The Academic Council met at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 9, 2002, in the Deans' Conference Room of Derryberry Hall. Dr. Jann Cupp, Chairperson, presided at the meeting.

The following members of the Council were present:

Prof. Rebecca Tolbert
Dr. Don Elkins
Dr. Jack Armistead
Dr. Susan Elkins
Dr. Winston Walden
Dr. Robert Niebuhr
Mr. Hunter Hughes
Dr. John Harris
Dr. Sharon Whitney
Dr. Mark Stephens
Dr. Christine Miller
Dr. Jann Cupp
Dr. David Larimore
Dr. Ed Griggs
Dr. Roger Haggard
Prof. Tara Watson
Dr. Jeff Roberts
Dr. Brian O'Connor
Dr. Corinne Darvennes
Dr. Gretta Stanger
Prof. Ken Hunter
Dr. Linda Null
Prof. Ray Jordan
Ms. Yvonne Gribble and Dr. Francis Otuonye attended as resource persons.

The following members of the Council were absent:

Dr. Roy Loutzenheiser
Dr. Darrell Garber
Ms. Carie Harrington
Mr. Mike Palumbo
Ms. Jessica Whitehead
Dr. Ben Byler
Dr. Cathy Cunningham
Prof. Gail Stearman
Dr. Katherine Osburn

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS

1. Approved the agenda.

2. Approved the minutes of the September 4 meeting.

4.  Received a report from the subcommittee studying the wording of "I's" and "W's" in the catalog.

5.  Received an update on admissions standards and RODP.

PROCEEDINGS

Approval of the Agenda

Mr. Hughes MOVED approval of the agenda, Professor Tolbert SECONDED the motion, and the agenda was APPROVED.

Approval of the Minutes of the September 4 Meeting

Dr. Harris MOVED approval of the minutes of the September 4 meeting, Dr. Darvennes SECONDED the motion, and the minutes were APPROVED as posted on the web site.

Review of Freshman Progress Reports

Professor Tolbert provided a brief history of the Freshman Progress Report, which began as the Mid-term Progress Report in 1995 and which called for periodic reviews by the Council. Information distributed prior to the meeting indicated a rise in the number of faculty reporting to the current level of about 76 percent. Dr. O'Connor MOVED to continue the Freshman Progress Report as it is, and Mr. Hughes SECONDED the motion. It was clarified that the motion did not include a time limit. The motion CARRIED by a unanimous vote.

Professor Tolbert stated that this issue is over, but the issue of how to be more assistive to first-year students will be brought to the Council at a later meeting. Dr. Barker said we should be doing everything we can to raise our retention rate from the current 71 or 72 percent not only because THEC is looking at changing the funding formula by moving from numbers to retention, but because it demonstrates that we are a caring campus.

Such Other Matters

Progress Report from Subcommittee on Catalog Wording of "W" and "I" Grades

Dr. O'Connor, chairperson, reported that the committee composed of himself, Yvonne Gribble, Linda Null, and Roy Loutzenheiser has met three times to look at the wording, "has not been able to complete the last 2-3 weeks of the course requirements" that was inserted in the 2002 catalog under the heading of "Grade of I (Incomplete)." At this point, the committee is leaning toward recommending that the withdrawal date be moved later to the Friday of advisement week. The committee is also working to clear up the wording in the catalog about the meaning of each grade. Dr. O'Connor requested that a student be appointed to the committee and that Council members give the committee input.

Update of Admissions Standards and RODP

Dr. Barker said that as part of THEC's Plan of Action, the universities are supposed to increase admissions standards and report their plans to TBR by May 1 about what they will do and how they will do it. The Admissions and Credits Committee will be asked to address this issue.

Dr. Susan Elkins distributed and discussed a handout showing what has transpired in the RODP program since Fall 2001. Included in the handout is information about degrees, enrollment, majors, courses, faculty, and campus committees. Dr. Elkins and Dr. Barker responded to questions about the program.

Adjournment

The meeting was ADJOURNED at 3:55 p.m.