Thursday, September 24, 1998
SS115, 2:00 p.m.

PRESENT:  Karen Dewey, Dave Eisler, Judy Elsley, Bruce Handley, Thom Kuehls, Judith Mitchell - Vice Chair, Diane Pugmire, Candadai Seshachari - Chair, Alden Talbot, Kay Brown - Secretary.

EXCUSED:  President Thompson, and Monica Mize

INFORMATION

A portion of the agenda for the conference in Park City, AWhat is an Educated Person,@will accommodate discussion of the CAAP requirement as a result of the action of the Board of Regents and the mandating of using CAAP in some capacity for all state colleges and universities.

STUDENTS ON SCHOLARSHIPS

Faculty need to work with students who have accepted scholarships for their talents, and skills. They are frequently required to leave the campus for forensic tournaments, musical or drams productions, athletic events, etc.

STUDENT SERVICES

Vice President, Anand Dyal-Chand expressed the desire of Student Services and faculty working closer together. Student Services goals for the year: (1) Enhance the educational value of building cooperative partnerships with the academic sector, particularly the faculty; (2) Each Student Services department shall perform its educational responsibilities based upon recognized professional standards and national best practices; (3) Provide effective services and programs to all students on our campus.

OPEN HOUR

Concern was expressed that Open Hour has been student run without faculty involvement. Students would like to bring faculty in and link what is happening in the classroom to Open Hour.

BOOKSTORE

Anand Dyal-Chand is putting together an advisory committee for the Bookstore. Dr. Seshachari suggested three names to serve on the advisory committee: Doris Geide-Stevenson, Michelle Heward, and Bob Hogge.

TESTING CENTER

Faculty from the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences are meeting with Anand Dyal-Chand, Toni Weight, and the Director of the Testing Center, Wayne Flitton. They will discuss the issues surrounding the Testing Center, particularly students waiting in lines to take tests. Adjustments will be made to accommodate students for Fall Semester finals.

CAAP

The Regents are pursuing the use of the CAAP (College Assessment of Academic Proficiency) test as a pilot for the assessment of general education courses. We are not, however, required to administer the entire CAAP. The CAAP is done by the same organization that does the ACT. This may be one indicator among multiple indicators for how we look at the manner in which general education is conducted. We need to look at a process that makes sense and has the support of faculty and the Faculty Senate. Our proposed plan for the use of CAAP testing is due by November 12.

The following names were recommended by the Executive Committee to serve on the College Assessment of Academic Proficiency Subcommittee: Julie Arbuckle, Richard Beatch, Jim Foster or Lee Badger, Sue Harley or Gene Bozniak, Judith Mitchell and John Schwiebert.

ENROLLMENT

Budget related FTE is down about 7%. Total budget related headcount is down about 2%.

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE

Judy Elsley and Michael White reported information on the First Year Experience Program. One hundred students started with the program three years ago. This year seven hundred students will participate in the program. The profile of the FYE student almost identically matches the profile of the traditional student at Weber State. At the heart of their program is the Introduction to the University course which helps students deal with study skills, resources on campus, career planning, and health and wellness issues. They also offer clusters of classes.

Faculty interested in teaching courses in FYE clusters can contact Judy Elsley or Michael White.

By the end of 1995-96, FYE students had earned higher cumulative grade point averages and had higher retention rates than WSU first year students who were not in the FYE Program. Students in the program say that making friends and getting to know other students through clustered courses are the most positive aspects of the FYE Program.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Side walks
Faculty renewing parking permits,

ADJOURN

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.