College of Education
Leadership Council
April 16, 2020
9:00 – 10:30 am
Agenda
Zoom

In attendance:  David Hough, Russ Brock, Jef Cornelius-White, Denise Cunningham, Kim Dubree, Janice Duncan, Karen Engler, Deanna Hallgren, Stephanie Huffman, Travis Marler, Juli Panza, Barri Tinkler, Ximena Uribe-Zarain, Rose Lee, Sharon Lopinot

 

Dean Hough announced that as of today, Barri is the Acting Department Head for CLSE.  He then asked how everyone was doing.  Everyone responded things were going well.  The Dean has numerous meetings every day.  The main topic is when the campus may be able to open.  He received a form from David Hall for all faculty to complete regarding how their courses will be delivered this fall.  Department Heads were asked to have their faculty complete the form by the end of next week.  If Hill Hall is open, a class of 40 could spread out and meet in Hill 001 or Hill 002.  The classrooms for 30 could be used by classes with less students that would allow for social distancing.

Keri Franklin sent a questionnaire to all MSU students asking how online classes were going, had they taken online classes before, are they having problems, would they come back in the fall, and some other things.  The results should be available by 5:00 pm tomorrow.  Dean Hough asked Barri to work on a narrative for our college.  Students that requested a call need to be contacted.  We also need to find out they wanted.  It was suggested to let them know you are responding to their request on the survey for a phone call.  You could start with how can we help you?  Also, all students who said they are not having a good experience with their online class need to be called.  Find out what is the class/program, the issue and let them know the issue will be addressed.  It was mentioned that there is no way to identify the department the student is in.  The Dean asked everyone to decide on who will be making the phone calls.

Different scenarios for starting Fall semester:

• Continue with online classes
• Start on campus in the fall with the contingency that we may need to transfer back to online
• Start with online, on campus at a later date

Whatever we do, the transition will be smooth. Department heads need to help any faculty that need assistance with their online teaching.  Ask them what they need.  If there are seated classes in the fall social distancing may still be followed.  We have Hill 001 and 002 which are large and students could spread out.  Jen Cox can work with us. Think about other options.  Janice was asked how they could work with Greenwood students.  They could have two half day sessions of kindergarten.  They have a number of larger rooms that could also be utilized more.  She is working on it with Ron Snodgrass.

Regarding finals, do faculty need help with them? Janice suggested a demonstration video.  Stephanie emailed all of her faculty.  Over half said they could help their or any faculty if needed.  The Dean asked everyone to give some thought to this.

Why are some students not using Blackboard?  Information is being gathered.  The department heads are working on it.

Dean Hough is looking at the summer research stipend policy.  Faculty should know what to do and department heads should know where new faulty are at regarding the policy.  It was suggested that department heads get the information from faculty members first and then forward it to the Dean.  The policy can be updated regarding the process.

The Dean needs to have plan and a list of hiring priorities by April 21.   He will meet with department heads prior to submitting his information.  In the various meetings the Dean attends, another important topic is regarding managing risks.  Whenever we start back on campus students periodically will leave for weekends and come back.  Dr. Dave Muegge said it would cost approximately $50,000.00 to test all of our students for the virus.  The Dean asked members if they would be in favor of having students tested and also faculty and staff.  A discussion followed.  Most were in favor, but needing more information.

• In favor of testing, but some people would not want to participate.
• How often would students be tested? Every time they leave and return to campus? (The response was there is a test that shows if you are a carrier or not.)
• Do you treat those that are a carrier differently?
• What about face masks? Also, you need to think about people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

All cost center heads have been asked to watch their budgets closely.  No travel until the University policy changes.  Most open positions are frozen until further notice.  Everyone needs to save as much as they can.

 

Around the Table

Janice Duncan
They are looking at having a “live” commencement on a large parking lot at Cooper Soccer Complex.  They would have a stage.  Graduates and families would be spread out in their cars (social distancing).  The Dean asked Janice for a short write up about it.  He will take it to one of his administrative meetings next week.

Juli Panza
They are doing well.  Very busy due to it being the second week of class registration.  TikTok is almost ready to launch.  It was decided they would use the COE email address.  She will send information to department heads who can then pass it on to faculty and staff.

Karen Engler
All is well with secondary education cases.  One hundred percent of the secondary student teachers are continuing on for the remainder of the semester.

Barri Tinkler
Department heads met yesterday to discuss marketing of the CEFS new graduate certificate.  She will share her information with the Dean later today.

Denise Cunningham
Denise asked if they would be able to have graduate assistants for the Fall.  Dean Hough responded that he is not sure how many the college can afford.  He needs to have a conversation on it.  Nothing has been approved yet, but should know more next week.  He knows some will be able to be hired.  Denise and her program coordinators met with Stacey Funderburk on marketing and did not find the meeting very helpful.  She asked about how much is budgeted for this.  Dean Hough will get back to her.  Most of their programs are making plans for celebrating their seniors who are graduating.  She will discuss it further with the Dean.  He needs to know exactly what they want to do.

Russ Brock
They had an ATLL advisory board meeting yesterday.  Tomorrow they have a collaborating meeting with BTAP.  They have an administrative assistant opening.  The DESE contract should be finalized in the next two weeks.  If everything goes as planned they will need to hire two more staff.  He will discuss it with the Dean later.  His staff is reaching out to districts virtually.  Russ heard that public schools may be open with contingencies in the fall.

Stephanie Huffman
They have a new graduate certificate that was approved.  It is going to go out in mass marketing through Joye Norris.  She asked if there could be information about it in Clif’s Notes.  Dean Hough meets with that group tomorrow and will bring it up and also at his Administrative Council meeting.  The target market area for the certificate is college instructors and K-12 teachers.  It is for anyone who teaches online.  She is going to talk to people at the Center for Teaching and Learning and Russ Brock for ATLL.

The meeting ended with the Dean saying it is not a requirement, but if you have good news to share in the next Hough Post to send it to him by noon tomorrow and copy Sharon.

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:35 am

Submitted by Sharon Lopinot, Administrative Assistant II