Minutes of the University Committee
for June 8, 1999

The Committee met at 10:35 in 262 CART. Members present were Tim Fossum, Laura Gellott, Fran Kavenik, James Kinchen, and Lee Van Dyke. Also present were Larry Duetsch and Ron Singer.

Professor Kinchen MOVED (SECONDED by Professor Van Dyke) that the Committee approve the May 1999 and August 1999 graduates that are certified by the Office of the Registrar. MOTION APPROVED unanimously.

The Committee discussed the (seemingly) contradictory information that has been circulated regarding the impact of the special Madison Initiative now being considered in the Legislature. It was agreed that clarification of the status (and consequences) of the Initiative should be sought from State Senator Plache's office.

Associate Vice Chancellor Singer and the Committee discussed the Dual Admissions Agreement that Chancellor Keating recently entered into with the President of the College of Lake County. The members of the Committee felt strongly that the Agreement should have undergone review by the Academic Policies Committee prior to signing and asked the Professor Kavenik to convey their view to the Chancellor. Discussion then turned to a review of alternate means of waiving out-of-state tuition for Illinois residents who would enroll under the Agreement. The Associate Vice Chancellor agreed to provide a summary report on the current (and projected) utilization of tuition waivers.

The Associate Vice Chancellor and the Committee discussed the possibility that early this Summer the Committee on Academic Planning might approve a request for entitlement to plan a M.S. in Computer and Information Systems. Professor Fossum made a case for expeditious handling of a such a recommendation. Members of the Committee indicated that they would be willing to act on such a recommendation on behalf of the Faculty Senate, should the need arise.

Professor Singer left the meeting and the Executive Director of Academic Support Programs, Diana Sharp, joined the meeting.

Professor Van Dyke and other members of the Committee expressed the view that, to improve retention, more needs to be done to involve faculty in the advising of undecided entering students. Ms. Sharp welcomed the Committee's input in this regard. Several members of the Committee suggested that the Faculty Senate be asked to create a Committee on Advising, similar to the Committee on Teaching. It was also suggested that the professional staff in the Advising Center should arrange meetings with each academic department to increase communication - perhaps at the rate of one department per month - and should schedule a brown-bag series for discussion of advising issues. The focus of attention then turned to Ms. Sharp's tentative plans to meet student needs in the Advising Center during the 1999-2000 academic year. The Committee generally supported Ms. Sharp's plans for assignment of responsibilities during the coming year and asked to be consulted again as longer-term plans were developed, which she agreed to do.

Ms. Sharp left the meeting.

Professor Kinchen strongly urged the Committee to work toward Faculty Senate review of Administrative Policy #54 - "Policies and Procedures Regarding Discrimination and Discriminatory Harrassment...." In his judgement, this document needs to be reviewed, clarified, and strengthened. It was agreed that this matter would be taken up at the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30.