Physical Science Task Force

Minutes of October 23, 1998 Meeting

Present: Paul Williams (FT, PHY), George Staff (AF, GEO), Scott Gainer (AF, GEO), Saad Eways (FT, PHY), Dale Biggs (AF, PHY), Dean Becker (FT, PHY), Jim Heath (AF, AST), Bob Blodgett (FT, GEO), Daryl Pedigo (FT, PHY), Allen Underwood (FT, PHY)

 

1. Approval of Agenda - The agenda was approved without additions or deletions. Agenda was not followed in order listed.

 

2. Update on Computers - The status on faculty upgrades was discussed. Daryl commented that he needed memory. It has been ordered. The task of reallocating the 7 Quadras currently in storage and the 6 486's was delegated to the technology committee.

 

3. Presentation by LRS - Linda Clement and Steve Self gave a presentation to the TF. They presented information on LRS web pages, Catalog, Student documentation standards, and other items.

 

4. Presentation by Allen Underwood - Allen Underwood presented his preliminary work on the "Physics Viewport" which is a web based launch pad for multiple types of video instructional material.

 

5. 9930 Scheduling Process - The 9930 scheduling process was discussed. No significant changes from the roll-over schedule were proposed.

 

6. Prerequisites and Corequisites - The task force felt that the prerequisite and corequisites currently used are appropriate and no changes should be made.

 

7. AF HPTH - The committee studying employing the highest priority to hire designation presented a brief report. They had created a formula for ranking AF. There was some discussion that the formula place too much weight to work experience. The topic will be taken up more fully at the December meeting.

 

8. EVP's questions regarding AF participation of TF - The task force responded to the Executive Vice Presidents questions regarding frequency and duration of TF meetings, and appropriate compensation for AF participation in TF.

 

9. AF certification - The TFL informed TF that the deadline for certifying new AF on the eligibility list is 12/1. Curretn committees were kept. Process will be carried out in November.

 

10. Other Items - The Task Force congratulated the Geology Faculty for the excellent Earth Science Week activities at ACC. Bob Blodgett was congratulated for his excellent work in being the driving force behind, and doing the leg work for the core sample and establishment of the first monitoring well on the Northern Edwards Aquifier at the NRG campus. Ron Johns and Jan Smith assisted ably, and Jan was especially congratulated for the excellent work she had done on the Geology Department brochure.

 

11. Strategic Planning Breakout Sessions - The Geology Plan was largely completed prior to this meeting. The AST/ENR/PSC group met, and identified strategic initiatives including the following:

 

1) Deep Sky Site

2) Optional lab component for AST 1623

3) Planetarium and Science Center

4) Greater involvement of Task Force in Faculty Development