Tennessee Academy of Science Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, May 2020

Abstract

President Darlene Panvini called the meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science (TAS) Executive Committee to order at 1:00 PM CST via Zoom® video conferencing. Attendees were President-Elect Amy Thompson, Past President and Annual Meeting Coordinator J. Allyn Smith, Managing Editor of the Journal Justin Oelgoetz, Electronic Communications Director Gilbert Pitts, Treasurer Steve Murphree, Secretary Teresa Fulcher, Junior Academy of Science Director Preston MacDougall, Visiting Scientist Director Tony Johnston, Collegiate Division Director Fred Matthews, Publicity Chairperson Mandy Carter-Lowe, Membership Chairperson Karen Kendall-Fite, Necrology Chairperson Martin Stewart, State Department of Education Liaison Brian Caine, Chairs of the ETSU Local Arrangements Committee Gary Henson and Richard Ignace, guest Marcia Schilling, and Members-at-Large Gregory Vieira, Aruna Kilaru and Nikki Glenn. Following a welcome and introductions, Director Johnston made a motion to accept the minutes from the 22 November 2019 meeting with corrections. President-Elect Amy Thompson seconded the motion and the motion carried.Dr. Marcia Schilling, faculty member at Austin Peay State University, was welcomed to the meeting. Upon the resignation of Teresa Fulcher as Secretary, J. Allyn Smith made a motion to accept Dr. Schilling as Secretary. Director Gilbert Pitts seconded the motion and the motion carried by acclamation. Dr. Schilling will assume the position of Secretary following this meeting.J. Allyn Smith reported that the November 2020 meeting scheduled for East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is still planned but recommended considering contingencies based on COVID-19. The 2021 meeting is scheduled for Tennessee Tech University (TTU) and inquiries are out to Tennessee State University (TSU) for 2022. Past President Smith also reported that he contacted the Kentucky Academy of Science regarding a potential joint meeting and is waiting on a response. As Annual Meeting Coordinator, Smith is working to confirm the list of section chairs and gathering changes from the 2019 meeting (withdrawn or added papers). He is considering adding a form to be completed by section chairs following the technical sessions to report program meeting changes. Past President Smith noted that he will have a slate of potential 2021 officers ready for presentation at the 2020 Annual meeting.Amy Thompson reported that Dr. Lev Yampolsky, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at ETSU, will be the keynote speaker for the 2020 meeting. His presentation will be titled “Detecting Selection: What Can Amino Acid Changes Tell Us about Evolution?”. The local arrangement chairs are Dr. Gary Henson and Dr. Richard Ignace. President-Elect Thompson suggested that the meeting might have a special emphasis on COVID-19 with a possible panel discussion. She also recommended considering an article or special edition of JTAS regarding COVID-19 with a historical summary of case trends and challenges in Tennessee. President-Elect Thompson proposed drafting a TAS statement or resolution regarding the importance of scientific data.After Executive Committee discussion, President Panvini and President-Elect Thompson agreed to draft a statement to present to the Executive Committee for approval regarding the importance of scientific inquiry during this pandemic. It was noted by Chairperson Stewart that the Academy held meetings in 1918 during the H1N1 influenza pandemic and it might be interesting to check the historical transactions of the Academy for details.Steve Murphree discussed the Treasurer's report provided below:Treasurer Murphree reported that a meeting to discuss the logistics of moving the Journal online will be happening soon with Past President Sandy Mehlhorn, Managing Editor Oelgoetz and Treasurer Murphree. Director Fred Matthews made a motion to approve the Treasurer's report and the motion was seconded by Chairperson Stewart. The motion carried.Fred Matthews reported that all three Collegiate Division meetings scheduled for April 2020 were canceled due to COVID-19 and there were no expenditures. President Panvini inquired regarding spring 2021 plans. Director Matthews indicated a preference for the Collegiate meetings to occur face-to-face. Managing Editor Oelgoetz stated that he is participating in the planning for the Computing Conference 2020 (which has moved online) and he will be able to report on best practices for online conferencing after the meeting (to be held July 17-18, 2020).Gilbert Pitts reported on updates to the Academy website including abstract submission forms for Collegiate meetings, payment pages for on-line