Physical Sciences Task Force
Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2000
The Physical Sciences Task Force met at 9:30 AM Friday, September 8, 2000 in room 326 at RGC. Members in attendance: Biggs, Heath, Underwood, Potter, Stege, Cavalli, Smith, Staff, Johns, Pedigo, Cise, Becker, and Bechtold.
1. Approval of Agenda - approved.
2. Approval of Minutes- The Minutes of the May 5 meeting were approved.
3. The following information items were presented: (1) The new full-time physics faculty member hired for the Fall is a familiar face- long-time adjunct Jim Heath. (2) Attention was called to three new Draft Administrative Rules that faculty are encouraged to review and comment on. (3) The TFC announced that he and the Asst TFC would complete modifications to the Course Equivalencies on Datatel. (4) Faculty were advised that new Degree tracking Worksheets have been created, and that students will probably show up with them as a prelude to official degree checks. These should be treated just as the old degree course checks in the past, and the faculty advisor should sign at the bottom even though there is no space dedicated to that purpose.
4. The following items were discussed: (1) RVS lab remodeling is postponed again, and the group decided that the Asst TFC should contact the manager of the remodeling and ask for action. (2) Textbook problems were discussed, most of which relate to the publisher's summer releases combined with the ever-earlier deadlines set by the ACC administration. The worst situation is in GEOL/PHSC. It was decided to do the best we can with a difficult situation. (3) Several changes to the Spring 2001 schedule were discussed, including a cutback of a few sections in selected disciplines and addition of one section of ENGR 2332. (4) MSTA and HPTH selection processes were discussed, and it was decided to refer this item to a committee. (5) The FY01 Budget was announced, and it was pointed out that we are expected to do more this year with the same amount of money, especially in hourly salaries, which will cause a crunch. (6) Committees and committee membership were discussed, and the TFC asked faculty to send their preferences by e-mail so that committees can be formed.
5. The following action items were dealt with: (1) It was decided not to change the name of Conceptual Physics until we can research the situation at other schools, so the item will be discussed again at a later date.
6. There was no new business.
7. Breakout sessions-
GEO/PSC - (1) Discussed problems with staffing for Fall, ’00, and Spring, ’01, semesters. Efforts will be made, as suggested by Robert Blodgett, to place ads in the Austin Geological Society newsletter, the Austin Statesman and the Chronicle. Canvassing efforts will also be made at TNRCC, the Bureau of Economic Geology, the U.S.G.S., and other geological organizations in town. (2) George Staff agreed to teach GEOL 1404 in the spring, dropping a biology class to do so. (3) Ron Johns gave a brief rundown on the status of the Env. Tech . Program and plans for the current semester. Ideally, the basic curriculum will be put together by the end of the calendar year. (4) Discussion of increasing the class size (registration) limit in Physical Geology classes to 26. Since several students invariably drop shortly after the semester starts, allowing two extra students to register for the class, even though the classrooms are meant for only 24, should not present nay difficulties. This will also provide a perfectly valid reason for not trying to cram a few extra students in above the class limit at the beginning of every semester. This motion was approved for RVS, RGC, and CYP, but Bob Blodgett, who was at a conference, will need to be consulted regarding classes at the NRG campus.
AST/ENR/PHY - (1) Developing a "required" lab manual for new instructors was discussed, and generally favored. This will be referred to the Curriculum Committee. Paul Williams, John Cise and Jeff Bechtold expressed an interest in helping out on this issue. (2) Professional development ideas were discussed, and a list of half a dozen suggestions was prepared. These will be referred to the Faculty Development Committee. (3) Attracting an audience for Conceptual Physics was discussed, and half a dozen ideas were generated. These will be referred to the Curriculum Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 am.
Submitted by Daryl Pedigo, TF Chair.