Sul Ross State University
A Member of the Texas State University System

Faculty Seminar Minutes

Minutes of QEP Faculty Seminar April 29, 2011

Members present:  Robbie Ray, Kevin Urbanczyk, Kathy Stein, Kip Sullivan, Barney Nelson, Joe Velasco, Filemon Zamora, Abul Kalam, Mazie Will, Paul Will, Donna Greene, Linda McAnally

Members absent:  Carol Fairlie, Ilda Gonzalez, Jim Bob Salazar, Clay Rasmussen, Jeff Blake, Rob Kinucan, Lloyd Moyo, Eric Holt, Kris Jorgenson, Roger Grant, Scarlet Anderson, Sandra Chambers

Nelson reported on the two meetings of a newly formed student seminar called Lobo Stars.  She handed out summaries of findings from the two meetings.  The discussion question was:  what works on you?  How do you really learn something?

Copies of the report were handed out to attendees and will be sent via house mail to those faculty seminar members not in attendance.

The bottom line assessment was that students prefer hands on learning.

If the student seminar meets next year they would like to make a presentation to the Faculty Seminar.

Urbanczyk then spoke about the Warrior 100K Ride he had just completed.  Information and photos about the ride can be found at www.http//w100K.com.

George Bush (the younger) headed a three-day bike ride in the Lajitas area to raise awareness for wounded veterans.  Lance Armstrong joined them on the last day of the ride.  Urbanczyk led the group through seven miles of technical trail on the second day.  Fox News mounted a camera on his seat post and filmed the trek that day.  The whole group stayed at Lajitas Resort.

Nelson asked the group for suggestions about next year's faculty seminar.  Ray suggested we decide on a theme.  Stein suggested that we meet outdoors more to better identify with how students feel when they meet outdoors.  Our use of technology keeps us indoors.

Urbanczyk suggested a desert survival class be offered...perhaps during Freshman Welcome Week.  Students arrive here not knowing how to survive in our desert climate.

Stein suggested that before students go up to pain the Bar SR Bar that they be indoctrinated on desert survival.  As they're hiking up the mountain Urbanczyk could tell them about the history of the desk.

Ray suggested we put together a wish list for this next year and send it out to faculty to garner volunteers.

Velasco stated that it's important for junior faculty to have a forum to discuss issues and to meet other faculty.

Mazie Will thought that the Newcomer's Picnic might be a good venue to talk about QEP to new faculty.

Zamora thought that current seminar members could invite new faculty to join.

Nelson likes the idea of our own members continuing to give presentations.

Mazie Will told us that the day the power went off on campus she moved her class outside to the outdoor classroom and held class there. 

Nelson suggested that faculty ask students for "outside" ideas to get them more interested in class.

The group decided that new years emphasis should be how to facilitate outdoor learning.