Advising Coordinating Committee


Thursday, October 13, 2005

11:00 a.m. - Merrill Library Room 204

ATTENDING

University Advising & Transfer Services: John Mortensen (conducting), Becki Broadbent, Susan Haddock, Stephanie Hamblin, Lisa Hancock, Wade Oliver, Deborah Reece, Renee Tuke

College of Agriculture: Lisa Allen, Emily Hoffman, Juanita Hunting, Cathy Myers-Roche, Tami Spackman, Eric Worthen

College of Business: Peggy Buttars, Megen Ralphs, Sue Young

College of Education & Human Services: Dawn Black, Tressa Haderlie, Marilyn Kruse, Darcie Peterson, Mary Lou Reynolds, Denise Taylor

College of Engineering: Sophie Bassett

College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences: Kathryn Fitzgerald, Reid Furniss, Susan Parkinson

College of Natural Resources: Kristy Hodson, Maureen Wagner

College of Science: Geri Child, Myra Cook, Liz Heffernan, Janalee Johnson, Peter Kolesar, Karalee Ransom, Dennis Welker

Distance Education: Blanding (Mark Bradford), Brigham City, Ephraim, Logan (Heather Thomas), Moab (Amanda Holyoak, Sam Sturman), Price (Laurie Culbreth), Salt Lake City, Tooele (Brandon Boulter), Uintah Basin (Steve Child, Josh Hunter, Bob Peterson, Dave Woolstenhulme)

Disability Resource Center: Christine Lord

Honors Program: Danene Dustin

Multicultural Student Services: Fawn Groves

Registrar’s Office: Krystin Deschamps, Roland Squire

Student-Athlete Services: Shukria King

Excused: Kathy Bayn, Ronnie Green, Melanie Jones, Spencer Watts

MINUTES

1. English 2010 Pilot Program – Brock Dethier

Brock Dethier, Assistant Professor, English Department, introduced a new focus for English 2010 beginning Spring Semester. In addition to the basic research writing requirements, the specific reading material will enable students to reflect on and respond to poetry and prose written by authors associated with the Beat Generation (an era after WW II through the 1950’s). Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg are two of the most influential writers of this period. Since all students will not be interested in specialized sections, advisors should make students aware of these three classes: Carey Emmons, ENG 2010-032 TR 1:30-2:45; Robb Kunz, ENG 2010-043 TR 3:00-4:15; and Susan Nyikos, ENG 2010-005 TR 9:00-10:15. Depending on student response to this specialization, other such interests may be included in English 2010 next fall.

2. Split Forms – Heidi Beck

Whereas SIS Plus followed the level of the student, and now Banner follows the level of the course, a new policy regarding split forms is being proposed at Academic Standards on 10/14/05. Upon approval, the current policy on pages 57 and 95 of the Catalog will be replaced with: “Courses numbered 0010 through 4990 will be posted to an undergraduate transcript. Courses numbered 6000 through 7990 will be posted to a graduate transcript. Courses numbered 5000 through 5990 will be posted to either an undergraduate or graduate transcript based on the primary program level of the student. In cases where an undergraduate has taken a graduate level course that is required for program completion, a form will need to be submitted to the registrar’s office, requesting that the course be posted to the undergraduate transcript. Please see your undergraduate advisor for help with filing the appropriate form. In cases where a graduate student has taken an undergraduate level course as part of the approved program of study, a form will need to be submitted to the registrar’s office, requesting that the course(s) be posted to the graduate transcript. Please see your graduate advisor for help with filing the appropriate form.” Roland Squire informed us that an online form is forthcoming.

3. New Fee/Deadline Structure for Graduation Applications – Heidi Beck

Beginning Spring 2006, service fees will be assessed as follows and are not subject to being waived. (1) Students who apply in the semester of their graduation will be assessed a $50 application fee. (2) Students who apply prior to the semester of their graduation will be assessed a $10 application fee. This new policy is trying to evade the one-day deadline as well as the $100 late fee. Currently, the late fee is most often waived with either a good memo from colleges or a convincing email from the student. By definition, a semester officially ends on the last day of finals.

Heidi Beck offered additional information regarding Banner. Prior to November 1, transcripts are not to be shared with students, because they are inaccurate. Please report by email to heidi.beck@usu.edu regarding any discrepancies in GPA, repeated courses, remedial courses, and missing courses. Include both Social Security number and A-number for the student record in question. Regarding posting of degrees, associate degrees will never show on Banner. CAPP (degree evaluation) will give appropriate information. Banner degree audit for graduation applications will be functional “when the University reaches a level of comfort”. Email questions regarding this to roland.squire@usu.edu. There is still some concern about AP credits in Banner. Heidi and John will get together to figure out where we stand on this. Banner transcripts will show renewals, repeats, and transfers but no count of attempted hours (IMS information after Fall ’96).

4. National Student Exchange – Noelle Call

The National Student Exchange is a highly recommended program for students who wish to broaden perspectives, enroll in specialized courses or unique academic options, and meet new people. Noelle informed us there are 177 colleges and universities in our consortium which includes the United States, U.S. territories and Canadian provinces. NSE is a cost effective exchange program where students pay resident tuition/fees to the host campus or pay the normal tuition/fees to their home university. Tuition waivers, financial aid and scholarships can be applied to the program. You may participate in NSE for a single term or a full academic year. Applications are made through Noelle Call or Katherine Godfrey, TSC 305. Students are placed by March 1. Annually, 97% of the applicants are placed at one of their campus choices. Among those not eligible for the program are student teachers, nursing students, and art (ceramics) majors.

