Minutes of Physical Sciences Task Force

April 10, 2009

 

 

Meeting Place:            RGC 326

Meeting Time:             10:00 am

Participants:                Paul Williams, Lala Guerra, Saad Eways, Paul Nacozy, Chris Cavalli, Jim Heath , James Friedrichsen, CD Rao, Elliot Richmond, Bob Blodgett, Jeff Bechtold, Dean Becker, George Staff, Hadi Parhikhteh, Luis Cuellar, Mike McGraw, Karl Trappe, Sal Valastro, Ron Johns, David Froehlich, Allen Underwood, Anne Turner, Dale Biggs, Saad Eways, Chris Thron 

1.) Approval of Agenda:  A couple of more items were added to the agenda.

2.) Approval of Minutes from:  March 6, 2009 minutes (Postponed until May)

3.) Information items presented:

           

a.)    Reminder of Assessment – Paul Williams reminded faculty of the need to carry out Course Assessment

b.)    eStaffing Timeline for fall 2009 -. It was announced that the 2nd round of eStaffing was beginning on Wednesday, April 17, 2009 for faculty that are “NOT” MSTA’s, IA’s and Highest Priority to Hire.  The time table can be found at http://www3.austincc.edu/afs/misc/calendar209f.html

      c.)  Summer Overloads – It was announced that overloads would be assigned to adjunct faculty for

             summer 2009 after May 1, 2009.

      d.)  International Year of Astronomy Events – James Heath reminded everyone that 2009 was declared the

            International Year of Astronomy.  An event has been scheduled fro April 24, 2009 at CYP at

           7:00pm to celebrate the IY, consisiting of a public talks and a Star Party to follow.  Fliers pertaining to

            the events will be posted at every campus.

      e.)  Discussion of new Department Chair starting May 1, 2010 – Paul Williams announced that he would no

            longer be the department chair after May 1, 2010.  Paul also recommended that voting for a new

            department chair should be done sooner so the individual could receive training prior to becoming

            department chair in May of 2010.  There was a discussion about the item.  

      f.)  The Quality Enhancement Plan – Ron explained that the Quality Enhancement Plan is a study where the

            College picks an area that has a weakness or a problem and investigates, gathers data and develops a

            plan to improve student learning.  Ron Johns recommended that our department should choose an area

            that the college might focus on.  Everyone suggested Smart Boards. 

      g.)  Science Forum – It was announced that our Dean, David Fonken suggested that next year all of the

            Science departments should do some science forums at ACC that are of  interest to our students.

            There was a discussion on the item and everyone shared their thoughts and concerns.  If anyone is

            interested in participating, please contact Bob Blodgett

      h.)  John Cise Appreciation Day – Paul Williams announce that there would be a dinner for John Cise

            Appreciation Day on April 17, 2009.  A John Cise scholarship will also be set up.  Any contribution can

            be send to the ACC Foundation.

      i.)  CAS – Saad Eways informed everyone that the trip to NASA was a success.

5.) New Business:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes of PHYS/AST/ENG Subcommittee

April 10, 2009

 

Participants                 Paul Williams, Lala Guerra, Saad Eways, Paul Nacozy, Chris Cavalli, Jim Heath , James Friedrichsen, CD Rao, Elliot Richmond, Jeff Bechtold, Dean Becker, Hadi Parhikhteh, Luis Cuellar, Mike McGraw, Karl Trappe, Allen Underwood, Dale Biggs, Saad Eways, Chris Thron

 

                                    Discussion and Final Decision on textbook for PHYS 1401

                                    There was a discussion on which textbook would be adopted for PHYS 1401 for fall 2009.  It was agreed upon that Giambattista was the textbook to be adopted