Advising Coordinating Committee
Thursday, May 11, 2006
11:00 a.m. - BUS 215
ATTENDING:
Advising & Transfer Services: John Mortensen (conducting), Michelle Bogdan, Susan Haddock, Stephanie Hamblin, Tracy Jones, Wade Oliver, Renee Tuke
College of Agriculture: Lisa Allen, Juanita Hunting, Cathy Myers-Roche
College of Business: Ruth Harrison, Joslyn Heiniger, Megan Ralphs
College of Education & Human Services: Tressa Haderlie, Melanie Jones, Karen Ranson, Mary Lou Reynolds, Denise Taylor
College of Engineering: Kathy Bayn, Carolyn Krebs
College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences: Reid Furniss, Lynne Slade
College of Natural Resources: Kristy Hodson, Maureen Wagner
College of Science: Geri Child, Dan Coster, Claudia Mora, Karalee Ransom, Dennis Welker
Distance Education: Blanding (Mark Bradford), Brigham City, Ephraim, Moab (Sam Sturman), Roosevelt, Tooele
Multicultural Student Services: Sam Curley
Registrar’s Office: Jessica Hansen, Bill Jensen
Student-Athletic Services: Shukria King
Excused: Becki Broadbent, Peter Kolesar, Betty Murri, Deborah Reece, Tami Spackman, Roland Squire, Eric Worthen, Sue Young
MINUTES
1. Banner 7 Demonstration
Thanks to Liz Kefauver for providing an overview of Banner 7. Users must download Java Runtime in order to access the new version, which is basically the same. Significant enhancements on some forms will be apparent, and many forms will now have a tabbed interface and will allow users to move between groups or blocks of information easily. Due to security issues, the timed out feature will still be in effect.
2. Accessing SIS Plus Information Using Discoverer
SIS Plus information may be accessed through the data warehouse using Discoverer. Using Discoverer Viewer, advisors can view information such as transcripts and other SIS Plus information, thanks to Trevor Bennett. Advisors may also be able to run reports created by John Mortensen, Susie Parkinson, or other users. An application for access to Discoverer is attached. Advisors may return applications to John, who will sign the application and forward it to the Registrar’s Office.
3. UAOA Conference Update
The Utah Advising and Orientation Association conference will be held on May 24 and 25 at the Park City Marriott. There are about 240 registered participants, which is more than have ever attended the conference. Therefore, more sessions will be held to accommodate the group. Registration is still open, but hotel accommodations at the Marriott are filled. Their reservation desk can refer you to another location.
4. USU Advising Conference Update
“Advising for Our Times” is the theme for the annual USU Advising Conference to be held on August 15 and 16. Glenn Kepic, who was recently elected to the NACADA Council, is our keynote speaker and will address parent issues. Proposals for presentations are due June 16. Contact Deborah Reece (deborah.reece@usu.edu) or Becki Broadbent (rebecca.broadbent@usu.edu) if you need further information regarding proposals or agenda.
5. Math Placement Exams
Claudia Mora from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics reiterated the three proposals:
(1) A mandatory math placement test would be required for all incoming students who scored less than 23 on the ACT Math exam, or less than 540 on the SAT Math exam. In addition, a week-long refresher course would be offered in the fall.
The failure rate of Math 1010 (42% in Fall ’05), along with the repeat rate for this course (23% repeating a second time and 36% repeating a third time) is the justification for this proposal. Benefits of the placement test include giving the student a better sense of their skills, building confidence as they experience success in prerequisite courses, and avoiding the frustration and expense of repeating. The advisors were in favor of this proposal.
(2) Students would be required to meet the QL requirement by their sophomore year or a hold would be placed on their record.
Justification of this policy is that students would meet this requirement before their skills become rusty. However, a different incentive other than a hold might be more effective. Not allowing junior status until the requirement is met was one suggestion, but according to Bill Jensen, Banner only uses the number of credits earned to determine class standing, so this suggestion is not viable. It was suggested that perhaps each department could include Math 1050 as a prerequisite to their courses. However, since some departments, such as Journalism, do not require math, this suggestion is questionable. Questions still remain about the procedure for releasing the holds. In summary, the advisors were not in favor of this proposal as it currently stands.
(3) For classes and placement, a one-year time limit would be placed on prerequisites.
The five-day refresher courses for Math 1050 and for Calculus were applauded, but for now they will only be offered before Fall semester. Due to funding, the course will not be available for Distance Education. Transfer students will have the option to register for the refresher course. However, budgetary issues will limit the number of classes offered. The advisors were generally in favor of this proposal.
6. Banner Overrides
Bill Jensen explained the recent changes for overrides. Advisors and instructors can initiate overrides for fall. Special overrides have been built for each restriction for summer semester. Special approval items require the dean or department head to sign. Capacity (class filled) normally requires the instructor’s signature for override. Following is a list of which screens to use for various overrides.
In General, the “Advisor” override will override all of the following registration restrictions: Major, College, Level, Class, Degree, Co-requisites, and Prerequisites. In addition, overrides are also available for each of the following individual elements: Capacity, Class, College, Co-requisites, Degree, Level, Links, Major, Prerequisites, and Program.
7. SOAR Update
A record number of students, a total of 2000 which is 500 more than last year at this time, are signed up for SOAR. Lisa Hancock will supply a list of students by college a week before each SOAR date so that advisors will be prepared for advising sessions. She will also try to inform you of any walk-in students on each scheduled SOAR day.
8. Other
The location for ACC meeting for next year has not been determined. It was suggested that the time be changed to Thursdays at 10:30 which would better accommodate class schedules.
CALENDAR
May 24-25 Utah Advising & Orientation Conference in Park City
August 15 New Advisor Orientation
August 16 USU Advising Conference
Oct. 18-21 NACADA National Conference in Indianapolis
SOAR ADVISING (All advising sessions begin at 1:30 PM)
May 19 One-Day
May 22 One-Day
June 16 One-Day and Outdoor
June 19 One-Day
June 20 One-Day
June 22 Two-Day
June 27 One-Day
June 28 One-Day
July 6 One-Day
July 7 One-Day
July 11 One-Day