EVENT: Academy Planning Meeting (corrected)

[Solomon Flax]

There will be two meetings this week to allow members to voice their concerns and suggestions about the new StarFleet Academy.

As yet, the Academy has no official formal policies or procedures, i.e. all arrangements under previous administrations are now considered tentative or even rescinded. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new slate.

Details of the two meetings, both held in the Aeon Auditorium, are as follows:

21-Mar-2007 1600 SLT (Wednesday)
23-Mar-2007 1100 SLT (Friday)

These are to be orderly discussions of ideas for the Academy, not political debates. My staff and I are already in the preliminary stages of planning and we will do our best to address members concerns and incorporate your useful suggestions.

The two meetings are expected to be no longer than 1 hour. An agenda for these meetings will be forthcoming.

These meetings do no preclude from approaching me at other times to discuss your ideas, or dropping me a notecard. This forum is an excellent place to air your views.

Thank you for your attention,

Solomon Flax.

[Solomon Flax]

ACADEMY PLANNING MEETING

Thank you for attending this planning meeting for the Academy. Please remember that this is only a preliminary planning meeting, i.e. we will not be able to cover every aspect of the new Academy! It is a chance to share ideas and opinions; no formal policies will be set down at this time.

To maintain the proper decorum, it is expected that all attendees observe the following:

- Raise your hand before asking your question, the meeting chair will call upon you to give your input.
- Do not speak during someone's question or answer, please await your turn.
- Please keep to the prescribed meeting agenda. Questions unrelated to the current topic should be saved for later.
- Maintain proper respect for eachother's opinions, this is not a time of debate to settle disagreements. It is a time for members to express their ideas.
- Provide only constructive feedback. Cynicism and negativity is not helpful.

PROPOSED AGENDA

The meeting chair will give comments before the discussion of each of the agenda items.

1. Changes to Cadet orientation (15mins)

Presently after being processed, new recruits are virtually left to their own devices for 2 weeks. This is a forum for you to offer your ideas on helping Cadets become familiar with our group more quickly so they can get to what they want to do... faster!

2. Courses to offer (15mins)

Obviously a major function of the Academy is to train our officers in various skills and knowledge. What are the topics that:
A) you would like to teach, and
B) you would like to learn?

3. Assessment Procedure (15mins)

As yet, there is no policy on how course completion will be recognized and whether credits and honours will be bestowed upon graduates. Voice your views at this time.

4. Other matters (15mins)

A time of miscellaneous discussion of any issues outside of the above.

NB: this agenda is fluid and will be adapted by the meeting chair as appropriate.

[Solomon Flax]

Below is the chatlog from the first planning meeting. Please have a read if you were interested in attending but missed out. It was a very constructve meeting with plenty of ideas and suggestions.

