Attending:  Susan Coultrap-McQuin (presiding); Rhonda Mandel (recording). Mary Beth Bell, Sara Varhus, Alison Finsterwalder (for Yvonne Petrella), Lanny Karns, Michael Leblanc (for Linda Rae Markert).

1.         Announcements:

         -A new brochure promoting the online Broadcasting program was distributed.

         -Honorary degree nominations are due.

         -Alumna Ruth Baltus is speaking today at 4:30 in 101 Snygg Hall.

         -“Two Foot Yard” performing in Tyler tonight.

2.      A new brochure titled "Engaging the World" was presented and discussed.  A number of suggested revisions were put forward.

3.      The Council continued its discussion about potential new programs and enhancements to existing ones.  Ideas will be shared with faculty and staff throughout the Academic Affairs division and feedback collected to inform this ongoing process. General education changes might help build awareness of multi-cultural and global issues. Once data is collected a discussion will begin in the fall 2006 semester to consider ideas and propose initiatives.

4.      New faculty search requests for 2006-2007 are due to the Provost by April 24^th.

5.      The Council discussed possible changes to the website that lists vacancies and openings in Academic Affairs.  The Provost will present a template for consideration at a future meeting.

6.      The Council discussed recent data suggesting that students with jobs on campus tend to stay enrolled for more semesters on average than those who do not work.  This may be a key variable affecting retention, an issue currently being discussed within academic departments. 

Meeting adjourned.