Note: At times, issues of confidentiality may require that some items discussed in these meetings be excluded from these minutes.

Members: Bill Barnes, Dave Caudill, Tom Currin, Alan Gabrielli, Steve Hamrick, Ruston Hunt, Joyce Mills, Jeff Orr, Nikki Palamiotis, Jeffrey Ray, Han Reichgelt, Zvi Szafran

Members Absent:

Guests:

Item 1. Updates

Dr. Szafran updated the Council on the following:

Discussed the Regents’ decision to postpone the engineering for University of Georgia vote. A copy of the Governor’s speech from the Board meeting was circulated.

Other items from the Board of Regents that will affect us in some way:

§ RPG focus still on – the funding formula may change to emphasize number of graduates more.

§ It was emphasized that capital budgets for future construction will be insufficient to meet all needs; alternatives must be found, including more online/bigger classes

§ The method for paying extra compensation to faculty will likely change, due to some concerns by auditors.

§ Mandatory ethics training – campuses must comply, and individuals who don’t will face sanctions.

§ The project to verify dependents in the USG has saved real money; about 7% were found to be not eligible

New Faculty – going forward with full list; budget will clarify how far we can go in actually completing searches. Advertising has been approved. Discussed some procedure changes.
Mid-term grades – only one faculty member has not reported

Item 2. Strategic Planning

Discussed new programs as to where we want the University’s academic programs to be in five years. Suggestions:

DPS
Masters in all engineering disciplines
Biomedical ET
Education including an MAT
MS Arch
Bachelor of Environmental Design, Landscape, Urbanism, Interior Architecture
Geo-spatial Masters
Alternative Energy
Industrial Engineering Masters
Manufacturing
Doctorate in E.T. Education
Engineering Physics
Media Arts
Music Technology
Engineering Design Graphics

Item 3. New Business

Discussed issue of allowing students to withdraw when they have holds on their records

Meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.