Attending: Susan Coultrap-McQuin (presiding), Michael Ameigh (recording).  Yvonne Petrella, David King, Jack Gelfand, John Huonker (for Lanny Karns), Mary Beth Bell, Suzanne Weber (for Linda Rae Markert), Rhonda Mandel, Sara Varhus.

Research Funding:
The Council received a proposal by Jack Gelfand, Director of Research and Administration in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, to establish a Research Initiation Fund (RIF) to attract more external grants for faculty research.  There is a particular need to provide additional funding for tenure track faculty currently pursuing research agendas.  These individuals comprise a significant proportion of the faculty as a whole.  According to Dr. Gelfand the RIF would be geared toward the process of developing research programs.  It would have three primary objectives:

• increase the reputation of individual faculty and the institution among funding agencies;
• provide seed money for exploring initiatives; develop shared 'centers' that would serve multiple grant projects simultaneously.
• The Council discussed a report on expenditures for faculty development travel for 2005-2006.

Prerequisites:
Susan distributed a draft memo to Academic Policies Council (APC) she has prepared in response to a proposal by the Committee on Academic Quality (CAQ) regarding prerequisites.  It will be sent today.

Awards to Departments for efforts at promoting student success:
Susan distributed a draft document outlining an initiative that will award funds to departments for undertaking initiatives designed to increase first-year student success at SUNY Oswego.  Up to ten awards per year will be made to academic departments that apply.  The Council will respond with suggestions and the memo will then be distributed with the guidelines next week inviting departments to apply.

Discussion regarding course caps:
Mehran Nojan, Director of Institutional Research and Assessment, presented a proposal for increasing the percentage of small capacity classes.  The Council discussed various implications of making the proposed changes.  This discussion will continue as deans work with departments.

Announcements:
 Friday, October 13th, 1-2:30, there is a web conference in the Library. Eric Peterson will present seven dramatic forecasts about the future of the world, and what we should do to prepare our graduates.

- adjourned