Thank you for all those who attended.
---

[15:52] Solomon Flax: Good afternoon, guys.
[15:52] Afalalota Cummings: hello Solomon
[15:52] DarkAlpha Bourne: sir
[15:52] Afalalota Cummings: going to grab cofee before the meeting begins
[15:52] Afalalota Cummings: need my trimethylxanthine hit
[15:52] Solomon Flax: Sure.
[15:55] Solomon Flax: Everyone have the agenda for this meeting?
[15:55] DarkAlpha Bourne: sure
[15:56] Si Arcadia: Yes
[15:56] Afalalota Cummings: back
[15:56] Freyr Elvehjem: Indeed
[15:57] Solomon Flax: OK, we will wait a few more minutes before we get underway.
[15:57] Afalalota Cummings: Soloman, can you throw a copy my way... it's gone the way of all my notecards... entered the big unsorted mess that is my Notecards folder :/
[15:58] Afalalota Cummings accepted your inventory offer.
[15:58] Afalalota Cummings: thanks
[16:00] Solomon Flax: Anyone have qualms about me running the meeting from down here... I would rather not stand on the stage so far away.
[16:00] Si Arcadia: What is "qualms"?
[16:00] Si Arcadia laughs.
[16:01] Jin Tao: fine by me
[16:01] Solomon Flax: OK, let's get underway... I wonder where Dolamite is?
[16:01] Si Arcadia: (Probably running after "qualms").
[16:01] Si Arcadia laughs.
[16:02] Solomon Flax: Thank you all for coming to this meeting.
[16:02] Halogen Plasma: thanks
[16:02] Solomon Flax: It is your chance to offer up some opinions and ideas about the soon to be Academy of ours.
[16:03] Solomon Flax: Like I mention in the agenda handout, it is unreasonable for all aspects of the Academy's startup to be discussed but it will help me gauge the interest in the SFA.
[16:03] Solomon Flax: Certainly, we can continue discussions in private after this meeting.
[16:04] Solomon Flax: OK, to keep some order in this meeting, I have a few requests, please bear with me.
[16:04] Solomon Flax: (Welcome to those who just arrived)
[16:05] Totalus Karas: (ty I've had a really bad day, im just glad I can attend)
[16:05] Solomon Flax: firstly, please raise your hand before you ask a question/offer an opinion, I will do my best to call on you in order.
[16:05] Areyn Laurasia: (Thank you, sir.)
[16:05] Solomon Flax: second, try to keep to the topic of the agenda so we can have a unified discussion before moving on.
[16:05] Solomon Flax: there will be time for general discussion at the end
[16:06] Solomon Flax: OK, as a starter could I get a showinig of 'ayes' for those here interested in teaching at the Academy. (I will use the chatlog to note your names down).
[16:06] Totalus Karas: aye
[16:06] Afalalota Cummings: aye
[16:06] DarkAlpha Bourne: aye
[16:06] Freyr Elvehjem: aye
[16:07] Si Arcadia: Ayes
[16:07] Halogen Plasma: aye
[16:07] Ludo Merit: Aye sir
[16:07] Rod Halberd: aye
[16:08] Solomon Flax: Excellent, I thank you for your interest. For those of you who haven't intended on teaching (yet), thank you for your attendance here too.
[16:08] Solomon Flax: OK, the first agenda item is with regards to Cadet Orientation.
[16:09] Solomon Flax: Basically, I am interested in ideas on how to improve the first impression that new recruits get of SLQ... presently, after they get processed by personnel they sort of get left on their own to figure things out before the exam.
[16:10] Jin Tao raises his hand
[16:10] Si Arcadia raises hand.
[16:10] Solomon Flax: Yes, Jin.
[16:10] Halogen Plasma raises hand
[16:11] Jin Tao: well if the we could maybe set our application forms up were the personnel are enlisted.....It would allow them to walk over and imediatly contact the division of interest
[16:11] Solomon Flax: applications to join subdivisions?
[16:11] Jin Tao: so that we could assign them a mentor type figure
[16:11] Jin Tao: aye yes
[16:12] Solomon Flax: Ah, a mentor scheme... very good. This idea has been mooted before and we will definitely consider it.
[16:13] Rod Halberd gave you Proposal for Academy (Rod Halberd).
[16:13] Totalus Karas raises hand for a question after Si and Halo if not addressed by them first
[16:13] Solomon Flax: before I move onto the next person, anyone like to add to the mentoring idea?
[16:14] Afalalota Cummings: I would
[16:14] Solomon Flax: Yes?
[16:14] Si Arcadia: Well, my question comes to it, almost.
[16:14] Solomon Flax: (it would save time if you could already type up your questions while another is answering/asking)
