concerns and facts, such as the necessity some students face to add an on-line class when all others are full and they need it in order to complete a full schedule, or when they need a sequenced class, such as SPA 102 after having completed SPA 101 and lecture classes are full. Regent McFayden said that as recently as last week the President discussed in a meeting plans to partner with other institutions for on-line classes and degree options. President Smith said he had corresponded again with Dean Shaw stating the low numbers of Freshmen who are actually in 100 level classes (few to none), the problem it raises for students registered who live remotely, and the varied reasons why some students' schedules cannot accommodate on-campus classes and are seeking a degree with as many on-line classes as possible. Some degrees are advertised as being available completely on-line.
A Senator pointed out that the question should not be to have or not have on-line 100 level classes but, rather, should Freshmen be registered in them. Another made the observation that this issue stemmed to a large extent from the tendency of Board members to jump to conclusions that are not necessarily valid in their search to identify reasons for low graduation rates.
It was discussed that Banner, or the new system when fully implemented, can tag students as Freshmen and disallow enrollment in on-line classes. There can be a system in place for appeal to exception, approved at some defined level. Some students will just decide to go and give BCTC their money to take classes if we do not have provisions where they can take them at KSU. President Smith suggested that the AP Committee present an Action Item regarding this issue. Chair Moffett pointed out that the committee cannot make definitive correlations with the data collected to date, but that the research he has seen seems to indicate that there is not a correlation between Freshmen success and placement in traditional classes as opposed to on-line. One Senator pointed out that maybe APC should try to develop an Action Item now, since the administration is taking their recommendation to the Board anyway.
Chair Kumar reported that the committee discussed the need to reevaluate the travel per diem rate for KSU ($36/day) relative to other institutions, some of which have up to $70/day. Gregory Rush told them he would look into this and get back with them.
The committee discussed the high rate for family insurance that most employees cannot afford. Faculty Regent McFayden suggested that PCC create a task force to research different insurance plans and come up with some recommendations for the university, pointing out that faculty have no input into the insurance decisions. It was talked about but no action was taken. Regent McFayden pointed out that millions of dollars in indirect Land Grant money does not show up in the budget.
Other issues discussed were: