Minutes of the Meeting of the NMT Physics Department
4:00 PM, 8 November 2005
352 Workman

Present: Paul Arendt, Gina Chavez, Michelle Creech-Eakman, Jean Eilek, Tim Hankins, Peter Hofner, Danielle Lucero, Ken Minschwaner, Raul Morales, Dave Raymond, Barry Sabol, Sharon Sessions, Richard Sonnenfeld, Dave Westpfahl, Lisa Young

Announcements

Funding has been secured from R&ED, Student and University Relations, and Admissions to send five students to the upcoming American Astronomical Society meeting.

We are working with the departments of E&ES, Chemistry, Biology, and Materials Engineering to restore funding for graduate student recruiting.


1. Graduate atmospheric catalog changes

The success of the atmospheric special topics course, Physics 533, has led to proposals for three new graduate-level courses in atmospheric physics.  The courses will more accurately represent the work in our program and will make it more attractive to prospective students. The courses are:

Atmospheric Remote Sensing, Physics 532, which will meet jointly with the existing senior-level course, Physics 432, of the same name.  Graduate students will be required to do additional work.

Atmospheric Electricity, Physics 535

Atmospheric Convection, Physics 536

Course descriptions were distributed and are attached to the minutes.

Adoption was moved and seconded. The motion passed.


2. Discussion of Graduate Student Policies

Our current written policy dates from 1986.  It was distributed and
discussed.  A committee, composed of T. Hankins, D. Lucero, B. Sabol, J. Eilek, K. Minschwaner, and D. Raymond will review the policies and report to the department early in the spring semester.


3. Scheduling of review of other written policies

D. Westpfahl is preparing a list of the standing committees, their members, and annual milestones.  These are:

The Graduate Recruiting Committee
The Graduate Admissions Committee
The Prelim Committee

Do we need a Curriculum Committee?  Do we need a written policy on graduate admissions?

4. Hiring freeze

Academic Affairs has announced a one-year hiring freeze.  This applies to us because we have an open position.  It could become a significant problem if other positions come open, and could mean a significant increase in teaching load per faculty member.  Ken Minschwaner will contact Ken Eack about his plans.


Adjourned at 4:57pm