[16:14] Rod Halberd: yeap
[16:14] Afalalota Cummings: I think mentoring would be extremely beneficial, but I think it should take place after any indoctrination rather than immediately
[16:14] Solomon Flax: Indoctrination? Like assimilation?
[16:15] Afalalota Cummings: yes, lol... that is, after the most basic of "this is SLQ, this is what we do" classes
[16:15] Rod Halberd: this is in that proposal that I sent you......sir
[16:15] Solomon Flax: OK, thank you for that suggestion, it does make sense.
[16:15] Si Arcadia: Mentoring is great, but like anything else, no ressources.
[16:15] Solomon Flax: OK, Si, your comment.
[16:15] Si Arcadia: I would recommend they are directed towards the head of their division. Heads should allways have to contact new members, when they are available.
[16:16] Solomon Flax: Yes, this is true, but who should initiate the contact, Cadet or subdiv lead?
[16:16] Si Arcadia: I do not understand why heads are so discreet towards their subordinates.
[16:16] Si Arcadia laughs.
[16:17] Si Arcadia: Heads, in my sense.
[16:17] Halogen Plasma: Cadets should apply where they want to go
[16:17] Solomon Flax: OK, any comments from others about that?
[16:17] Areyn Laurasia raises a hand.
[16:17] Solomon Flax: Yes, Areyn.
[16:17] Halogen Plasma: ahem
[16:18] Rod Halberd: I think cadets should try first in academy and after that decide what they want....
[16:18] Areyn Laurasia: Sir, I'm in favour of the first suggestion.
[16:18] Solomon Flax: Rod, please raise your hand before speaking, thanks.
[16:18] Halogen Plasma raises hand
[16:18] Solomon Flax: Sorry, Areyn, which suggestion do you mean?
[16:19] Areyn Laurasia: The one about the mentors for cadets.
[16:19] Solomon Flax: OK, thank you.
[16:19] Solomon Flax: Your question, Halogen.
[16:19] Halogen Plasma: When I was a Cadet, I had 2 things on my mind
[16:19] Halogen Plasma: 1) What do I need to know to pass thetest
[16:20] Halogen Plasma: and 2) What do the divisions do (so I know where to apply)
[16:20] Halogen Plasma: there isn't enough info on what we do
[16:20] Totalus Karas agress with Halo
[16:20] Halogen Plasma: i.e. Medical does av skins
[16:20] Halogen Plasma: I never would have guessed that
[16:21] Solomon Flax: Thank you, Halogen. Do we agree that before we can assign a mentor from a subdiv, the Cadet must be able to make a well informed decision about which subdiv they want to serve, and approach that subdiv for a mentor?
[16:21] Halogen Plasma: agreed
[16:21] Si Arcadia: Not to me.
[16:21] Jin Tao: aye
[16:21] Halogen Plasma: maybe have a class or something
[16:21] Halogen Plasma: or notecard
[16:22] Rod Halberd raises hand
[16:22] Jin Tao raises his hand
[16:22] Totalus Karas: aye, the linguistics department could have fun converting the subjects for each department so all those involved can read what is available to them
[16:22] Solomon Flax: Please explain your concern, Si. and then I will take your question, Rod.
[16:22] Si Arcadia: I believe a cadet should have read the manual and chosen a division...
[16:23] Si Arcadia: ...thus having the haead (or mentor) contact him and show him the basics...
[16:23] Si Arcadia: ...still leaving the option to change division at the ensign class.
[16:24] Solomon Flax: OK, the means by which a Cadet gets a basic familiarity with each subdiv is yet to be decided. Thanks, Rod.
[16:24] Rod Halberd: my idea is that the academy should provide classes on basic concepts and after that choose classes about divisions that they are interested to see how it works....
[16:24] Totalus Karas tags Rod "my question is also related"
[16:24] Rod Halberd: cadets choose the classes that they are interested about divisions
[16:25] Halogen Plasma nods
[16:25] Rod Halberd: but in basics are for all
[16:25] Solomon Flax: Thanks, Rod. It is clear that we need to provide a foundation of 'common knowledge' that will let Cadets branch into their interests under their own discretion.
[16:26] Solomon Flax: Totalus?
[16:26] Totalus Karas: during my two weeks at joining period i found it very boring and loborious to come on as being from the EU then its hard for us europeans too attend the evening games so to speak.... I was wondering if it be possible to have more academy events running through the day such as a brief course in engineering or a quickt tactical demonstration, or maybe even a brief thought and life into designing skins... just to give the extra added personnel involved in those departments to help towards keeping the cadet active and also make them feel more at home here, knowing there was events being run for them to attend.
