Meeting Place: NRG – Room 2228

Meeting Time: 9:30 am

Participants: James Friedrichsen, Lala Guerra, Sal Valastro, Ron Johns, Chris Cavalli, Paul Nacozy, Laura Tacheny, Saad Eway, Paul Williams, Hadi Parhikhteh, John Underwood, Elliott Richmond, George Staff, Jan Smith, John Cise, Dean Becker, Bob Blodgett, Karl Trappe, Larry Wigginton, Jeff Bechtold, Laura Tacheny, C.D. Rao, James Heath

1.) Approval of Agenda

2.) Approval of Minutes from: October 7, 2005

There were some changes for the October 7, 2005 minutes.

3.) Information items presented:

a.) Computer Projectors – Richard Smith, head of the Tech Committee will be setting aside money every year for 15 new projectors for classrooms at ACC. Priority is decided on how often the equipment is used. Concerns and suggestions were made. Ron Johns suggested that everyone should email him information to submit to Richard Smith on reasons why our department should have priority receiving Computer Projectors.

b.) Using Turning Point - Paul Williams thanked everyone for participating in the last Turning Point workshop. He mention to everyone that he was planning on presenting another class on November 18, 2005. Paul told everyone that if anyone was interested in the workshop to let him know and he would send information out on the workshop.

c.) 60% to 65% for spring 2006 - The percentage of enrolment in classes in order to make will be increasing from 60% to 65% and the minimum will go from 12 to 13. The changes would take affect spring 2006.

d.) Evaluation Materials (Portfolio Packets) – James Friedrichsen told everyone in the meeting that he was still working on the portfolio packets and that the packets would be in the mail soon.

e.) Geology Courses Approvals - Ron Johns announced that all Geology courses approvals went through.

f.) Year Long Scheduling – Everyone voiced their concerns and suggestion on year long scheduling and thought it was a bad idea.

g.) Legislative Issues – There are various legislative issues that will impact students starting spring 2006. To name a few, one is the “Rider 50” which places a limit on the number of times a student can take a course and the college receives state reimbursement. “The 170 hour rule” allows institutions to charge students out of state fees if they exceed 170 total hours in achieving their baccalaureate degree, or 99 hours if working toward an associate degree. Another legislative issue is State colleges are not required to accept more than 66 semester credit hours in transfer from a community college.

h.) Professional Development – James Heath reminded everyone that on Friday, November 11, 2005 at 2:30 pm in room 320 there would be a Professional Development concerning Creationism and Intelligent Design. Dr. Roger Paynter, pastor of the First Baptist Church would be the speaker.

i.) The ACC Regional Collaborative – Saad Eways had feedback on the ACC Regional Collaborative. A schedule has been workout. ACC’s participation would be mostly on Fridays and Saturdays. The “Kick-off Orientation” is targeted for November 15, 2005 and activities will continue till the end of June 9, 2006. There were discussions, concerns and suggestions. The only issue now was finding a location for the activities to take place to accommodate everyone before December 3, 2005.

4.) Discussion Items:

a.) Astronomy Prerequisites – It was decided that we would try to get a copy of the skills test & data about the skills test from math.

b.) A.P Physics Credit – Will be discussed in the break out session.

c.) South Austin Campus Scheduling – The South Austin Campus Scheduling will be modeled of from the Cypress Creek Scheduling. We need to come up with non-lab courses we would like to offer and how many. It was decided that we would try to schedule up to 2 Geology & Astronomy courses & an ESTE course – as long as the Astronomy courses are in the evening when they can be readily staffed.

d.) Astronomy and Geology courses at St. Edwards - One of James Heath’s student brought up the issue that St Edwards did not accept Astronomy and Geology courses as Science classes but accepted them as electives. After some discussion on the subject, James Friedrichsen said he would contact Kathy Grimmett the Articulation Officer to investigate the situation.

5.) Action Items:

a.) 1653 – Not ready yet

b.) C or Better Rule – Suggestions, concerns and it was decided that an additional line would be drafted to be added to the policy, but the current statement as it stood was approved.

c.) H.S. College Algebra Equivalent Policy – There was discussion on the policy and then it was approved.

d) THECB 66 Hour Rule – Will be discussed in the break out session.

6.) New Business:

Minutes of PHYS/AST/ENG Subcommittee

November 4, 2005

Participants James Friedrichsen, Lala Guerra, Chris Cavalli, Paul Nacozy, Laura Tacheny, Saad Eway, Paul Williams, Allen Underwood, Elliott Richmond, Hadi Parhikhteh, John Cise, Dean Becker, Karl Trappe, Larry Wigginton, Jeff Bechtold, C.D. Rao, James Heath

AP Physics Credit – James Friedrichsen asked everyone if we should accept or not accept AP Credit for our Physics courses. After a discussion on the issue, everyone agreed that AP Credit should only be accepted for General College Physics I and II and only for a score of 4 or 5.

THECB 66 Hour Rule – All our programs violate the 66 hour rule. We will not be funded if we do not follow the rule. It was decided that we would remove MATH 2420 Differential Equations, but strongly recommend that it be taken in the footnotes.

GPI Texts – There was discussion and suggestions on the GPI Textbooks that were to be reviewed for Fall of 2006

Announcement Regarding Activity Based Physics Faculty Institutes –

Paul Williams passed out a flyer with information on Activity Based Physics Faculty Institutes. This is a series of one-week summer institutes and follow-up activities for college and university faculty who wish to change their students physics learning environment to a more active one. Institutes offering it are Dickinson College and University of Oregon. If you would like more information on this subject, contact Paul Williams.

Demonstration of Video Analysis Capture with VPCapture software –

Paul Williams did some demonstration on the Video Analysis Capture with VP 2.5 version software to show everyone that it was getting easier to use. There were concerns from other faculty that had used it in the past.

Minutes of GEOL/ESTE Subcommittee

November 4, 2005

Participants all the geology folks present at the big meeting

Some brief discussion was had regarding the SWOT meeting this afternoon for the Geology Program Review.

Given the Coordinating Board’s decision to reduce the number of hours in degree plans, while still requiring them to include such critical subjects as “Modern Dance, it was decided to remove MATH 2413 from the degree plan. Students will still have to take it since it is a prerequisite for MATH 2414, but it won’t be listed and counted in the total hours towards the degree. That will make it all better.