COMMISSION ON OUTREACH
October 14, 1999
Minutes

Present: Judith Jones (for Dave Barrett) Shawn Breck, S. K. De Datta, Linda
Gray, Jim Johnson, Samuel Johnson (telecon), Clark Jones, Irene Leech, Joe
Marcy, Ellen Agee (for Doug McAlister), Mary McFerren (telecon), Nancy
Metz, Marie Paget, Rita Rufty (for Janet Prillaman-telecon), Linda Leffel (for
Ted Settle), Peter Sforza, William "Terry" Swecker, Jr. 

Absent: Peter Eyre, Daniel Schneck, Rachel "Tina" Shanklin, Susan Sumner 

Guest: Greg Boardman

1.	Welcome and Introductions

Irene Leech called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 

2.	Agenda Approval

The agenda was approved as presented.

3.	Approval of Minutes, September 13, 1999

September 13, 1999 Minutes were approved as presented. There was
discussion about approving minutes electronically. Since there was concern
about faculty who may be out of town, and thus may not be able to vote
electronically, it was agreed that minutes will be approved at the next
meeting date.

4.	Old Business

Discussion of Consultants' Recommendations 

Recommendations on Outreach and Continuing Education at Virginia Tech,
Consultants' Study - September 1999 were distributed and discussed. Clark
Jones reported that he has met with the Outreach Council to discuss these
recommendations and that college deans will review this document at a
future date. He intends to engage in a strategic action process to identify
actions and goals to promote outreach by seeking participation from
Commission on Outreach, Outreach Council, Cooperative Extension,
Outreach Directors, and Clara Cox and Catherine Doss from Public Service
Communications. Irene Leech will identify representatives from Commission
on Outreach to attend these sessions. The target date for completion of
this review is the end of this calendar year. 

Committee Assignments

Outreach Awards Committee: Linda Gray, chair; Nancy Metz; Peter Sforza;
Waldron Kerns; and David Larsen

Promotion and Tenure Committee: Judith Jones and Jim Jones will make a
presentation to the Commission and will distribute the revised promotion
and tenure document in advance of their presentation. 

Center Review

A letter was mailed to directors of Centers to indicate whether Centers
carry the designation of undergraduate instruction, graduate instruction,
outreach or research. At this time thirty-three Centers responded that their
primary functions are outreach. Centers which are designated as university
centers will have to be reviewed by the Commission on Outreach. All
Centers will go through a five-year review with annual reporting. 

Linda Leffel noted that the English Language Institute should not be listed
as a Center since it is a program within Continuing Education. 

5.	New Business

Meeting presentations

Irene Leech distributed a draft schedule identifying dates that Outreach
Commission members may make presentations about their respective areas
during the monthly Commission meetings. Distance Learning Technologies
will be provided for those agents in the field who are not able to attend the
meeting in person.

6.	Presentation

Greg Boardman gave a presentation about the Center for Organizational
and Technological Advancement (COTA). COTA offices are located at the
Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center and at the Donaldson Brown Hotel
and Conference Center. COTA delivers approximately 50 programs per year
with over 10,000 people involved. There are 5 designated fellows in
cross-cutting initiatives.

7.	Announcements

Clark Jones met with Tom Tillar to discuss funding for outreach awards from
the Alumni Association. A motion was made and seconded to change the
outreach award name to carry the alumni designation if approved by the
Alumni Association. The motion carried. The award would still be listed
under the Academy of Outreach Excellence. 

Ellen Agee from Public Service Programs gave information about the
Economic and Development Assistance Catalog. All colleges are
represented in this catalog, and it is distributed to more than 2,500 people
which include extension units and economic development officers. It was
suggested that the catalog be mailed to community colleges. 

Irene Leech adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,


Linda Price
Recording Secretary