[16:26] Solomon Flax: Thank you for preparing your question, Totalus.
[16:27] Solomon Flax: As of now, there is already plans of revamping the 'Cadet Experience'... opinions vary from making the Academy virtually separate from the rest of the fleet, all the way to having the Academy be a subset of each subdivision.
[16:28] Solomon Flax: But certainly, we need to address that 'boredom' that exists now for those starting two weeks, thanks.
[16:28] Totalus Karas nods
[16:28] Solomon Flax: Anything to add before we move on?
[16:28] Halogen Plasma raises hand
[16:29] Solomon Flax: Halogen?
[16:29] Halogen Plasma: I saw in the Library the beginnings of notecard info on the divisions
[16:29] Halogen Plasma: if we could flesh that out a bit and get that to the Cadets as a starting point
[16:30] Solomon Flax: Yes, when I was heading the library I was trying to get that down... then we needed to... remodel.
[16:30] Halogen Plasma: right
[16:30] Solomon Flax: But certainly a resource like that where a Cadet can access in their own time is critical.
[16:30] Halogen Plasma: yes thats what I mean
[16:30] Solomon Flax: The Courses.
[16:30] Solomon Flax: OK, thank you for those ideas. Let's move onto another aspect of the Academy.
[16:31] Solomon Flax: Hmm... I distinctly remember typing those two lines in the other order...
[16:32] Solomon Flax: Anyway, aside from orienting our new Cadets, the Academy is charged with coordinating officer training for our other members and the general public.
[16:32] Solomon Flax: Now, a number of you mentioned you wanted to teach, just yell out (the only time during this meeting) what some of the topics are you want to teach.
[16:33] Si Arcadia shouts: BASIC BUILDING AND MEDIUM SCRIPTING!
[16:33] DarkAlpha Bourne: scripting
[16:33] Ludo Merit: SociaLogic
[16:34] Halogen Plasma raises hand
[16:34] Ludo Merit: Other courses about human relations, mediation, that kind of thing.
[16:34] Freyr Elvehjem: Physics and space sciences, as related to ST
[16:34] Solomon Flax: OK, any more?
[16:34] Afalalota Cummings: random starfleet/star trek things, building, scripting, texturing, clothing...
[16:34] Solomon Flax: Wow... a great diversity there.
[16:34] Areyn Laurasia: definitely star trek science
[16:34] Halogen Plasma: I am hardly qualified to teach it, but
[16:34] Solomon Flax: Yes, Halogen.
[16:35] Rod Halberd: RP Engineering and Startrek Science....
[16:35] Halogen Plasma: I agree there should be ST protocol
[16:35] Halogen Plasma: type of stuff
[16:35] Solomon Flax: Great!
[16:35] Halogen Plasma: ranks, and so forth
[16:35] Rod Halberd: Regulations
[16:35] Floating Keyboard (LCARS) V1.2 whispers: Active: LCARS air keyboard by Aodhan McDunnough
[16:35] Halogen Plasma: to orient our new Cadets
[16:35] Halogen Plasma: and educate our visitors
[16:35] Halogen Plasma: whats canon and no, etc
[16:35] Solomon Flax: OK, we are heading that way in the discussion so I'll ask the question:
[16:36] Freyr Elvehjem: Indeed, along with protocol...leadership
[16:36] Solomon Flax: what are some topics you would like taught but you probably could not teach yourself, something not mentioned yet.
[16:36] Si Arcadia raises hand.
[16:36] Halogen Plasma: SF regulations, protocols, how to RP
[16:36] Afalalota Cummings: would be interesting to run a leadership course (I might be able to teach it, but that stuff takes a lot of time)
[16:36] Solomon Flax: Yes, Si.
[16:37] Si Arcadia: I would really like RL science on warp, teleportation and other "advanced" sciences.
[16:37] Rod Halberd: Well....On my proposal I set a lot of subjects....
[16:37] DarkAlpha Bourne: definatly how to rp... a good suggestion
[16:37] Solomon Flax: OK. Thank you for your input.
[16:38] Solomon Flax: Now, in reference to those questions I would like to propose an idea to you all, one that admittedly I am quite partial to.
[16:38] Totalus Karas: the RP is a must in my oppinion
[16:38] Solomon Flax: (0.11 Time Dilation)
[16:38] Si Arcadia: (A class ontime dilation and time travel would be fun)
