April 18, 2002
Present:
Ahearn, Birkeli, Buchanan, Brown, Gulley, Hartman, Hearn, S. Johnson, Kraemer,
Mallory, McClanahan, McCoy, McElreath, McMullen, Naglee, Rowe, Simmons, Slay,
Smith and Whitney.
President
Gulley welcomed the Council to the last IPC meeting of this academic year and
introduced the new SGA President, Kelly McElreath. He shared recent events and concerns of the community followed by
the opening prayer, lead by Dr. McClanahan to commence the meeting.
President
Gulley expressed his gratitude for the work on the Self Study to all involved;
including the Steering Committee under the leadership of Dr. McClanahan. He commended Dr. McCoy and Institutional
Research staff for their organizational efforts with IPC and the institutional
effectiveness reporting of the College.
Dr. Ahearn questioned if the students need any explanation about the
SACS visit and the recommendations resulting.
Mr. Naglee commented that he had discussed the matter with several
students and they had a general understanding of the process. Dr. McCoy reminded that two of the
recommendations were in the area of institutional effectiveness and that we
needed to close the loop on the cycle, showing results of stated goals for this
year. The forms will go out to each
department within the week to file year-end reports. Ms. Mallory questioned the content of the new criteria that SACS
will introduce. President Gulley stated
that the new criteria goes into effect in 2004, requiring annual audits of
routine information that will be filed with the office in Atlanta. This information will be reviewed at the
SACS office, by teams from peer institutions.
Questionable findings, these are termed Quality Enhancement Projects,
are fed to a team of 5-7 people who will visit the campus to discuss these
issues and work with the institution on improvement.
Dr. McClanahan reported on the Self Study, expressing his gratitude to everyone for a good visit. He stated that there were many involved with the process and each contributed a part to the outcome. The 10 recommendations from the team fall into six overall areas of the College; three of those recommendations were expected due to timing of the visit and the plans are in place to be resolved. Dr. McClanahan shared his belief that we have a wonderful institution and that the committee observed the exceptional environment at LaGrange College. The bonus checks issued yesterday are proof of our exceptional leadership.
Dean Simmons reported on item #1.1.11, funding for the Director of the Core Program. A proposal was submitted to the Lilly Foundation requesting funding to have a full-time director of the Core Program. The proposal was not accepted, so we will continue to seek alternative solutions for this item. Dean Simmons suggests that the wording of the plan reflect that this has not been met and will continue as a goal of the College. It was the consensus of the committee to do so.
Dr. McCoy reported that the Technology Roundtable has met twice since the last IPC meeting. The Technology Survey has been completed and results tallied. These results do not show a definitive opinion restricting the use of campus email to broadcast personal messages. The Roundtable has suggested use of the bulletin board for placement of these items. After discussion, the IPC suggested that the policy enforce the use of the subject line stating the content of the message while allowing the use of campus email for broadcasting messages. This will allow us to maintain a sense of community. Dr. McClanahan moved that the policy be accepted with the change for use of subject lines in broadcast campus email messages without requiring the use of the bulletin board. Dr. Kraemer seconded the motion. The motion carried.
IPC Meeting Minutes
April 18, 2002
Page 2
Dr. McCoy addressed the Technology Purchasing Policy next. This policy is to ensure that Information Systems is aware of what hardware and software is being used on the college system in order to better provide service and support. All purchases of hardware and software will be required to go through Information Systems so that functionality and compatibility with current technology can be assessed. Supplies and consumable items will also be obtained through Information Systems to ensure good quality items are being used and facilitating bulk purchasing for better pricing. The policy states that there will be two levels of software purchasing, one that provides installation and training and one that does not provide training. The Information Systems staff will need to be aware of any personal software that is installed on college computers. A list of approved downloadable software will be part of the policy. A question was asked that software is acceptable if it isn’t harming anyone else; Dr. McCoy replied that the Information Systems staff needs to know that it is there in order to better service the system. It also allows the College to better know how technology money is being spent. The policy is firmly written, but implementation will be structured to meet the needs of everyone. Dr. Buchanan moved that the policy be accepted, Ms. Mallory seconded the motion. The motion passed, the policy is adopted.
President Gulley asked that everyone fill out the Institutional Research & Planning evaluation. Dr. McCoy reminded that this is a part of the Institutional Effectiveness for the Office of IR&P. Please return these to Shirley Harrington.
Rev. Rowe requested everyone’s attendance at the reception for President Gulley this evening at the Lamar Dodd Art Center. The reception and dinner afterwards are a celebration of the publishing of the President’s book “The Academic President as Moral Leader.” Rev. Rowe also reminded the IPC of the Family Weekend on May 2-5.
President Gulley thanked all for their participation and called attention to the calendar for next year’s meetings. The meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley Harrington