registrations, banner and seal on the homepage, AJAS information and status of meetings. Director Pitts also shared website traffic data indicating a total of over 3000 unique visitors to the site since January, and over 100 hits on Journal articles since May. Director Pitts continues to work on building the online archive of past Journal articles which requires scanning individual pages from print issues. Director Pitts also reported plans to update the TAS Fellows list, create both Instagram® and Youtube® accounts.Justin Oelgoetz reported on behalf of Past Managing Editor Rachel Rigsby that JTAS 94:3, the Reelfoot Lake issue was published in early January. The final issue for 2019 (94:4) is set to be mailed in May. Managing Editor Oelgoetz indicated that plans for electronic publication of JTAS issues beginning 2020 are progressing, with manuscripts being published in print once a year. Managing Editor Oelgoetz noted the need for an Assistant Editor, preferably someone interested in working with meeting abstracts. Managing Editor Oelgoetz noted the upcoming meeting with Allen Press scheduled for the following week and indicated the following issues would be addressed: mechanism for purchase of individual articles for download and printing, mechanism of access for institutional members, advertising considerations, archival of online issues, log in protocol for members, and restructuring of page charges. President Panvini, Treasurer Murphree, and Electronic Communications Director Pitts will join Managing Editor Oelgoetz in this virtual meeting and will report to the Executive Committee at the next meeting.Preston MacDougall reported that the meeting of the Tennessee Junior Academy of Science was held via Zoom® video conferencing on 17 April 2020, continuing an unbroken series of meetings since 1942. Director MacDougall reported that 36 papers were submitted, and 24 outstanding papers were accepted for presentation. Judges included Dr. Gore Ervin, Dr, Paul Koehler, and Dr. Dorothy Phillips. Twelve schools were represented. Director MacDougall reported that both parents and students expressed gratitude that this event was not canceled, as were most other capstone senior events for high school students amidst COVID-19 concerns. Winning presentations were by Daniel Chizikov of White Station High School in Memphis on “The Effect of Different Dietary Fats on the Development of Obesity-related Health Problems and Lipid Metabolism Gene Expression in Drosophila” and Lydia Guertin of Fred Page High School in Franklin on “Dielectric Elastomer Actuators: Impact of Foam Tape Density on Flexibility and Feasibility of Future Prosthetics.” Director MacDougall noted that 2020 winners would not be traveling to the American Junior Academy of Science meeting originally scheduled for Phoenix in February 2021. That meeting will not be held in person, but virtually. Director MacDougall noted that this development may present the opportunity for additional attendees. Director MacDougall reported that student winners from the 2019 meeting from Weakley County were unable to attend the February 2020 meeting in Seattle, and he was unable to attend. Thus, there were no travel expenses for this meeting.Tony Johnston reported with increase use of virtual conferencing via Zoom® or Team® technology as a result of COVID-19, opportunities for revitalization of the Visiting Scientist program are presented. It is now feasible for scientists to “travel” into the K-12 classroom without traveling. TAS members from across the state could virtually step into any classroom and present their research, tips for science fair projects, and be available for question and answers periods or discussions with students on current topics. Director Johnston noted that our database of members willing to participate needs to be updated and we need to work on web-based mechanisms for promoting this among K-12 educators. President Panvini recommended that Director Johnston meet with Brian Caine of the Tennessee Department of Education to discuss opportunities for engagement with teachers.Brian Caine submitted no report.Preston MacDougall noted that the 2021 meeting of the American Association for the Academy of Science would be held through virtual video conferencing.Gary Henson and Richard Ignace of East Tennessee State University, site of the 2020 Annual meeting, deferred their report to New Business.Allyn Smith reported that a slate of officers for 2021 would be presented at the November meeting of the Executive Committee.vacant. President-Elect Thompson offered to coordinate recruitment of an individual to serve as chair of this committee but asked for guidance on the specific role of the committee and the committee chair, which is a member of the Executive Committee per TAS