[16:39] Solomon Flax: OK, it is my conjecture that previous attempts of getting the Academy going has failed because too much work was given to the Commandant...
[16:40] Solomon Flax: Now, without wanting to sound like a slacker... I hope to shift more responsibility for course development onto you... the subdiv members... the instructors.
[16:41] Solomon Flax: the reason being because you are the ones with the knowhow and expertise... my capacity is only as an administrator.
[16:41] Halogen Plasma raises hand
[16:42] Solomon Flax: In line with that, the suggestion is to appoint a teaching coordinator for each subdivision who will review and approve all the courses from their discipline. As Commandant, I will look through it too, but your opinions will carry much weight.
[16:42] Solomon Flax: Yes, Halogen.
[16:42] Halogen Plasma: thats what I wanted to know... each subdiv would have a rep...I agree
[16:43] Solomon Flax: No doubt some subdivs already have a member who coordinates their training... I am merely formalizing it... and giving them an Academy tag
[16:43] Halogen Plasma raises hand
[16:44] Solomon Flax: OK, I've put that idea out... c'mon... shoot it!
[16:44] Halogen Plasma raises hand
[16:44] Ludo Merit: I've been hoping for it for some time.
[16:44] Solomon Flax: (Ludo seems to be typing a lot... it worries me...)
[16:44] Solomon Flax: Yes, Halogen.
[16:44] Halogen Plasma: along that line
[16:44] Halogen Plasma: with a published list of classes
[16:45] Halogen Plasma: I could have a contact to sign up for a class unrelated to my division
[16:45] Halogen Plasma: say a Counseling course
[16:45] Halogen Plasma: I could see inter-division communications improved too
[16:46] Rod Halberd raises hand
[16:46] Ludo Merit nods
[16:46] Solomon Flax: Sorry, Halogen, is that a question?
[16:46] Halogen Plasma: no, I agree totally
[16:46] Solomon Flax: OK, thanks.
[16:47] Solomon Flax: I should also add, that all course proposals will come from our membership... and aside from the content, I would also expect you to provide an instructor.
[16:47] Solomon Flax: I don't envisage having the post of generic 'Academy Instructor' who is not attached to a course to be taught.
[16:47] Solomon Flax: Yes, Rod
[16:48] Rod Halberd: Since we have a coordinator ...what about engineering school.....medical institute....create departments inside academy?
[16:48] Si Arcadia raises hand.
[16:48] Rod Halberd: coneected with divisions
[16:49] Solomon Flax: I did consider that... I propose to implement, at least initially, by giving your subdiv coordinator a joint appointment as an Academy staff... we don't have the resources (at least at the outset) to draw up entire Schools/Departments.
[16:49] Solomon Flax: What do you think of that, Rod?
[16:50] Rod Halberd: well...we are groing up fast and I think that soon we'll have the human resources for that
[16:50] Halogen Plasma nods
[16:50] Solomon Flax: I will not preclude the development of Departments
[16:50] Solomon Flax: Yes, Si.
[16:50] Si Arcadia: Actually, why not just start by giving a few classes, unrelated, if needed? That way, we'll gain experience and probably will be able to go more into details? And as teachers, shouldn't we be able to teach basically in almost anything, but refer to divisions for review and comments? Trying to be too specialized and getting too many people with different responsabilities may make it hard to start in the first place?,
[16:50] Rod Halberd: if we do a really nice job and create an organized academy other people will be interested , I think
[16:51] Rod Halberd: if we do just what is possible will be always what is possible....
[16:52] Rod Halberd: I think we and new cadets need a challenge
[16:52] Solomon Flax: well, once again any courses that are taught will come from you folks, at the start while we are forming I imagine that we will have courses all over the place.
[16:53] Rod Halberd raises hand
[16:53] Solomon Flax: OK, let me make one last point before we go on to assessment/accreditation.
[16:53] Solomon Flax: Sorry, yes, Rod?
[16:54] Rod Halberd: but we need to decide together what will be the curriculum.....not everyone do what it want
[16:54] Solomon Flax: Yes, that is a big issue that will need to be addressed at a subsequent gathering.
[16:55] Solomon Flax: I will start a thread on the forums to that effect too.

