Minutes

of the Physics Department meeting held Monday November 25, 2002 in GO313.

Present: Constantinescu, Frandy, Menningen, Rybski, Sahyun, Stepanov

Absent: Arriola

I. Meeting called to order at 2:25 pm.

II. Sahyun/Rybski moved to approve the minutes of the 11/18/02 meeting. Motion passed.

III. Announcements

A. Enrollment in physics majors has dropped rapidly by attrition. As of 11/19/02 we have 26 majors (17 engineering, 3 graduate, 1 industry, 5 education, 0 general science). On October 15 we had 43 majors (24 engineering, 6 graduate, 3 industry, 8 education, 2 general science). There are no discernable patterns among those who changed their major, and we can account for only 13 losses, 2 of those are second majors likely not counted by the Registrarís office listing.

B. Northeastern University announces its 2003 Research Experiences for Undergraduates at CERN program. The deadline is January 31, 2003.

C. The Milwaukee Foundation announces its 2003-2004 Frank Rogers Bacon Fellowships for Milwaukee-area residents with a 3.2 GPA or better who wish to attend graduate school at UW-Madison Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The deadline is January 5, 2003. Application instructions are now posted in Upham Hall.

D. RealTime Physics and Interactive Lecture Demonstration Workshops will be offered at the Winter 2003 AAPT Meeting in Austin, TX. Pre-registration deadline is December 22, 2002.

E. The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation offers financial and professional support for persons who have already earned a degree in science and now want to become licensed high school science teachers. The deadline is February 3, 2003.

F. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 2002-2003 phase II Academic Staff Professional Development Grant Program guidelines are now available. The deadline to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Research and Sponsored Programs office is Friday 13 December 2002.

G. Administrative Council Report of 11/20/02:

i. The council discussed a Richard Brooks proposal to work together to solve problems that originate outside of the College, such as issues with class scheduling or with the Registrarís office. An amended version of the proposal was adopted.

ii. The effect of a hypothetical state budget cut of 5%-10% on the College was considered. It would almost certainly result in the loss of several positions.

iii. The provost search committee has narrowed the field down to four finalists.

iv. Deb Heiber reports that Admissions has announced a December 1 cutoff for admissions of all new freshmen, transfer, and readmit students, with a few exceptions. This is the earliest cutoff date in recent memory. Deb also announced a new form for preparing Advisement Report personalization.

v. Dean Ross reports that MIT plans to make public the materials for a large number of online courses that they do not intend to offer for credit. These could be a valuable resource for faculty who will teach online courses. He also reports that Upper Iowa University is opening an Elkhorn branch with courses in criminal justice and business. Mary Pinkerton reports that funds remain for about 15 faculty desktop computer replacements for machines older than 3 years.

IV. Old Business

A. Curricular matters

i. Discussion of how to alter the intermediate lab course to include computer data acquisition skills is postponed.

ii. Discussion of the proposed modifications to the PHYSCS 170 series of courses is postponed.

B. We have approximately 30 applications for the tenure-track position in general physics beginning Fall 2003. On or about 12/2/02 the first round of acknowledgement letters will be sent out.

C. We still await a response from NASA concerning an astronaut speaker for National Physics Day celebration on April 17, 2003.

V. New Business

A. Rybski/Frandy moved to accept Shirley Stekelís offer to teach the PHYSCS 210 course, assign PHYSCS 130 to Sahyun, cancel PHYSCS 322 and re-schedule PHYSCS 364 retaining Arriola as instructor, tentatively cancel PHYSCS 282 (1 student), and investigate cancelling PHYSCS 330 and 331 in order to cover Menningenís responsibilities. Paul Rybski would assume department chair for spring 2003. Motion passed.

B. Begin discussion of the departmental promotion standards for possible revision. Discussion may also include possible revision of the merit procedures as well.

C. Evaluation and approval of the purchase of a digital oscilloscope using department service & supply funds are postponed.

VI. Constantinescu/Sahyun moved to adjourn at 3:25 pm. Motion passed.

Respectfully Submitted, cc: Chancellor Miller

Provost Prior

Dean Lee

Dean Ross

Kenneth L Menningen University archivist

Department chair