Present:
Dean Frey
Dr. Bill Roe
Dr. Gail Hudson
Dr. John Seydel
Dr. Jim Washam
Mark Young

Others:
Chris Collins

Absent:
Dr. Sandra Bevill
Carleen Marburger
Dr. Tina Quinn

Meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Dr. Frey. Dr. Frey converted this meeting from the Planning Committee Meeting to the Executive Committee Meeting. Dr. Frey stated that he had initially planned on issuing research grants up to $100,000. This is being rolled forward. There is a possibility for changes in the summer schedule.

SUMMER RESEARCH PROPOSALS
Stephen Horner, Nareatha Studdard and Larry Dale made application for their research grants. One of the stipulations of these grants when Dean Duggar was here, was to NOT have the faculty member teach a class during, Interim, Summer I or Summer II. However, Dean Frey stated that of the other seven that were received when the Dean was here, he thought that there was one of the seven who was teaching a summer I class.

Dr. Frey asked Dr. Washam what his recommendation was for Dr. Dale’s proposal. He felt it was good, if we have to go half, then we can do that. It was proposed to fund half for Dr. Dale.

The whole committee supported Nareatha Studdard’s and Stephen Horner’s proposal. This research is part of Stephen Horner’s dissertation. Dr. Hudson stated that Stephen should have his dissertation completed by the end of the summer. The committee gave their full support for Nareatha and Steve for their research.

PROPOSAL FOR BIC SPACE
Dr. Roe supported the IBRC proposal for the office space. There was discussion regarding SBDC taking the BIC space. Mark Young feels that the SBDC deals with outreach and bringing people on campus so being on the first floor is much more convenient for them. Dr. Frey asked Dr. Seydel if there were any synergy between Dr. Horsley’s space (supply chain) and AIDC (Automated Identification Data Capture)? The
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May 23, 2005
Page 2

Department Chairs and Dr. Frey looked at the BIC area. After viewing the space, a vote was made on the proposals. Dr. Washam suggested BIC area be Transportation and
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Put IBRC (International Business Research Center) in the Transportation area. Dr. Seydel – foresees 5 – 10 pieces of equipment (5 computers with software to transfer bar codes). Sparce as far as equipment but with the potential for additional work stations to connect and share information. Dr. Moeeni is the expert on this. Start small and build into something identifiable. Would like to bring people from the outside and show them what they can do with their business. Dr. Frey asked Dr. Seydel if the technology fee money would help on this. Dr. Seydel feels that he has what he needs to get started on this. Dr. Seydel asked how long they can delay on this – reason, maybe wait until after their visit to Fayetteville on June 10th. Mark Young suggested merging Herb Lawrence & Int’l Business Research. However, what John Seydel needs, doesn’t want anyone to mess with so it sounds more feasible to have Herb and Int’l Business Research share.

Dr. Frey stated that the committee was not making a decision today. Dr. Frey and Dr. Seydel are going to see an RFID lab in Fayetteville first and will bring this up again at the next meeting.

Dr. Frey asked the Department Chairs for enrollment numbers for summer.

DELTA CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mark Young – The Delta Center responded to a Request for Proposals from the Arkansas Department of Economic Development (ADED) to provide strategic planning services for the agency staff and four communities to be selected by the agency. Following the competitive process, an intent to award letter was released identifying the Delta Center as the entity that had been selected. ADED still has some work to be done to complete the state required process to enter into a contract with us. We anticipate that will be completed sometime this summer and work on the project will begin in July or August. This will be a two year project, renewable for 4 years. Dr. Frey asked Mark to send him a link so he can share this with Dr. Allen.

Mark discussed a project with the Electric Coop of Arkansas

Training is up – had 29 people in supervisory training.

Survey electronically from Chamber to Chamber members and an on-line survey for economic developers for a fee and run for 2 weeks

ENROLLMENT
Dr. Seydel – up 19 except for 6 sessions we’re not offering. Down 20 though from last year but offering less.

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May 23, 2005
Page 3

Concerned with students registering for classes. Only two secretaries able to register students for classes.

Dr. Gail Hudson – her numbers are the same as last year.

Dr. Washam – up for first summer. Down in summer II.

Down 450 students as an institution.

Numbers required for classes to meet:
Freshman/Sophomore – 17
Jr/Seniors – 20
Graduate - 10?

Next meeting scheduled for June 6, 2005

Meeting adjourned at 3:01 p.m.

Submitted by:

Chris Collins