(continues)

[Solomon Flax]

(continued from above)

[16:55] Solomon Flax: Alright, item 3: Assessment Procedure.
[16:56] Solomon Flax: This is a hairy one... as yet I have no partiality about how to go about this.
[16:56] Si Arcadia raises hand.
[16:56] Solomon Flax: But first let me say, if you intend on having your course open to the public... aside from getting a Department coordinator approval, you need to seek my approval as well.
[16:57] Solomon Flax: OK, Si. Let me have it.
[16:57] Si Arcadia: I would give out small "ribbon" like tokens, one could add to a bigger "patch", like the boy-scouts have. So it can be worun somewhere, if wanted.
[16:57] Solomon Flax: OK, so you are talking about after they have completed a course?
[16:58] Si Arcadia: YEs.
[16:58] Ludo Merit raises hand
[16:58] Solomon Flax: It is a good suggestion, but I would like to backtrack to HOW the assessment/accreditation process should be conducted.
[16:58] Solomon Flax: Yes, Lude.
[16:58] Solomon Flax: *Ludo, sorry.
[16:58] DarkAlpha Bourne raises a paw
[16:59] Solomon Flax: You will be next, DarkAlpha.
[16:59] Ludo Merit: OK, there are two topics here and I want to be sure we know which we're talking about.
[16:59] Si Arcadia raises hand.
[17:00] Solomon Flax: (uh oh... it's a long tough question... I can sense it)
[17:00] Ludo Merit: There's what does it mean to a student that he has passed a course, and there's how do we make sure the courses SFA gives are good ones. Assessing the student, assessing the course. There's been a sentence about each so far.
[17:01] Totalus Karas: !totalControl no
[17:01] Ludo Merit: Which are we talking about now?
[17:01] Rod Halberd gave you Awards1.
[17:01] Rod Halberd gave you Awards2.
[17:01] Totalus Karas: eeek sorry :/
[17:01] Rod Halberd gave you Awards3.
[17:01] Solomon Flax: Either, just make it clear what you are expressing an opinion on.
[17:02] Ludo Merit: OK, I'll wait then
[17:02] Solomon Flax: OK< let me get the discussion going.
[17:03] Solomon Flax: Aside from the Cadets, who we want to do the courses to make sure they have a good grounding in our procedures before being promoted... why are some of you wanting to take courses?
[17:04] Solomon Flax: Hmm, OK...
[17:04] Areyn Laurasia raises a hand.
[17:04] Freyr Elvehjem raises hand
[17:04] Solomon Flax: yes, Areyn.
[17:04] Rod Halberd raises hand
[17:04] Si Arcadia raises hand.
[17:04] Solomon Flax: then Freyr, then Rod, then Si
[17:05] Areyn Laurasia: Sir, you can learn to build and script anywhere in sl and on the wikis, but there are few places you can learn about the Trek universe in an immersive environment.
[17:05] Halogen Plasma nods
[17:06] Areyn Laurasia: Consider a group project to build a bridge,the completion of the project could mark the completion of the course.
[17:06] Solomon Flax: OK, thanks Areyn. That leads to a good point of how you will administer the assessment if any.
[17:06] Solomon Flax: Freyr?
[17:07] Freyr Elvehjem: I know I am not alone in this thought: it would be great to have a more definitive chain-of-command structure, and so instead of just using a class at only one point in a member's career for promotion potential, perhaps something more like a chain of classes for members to advance from level to level
[17:07] Areyn Laurasia nods in agreement.
[17:08] Freyr Elvehjem: I realize that is getting outside the bounds of merely the Academy
[17:08] Solomon Flax: OK, so the proposal is to have certain courses as prerequisites for career advancement. Interesting.
[17:08] Solomon Flax: OK, Rod.
[17:08] Freyr Elvehjem: Indeed...throughout one's career instead of just at the cadet level
[17:08] Rod Halberd: sir....promotion means responsibility.....and you need to be prepared for that if you want to be promoted.....I've seen an RP engineer telling in a RP that the ship was going on warp 11?!?!?!?!?!?....that guy wasn't prepared to be chief engineer for sure....
[17:09] Totalus Karas: i think thats leads into an RP protocol class