5. Course Cluster Website Demonstration – John Mortensen

Clusters will be available every semester. The website for Spring is online as of 10/12/05. Advisors should familiarize themselves with the process by going to www.usu.edu/SOAR and clicking the Enrollment Confirmation link. Navigate through the system, giving requested information. Establishing a USU email account is an important step; full instructions on this process are given. The University deposit cannot yet be submitted electronically. Students need to print the PDF form and mail it with their check for $100. Next, sign up for a date—the Spring SOAR dates are November 14 and 15. A 124 index determines Honors eligibility for Fall. When AP scores are filled in, the program equates the exam to a breadth area to avoid any duplication of general education requirements that may have already been met. However, concurrent enrollment must be checked manually. When a major is requested, the website asks if it is the same major or a different major from that listed on their application. If different, the A-team will call the student. The course cluster is based on major and AP courses. Eventually, the system will show the cumulative schedule. Adjustments will be made as necessary. The final screen shows all the information which has been entered, and the student submits it. The information goes into an Access database where it can be viewed by SOAR. For students with no internet access, instruction is given to call the SOAR office. While on the website, a student must complete the entire process because their entries will not be saved until the end. There are no USU 1300 classes listed in the Spring Schedule of Classes, but one section is being offered: MWF 11:30-12:20 (CNR 24219). Please pencil in this into your Schedule when you get it.

6. Student E-mail Lists – John Mortensen

Advisors need to go in and update student records in Banner to list current advisor. It is now possible to send more regular emails to students. Lisa Hancock prepares a weekly announcement update which is forwarded to Freshmen Connections and Honors Programs students through A-team mentors with personalized messages. These announcements will now be sent to advisors. Advisors may modify these e-mails and add a personal note to their advisees.

7. NACADA Opportunities – John Mortensen

Please be aware there is money out there which has not been used in the past. Anyone wishing to pursue a Masters or PhD should consider using NACADA as a resource. More information is available at www.nacada.ksu.edu.

8. Outstanding New Advisor Award, Outstanding Advising Program Award – John Mortensen

October 31 is the deadline for nominations for these awards. The criteria are the same as established by NACADA; please refer to their website for details. “New” is defined as less than three years as of March 2006. John will work with nominees to prepare their materials; i.e. portfolio, etc.

9. Update on Graduation Guarantee Program – Wade Oliver

Wade reviewed the Procedure Chart for this program, emphasizing that the Advisor sends the Contract Course Plan to Wade through campus mail (UATS 0114), but the student needs to schedule an appointment. Both the Advisor and UATS should check each student’s registration status each semester. The guarantee does not necessitate graduation in four years; in fact, transfer students can apply. There are currently 60 to 70 students in the program, mostly Elementary Education and Special Education student. Check the website at www.usu.edu/graduate to see a listing of participating departments. The goal is to graduate students on time, which has always been the case for those in the program. In the event this does not happen, departments are not liable for the tuition.

10. Banner Training Needs – John Mortensen

Due to the decreasing number of individuals needing SSB training, each department is authorized to train new employees themselves. For INB training, please contact either Stephanie Hamblin or Deborah Reece in UATS to schedule a training session. These training sessions will be for groups only; we prefer no one-on-one sessions.

11. Major Fair – Becki Broadbent

We are excited for this event which is on Friday, October 28. The format is much the same as last year, but the Preview Day component has been added. High school seniors will attend the last half of this event. Registration booths will be set up on both sides of the Sunburst Lounge. Any questions should be directed to Becki Broadbent in UATS, 797-3373 or rebecca.broadbent@usu.edu.

12. Advising Conference Volunteers – Becki Broadbent

Volunteers are needed to serve help plan our annual advising conference, which will be held sometime in August. Please contact Becki Broadbent if you are interested.

13. Other

Thanks for your participation in the Idaho Open Houses. This was a very successful venture from the PR/recruiting viewpoint.

Common course numbering changes for Summer 2006 have all been approved, with the exception of one FCHD course. Changes will be reflected in all future publications. Please remember that the State has mandated new prefixes for Geology (GEO) and Physics (PHYS).

CALENDAR

Oct. 20 11:00 AM Advising Workshop – “College Students’ Identity Development and Decision Making”

Presented by Dr. LuAnn Helms and Dr. Tom Berry from the Counseling Center

MLIB 204

Oct. 28 Major Fair / Preview Day

Oct. 31 Nominations due for Outstanding New Advisor Award and

Outstanding Advising Program Award

Nov. 3 Tech Expo (sponsored by Career Services)

Nov. 10 11:00 AM Advising Workshop – “Legal Issues of Giving References and Being a Reference”

Presented by Career Services

MLIB 204

Nov. 14 1:30 PM SOAR Advising

Nov. 15 1:30 PM SOAR Advising

Nov. 17 10:00 AM Advising Coordinating Committee

MLIB 204


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