A. PRESIDENT'S REPORT - This report was presented by Academic Council President Ralph Wilkerson.

1. Topics discussed at the April IFC meeting were presented to the Academic Council.

a. A committee has been formed to study rewording the recent change to the Collected Rules and Regulations 10.0303.A.9 by the Board of Curators.

b. A UM System committee, chaired by Steve Lehmkuhle, has been formed to explore ways to reduce costs. Representatives from UMR are Y.T. Shah and Ralph Wilkerson. One of their charges is to examine academic program costs.

B. CHANCELLOR'S REPORT - This report was presented by Steve Malott.

1. The Chancellor has been keeping employees informed of budget updates via recent newsletters.

2. Fiscal year 2001 ended with a total withholding of $4.4 million. $3.9 million will be paid back through $1 million in supplemental fees, $1.4 million VERIP cost savings, and $1.5 in other cost savings.

3. Fiscal year 2002 will bring no salary increases, reduced maintenance and a tuition increase to absorb a 10% cut equaling $5 million.

C. PROVOST'S REPORT - This report was presented by Harvest Collier.

1. It is important to contact legislators to convey your feelings about the cuts Higher Education is being forced to absorb.

2. Freshman admissions are up by 11%, transfer student admissions are up 24%, and graduate student admissions are up 40%. We need to assure people that UMR is open for business, despite the grim headlines.

3. Distance Learning enrollments are also increasing. There will be 47 Internet classes offered during the Fall 2002 semester. Four degree programs are available. Distance Education is offering "free tryouts" of the four video classrooms to interested parties.

4. $23.2 million research dollars have been awarded so far this year. Indirect recovery is $4.5 million.

5. Undergraduate Studies is focusing on improving retention rates by good advising and using a common freshman "experience" class. Insight and ideas are welcome.

6. Faculty positions left open by retirement and resignations will be filled based on current workload.

7. Reported cases of Academic Dishonesty are few. Most cases could probably be eliminated by implementing a first-year class on ethics.

A. CURRICULA - This report was presented by Tom Schuman.

1. There was a motion and second to approve course changes generated from the May 2002 meeting. The motion was approved.

B. PROMOTION AND TENURE - This report was presented by Jeff Cawlfield.

1. Three matters were referred to the Promotion and Tenure Committee during 2001-2002. The committee recommended making three changes in the recommendations of the Academic Council Tenure Committee concerning Joint Appointments, Appeal Process, and Midterm Tenure Review.

C. PUBLIC OCCASIONS - This report was presented by Kelvin Erickson.

1. There was a motion and second to approve a change in the Public Occasions Calendar for 2002-2003, moving Open House to Good Friday. The Academic Council body voted to accept the calendar change.

D. RULES, PROCEDURES AND AGENDA (RP&A) - This report was presented by Don Myers.

1. Discussion regarding the proposed changes in the Faculty Bylaws has been delayed until September when faculty are on campus, with the possibility of voting on the proposed changes in December 2002. Faculty input is being sought regarding the proposed changes. Please send your comments to acadcoun@mst.edu

E. BUDGETARY AFFAIRS - A report was not presented.

F. STUDENT AFFAIRS - This report was presented by Mark Potrafka.

1. There was a motion and second to recognize Chi Alpha. The motion passed.

2. There was a motion and second to recognize the Objectivism Club. The motion passed.

A. ACTION ITEMS

1. Resolution of Video Distance Learning is on hold until the resolution of the UM System Copyright Policy.

2. Academic Dishonesty Cases

A. STAFF COUNCIL - No report presented.

B. STUDENT COUNCIL - No report presented.

C. GRADUATE STUDENT COUNCIL - No report presented

D. REFERRALS

1. Academic Council President Ralph Wilkerson has sent information about contacting state legislators to all campus employees via e-mail.

2. Refer Board of Curators Policy 10.030.A.9 regarding faculty salary adjustments to the Personnel Committee for clarification.

There was a motion to adjourn, with a second, motion carried at 2:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Todd Hubing, Secretary