Minutes of Physical Sciences Task Force

  December 1, 2006

 

Meeting Place:  RGC 326

Meeting Time:               9:30am

Participants:                  James Friedrichsen, Ron Johns, George Staff, Bob Blodgett, Laura Tacheny,  John Cise, Allen Underwood, Saad Eways, Paul Nacozy, Elliot Richmond, James Heath, Paul Williams,  C.D. Rao, Dean Becker, Lala Guerra, Larry Wigginton, Chris Cavalli, Jeff Bechtold, Leslie Davis, Mostafa Prinia, Jan Smith, Karl Trappe

 

1.) Approval of Agenda

2.) Approval of Minutes from:          

3.) Information items presented:

a.)    CYP Expansion– James Friedrichsen told everyone at meeting that our new lab facility at CYP looked really nice.  There were some minor problems due to the fact that the lab was initially designed to be an Anatomy Lab and then redesigned as a dual purpose lab facility.  So the tables are lower than we requested, but they are the same height as at RVS and they are what Biology originally requested and instead of safety glass on the cabinets, regular glass was used.  Other than that the lab looks very nice.  Suggestions were made as to what can be done about the tables.

b.)    CYP Lab Tech.  Hiring – James Friedrichsen announced to everyone at the meeting, that the CYP Lab Tech. position had to be reposted again because HR used a generic Lab Tech posting instead of a Physics Lab Tech posting.  Everyone made suggestions on other ways to advertise the posting and several people volunteered to help out with this effort. 

c.)    C & P Changes – ASTR is here! – We now have new numbers for our Astronomy courses.  PHYS 1311 will become ASTR 1303, PHYS 1411 will become ASTR 1403 and PHYS 1312 will become ASTR 1304.

d.)    Field Trip Exception Approval – Our request for an exception to the current Administrative Rule that covers Field Trips has been approved and signed by the President.  We now have to come up with a recommendation for changes to the Administrative Rule and justifications for the requested changes to be turned in to David Fonken shortly.

e.)    Computer Projectors - Ron Johns announced that rooms NRG 2213, NRG 2240 and RGC 326 would be getting computer projectors.

f.)       Trebuchet Demonstration Invitation – Tom Bird has invited everyone to the Trebuchet Demonstration Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 12:25pm. The testing demonstration will be held at the South End of Pease Park.  

g.)    End of Semester Party- Everyone showed interest in having an end of semester Party.  James said that he will try to make arrangements for the party as soon as possible.

h.)    Reduce Class Limit (OSD) - Instructors requested that class limits be reduced so that a seat would be available for the person that is helping OSD students.  James Friedrichsen promised that he would see what he could do and that all he needed was an initial notification from the instructor or from OSD.

i.)       

4.) Discussion Items: 

a.)    PHYS Faculty transfer to CYP – James Friedrichsen mentioned that we should try to find a Physics instructor that is willing to transfer permanently to CYP.  Jeff Bechtold indicated that he was interested in this option.          

5.) Action Items:

a.)  Incomplete Policy – Approved.

6.) New Business:

 

 

 

Minutes of PHYS/AST/ENG Subcommittee

December 1, 2006

 

Participants                   James Friedrichsen, Laura Tacheny, Karl Trappe, John Cise, Allen Underwood, Saad Eways, Paul Nacozy, Jeff Bectold, Elliot Richmond, James Heath, Paul Williams, C.D. Rao, Dean Becker, Lala Guerra, Larry Wigginton, Chris Cavalli, Mostafa Pirnia

 

                                   

                                    AP Physics Opportunity

                                    There will be a professional service opportunity if anyone is interested.  It consists in a week long AP Physics Exam Reading in June 2007.  The College Board will provide $1,450 for the service and will cover all travel expenses, lodging and meals.  If interested, please go to http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/readers.

 

                                     Engineering Physics Textbook Update

                                    James Friedrichsen announced that adopting a new Engineering Physics textbook was still on hold.  He also mentioned he had spoken with our Tipler Rep. to try and make sure that we would have enough 5th edition textbooks for our students in the mean time, but he has not heard back from her at this time.

 

                                    12 Labs

                                    The current list was modified and a committee was selected to come up with a structure by the summer of 2007.  Paul Williams, Chris Cavalli, Jeff Bechtold, John Underwood and Eric Ebner were selected to serve on the committee.   

 

 

Minutes of GEOL/ESTE Subcommittee

December 1, 2006

 

Participants                   Ron Johns, George Staff, Bob Blodgett, Leslie Davis, Jan Smith

                                   

                                    ESTE Pre-advisory meeting

                                    The advisory meeting for the ESTE program is scheduled for Dec. 8.  Some minor discussion was had regarding what to expect and who was doing what.

 

                                    Lab Manual

                                    No progress has been made on the new lab manual for GEOL 1403.  Ron will contact Laurie Duncan and try to get an organizational meeting set up.