SACS consultant Silvers will return on November 29th, meeting with administration and staff in the morning and academics in the afternoon. We will be specifically writing to standards so all should have drafts completed in order to work on them in the workshops. We will be updating from the five-year SACS report with emphasis on effectiveness. Silvers has a 100% passage rate with SACS. Dr. Thomas said she liked to “keep it real” and we are out of compliance. To achieve compliance will require devotion of everyone to the task: faculty, colleagues, staff, administration, etc.. More faculty need to participate in this visit than did so before. A Senator suggested announcement of days and times well in advance for the highest attendance possible and Dr. Thomas agreed. A Senator asked about the breadth of software that we will be expected to learn. Dr. Thomas said she asked the same question, with the bills due for various software to date such as Oracle and Weave-online. Dr. Freeman pointed out that even if only one program is out of compliance all will be, and that we “sink or swim” together. We will work in small groups in Spring Encampment, all will use the same program, and we will be consistent. Chair McFayden said his program is going through accreditation and inquired if they should bring their new or old assessments. Dr. Freeman said both for comparison because Silvers’ “spiral of improvement” is most significant. She will share Silvers' power-point presentation with all faculty

She will share Silvers' power-point presentation with all faculty.

A non-Senator inquired who will have access to entering SACS data for each program.

Dr. Freeman said registration is low and we should get advisees registered. FY1617 President Sipes reported attendance was down in her classes, asked if others are having the same issue, and poised the question of what we can do. Dr. Thomas suggested that the most effective contact is for faculty to reach out to students, both email and phone calls. She said she has called parents to introduce herself and ask how she can assist their students for success. As Senator pointed out legal requirements prohibiting discussing students' progress with parents without the student's permission.

A Senator pointed out that course descriptions are not available for registration and Provost Thomas said they were working on that issue. She said the largest drop in enrollment is always between Fall and Spring semesters so we must be diligent in staying connected with students.

Senate adjourned 4:40 pm.

Minutes Submitted by: Reba Rye, Faculty Senate Secretary