History Task Force Minutes
Fall 2003



Minutes of TF meeting Oct. 10, 2003  Attending: Melissa Bonafont, Zoe Van Sandt, Pat Hughes, Pat Goines, Al Purcell, Sean Murray, Terry Thomas, Mariano Diaz-Miranda, Dan Mings, Gerald Hauck, Harris Bell, Luther Elmore, Laura Hague, Brian Walter, Howard Lane, Suzanne Summers, Nancy Biehler,
Chair: Marlette Rebhorn

1. Marlette informed the Task Force that history will have a replacement full time position for next year, that the paperwork had been submitted, but that we were waiting for a job number to be posted so a committee can be formed.

2. Marlette explained that the estaffing procedure had produced weird schedules and was very trying for adjuncts to use. Some never did get into the system.  There will be a process in place before staffing for summer 04 begins to allow a department to opt out of the estaffing system.  The adjuncts in attendance voted unanimously to opt out of the estaffing system when this became possible.

3. The Task Force voted unanimously to forward the memo below to the administration in an attempt to raise revenue for the college and meet student demand in Open Campus sections.

4. The Task Force reiterated its decision not to give students at the testing center a copy of the Test Report indicating which questions they
got wrong.   The feeling was very strong such a practice could lead to
cheating as students compiled answer keys.

5. The Task Force reiterated its support for the computer "info game"
already devised by the English department in conjunction with the Library staff top satisfy the SACS requirement of proving student literacy with computers.

6. Pat Hughes commended Nancy Biehler for her work last year on the Bob Lain Symposium and the TF concurred with a hand of applause.  Pat reminded everyone that this coming Saturday, Oct 18, is this year's Symposium at NRG from 9-1:30.  The Department will be awarding 5 hours of professional development credit for attendance.  Make sure you are on Marlette's list by the break.

7. The subcomittee on portfolios reported its findings.  For the first three years one teaches at ACC as an adjunct or new full timer, the instructor will be obliged to hand in a complete portfolio once a year.
This portfolio will consist of

    a faculty input form done on computer
    a complete set of tests and learning objectives from one course taught in the previous year
    a complete set of handouts for that course (calendars, paper assignments, etc.)
    a teaching philosophy statement
    a course description. (why you teach the course as you do)

After the initial three years, instructors in good standing will be required to hand in this portfolio only once every three years, with about one third of the department falling into this category each year.

However, all instructors, even if not handing in a portfolio, will be obliged to complete the faculty input form on computer where you can respond to student evaluations.

8. David Lauderback who is chairing the history department self study committee required by the administration said he would be sending out shortly a form for information for SWOT, (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).  He would appreciate your prompt and full reply.

The meeting adjourned at 2:15pm.


To: Steve Kinslow, Donetta Goodall, Ron Brey, Rex Peebles, Daniel Traverso

From: Marlette Rebhorn, History Department Chair

Date: October 13, 2003

RE:  A Proposal To Meet Student Needs and Increase College Revenue

Background: Last summer, the history department filled all allotted seats in our Open Campus courses, and still turned away 2358 students in HIST 1301(US I), 2703 students in HIST 1302 (US II), 45 in HIST 2301(TX History), 47 in HIST 2311 (Wes Civ I) and 15 in HIST 2312 (Wes Civ II), for a total of 5168.  Of course, these were probably "hits" on the website rather than different students, but if even 10% of that total were individual students ready and willing to take these courses, we turned away
518 students.

Assuming the section was full at 36 people, all of whom were in-district students, each student would pay $135 in tuition and fees, plus the college receives about $150 from the state per student, for a total of $285 x 36=$10,260 in revenue per section.  Even the highest paid history instructor would cost only $5400 or so, giving the college a net bump in revenue of $4860 per section.  This figure would be much more if the instructor taught at adjunct rates ($10,260 -3747= $6513 revenue increase).
518 students divided into 36 seat sections is about 14 sections needed.  So the total potential income lost to the college, at a minimum, was 4860 x 14 =$68,040.

Given cut-backs in state appropriations, the college cannot afford to refuse such a revenue increase.  Therefore, the history department suggests the following pilot program for summer 04:

Proposal: 1. The history department determines how many seats we were able to fill last summer 03.
    This number is
    1301 482 seats
    1302 600 seats
    2311 60 seats
    2341 12 seats
    2380 36 seats
    2381 36 seats
    1643 48 seats
    1663 24 seats
    2301 96 seats
    2312 36 seats
            total:1406

2. We turned away many students because we did not have enough seats in
Open Campus courses, and our inclass courses were full as well.   Thus, let
us be conservative and add in another 10% or 140 seats to account for growth.
            Total: 1546

3. Let the department chair divide those 1546 seats among the sections we have now (31 sections), as the chair sees fit, PROVIDED NO INSTRUCTOR GOES OVER THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF LEH PER INSTRUCTOR ALLOWED BY COLLEGE POLICY.

4. This would be done and locked from the minute registration starts, rather than dribbling in seats in 12 seat increments throughout registration, a practice that hurts both students and faculty.

5. This would be done without reference to the section limits imposed on OPC courses.

If all these seats are filled, the college may wish to consider adding a few additional seats in what I describe as the dribbling manner.  If sections regularly do not fill, the number of seats allotted would be given over to sections that still see demand, maximizing the college's investment.

To minimize the impact on testing centers, the history department would agree to stagger test deadlines so that approximately the same number of students had deadlines on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  We would have no Friday or weekend deadlines.

Conclusion:  Since each and every student enrolled in a history course produces a positive cash flow for the college, this proposal is a guaranteed revenue generator for the college.  There is no possibility of losing money on this proposal.
    Therefore, this proposal will without question meet demonstrated student needs and generate additional needed revenue for the college.


Professor Marlette Rebhorn
History Department Chair
Austin Community College
512 223 3399
Office hours, fall 2003
MWF 8-9, 10-12 noon
TTh 8-9, 10:30-12 noon
RGC Attache 216



Send questions and comments to Patrick Goines