Report to Faculty Council

Submitted by Jim Litle

March 15, 2006

NCSSM Board of Trustees

Educational Policies and Practices SubCommittee Meeting

Friday, March 10, 2006

8:30-10:00

Three agenda items for the EPPC Meeting

Second Reading of NCSSM Copyright Policy

NCSSM Drug and Alcohol Report

Status of Potential NCSSM Governance Change

A brief discussion of the NCSSM Copyright Policy focused on comments by Diane Futrelle concerning the training initiatives of the NCSSM Copyright committee. Diane stressed the planned implementation of the need to seek copyright clearance beginning in August of 2006. She discussed the request for faculty to submit lists of necessary copyrighted materials so that the committee could explore the potential costs of gaining releases. Mention of two potential sources of book length materials came from Richard Alston and Diane Futrelle. Richard stated that on the new computers for the incoming juniors there would be a significant number of copyright free books available on the desktop. Diane talked about the availability of e-books on NC Live and the new LITCOM databases that can be directly linked to resources for students through Blackboard. Everyone stressed the potential need to consider budget changes that will be necessary due to this shift to compliance with the soon to be implemented copyright policy. The EPPC then voted to approve the second reading of the Copyright Policy and the EPPC would report that vote at the full BOT meeting later that morning.

The next segment of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of the potential change in the governance structure of NCSSM from affiliate to constituent member of the UNC System. Several Board members expressed surprise and bewilderment at the speed and urgency of the decision making process being requested by UNC Administration. A brief history of the governance of NCSSM was given by Dr. Monteith, a former member of the NCSSM BOT and former Chancellor of NCSU. Steve Warshaw reported on the process of the various NCSSM governance committees. Three of those committees, Academic, Residential, and Technology, then made brief presentations to the EPPC. The general feeling was that President Bowles thought that NCSSM fit with his goal of supporting mathematics and science education and teaching training throughout North Carolina.

Dot Doyle reported for the Academic committee stating that there seemed to be potential for increased interaction with the universities for potential research opportunities and student placement. There also appeared to an opportunity for NCSSM to play more of a role in teacher training, than has been done lately. She stressed the need for a strong liaison to General Administration to be sure that NCSSM did not get lost in the mix of discussions at that level. There would a constant need to remind GA that NCSSM has a role to play in the system. Dot also expressed that the faculty looked forward to the opportunity to participate in the UNC Faculty Forum and the interuniversity discussions.

Gail Hudson and Joan Barber reported for the Residential committee. One apparent change would be consideration of the concept of “student services” versus NCSSM’s current “student life” program. The need to continue with NCSSM’s current status of all students falling into the category of a minor with NCSSM acting in loco parentis seemed to be a critical concern that GA would have to consider. Two apparent advantages were stressed: the potential to gain access to some insurance options for our students and the potential to raise the awareness level of the admissions committees at the other sixteen campuses for NCSSM applicants to the university system. Gail also expressed the hope that there would be more training opportunities available for NCSSM staff.

Richard Alston then reported that the Technology committee endorsed the change because of the potential for increased collaboration in the realm of technology that should result in the potential for shared contracts and collaborative purchasing agreements. It also would enhance NCSSM’s transfer to NCREN, the university networking system, which would significantly improve the bandwidth situation at NCSSM. The change also should open up possibilities for easier and cheaper procurement of science supplies and resources.

A few questions were asked, but in general the EPPC members continued to express dismay at the speed of the decision process. They appeared to all be waiting to hear from the BOT subcommittee on the governance transfer that would report later at the general BOT meeting.

The EPPC had previously voted to move the NCSSM Drug and Alcohol Report to the end of the EPPC agenda. When it was to be considered the EPPC voted to go into closed session. The vote was approved and the EPPC moved into closed session for the final 30 minutes of the meeting.

The EPPC then returned to an open session only to vote to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted

Jim Litle

NCSSM Faculty Liaison to EPPC

Wednesday, March 15, 2006