Chemistry Task Force Meeting Minutes

August 31, 2001

2:15-3:45 p.m.

HBC 221

In attendance: Debbie Sackett, Chris Uzomba, Al Dumbuya, Kathy Nabona, John Young, Ya-Ping Huang, Madan Mohan, Bill Cheek, Anita Thurwachter, Mila Woldman, Anne Goube, Fred Miller

Special guest appearances by: Patricia Phelps - biology faculty, Linnea Fletcher - Biotechnology Program Coordinator

Field test of CHEM 1411/1412 textbook. Patricia Phelps asked the Task Force to allow her to use the latest publication by ACS (desk copies were made available) to teach a CHEM 1411 section in the spring of 2002. Members of the Task Force who have had a chance to review the book will vote by e-mail by Sept. 14^th. Votes will be sent to dsackett@austin.cc.tx.us. The QA that followed established the following facts. (a) If allowed to teach this section, Patricia has agreed that the standard course objectives will be covered in her section. (b) In addition, she anticipates making it known, in particular to the biotechnology students that this course being taught, in part, for their benefit. This does not mean that other students (Chemistry majors and non-majors) cannot enroll in this section.

Biotechnology. Linnea Fletcher gave a brief summary of the latest in biotechnology. One central fact of her presentation is that industry is hiring students with any biotechnology skills faster than schools can produce them. Salaries are very competitive with other 2-year technical degrees. Linnea also invited all interested faculty to attend classes. In particular, Alice Sessions is teaching a Molecular Biology Techniques course the semester. This is a modular course where various instrumental techniques are covered in the course of one or two class meetings. This class is being offered at RGC 312 on MW (lecture at 5:40, lab at 7:05 pm). The syllabus for the course will be sent to all interested faculty members.

Peggy Hale Croshaw Endowment. Recently, the ACC foundation has taken over directorship of ACC scholarships and endowments. The foundation wants to increase the amount of money in each endowment to a minimum value of $15,000. This would award students enough money to buy more than pencils and paper for a semester. There are currently two endowment funds available for science/allied health students at ACC that were set up in honor of or by Chemistry faculty. These are the Peggy Hale Croshaw Scholarship and the Steve Kirschner/Jim Archer Scholarship. The Task Force (and all parties directly affected) agreed that we will combine the two scholarships into the Peggy Hale Croshaw Scholarship. Combined, the fund will have about $14,500.

Anyone wishing to donate to this fund can write a check to: ACC Foundation - Peggy Hale Croshaw endowment. The foundation is located on the 5^th floor of HBC.

e-Staffing. Adjunct were reminded to enter their preferences for Spring 2002 into the e-Staffing program. E-Staffing by the TF Chair does not work for the Chemistry Department, yet, because of combined lectures and uncombined labs with the same section number. It was also pointed out that in the future, full-time faculty will select their classes through the e-Staffing program.

Portfolios and evaluations. Everyone was reminded to save copies of tests, syllabi, handouts, etc. for preparation of portfolios this year. As it stands, instructors who have taught for 3 years or more will cycle into preparation of portfolios every three years. Those who are responsible for preparing portfolios this year will be determined at a later date at the AVP/EVP level.

FY 2002 budget. The budget is the same as last year. There is apparently some money available for capital purchases that were requested last spring. The money is currently in the EVPs budget. Among the capital purchase that we MAY be able to make this year are an IR for NRG and Spec 20s for RVS.

Development of a uniform evaluation process. A committee will form in the spring.

Development for course objectives for CHEM 2423 and CHEM 2425. Committee members include: John Young, Art Meyer, Steve Kirschner, Ya-Ping Huang, Kathy Nabona, Madan Mohan, Al Dumbuya, Matiur Rahman, Chris Uzomba. The committee will meet September 28, 2001, around 1:30 pm at NRG. The room will be announced later. The committee will select a chair at their first meeting.

New Full-Time Faculty. The TF agreed that we did not want to hire another full-time faculty member this year.

Demo. Days. Davis Elementary has asked us to present demonstrations, engage in experiments, or whatever we would like to do with their 4^th and 5^th graders. Faculty members agreeing to serve on this committee are: Kathy Nabona, Ya-Ping Huang, Anne Goube.

last updated: September 10, 2001