Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by William Stone. He explained that in the absence of the current and outgoing President - Dale Mooso - he would run the meeting and take over his duties as incoming President early.
He informed the membership that he had created a Web page for the TACJE, passed around a page illustrating the artwork that he created, and asked for input. John Sharp asked him to put the TACJE logo that has been on TACJE stationary (a star) on the Web page somewhere. There were no other objections.
Glen Ware asked the organization to support a request to the Texas Coordinating Board to change criminal justice in community colleges from voc-tech to academic. Glen Ware, Richard Becker and John Sharp explained to the membership that the designation had been important for money allocations, but this was no longer the case. Those in support of the change argued if would help c.j. departments in community colleges ensure quality of faculty. Bob Taylor asked how a change in designation would impact transfer of community college coursework. Those supporting the change expressed the view that there would be no difference because transfer credit was guided by the transfer curriculum agreement anyway. The discussion then moved to SB 148 and the future of the transfer core curriculum. A motion was made to have a letter written supporting the change in designation from voc-tech to academic and it was passed with no objections.
The secretary-treasurer then asked to have the minutes from the Tuscon meeting approved. Said minutes were distributed and a motion was made to approve them. The motion carred with no objection.
The secretary-treasurer then presented the Treasurer's report. This indicated that the current balance of TACJE's savings account was $600.60. She reminded members that only those members who had paid their dues should vote. Dues would be taken immediately after the meeting. Members were reminded that they could pay $10 for three years to $5 for one year memberships.
President Stone then conducted an election for the next President. It was noted that according to Bylaws, the next President must be a member of a two year institution. Richard Becker from North Harris Community College was nominated and elected with a unanimous vote.
The discussion the turned to SB148 again. Bob Walsh aked if it meant that the transfer core must become the core for each major at each insititution. Phil Rhoades said that he thought that might be an accurate understanding of the Bill since it mandated acceptance of certain lower level courses. It was noted that the transfer curriculum committee that met throughout 1996-97 may be reconvened to discuss SB148. The discussion went on at length about the transfer curriculum. Bill Stone suggested that this would be one use of a Web page -- specifically, to share information and provide a forum for discussion of concerns and issues regarding transfer credit.
Glen Ware asked if the Association would explore the possibility of providing accreditation to universities and colleges. Amid some discussion of the feasibility and value of such an exercise, it was decided to form a committee to explore the advantages and disadvantages. A motion was presented and passed and volunteers were accepted as follows:
Committee to Study TACJE Accreditation:
David Woods - Sul Ross
Rosemary Stanford - UH - Victoria
Richard Becker - North Harris Community College
Glen Ware - North Harris Community College
Texas Association of Criminal Justice Educators Web page:
Bill Stone provided the address for the TACJE web page as follows:
www.cj.swt.edu/tacje/intro.htm
Meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:40 p.m.