Advising Coordinating Committee


Thursday, March 10, 2005

11:00 a.m. - Merrill Library 204

MINUTES

In Attendance: John Mortensen (conducting), Becki Broadbent, Linda Woertendyke, Dennis Welker, Krystin Deschamps, Stephanie Hamblin, Susan Haddock, Trisha Butterfield, Lisa Hancock, Jana Kay Lunstad, Mary Leavitt, Irene McInerney, Susan Parkinson, Alene Alder Range, Sophie Bassett, Lisa Hamblin, Mary Lou Reynolds, Christine Lord, Marilyn Kruse, Susan Ericksen, Lisa Allen, Carol Sainsbury, Wade Oliver, Emily Hoffman, Betty Murri, Geri Child, Margaret Garr, Susie Maughan, Sylvia Robinson, Tressa Haderlie, Karen Ranson, Kristy Hodson, Maureen Wagner, Ruth Harrison, Megen Ralphs, Isobell Roskelley, Fawn Groves, Marcia Roberts, Jan Pichette, Cathy Meyes-Roche, Heidi Beck, Terri Gass, Eric Worthen, Janalee Johnson, Myra Cook, Harry Heap, Peter Kolesar, Darcie Peterson, Juanita Hunting

In Attendance: John Mortensen (conducting), Lisa Allen, Sophie Bassett, Heidi Beck, Becki Broadbent, Trisha Butterfield, Geri Child, Myra Cook, Krystin Deschamps, Susan Ericksen, Margaret Garr, Terri Gass, Fawn Groves, Susan Haddock, Tressa Haderlie, Lisa Hamblin, Stephanie Hamblin, Lisa Hancock, Ruth Harrison, Harry Heap, Kristy Hodson, Emily Hoffman, Juanita Hunting, Janalee Johnson, Joyce Kinkead, Peter Kolesar, Marilyn Kruse, Mary Leavitt, Christine Lord, Jana Kay Lunstad, Susie Maughan, Irene McInerney, Betty Murri, Cathy Myers-Roche, Wade Oliver, Susan Parkinson, Darcie Peterson, Jan Pichette, Megen Ralphs, Alene Alder Range, Karen Ranson, Mary Lou Reynolds, Marcia Roberts, Sylvia Robinson, Isobel Roskelley, Carol Sainsbury, Maureen Wagner, Dennis Welker, Linda Woertendyke, Eric Worthen

Extension Sites Participating: Blanding, Brigham City, Ephraim, Moab

Excused: Rachel Lewis, Suzie Stones

Announcement

Margaret Garr was introduced as the new advisor for Intensive English.

1. Diplomas at Graduation

Sydney Peterson informed us that diplomas will not be handed out at graduation, and that more time and effort will be devoted to the December ceremonies. The new graduation website is up (www.usu.edu/commencement) and should be very helpful; also, information will be delivered to departments today. An email has been sent to students, and a flyer was sent to the faculty.

2. CIL Concerns

Seniors who have not completed the CIL requirement are the main concern. The object of the exam is to help students gain the technical skills necessary to make them successful at USU, not to prepare them for employment. Stacie Gomm asked for suggestions to motivate students to take CIL their first semester or at least their first year. Among suggestions already offered are charging an additional fee after 37 credits, perhaps as much as $130. If the requirement is met the first semester, a refund of $100 would be given; $50 would be refunded if the course is completed he second semester. Please email Staci (staci.gomm@usu.edu) with your suggestions.

3. Interdisciplinary Studies Major

Joyce Kinkead indicated that management of this degree program has become an issue. The degree needs to have substance and not just be used as an exit strategy. Jana Kay Lunstad has taken the responsibility for initial screening and quality control by directing students to existing majors and advising about the appropriateness of the IS degree. General consensus of ACC is to retain the capstone component but to secure funding to manage the thesis/senior project (perhaps similar to honors contracts). The Council of Associate Deans has suggested the possibility of a General Studies degree. Models of programs at other institutions are being sought and studied.

4. Major Fair Follow-up and Feedback

Jana Kay Lunstad reported that 52 departments/programs participated in the Fair; 50 evaluations were received. Ratings were high except for the student traffic issue; the length of the Fair was also a question. Including local high school students next year and scheduling it for Fall Semester was suggested to increase the number of students attending. Planning for next year’s event will begin now; plans are to hold an annual Fair.

5. SOAR (Scholar’s Day)

Lisa Hancock reported that 160 scholars stayed overnight and attended the abbreviated SOAR program on Tuesday morning. University requirements were presented, and the A-Team reviewed the catalog and schedule of classes. These students are now able to complete the SOAR requirement online.

6. Early SOAR

Early SOAR is to accommodate students who are eager to get their schedule finished now and for those who will be unavailable due to summer work schedules. April 15 and 22 and May 13 and 20 are the scheduled dates for Early SOAR. Sessions are capped at 50 students and are like the one-day orientation without workshops. Prospective students are notified about SOAR when they receive their acceptance letter to the University. There is a need to include extension students in the program; a process is being refined.

7. UAOA Conference

“Making a Difference” is the theme for the annual conference to be held Wednesday and Thursday, May 25 and 26 at The Park City Marriott. Registration fee is $85 ($60 for one day) and is due May 5, 2005. An agenda and other details are available on the following website: www.weber.edu/uaoa.

8. Junior College Visits

Advisors have joined the Admissions staff in visiting some of the local junior colleges. These visits are a great opportunity for USU to present itself to prospective students. The visits to SLCC and CEU proved very productive. Since there is a shortage of representation, the Ephraim site volunteered to have people at Snow College on March 22 to assist; Rachel Lewis will contact Dan Adams. The visit to Dixie State is scheduled for March 25.

9. Banner Issues

A committee has been meeting to address security concerns. John Mortensen indicated that advisors will have access to view the records of ALL students. However, faculty who are not defined as an advisor will need the student’s pin number to access records. Department Heads or a designee needs to take responsibility to inform John of who needs “Advisor” access. Plans are for security to be in place within two weeks. The March 24 advisor workshop will be a Banner question and answer session. Lisa Hancock is preparing orientation sessions for current students. Rachel Lewis will go to Vernal for give training within the next two weeks.

Other

Thanks in large part to Lisa Hancock, the cluster website is up and functioning; ongoing improvement will be made.

We welcome Roland Squires as the new CAPP specialist. We look forward to his expertise; he has been the Director of IT and Public Safety for the State of Utah. Mr. Squires begins work at USU on Monday.


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