Dean Gunter provided an update on Dr. Sheryl Dasinger. Dr. Dasinger suffered severe damage to her right kneecap as a result of being hit by an automobile while crossing Baytree Road. She will undergo surgery on Friday in Columbus. Dean Gunter will send her address out on COEFAC so that anyone who wishes to send her a get well card will be able to do so.

Dean Gunter briefly reviewed the article which has just been published by Arthur Levine entitled "Educating School Teachers." The premise of Levine’s article is that the nation’s teacher education programs are inadequately preparing their graduates to meet the realities of today’s standards-based, accountability-driven classrooms, in which the primary measure of success is student achievement. Levine’s article offers five recommendations for strengthening teacher education: (1) transform education schools from ivory towers into professional schools focused on school practice, (2) focus on student achievement as the primary measure of the success of teacher education programs, (3) make five-year teacher education programs the norm, (4) establish effective mechanisms for teacher education quality control, and (5) close failing teacher education programs, strengthen promising ones, and expand excellent programs. Create incentives for outstanding students and career changers to enter teacher education at doctoral universities. Levine’s article may be viewed on the NCATE website (www.ncate.org).

Dr. Brovey reported on discussions from the COE Technology Committee which had met yesterday. Overall, Dr. Brovey reported that the committee had very positive reaction to the new IT structure in the COE. Specifically, Dr. Brovey mentioned the good technology support available on the weekends and how responsive the IT Department had been to COE needs.

Mr. Newton distributed a report from the IT Department. Specifically Mr. Newton noted that: (1) the IT Department will provide support for the upcoming NCATE/PSC visit, both in the Education Center and at the Marriott Courtyard, (2) progress is being made in the distribution of new PCs to COE faculty and staff on a priority basis, (3) progress is being made on providing displays for the downstairs sitting area in the Education Center to provide news, weather, and a message board, (4) new projectors have been installed in Rooms 260 and 272 in the Education Center, (5) plans are being made to upgrade the MeetingMaker software, and (6) the backup system for the COE servers has been revised. Currently, all vital systems are being backed up nightly to ensure data integrity.

Dr. Leech reported on the meeting held last week at Callaway Gardens about revision of the state’s Educational Leadership programs. At the meeting, PSC distributed a set of performances for the preparation and certification of principals. Educational Leadership programs throughout the state must be changed by January 1, 2008. A GACE II examination for Educational Leadership will be available November, 2007. Admission to Educational Leadership programs will be restricted. PSC will consider these proposed changes for approval at its November meeting. Dean Gunter noted that he had talked with Dr. Bailey, chair of the NCATE accreditation team, and explained that Educational Leadership programs in Georgia are currently undergoing state-mandated revision.

Ms. Roberts presented a proposal from Dr. McGahee and herself recommending that the fee for a criminal background check be raised to $10, effective November 1, 2006. Ms. Roberts moved approval of the recommendation; Dr. Bauer seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

Ms. Roberts has reviewed the mid-term grades for the 2999 courses; she noted that Praxis I remains the big issue for students receiving a "U" in 2999.

Dr. Bauer announced that three representatives from Polacky University (Czech Republic) would be on campus November 1-10. The group has meetings scheduled with the president, with Dean Gunter, and with the Office of International Programs. The group does, however, have free time available on November 6, 7, and 8.

Dr. Galeano announced that a representative from Guadalahara would be on campus next week visiting with classes.

Dean Gunter announced that the Migrant Education Conference would be held here on campus on December 6. Dean Gunter will send out more information to faculty about this conference.

Dr. Martinez distributed a revised diversity plan for the College of Education. Dean Gunter asked department heads to discuss the plan with their departmental faculty and get their input before the plan is considered for approval by the Executive Committee.

Dean Gunter reminded department heads that promotion and/or tenure materials were due to him by November 6.

Dean Gunter announced that a dinner honoring Dr. Steve Graham, VSU’s 2006 Distinguished Alumnus, would be held at the Valdosta Country Club next Friday, October 6. Dr. Graham, a Professor of Special Education at Vanderbilt University, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from VSU. Dean Gunter will send out more information to faculty about the dinner.

Dean Gunter is continuing to work on the agenda for the NCATE/PSC visit. He reviewed the list of students who will be exhibiting their work on Sunday night, October 22.

Ms. Roberts announced that Dr. Jan Merriman, wife of Dr. John Merriman, had passed away recently. Dr. John Merriman served as chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education for several years. Ms. Roberts also announced that Ms. Grace Sanders, senior secretary in ETTC, was in the hospital in Gainesville, FL.

Dean Gunter reminded everyone that the Homecoming activities began at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, at University Center.

Dean Gunter noted that he was leaving after the meeting to go to another meeting in Callaway Gardens and that he was leaving on Friday for a meeting in Marietta.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donnie J. McGahee