A. Board of Trustees Report

1. McIlwain-Bell Awards Recipients

Support Staff - Mr. Julian Ptomey

Professional Staff - Mr. Richard Hester

Faculty – Dr. Walter Pittman

2. Budget & Finance Committee Report

The University ended FY 99 with a surplus of $843,000, which will be used for operating capital and reserves.

3. Athletic Committee Report

The Baseball pressbox with bathrooms, concession stands, and seating is in the process of being constructed.

The lights are being installed at the softball & recreation fields complex.

4. Land Uses and Facilities Committee Report

The University has purchased the Jackson property, formerly leased by the Delta Chi Fraternity.

The plans for the Bell Conference Center are progressing, with the anticipated completion date in 2002.

The discussion of the McConnell House was deferred until the next meeting.

5. President's Report

Dr. Roach presented plans for a Capital Campaign for the year 2000.

Technology 2000. This is associated with the Capital Campaign and is an effort to raise funds for the implementation of the e-Campus in Fall 2000. A brochure is being developed. The Board approved the plan.

6. Legislation/Discussion – Sedgefield Plantation

Dr. Pruitt presented a report on the proposal and showed a video of the property. Several students testified how their internships at Sedgefield had helped them. No action was taken since attorneys are still working on the details.

B. University Credit Union

No real progress has been made. Information is still being gathered.

C. Faculty Senate Online Discussion Forum

An Online Discussion Forum for faculty has been developed. The Forum may be accessed at http://www2.westal.edu/facsenate/home.html or http://www2.westal.edu/facsentate/FS_frm.htm

D. Report from Deans' Council

1. Orientation 2000

Honors Orientation will be combined with a regular session so students may be more involved.

There will be centralized advising locations in all colleges.

Off-duty faculty will be given a stipend to help with advising.

2. Honors Program

The University wants to increase participation in the program, with emphasis on getting more Biology Honors involved. Faculty will be asked to encourage students to enter the program. The Admission staff will also emphasize the benefits of the program to prospective students.

3. e-Campus

The Council was asked to review and provide input to the draft of the e-Campus brochure. Dr. Floyd pointed out that all freshman students in Fall 2000 would need to have access to a computer. Dr. Floyd distributed a handout that gives minimum specifications for computers that students should purchase.

4. Faculty Workload Policy

An introductory paragraph has been added to indicate that the policy is to provide general guidelines for determining faculty load and chairs are not expected to calculate specifically each faculty's workload each term. It is only to be used where there is a problem or someone may feel that he/she has an excessive load. The policy will be in the new Handbook.

5. Grade Change Policy

The new policy will be in the Handbook. The University's attorney has reviewed the policy.

6. Course Number System

The University Academic Council has asked each department to look at the numbering system to see what needs to be updated. Current courses that do not follow the numbering logic should be corrected by the next UAC meeting, which is March 2, 2000. All University Academic Council Templates for Proposed Curriculum Changes are due to uac@univ.westal.edu by February 11, 2000.

7. Academic Advising & Two Year Course Schedule

Advisors are to contact the respective dean when students need to be placed in a developmental course that may be full.

Students who are pre-registered do not have to return to campus on Registration Day.

The calendars for 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 will be posted by Summer Semester.

8. Alabama Public Television Proposal

The University has an opportunity to get an APT station. A concept paper is being prepared for presentation to the Legislature in February.

E. Campus Pipeline Software

The University has received positive feedback from faculty who participated in the online demonstration and discussion. It is hoped Campus Pipeline will be implemented by June 2000.

F. Meeting with Colleges

Dr. Floyd will be attending the College meetings with Dr. Roach and Dr. Taylor.

G. Learning Resources Center Expansion

Dr. Floyd reported that due to lack of funding for a new facility, the University might expand the current facility in the hope that the expansion would be sufficient for twenty years. He asked Dr. Snider to make comments.

Dr. Snider stated that he and Dr. Taylor had discussed the expansion concept and that they agreed on the following points: (1) a building committee should be appointed to look at the expansion concept; (2) the building committee should see how the first floor of the current building could be re-configured, since the trend in reference books and bound journals is electronic; and (3) the building committee should establish priorities for the best utilization of the total footage in the expanded LRC concept.

H. Learning Resources Center Automation

Dr. Snider announced that the automation system is operating and the OPEC can be accessed on the LRC's home page.

I. Laptops in the Classroom Conference

Dr. Floyd and Mr. Stewart will attend the conference in Orlando, Florida, February 3-4.

J. Technology Advancement

Dr. Floyd stated that the University is moving forward in technology. Recently, the University had a conference call with an IBM representative regarding student leases.

Dr. Schellhammer asked Dr. Floyd to find out if the University can get site licensing for Word Perfect.

K. The University Club

will hold a Spring Barn Party on February 25th and a Deck Party at Tartt Field on April 15th. Dr. Floyd encouraged faculty to join the University Club.

L. Other

Mr. Smith expressed concern about the drop in enrollment. There was discussion but no action taken.

V. Adjournment