[17:09] Solomon Flax: So, what are you saying, Rod?
[17:09] Solomon Flax: aside from the course completion there should be other criteria?
[17:10] Rod Halberd: I'm saying that you need to know the area that you are about to command or serve.....
[17:10] Rod Halberd: that's why i agree with freyr on this advancements courses
[17:10] Si Arcadia: (I say, bring them all back to the rank of ensigns, except the admirals, of course).
[17:10] Solomon Flax: That makes enough sense. Completing the relevant courses, although not guaranteeing you a promotion, is certainly necessary before you are considered.
[17:11] Ludo Merit raises a hand to be added to the list
[17:11] Solomon Flax: OK, Si, then Ludo.
[17:11] Si Arcadia: I say give the class to inform people. If a head, somewhere, wants to use a class as a pre-requisit for promotion, let him do it. But we should not stop ourselves from teaching because it does not bring to a promotion (I'm not sure this is 100% relevant).
[17:12] Solomon Flax: Alright, if I understand Si correctly, courses should be open to all to attend, even for those not seeking 'course credits'.
[17:12] Si Arcadia: I believe so.
[17:12] Rod Halberd: agreed
[17:12] Solomon Flax: Great. Thanks, Ludo?
[17:13] Solomon Flax: (I'm typing without typing again...)
[17:13] Ludo Merit: I do not agree that all courses should be open to any sfcslq member. There are counseling courses that I would hesitate to teach to anyone not committed to learning how to help people through peer coaching, a process that takes time.
[17:14] Solomon Flax: Ah yes, there should be some entry conditions for some courses...
[17:14] Ludo Merit: However, I agree that many courses should be open even to people who are not required to take them
[17:14] Rod Halberd raises hand
[17:15] Solomon Flax: How instructors screen their potential students is something that will be considered on a course by course basis I think.
[17:15] Ludo Merit: And while I'm at it, how do we tell a student has absorbed the material in a course? Grades? Tests? Those horrid multiple choice test machines? I don't want to propose that all ccourese
[17:16] Ludo Merit: I froze
[17:16] Totalus Karas: all did ^^
[17:16] Areyn Laurasia: (froze here too)
[17:16] Solomon Flax: OK, let me return to that point you raised Ludo, Rod did you have a related comment?
[17:16] Ludo Merit: That all courses have associated tests but the matter of evaluating the student is not irrelevant.
[17:16] Rod Halberd: we instructors should set what is the necessary knowledge and requisites to attend the classes....talking about tests...what about a kobayashi maru kind of test?
[17:17] Solomon Flax: OK, so we are now discussing how to assess a student's well... absorption or mastery of the course material.
[17:18] Solomon Flax: Now, I am not an expert in pedgogy... so any constructive views on this are welcome.
[17:18] Solomon Flax: *pedagogy
[17:18] Freyr Elvehjem raises hand
[17:18] Solomon Flax: yes, Freyr.
[17:19] Freyr Elvehjem: Well, that is probably up to the instuctors again...but I agree with Lt Merit that the tests are horrible. Usually, instructors can tell if a student understands the information from a discussion with that student
[17:19] Rod Halberd raises hand
[17:20] Freyr Elvehjem: It is pretty obvious when you encounter a student who had trouble with understanding the knowledge or did not pay attention
[17:21] Solomon Flax: Indeed, it will be a tough balance between making sure course assessment is consistent across our courses, giving the instructor too much work, and being certain the grade we give is an accurate indication of the students understanding.
[17:21] Solomon Flax: Those are questions that are addressed in teaching research in RL even now.
[17:21] Freyr Elvehjem: Well, if I may just follow up...it is sometimes hard to be consistent across diverse subject matters
[17:21] Ludo Merit nods
