August 29, 2002
Present:
Adams, Ahearn, Birkeli, Blackwood, Boozer, Buchanan, Geeter, Gulley, Goodner,
Harrison, Hartman, Hearn, S. Johnson, Kraemer, Lawrence, McClanahan, McElreath,
McMullen, Pirrman, Pinkerman, Rowe, Sauter, Thompson, Simmons, Smith and
Whitney.
President
Gulley welcomed the Council to the new academic year and introduced the
new faces: SGA President, Kelly McElreath and Director of Institutional
Research & Planning, Dr. Bob Boozer.
President
Gulley updated some concerns of the community and asked Dr. Thompson to lead
the prayer.
The
March and April minutes were approved by consent of the membership
present.
President Gulley thanked James Blackwood for attending on Dr. McCoy’s behalf to address any questions regarding the Plan for Technology that will become part of our Gateway to Excellence strategic plan. This will be a part of our response to SACS and has been endorsed by the Information and Instructional Technology Roundtable. As the Plan for Technology document was distributed ahead of time and informal conversations regarding the plan had occurred prior to the meeting, no concerns were raised about the plan. Dr. Sauter made a motion to adopt the new technology plan, Mr. Geeter seconded the motion. The motion carried.
For his opening remarks, President Gulley stated his desire to set the stage for the October budget discussions of the 2003-04 academic year. He hopes to assist in the understanding of the actions that have taken place and the plans that will be established due to the economic health of the institution. The budget that is adopted during the February meeting is a provisional budget and is impacted by the fall enrollment figures. It appears that the provisional budget for this year will be on track, due to the care and planning done by many. However, it does appear that the economy will not give us any assistance and that we will need to continue to monitor spending in the coming years. The second part of this presentation will be made after the September 13th Day of Record figures are released. At that time, we will have actual fall enrollment figures that will enable us to better determine our economic status. (The PowerPoint presentation is posted on the website).
Ms. Adams reported that she is beginning her third year as Career Counselor at LaGrange College. She is presenting data from the graduate survey and the Southern Association for Colleges and Employers review that was conducted last spring. Both reports are attached. The graduate survey had a 76% return rate. Some observations are that our graduates are going to quality graduate schools, something we’ve not seen before; and the four largest employers of our graduates are also those doing internships with our students. Any additional information that you might obtain about our graduates should be reported to the Career Center. The SACE Review team came to campus in March to examine The Career Center’s performance. The focus of the reviewers was targeted areas of the Gateway to Excellence, outcomes measures and placement of resources. A copy of the recommendations are available on the website.
Dr. Boozer reported on the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and advising. The NSSE is currently the leading survey on student satisfaction. The survey shows that LaGrange College students rate their relationships with faculty and staff highly, while they experience less cooperative group work and assigned papers. The survey of advising reports that students use academic advising to ensure curricular efficiency, but do not make use of advising for issues that are not directly related to the curriculum. The results of both are available on the website.
IPC Meeting Minutes
August 28, 2002
Page 2
Dr. Simmons reported that the response to the SACS visiting team is almost completed. It is due on Sept. 11, to the SACS office in Atlanta. He plans to address a majority of the nine recommendations in his report.
Dr. Thompson reported on the activities at the Albany campus. His assistant, Jason Goodner is accompanying him at the meeting today. Currently, 48 students are actively enrolled, 13 graduated from the program in May, seven have completed and will graduate next May. The facility has served 68 students thus far, losing only four students in its 2-year history. Five cohorts are active and another will start in October with full enrollment of 12 students; applications are being accepted for the January cohort. At full capacity, 96 students can be served. To meet the 175-student goal in the strategic plan, classroom space, computer availability, library stock, and furnishings will need to be added. The recent student satisfaction survey reported 99% positive responses to the program, staff and facilities at Albany. A $1,000 scholarship has been established for students at the Albany campus. Two faculty and staff events were held this past year. A question was raised of meeting the goal of 175 if space were available, Dr. Thompson responded that it was a possibility, but he felt that offering another major at the campus would make it more viable. Another site in a surrounding county could also assist in meeting the goal. A copy of the report is available via the website.
Ms. McMullen reported that discussions are underway with the Academic Advisory Council of offering an Organizational Leadership degree in the Evening College, similar to the Albany Program. The Evening College has undergone 2 years of transition, being a separate program from the traditional day program. Many new programs are under review to add to the offerings, including new majors. This will be a necessity to achieve the 150-student goal by 2005. An increase in course offerings is needed for junior and senior level students. Faculty are serving the students well, as reported by a recent survey, but the students feel isolated on campus. Options are being evaluated to involve Evening Students in campus activities.
Mr. Pinkerman reported that progress is being made toward the circulation goal in the strategic plan, items circulated per FTE student was 14.0. This is up slightly from the previous year count of 13.38. A report on the new library from Mr. Jay Lucker has been accepted by the President’s Leadership Council and is expected to be acted on at the October Board of Trustees meeting.
In an effort to preserve a few trees, President Gulley asked that members print and bring copies of IPC documents to meetings, should they wish to have them at the meeting. Documents will be circulated via email 48 hours prior to the meeting and copies will not be provided at the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley Harrington