The College of Education Executive Committee met on Thursday, September 30, 1999, at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room in the Education Center with Dean Toth presiding. Members present were: Drs. McGahee, Ducharme, Gunter, Atterbom, T. Reed, Siegrist, Rimington, M. Reed, Bauer, Price, Dixey, Swank, Zahner, and Ms. Roberts.

Dean Toth discussed the budget situation within the COE. Dean Toth had been directed to cut $149,240 from the COE budget as its share of the $1.2 million budget shortfall. Initially, Dean Toth submitted budget cuts totaling slightly over $100,000; these cuts represented about 60 percent of all COE supply money and half of the travel funds. Dr. Benjamin directed Dean Toth to cut the additional $49,000; in order to accomplish this, all remaining travel funds were cut (a total of $51,600) and almost all departmental supply funds were cut (a total of over $50,000); each department is left with $1,000 in supplies. Additional areas that were cut: student assistants, registration for conferences, and repairs and maintenance. The dean's budget was cut as well as the teacher education initiative; there is approximately $15,000 left for equipment in the teacher education initiative.

Dr. M. Reed stated that since travel funds have been cut, some faculty have expressed concern about the emphasis put on professional presentations as they relate to promotion and tenure. Dean Toth replied that the budget shortfall would make no difference in expectations for faculty in regard to promotion and tenure. Dean Toth stated that he is searching for funds to provide faculty with some financial support for travel; additionally, he noted that departments can pay for travel out of their departmental discretionary accounts.

Dean Toth announced that the COE has received a $98,000 grant from the chancellor's lottery trust funds.

Dean Toth announced that Mr. Brignati had attended the deans' meeting last week and projected a 2-10 percent budget cut for Fall Semester, 2000. Dean Toth noted that two primary factors have caused the enrollment decrease: (1) the increase in tuition for out-of-state students, which has caused a number of Florida students not to attend VSU, and (2) the decision to adopt the higher admission standards three years before the other system institutions. Dean Toth also noted that, in a survey conducted by the Admissions Office, only 53 percent of the students in VSU's surrounding counties complete the CPC curriculum whereas 80 percent of metro Atlanta students complete the CPC curriculum.

Dean Toth noted that he had been told that he could not advertise for any anticipated faculty vacancies until further notice.

Dr. Price moved approval of changes in the titles of three courses from the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology; the motion was seconded by Dr. Bauer. The courses and proposed new titles are: CIED 9300 (C & I Needs-Based Proposal Development), CIED 9400 (C & I Design and Development), and CIED 9500 (C & I Implementation and Evaluation). The motion was unanimously approved.

Discussion followed about what a poor job was done on the new (1999-2000) undergraduate and graduate bulletins, especially as these are the bulletins which will be used for the SACS visit. It was noted that departments had not been given an opportunity to review the final copy before they were submitted to the printer, as has been done in the past.

Dean Toth reminded department heads to discuss the COE effectiveness survey at departmental meetings and submit any suggestions for improvement to Dr. M. Reed.

Dean Toth announced that tomorrow (Friday) from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. he would have the first Dean's Open Forum in the Conference Room. This forum presents an opportunity for any COE faculty/staff member to come and discuss any issue with Dean Toth. Dr. Bauer mentioned the continuing need for a copier for the Psychology Building; Dean Toth responded that he is currently attempting to replace all COE copiers.

Dr. Gunter reported on the work done by the committee to devise an administrative faculty annual evaluation procedure. The committee has a proposal ready; Dr. Gunter will send it to all committee members and it will be considered at a future ECM meeting. This procedure will be used for the eight COE department heads, as well as Ms. Mimi McGahee, Ms. Roberts,

Dr. Swank, Dr. T. Reed, Dr. M. Reed, and Mr. Watson.

Dean Toth noted that the vice president's office was using semester hours generated as a means of determining new faculty needs; Dean Toth has expressed concern about this method as it does not take into account internships, student teaching, computer courses, etc., which do not generate as much semester hour credit.

Dean Toth announced that departments who are revising programs to meet the BOR principles should be well along in the revision process. February is the last Academic Committee meeting date in which changes for the new bulletin can be submitted. Dean Toth will determine dates by which program revisions must be submitted.

Dean Toth announced that the BOR had established a new committee: the Education Preparation Academic Advisory Committee. This committee is composed of the Deans of Education, the Deans of Arts and Sciences, and representatives from the two-year colleges (either the academic vice president or his/her designee). The committee has been divided into two sub-committees: One sub-committee will examine the Area F requirements for middle grades and special education programs; the other sub-committee will examine the Area F requirements for all other education programs. The committee may also attempt to define "what is a college major." The entire committee will meet in Macon next week.

Dr. Swank reported on a meeting he attended last week with Dr. Benjamin, Mr. Peacock, and the off-campus coordinators. The off-campus coordinators expressed a desire for early childhood and middle grades programs at their sites. Dr. Swank explained the difficulty of offering these programs off campus because of the increased field experiences required.

Dean Toth announced that transfer students are no longer required to come to an orientation session in order to get advised; they can come see an advisor and be advised at any time if they have applied to VSU and been accepted for the following semester. Dr. Swank stated that transfer students who meet admission to teacher education requirements will be sent directly to the department of their major. Transfer students do get one semester of "grace" in order to be admitted to teacher education. They must meet the teacher education entrance requirements during this semester, including the Praxis I and RTP, or they will be stopped from registering for upper-level classes during their second term. Dr. Swank also noted that faculty now can check the teacher education admission status of students from the COE homepage. Ms. Roberts announced that COE faculty will soon have access to the Advising Center database and will be able to determine a student's advisor. Ms. Roberts also announced that registration will begin on October 18 and run until Thanksgiving; the first week will be by priority.

Dean Toth distributed a list of transfer students, including the schools from which they transfer, from 1996-99.

Dean Toth announced that the Alumni Association will sponsor the meal for Homecoming on October 16. Separate tents will be provided for each college.

Dr. Swank thanked the department heads for reviewing the list of students who had take the Praxis II test; several students were identified who had not received their training at VSU and their names were deleted.

Dean Toth announced that Dr. Peggy Torrey, Executive Secretary of the Professional Standards Commission (PSC), had resigned her position and will be leaving PSC on November 30.

Dean Toth asked department heads to think about students who would be good student members of the Executive Committee and be prepared to provide him with their names at the next committee meeting. Both a graduate student and an undergraduate student are needed.

Dean Toth stated that several faculty members had inquired as to why the Student Development Fund had not been cut; this fund is a Foundation account and is not subject to a budget cut.

Ms. Roberts announced that the orientation dates for 1999-2000 had been established, and she will distribute them to departmental secretaries.

Dean Toth distributed a list of composite SAT scores for 1987-1996 for all system institutions as well as a list of on-line courses being taught at VSU.

Dr. M. Reed distributed a copy of the COE mission statement document. She will have this put on the web--faculty will be asked to vote on this document at a later date.

Dr. Bauer announced that he had met with the Georgia Policy Council yesterday. This group, which deals with children and families, has the support of Governor Barnes.

Dean Toth announced that the new Special Education and Communication Disorders Building had undergone the final inspection. A number of small, needed changes/repairs were identified. The building should be ready for occupancy around the first of November. The space currently occupied by this department in the Education Center will be painted before the new occupants are allowed to move in.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,