lllinois Section
American Association of Physics Teachers

Minutes of the Spring Council Meeting
Principia College
Science Building  - Room 115
April 21, 2001

The meeting was called to order by President Charles Schulz at 7:08 a.m. Those in attendance were Roger Reeves, Diana Roth, Duane Ingram, Kimberly Shaw, Cliff Parker, Win Htwe, John Askill, Bruce McCart, Gary Wolber, Ann Brandon, Debby Lojkutz, Bill Hogan, Conley Stutz, Ken Mellendorf, Dave Renneke, Kelly Roos, Paul Robinson, Kevin Kimberlin, and Carl Wenning. Also in attendance was guest Jerry Pogatshnik of the Illinois Articulation Initiative.

Secretary-Treasurer Report: The Minutes of the autumn Council meeting were presented and approved. The Treasurer's Report, showing a balance of $2,598.57 as of April 5, 2001, was approved.

Section Rep. Report: It was noted that Conley Stutz would be retiring from the position of Section Representative effective in June. It was moved, seconded, and carried (MSC) that Curt Hieggelke serve as temporary replacement until Conley's successor can be duly elected at the autumn section meeting. Conley noted that council reps. will serve in more of an advisory capacity in the future now that decision-making power in the AAPT resides in an expanded board that includes some reps. Conley also noted that the AAPT membership grew from 9,792 members in 1997 to 10,736 members in 1999.

Announcer Reporter Report: Dave Renneke reported that there are now earlier deadlines for submitting items to the Announcer. He requested that items be sent his way, and that pictures be sent with detailed information. Contact David for parameters before attempting to send image files.

Newsletter Report: Roger Reeves noted that he was able to get the Illinois Physics Teacher newsletter out earlier than ever before and that he hopes to see this trend continue. He thanked several council members for making contributions.

Autumn Meeting Host Update: Bill Hogan, representing Joliet Junior College, said that planning for the autumn meeting was progressing as expected. He also noted that this meeting will be a joint gathering of the Illinois and Chicago sections of AAPT.

High School Teacher Award Report: Gary Wolber noted that his term as program administrator would expire with the autumn meeting but was willing to continue in this capacity if this was the wish of the Council. He raised a question of policy regarding the carry over of prior nominees. It was MSC that the following policy be adopted. Applications will be carried for three years. Following three years, nominees will be asked to update the initial application. Applications not revised will be dropped from consideration. Revised applications will be treated like initial applications.

Distinguished Service Citation Award Report: Ann Brandon noted that the award committee composed of Roger Malcolm, Carl Wenning, and herself has agreed on a nominee for the autumn meeting presentation, that person being Roger Reeves.  It was MSC that Roger be recognized at the autumn meeting for outstanding service on behalf of the ISAAPT.

Future Meetings Updates: John Askill reported that all goes well for the autumn 2002 Millikin University meeting. Chuck Schulz noted that the word "tentative" may be removed from the spring 2003 Knox College meeting; Carl Wenning noted the same with respect to the Illinois State meeting in autumn 2003. The Association now has invitations for all future meetings through autumn 2004.

Student Research Symposium: Carl Wenning reported that seven presenters are in the competition at Principia. Kelly Roos suggested detailing procedures for judging and, noted a need to avoid conflicts of interest. It was also noted that the format of the assessment form should be revised in consultation with current judges. Carl Wenning will see to implementing suggested changes and will have the ISAAPT Web site updated to reflect changes. (Note: The changes include adding a total box and talk number box on assessment form, and procedures that more clearly explains how judges are selected and how the evaluation and selection processes are managed.)

Old Business: (a) Carl Wenning reported briefly on the procedures of the CPDU program as they relate to ISAAPT workshops. Ann Brandon noted that it would be good to find a way to confirm attendance at the meeting as a whole. Carl will pursue this question, and will establish procedures. During the interim he will issue letters of confirmation to all who request them of him. (b) Duane Ingram introduced guest Jerry Pogatshnik, who as a member of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), works with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). He asked about ISAAPT cooperating with IAI to develop a generic transfer agreement for physics students attending community colleges. He detailed the task that needs to be completed, and asked for the Council to have its representatives participate. After considerable discussion, it was MSC that the ISAAPT charge its current working group (established at the fall 2000 meeting including members Narendra Jaggi, chair, Duane Ingram, Curt Hieggelke, Eric Peterson, and Ken Mellendorf) with the task of developing a generic transfer plan that, when approved by the ISAAPT Executive Council, would be forwarded to IAI as the basis of future work with both community colleges and universities. It is expected that this plan will be brought up before the ISAAPT Council at the fall meeting for consideration. It should be noted that Carl Wenning volunteered to join the ISAAPT-ICCB working group and that Conley Stutz recommended that Kevin Kimberlin also do the same.

New Business: (a) Carl Wenning asked for and received ISAAPT Executive Council endorsement of a request to sponsor the AAPT's Rural PTRA program to be held at Illinois State University during the summer of 2001. The purpose of this request is to make the documenting of CPDU's more cost effective. (b) Bill Hogan drew attention to a note from Curt Hieggelke asking for letters (paralleling the example provided) be sent to President George W. Bush asking him to support the NSF budget. It was MSC to delegate to Curt the responsibility for drafting a letter to President Bush regarding the NSF budget, and authorizing Curt to send it in the name of the ISAAPT Executive Council.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 a.m.

Carl J. Wenning
Secretary-Treasurer