Commission on Public Service and Extension Minutes of Meeting on
February 12, 1996
Room 400-D Burruss

Members Present: Ralph Badinelli, Doug McAlister, Ted Settle, Jim
Littlefield, Norman Marriott, Jim Parkhurst, Terry Swecker, Pat Edwards,
Kevin Fenton, Ann Hertzler, Lee Skablund and Fred Krimgold, Betsy
Campbell, Sharon Diggs and Dawn Barnes via conference call 

Visitors: Dixon Hanna and David Conn

Members not Represented: James Jones, Deb Williams, Kermit Kwan, Clark
Jones, Bill Mashburn, College of Education, SGA 

1)	The meeting was convened and chaired by Ralph Badinelli. The
agenda was adopted as stated.

2)	Fred Krimgold noted that he was represented at January 22 meeting
via conference call by Judith Hall. Pending this addition, the final
minutes from the January 22 meeting were approved. 

3)	Deb Williams was not able to attend so Norman Marriott gave a
report on the Public Service Excellence Award. There were 8-10
applicants and one award was made to Clifford Randall of Civil
Engineering. Ralph Badinelli has responded to everyone that applied.
Dixon Hanna stated the plaque has been order and will be presented at
Founder's Day. It is hoped that in the future more awards can be made at
$2,000 each, pending approval from Peggy Meszaros.

4)	David Conn explained that he has been asked by Peggy Meszaros to
devise a new faculty development program. He stated that we now have
breakfasts and lunches with new faculty. The numbers have been
disappointing due to other commitments. He will be adding a tour of the
campus to include service areas (motor pool, etc.), black studies
center, and research facilities. The week after graduation in May a tour
of the state is being devised. One bus (44 passenger) and one state car
(2 passenger) will make the week long trip. He may offer the trip to all
faculty with inverse order of service deciding who participates. A very
tentative schedule was passed out for suggestions on route and points of
interest and many were received. Norman Marriott stressed that
objectives and themes should be firmed up or the tour may be looked at
unfavorably. He was concerned that the image conveyed to the general
public may be of faculty "joy riding" around the state at tax-payers
expense. Thus, if we have a clear and purposeful criteria and objectives
we may avoid or at least minimize potential complaints from primarily
the off-campus constituency by showing the advantage gained by the
University and the Commonwealth. Ralph Badinelli suggested four
objectives: 1) distance learning 2) continuing education opportunities
3) extension services 4) opportunities for public service and non-profit
services. He suggested that possibly in the future sub-tours could be
incorporated into different areas of interest. Doug McAlister suggested
notebooks and videos be used during the bus ride for background
information. Any other suggestions should be sent to David Conn via
e-mail to CONN@vt.edu. 

5)	Ralph Badinelli reported that the Implementation Committee was
ready to submit their report to the Provost. He will e-mail their
recommendations to the Committee for their comments. 

Ralph Badinelli initiated a discussion of the possibility of allowing
continuing education students to take all or part of a degree-program
undergraduate class. He asked if any University rules would be violated
by doing this. No one identified a rule violation. Ted Settle and Ralph
Badinelli agreed to work on a proposal to offer such a course using the
ATM network.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:25. The next meeting will be February 26
@ 2:00 in 400-D Burruss.