Chemistry Task Force Meeting Minutes

April 20, 2001

In attendance: Debbie Sackett, John Young, Ya-Ping Huang, Al Dumbuya, Steve Kirschner, Madan Mohan, Matiur Rahman, Chris Uzomba, Bill Cheek, Anita Thurwachter, Mila Woldman, Fred Miller, Lew Barnett, Deborah Walker, Joseph Obhare

CHEM 1411 Objectives: The objectives previously posted on the web were discussed and voted on. All topics were kept, and the optional listing by molecular orbital theory was removed. Also, the title of the first section was changed to Matter and Energy. There was discussion about the fact that all of these objectives could not be thoroughly covered in one semester. It was decided that instructors should decide for themselves which topics to cover in depth, and which to cover more lightly. New instructors will have the guidance of a mentor in making these decisions.

CHEM 1412 Objectives: The objectives previously posted on the web were discussed and voted on. Several small changes were voted in. The major change is that the Organic Chemistry portion of the course is not considered optional.

The Task Force-approved objectives can be viewed at: http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/chem/curriculum/

These objectives are expected to go into effect beginning in the fall of 2001.

CHEM 1411 Pre-test: The pre-test was accepted as presented. The purpose of this test was clearly defined:

(a) An instructor may administer this test to their CHEM 1411 students, at the beginning of the semester. It is to be used as an advising tool only. For example, a student who does poorly on the exam cannot be dropped from the course not forced to switch to CHEM 1405. No one is required to administer the exam.

(b) An instructor has the right to add or delete sections/questions from the test. For that matter, instructors can write their own test.

(c) If the lecture instructor wishes to have the test administered in lab, it is the lab instructor's obligation to do so, providing there are no scheduled activities during that lab time, i.e., the first week of lab. It is the lecture instructor's job to make arrangements with the lab instructor.

(d) Other uses of this exam are not restricted. For example, it could be used as an assessment tool at the end of the semester for CHEM 1405.

For obvious reasons, this exam is not posted on the web. If anyone wants a copy, it can be provided electronically or through the snail mail. Contact Debbie Sackett, CYP, 223-2081 (dsackett@austin.cc.tx.us).

Fixed TF Meeting Dates/Times: It has become necessary to reserve a specific time each month when Task Force meeting could be held. This way, everyone can anticipate these meetings and schedule other obligations around them. It was decided (by e-mail vote) that meetings would be scheduled for the last Friday (in the afternoons) every month. Variation from this schedule may occur, depending on special needs at the beginning/end of every semester and holidays. Below is a list of potential TF meeting dates for the next academic year. Dates that cannot be accommodated with the general rule are listed with an explanation.

Tentative Date	comment
Aug. 31, 2001
Sept. 28, 2001
Oct. 26, 2001
Dec. 7, 2001	moved because of Thanksgiving
Jan. 18, 2002	moved up to correspond with 1^st week of the semester
Feb. 22, 2002
March 22, 2002
April 26, 2002

CHEM 1405 Lab Packets: Earlier in the semester, a lab survey was sent out to assess what labs most instructors wanted to teach. Unfortunately, I forgot to include the paper chromatography experiment in the survey. This makes the survey less than meaningful.

In the meeting, two items were decided:

(1) We will sell the same packets at all campuses. This will eliminate the persistent errors made by the publishers/bookstores in the ordering processes.

(2) One of the labs in our accepted list, "EQUL 617 - Estimating the pH of Some Solutions Using Visual Indicators" is no longer used at any campus. It will not be included in the new unified packet. Additionally, pH is not on the list of course objectives for CHEM 1405; therefore, will not be covered by the majority of lecture instructors.

Because book orders for the summer were completed months ago, the unified lab packets (containing 15 labs each) will not be available until the fall of 2001. It was noted that each lab student would end up with 3 additional labs that they will not use. These cannot be sold back to the bookstore.

TF membership: One of the latest administrative rules states that any adjunct faculty member can serve on the TF will full voting rights, provided they fit one of the following categories: (a) are an MSTA, (b) are Highest Priority to Hire for any course, (c) received a double "excellent" on their evaluation. Appointments to the Task Force are made by the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs. This means that the Task Force Chair will never know exactly who is on the Task Force, as a correct list is unlikely to ever be generated. Specifically, the current list is invalid because some adjuncts who wish to serve were not given adequate notice to respond. Others are listed in disciplines other than Chemistry. The question then arises; "What constitutes a quorum, since we cannot compute 50% of an unknown number?" Nothing was decided. One suggestion gained the most acceptance. Provided adequate notice of a meeting was given, 10 faculty, for example, would constitute a quorum. This issue will be decided in future meetings.

eStaffing: Adjuncts were reminded to use the eStaffing system to enter their preferences. This system should be fully operational starting in the spring of 2002.

Faculty evaluations: Over the past few years, evaluation of adjunct (and full-time) faculty has been a make-it-up-as-we-go process. It would be desirable to have a standardized evaluation form by which portfolios are evaluated each year. A form used by biology this year was passed out. The chemistry TF needs to modify this form to fit our needs. This form will be available to everyone in order that they will know what needs to be included in syllabi, etc.

Technology committee: The need for a technology committee, with representative from every campus is apparent to the TF chair. This committee would prepare a list of capital equipment needed at each location, in addition to safety concerns. These things can then be included in the budget process each year.