Minutes of Physical Sciences Task Force

May 8, 2009

 

 

Meeting Place:            NRG 2213

Meeting Time:             10:00 am

Participants:                Paul Williams, Lala Guerra, Saad Eways, Paul Nacozy, Chris Cavalli, Jim Heath , James Friedrichsen, CD Rao, Elliot Richmond, Jeff Bechtold, Dean Becker, George Staff, Hadi Parhikhteh, Luis Cuellar, Karl Trappe, Sal Valastro, Ron Johns, David Froehlich, Allen Underwood, Anne Turner, Gary Crane, Mostafa Pirna, Glynda Mercier, Qurrat Thakur, John Cise, Larry Wigginton

 

1.) Approval of Agenda:  

2.) Approval of Minutes from:  There were corrections on March and April Minutes. 

3.) Information items presented:

             

a.)    Reminder of Assessment – Paul Williams reminded the faculty about the Course Assessment again. 

b.)    Safety Coordinator Update – Paul Nacozy announced that Safety Training for new faculty for the summer would be on May 27th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.  He also mentioned that annual Safety Training would be moved from June to September for  Physics/Engineering/Astronomy and January for Geology/Environmental Science

c.)    Students for Environmental Outreach Update – Amy Cunningham reported that the 24 hours to Empower went great.   Amy thanked the faculty that participated in the bike ride.   She also talked about having the event again next year and other events too.  

d.)    End of Fiscal Year – It was announced that money in the budget needs to by spent before the end of the fiscal year.        

      e.)  Discussion of Possible Policy Limiting Distracting use of Technology by Students in Class – Following

            discussion of the possibility of a policy limiting distracting use of personal technology

 in class by students, the following statement was agreed upon.

            “The department encourages and supports instructors to make a reasonable instructional policy                        regarding use of personal electronics in the class.  Students acting in a distracting way are in violation of the

            college policy.”

f.)   Discussion of ways to Improve Communication with Adjunct Faculty – Everyone discussed ways to improve communication with adjunct faculty.  It was agreed that a first semester expectation check list would be developed for new adjunct faculty. George Staff, Jim Heath and Elliot Richmond volunteered to come up with the check list.

g.)  Student Evaluations – There was a discussion concerning student evaluations.  Everyone shared their

       suggestions and concerns.  It was agreed that a reminder email would be sent to faculty when

       evaluations were to be requested for the spring and summer semester.       

h.)  Lab Coordinators Updates – It was agree that updates from lab coordinators would be on the agenda

       for every department meeting.

      i.)  Improving Student Orientation of Departmental Website – Everyone agreed that the department website needed improvement on student orientation.  Once the new Computer Lab Support Technician is hired, the website would be updated.   It was also suggested that a Content Committee should be formed.  Jeff

            Bechtold, AlanUnderwood, Chris Cavall, Luis Cuellar and Bob Blodgett volunteered to be on the

            committee.

      j.)  Possible Face book Pages – Chris Cavalli led a discussion about having a department face book.  

            She then showed everyone an example of the ACC Astronomy face book that she had developed. 

            Everyone agreed that it was a good idea but was also agreed that the college had to be asked first if it

            was acceptable.    

             

 

Minutes of GEOL/ESTE Subcommittee

May 8, 2009

 

GEOL 1403 Lab Manual – A brief discussion was held, no decision was made.

 

Minutes of PHYS/AST/ENG Subcommittee

May 8, 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, Karl Trappe, Allen Underwood,  Gary Crane, Mostafa Pirna, John Cise, Larry Wigginton, Qurrat Thakur,

 

                                    Chair for PHYS Assessment

                                    Jeff Bechtold volunteered to become Chair for PHYS Assessment.

 

                                    New Engineering Course and Degree Option Possibilities

                                    There was a discussion of a new Electrical Engineering course and a degree option possibility offered at ACC.   Suggestion and concerns were shared.  Everyone agreed in principle in offering a circuits course and pursuing the Field of Study degree options in Engineering. A committee consisting of Saad Eways, Allen Underwood, and Paul Williams was formed to investigate and draft the changes.

                                   

It was pointed out that the paperwork had to be completed by February 2010 for the class and degree to be offered in fall 2010. 

                                   

Required Topics for PHYS 1405

Chapter 5 and Chapter 17 were the only required topics for PHYS 1405 that were changed.  Everyone agreed to the change. 

 

                                    Scheduling Training for Connects System

                                    There was a discussion over scheduling training for the Connects System that is linked to the Giambattista textbook.  It was agreed that an in person training would be scheduled for early August but an earlier online or an in person training would be considered for those that could not attend in August.

 

                                    PHYS 1653 Committee

                                    The 1653 Committee met and agreed to use the Giambattista textbook.  The committee agreed to change the required topics for PHYS 1653 too.