Ramsey announced that the Health Fitness Center is open to all staff and faculty; set hours are posted.

2. Ms. Roberts announced that 34 COE students will be a part of the test group for the Banner System during pre-registration.

3. Dr. Bauer asked that any department having a student with special needs taking comprehensive exams this quarter to please let him know.

4. Ms. Roberts announced that there would be an advising workshop this afternoon; Ms. Martha Reynolds (Registrar) and Ms. Arlene Gaumond (Admissions Officer) will make presentations.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:44 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,