MINUTES OF THE MEETING

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The College of Education Executive Committee met on Thursday, August 31, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. in the COE Conference Room (Room 235) in the Education Center with Dean Gunter presiding. Members present were: Drs. McGahee, Bauer, Hull, Griffin, Hilgert, Gerber, Martinez, Reffel, Leech, Stanley, Lee, Galeano, and Mr. Pearce. Guests: Dr. Judd, Mr. Joe Newton, Mr. Ike Barton, Mr. Allen DeVane, and Mr. Chuck Hudson.

Representatives from Information Technology were present at the meeting--Mr. Newton, Mr. Barton, and Mr. DeVane. Mr. Newton reported on IT changes which will affect the COE; he distributed a handout showing these changes. Mr. Newton passed around a list of COE faculty and staff and asked department heads to strike through the name of anyone who was no longer at VSU. Mr. Newton reported that IT will provide complete support to the COE during the NCATE/PSC accreditation visit in October. He also reported that a priority distribution list is being compiled to address the greatest needs for replacement of computers in the COE; distribution of these new computers will occur during the fall semester. Mr. Newton also reported that displays are being planned for the caf' seating area to provide news, weather, and message boards.

Mr. Chuck Hudson, university registrar, attended the meeting to explain the reason for the strict enforcement of the 60-hour rule. Until recently, transfer students had been able to transfer 60 academic hours, plus health and PE courses, to VSU (a total of 66 hours). However, Mr. Hudson explained that the 60-hour rule does not make an exception for any hours beyond 60. Therefore, it will be necessary for advisors to submit a waiver form to request that students be allowed to transfer in health and PE courses if the total number of transfer hours is beyond 60. Mr. Hudson also explained that the reason proof rolls must be submitted so early in the semester was because of financial aid issues.

Dr. Lee discussed the NCATE/PSC evidence room. Drs. Lee, Cox, and Judd have almost all of the unit data in the evidence room. Dr. Lee will schedule meetings with departmental representatives to show them how to link data/evidence from the unit account to their departmental program accounts.

Dean Gunter announced that he had sent out the latest version of the agenda for the NCATE/PSC visit to the team chairs and to department heads. Once he receives feedback, he will finalize the agenda.

Dean Gunter reminded department heads that Area F changes must be made by Fall Semester, 2007. This issue will be discussed at a future meeting.

Dr. McGahee stated that Ms. Roberts had asked him to report that she had received a telephone call from Scott Donner, Director of Public Safety, about the criminal background checks which Public Safety conducts on all teacher education majors for the COE. Mr. Donner wants to begin charging the COE $5 to conduct each background check, which is what the COE currently charges each student. The possibility of raising the charge for each student to $10 was discussed; however, before making this decision, the committee asked Dr. McGahee to ask Ms. Roberts to call Mr. Donner to see if he would be willing to let Public Safety take over the entire operation. That is, let students go directly to Public Safety to apply for the background check rather than going to the COE Advising Center. Dr. McGahee cautioned against this suggestion, however, as it will delay getting each student's criminal background check entered into the admission to teacher education database; therefore, it could have an impact on 2999 grades each semester. However, Dr. McGahee will forward the committee's request to Ms. Roberts.

Also on Ms. Roberts' behalf, Dr. McGahee distributed a summary of the COE Undergraduate Policies Committee's actions on student appeals and also a schedule of tutor availability in a variety of areas.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:24 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,