• Midterm grades: Provost Yates would like to have a grade put into Blackboard by week 3 of school for students to see how well they're performing before the withdrawal date. APC is working on an Action Item on this.
  • A Senator asked, would Academic Affairs be looking for a substantial grade? Moffett replied that the Provost is concerned that students have no feedback early in the semester. McKay added that there are certain technologies like Blackboard that faculty need to use to ensure student success. Some faculty do not use Blackboard because they lack training; APC will be looking at implementing more Bb trainings. The committee has spoken to Dr. Emanuel, the Blackboard Coordinator, and she said there will be more trainings. Additionally, students adding late has caused faculty to “push back” instruction/grading by a week or so at the beginning of the semester.

5 minutes were added to the APC discussion.

  • Midterm Exams: There was a discussion about whether midterm exams are necessary. McKay explained that the midsemester grade is more of a formality for Academic Affairs to have a grade in Wired at mid-semester, but that faculty do not have to give an exam at that time.

9. Budget and Academic Support Committee - Phillip Clay: Chair Clay reported on the following items:

  • The committee has constructed a classroom inventory checklist. Each building faculty work/teach in has been assessed, except Exum. Clay is putting all the reports in a spreadsheet, including comments/notes. Bradford needs serious upgrades, as well as Exum. There are issues with mold and non-functioning equipment. We have graduation coming up and there are things not working in the auditorium. Clay will present a summary and disseminate it to all campus stakeholders.
  • The committee is still seeking to get a copy of the Instructional Budget from the Administration.
  • PCC has dealt with the e-text issue: the Pearson contract has been terminated.
  • The topics next to be discussed in PCC are the compilation of the classroom survey and some Title III questions for the new director.
  • Moffett noted that classroom issues are just basic things sometimes, like not being able to turn off the lights in Hathaway to watch a film clip.
  • A Senator asked, is this termination effective immediately? Moffett replied that the contract extends through Summer, 2019.
  • A Senator asked, how much did it cost to get out of the contract? Moffett replied that it was free because both Pearson and the university decided to end the contract, so they did not charge us.
  • A Senator asked, where are textbooks going to come from after the contract expires? Moffett replied that this has not yet been determined. We’re using Pearson through June.