constitution. Secretary Fulcher agreed to research from past TAS minutes.Dr. Charles McGhee submitted no report.Treasurer Murphree noted that due to suspension of on-ground classes at Belmont due to COVID-19, Professors Wooten's accounting class audit of the TAS books was not completed.Karen Kendall-Fite submitted not report but asked for feedback on the role of the membership committee moving forward.Martin Stewart noted the passing of Dr. Curtis Mason, and Dr. James Cook, both retired physics professors from Middle Tennessee State University and asked that Treasurer Murphree check the membership records for these individuals. Chairperson Stewart encouraged members to contact him at mstewart@mtsu.edu with information on the passing of Academy members.Mandy Carter-Lowe reported that certificates for student winners of the 2019 November meeting at Columbia State Community College were printed on site and delivered to section chairs for distribution. One request was received after the meeting for a certificate to be mailed. Pictures of student winners were posted on Facebook® by TAS members and some were widely shared. Chairperson Carter-Lowe suggested increased use of social media for sharing meeting photos, speakers, and student presenters to increase engagement on the site and publicize TAS events. Chairperson Carter-Lowe reminded ETSU local arrangement committee members of the need for space with a printer for preparation of certificates on site should the meeting be held in person.Preston MacDougall invited suggestions for potential resolutions for fall.President Panvini invited reflections on the 2019 Annual meeting. It was agreed that the option for online registration continued to work well, and the roll out of online abstract submission was largely a success. President Panvini inquired as to the desire for T-shirt sales at the Annual meeting. It was suggested that this might occur on a biannual basis. President Panvini inquired as to the status of the publication ethics statement for the Journal and membership in COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics). Secretary Fulcher indicated that the publication ethics statement had been approved by the Executive Committee and suggested that Managing Editor Oelgoetz investigate membership in COPE.President Panvini also asked for input on the proposal to host a continuing education program for health and medical science professionals. No action was taken.President Panvini introduced Dr. Gary Henson and Dr. Richard Ignace of ETSU, serving as Local Arrangement Chairs for the 21 November 2020 meeting. Dr. Henson indicated that ETSU has not yet formally announced fall campus plans though research labs would be opening in June. Dr. Henson noted that space at ETSU to host the meeting has been identified along with a commitment to host the Executive Committee dinner. However, space cannot be reserved until July 2020. Brown Hall has adequate space to host afternoon technical sessions and the Student Center has an area for a luncheon. A firm location for the plenary address is still under discussion. The largest auditorium on campus seats 650. Managing Editor Oelgoetz noted that with potential budget cuts, funding for student travel could be unavailable. Contingency plans for hosting a virtual meeting were discussed. President Panvini appointed a task force to investigate the logistics of hosting a 2020 virtual meeting. Members of the task force include Local Arrangement Chairs Dr. Henson and Dr. Ignace, President Panvini, Annual Meeting Coordinator Smith, President-Elect Thompson and Electronic Communications Director Pitts. Secretary Fulcher made a motion to authorize the task force to determine the nature of the fall meeting based on fall access to the ETSU campus, the health and safety concerns of TAS members and guests, and information available regarding COVID-19. The motion was seconded by Chairperson Stewart and carried. Annual Meeting Coordinator Smith stated that development of protocols for placement of presentations into specific technical sections continues. Managing Editor Oelgoetz asked to be included in these efforts. President Panvini appointed an ad hoc committee to work on these protocols as well as protocols for submitting and accepting abstracts and identifying minimum qualifications for section chairs. Members of this ad hoc committee include President Panvini, Annual Meeting Coordinator Smith, Past President Sandy Melhorn, Managing Editor Oelgoetz and Publicity Chairperson Carter-Lowe.President Panvini entertained a motion to adjourn, made by Managing Editor Oelgoetz and seconded by Director Matthews. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 3:04 CST.Respectfully SubmittedTeresa L. FulcherPellissippi State Community CollegeKnoxville, TN