October 23, 2018

Attendees: James Marquart,  Arne Almquist, Katrina Brent, Dan French, Derina Holtzhausen, Lynn Maurer, Brenda Nichols, Joe Nordgren, and Victor Zaloom.

I.  Approval of Dean’s Council Minutes dated October 9, 2018  

   The minutes of the Academic Dean meeting, dated October 9, 2018, were approved as written.

II. GUEST: Deidra Mayer
     RE: Self-Reported Test Scores

Ruffalo Noel Levitz was here last month and did some industry benchmarking, looking at admission standards. One concern is our completion ratio; how many applications come in and how quickly we complete them. There was discussion on auto admit for the top 10% students. These students would be automatically admitted and then put on hold until the scores come in. The benefits and risks involved with self-reported test scores were discussed.  The official scores would still be required, but it would be post admission. 

Deidra presented the Motion: I motion that admissions operations begin accepting self-reported test scores for all undergraduate applicants, effective immediately. Motion accepted by Victor Zaloom, seconded by Lynn Maurer.  All in favor, and the motion carried.

 III. Brenda Nichols

• Syllabus Statement – Mental Health
• The Student Government Association developed a statement regarding mental health issues and resources that they are requesting be placed on all syllabi. Copies were distributed for review and approval. Any objections need to be communicated prior to it being taken to Faculty Senate.
• A motion is going to the November Board of Regent’s meeting to participate with Barnes & Noble on First Class Day books. If a student signs up for a class it will give them a link to order the book. If it’s available electronically, the student will receive the book electronically to have for the first day of class and the cost would be added to their account. This would allow student loans to include these books. Not all publishers have signed up for this yet. The BOR motion says the maximum cost of an online book purchased this way is $125. The pilot for this will begin in summer 2019. Brenda will send this information out so it can be shared with department chairs. In addition, it will be discussed with SGA, Faculty Senate, and CID in advance.  
• Book orders are due this Thursday for the spring 2019 semester. Please communicate to faculty and department chairs we are violating the Lamar contract with Barnes & Noble if they put a link to a publisher on their syllabus.  

IV.  Request to Turn Off the Tenure Clock

A request presented to the Provost to turn off the tenure clock for a period of two years was discussed with the academic deans. Deans were asked to evaluate the request and approve or decline.  The request was approved by unanimous decision.  

V.  Hiring

    Any requests for new hires need to include a plan and rationale for the position attached to the request.

VI. BISD

Dr. Marquart, Frank Newton, and Dean Spina attended another conference with BISD officials last week regarding the Charter School. At this time, they are still waiting on BISD consultants to get back with them.

VII.  OTHER:

Dr. Marquart

• An enrollment retreat for Dean's Council is being planned with Noel Levitz on December 18th.
  
• Greg Marsh is working on data dashboards for each area and that information will be available soon.
• Family & Consumer Sciences just finished their Culinary Arts Certificate accreditation visit.
• A meeting is scheduled with Dean Maurer and Dr. Bernazzani to finalize who will be moving in to the new Science and Technology building.
• Deans encouraged to check their Argos reports to get more students in for spring.
• Requests for travel, especially foreign travel, needs to be contained. If going out of country, student recruitment plans need to be included.

Victor Zaloom 

Follow up given on the results of the recent ABET re-accreditation visit for Engineering. It was announced at the exit interview that Lamar had 2 weaknesses (out of possible 40) that will require a 30-day response after the official notification is received at the end of November.

Arne Almquist

Four security training sessions by LU Police were held for Library staff, faculty, and student workers recently.  The goal is to have everyone in the Library complete this training.

VIII.  Adjourn 

          The meeting was adjourned at 2:45pm.