In attendance: Debbie Sackett, John Young, Ya-Ping Huang, Kathy Nabona, Al Dumbuya, Matiur Rahman, Chris Uzomba, Bill Cheek, Fred Miller

Faculty Evaluation Process: The evaluation process for this year was outlined. The deadline for submission of the portfolio and completion of the online form will be February 2, 2001. The faculty serving on the evaluation committee are as follows: Debbie Sackett, John Young, Madan Mohan, Al Dumbuya and Matiur Rahman.

CHEM 1405 Objectives: The Task Force discussed, amended and approved course objectives for CHEM 1405. The most notable changes include listing specific reaction types under section VIII, adding the requirement of geometries, and making calorimetry optional. These are the required topics to be taught in Introduction to Chemistry. Instructors will begin making changes to their syllabus in the spring semester of 2001. By summer, it is expected everyone teaching this course will become compliant.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures: These were voted in, as is. They can be found on the web site www2.austin.cc.tx.us/chem/ under the safety heading. A major concern was what constituted a spill that would necessitate calling the fire department, etc. It was decided that this would be an essential part of our hands-on training program for faculty and staff.

Honor's Program: A brief summary of the Honor's Program at ACC was presented. This is something the Chemistry Department may want to participate in, at some future date. Any faculty member can initiate the process. Anyone interested in this should contact Debbie Sackett for more details from the chemistry perspective. One could also contact Mark Butland (mbutland@austin.cc.tx.us), Program Coordinator for the Honor's Program.

Chemistry Discussion Listserv: The group discussed the development of a Chemistry Task Force Discussion Listservice. A discussion list allows anyone to write to the list, and all would be able to read the response. There are some advantages to the list. All faculty and staff could discuss and clarify uncertain instructions (e.g., student evaluations this semester). It would also allow a forum for discussion of TF topics. It was pointed out that the list could also become a tool for lots of useless information.

It was generally agreed that the use of this tool was worth a try. Anyone can unsubscribe themselves (take themselves off the list). If it is not a useful or effective mechanism for communication, the list can be deleted entirely.

Coverage of lab hours: It was generally agreed that it would be ideal to have a lab technician around during all hours that labs are taught. The major reason being safety considerations. Also, it was recognized that this was not possible at all campuses. Methods for improving this situation were discussed, though no immediate results seem possible.

(1) More about the reorganization: Student problems are now directed to the TFC, rather than the Dean. Here are two problems you, as the instructor, can deal with on the spot.

• There will be no overloaded sections - no exceptions.
• Simple advising is to be handled by full-time faculty (this comes straight from the Dean). Questions like "Am I in the right class?" or "Do I have the right prerequisites?" are questions that need not be referred to the TFC. Weird questions, like "I was home schooled in chemistry and..." should be referred to the TFC.

(2) A program to facilitate staffing of adjunct faculty is nearing completion. This program requires adjunct to fill out their personal information, preferences, available times, etc., on line. The math-science division has been chosen to use this program first, starting in the summer of 2001. All adjunct are encouraged to attend one of the professional development training sessions. Check the bulletin board for new training times at http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/it_train/index.php John Young has taken the course and has volunteered to be of help to anyone needing assistance with the program. Adjuncts: keep in mind that you will not be offered a class in the summer unless you use this program to fill in your information.

(3) The next Task Force Meeting will be January 19, 2001.