[17:22] Rod Halberd: I don't know if everybody knows what I'm talking about when I talk about kobayashi maru's test....but instead of multiple choices test or any other kind of "school" test, what about if we set some exams like RP situations that the cadets need to apply what they have learned?
[17:22] Solomon Flax: Yes, I envisage the course coordinators and instructors will need to collaborate.
[17:22] Rod Halberd: sorrry....I hit enter by mistake
[17:22] Solomon Flax: Yes, sorry, Rod I do not mean to cut you off.
[17:23] Solomon Flax: Just as a final thing before I formally close the discussion and let you ask me more general questions... I will propose one thing.
[17:23] Rod Halberd: a question could have more than one right answer
[17:24] Solomon Flax: I hope (Command approval pending)... and this will be controversial... that we get a training bridge for Academy use.
[17:24] Si Arcadia laughs.
[17:25] Solomon Flax: Yes, laugh if that is your... very ambigous... response
[17:25] Rod Halberd: a school ship.....nice
[17:25] Si Arcadia raises hand.
[17:25] Solomon Flax: One can hope and dream.
[17:25] Solomon Flax: Give us the old Ajax and we'll fix it and teach in it, I say.
[17:26] Solomon Flax: OK, that draws this meeting to a close. Thank you all for your attendance and your input. A similar meeting to this one will be held on Friday, chaired by my deputy Dolamite Giffen.
[17:26] Xannder Schumann wonders if it's a matter of having a bridge to use, or the space to put one.
[17:27] Solomon Flax: For those who wish you, please stay behind and we will continue the discussions... if not, you are dismissed.
[17:27] Areyn Laurasia: Can't we just use the RP bridge?
[17:27] Si Arcadia raises hand.
[17:27] Solomon Flax: Yes, Si.
[17:27] Si Arcadia: Why couldn't we use one of the allready available bridges? (With all due respect) Yes, ajax or any other set that "should" be available. I find there is a lot of objects around the sim that is not overly used at the moment. Why couldn't we use those?
[17:28] Solomon Flax: well, as for what is and isn't is use is a matter for debate while Galaxy is.... 'in motion'.
[17:28] Si Arcadia: There is about 5 different sets up over here.
[17:29] Si Arcadia: Not counting ten-forward and other general buildings.
[17:29] Rod Halberd: we just need one......
[17:29] Xannder Schumann: For that matter, one could be built for us.. if others cannot be used.
[17:30] Solomon Flax: Yes, I understand what you mean... it is just a suggestion of the top of my head... though I think I was really thinking of Cadet's training ship.
[17:30] Solomon Flax: *off
[17:30] Rod Halberd: agreed
[17:30] Si Arcadia: Maybe cadets could build a bridge as their class project?
[17:30] Rod Halberd: don't need to be something complex
[17:31] Solomon Flax: I don't know about your opinions, so shoot me down if you please... but I would like the Cadet experience to be different from the officer experience... not home one run and blur into the other completely.
[17:31] Solomon Flax: *have one
[17:31] Rod Halberd: agreed2
[17:31] Si Arcadia: (Ajax for cadets, and the rest for seniors?)
[17:31] Xannder Schumann: If I may be so bold.
[17:31] Solomon Flax: A Cadet only ship might foster some teamwork.
[17:32] Solomon Flax: Yes, Xannder. Go ahead.
[17:32] Xannder Schumann: I'm about to start a side project of constructing and building my own bridge set.
[17:32] Xannder Schumann: Unique to anything in Trek.
[17:32] Xannder Schumann: If we can free up the Prim space, I would be more than happy to donate it to the Academy provided it meets approval
[17:33] Rod Halberd raises hand
[17:34] Solomon Flax: Thank you for your offer, Xannder. I will consult with my staff about this idea.
[17:34] Solomon Flax: Yes, Rod?
[17:34] Xannder Schumann nodded.
[17:34] Rod Halberd: A bridge set, engineering set and sickbay set will meet all our needs.....don't need to be really big
[17:35] Solomon Flax: Yes, you are right.
[17:35] Areyn Laurasia raises a hand.
[17:35] Solomon Flax: OK, last question... sorry, I need to log off, I have a RL research meeting to attend soon.
[17:35] Solomon Flax: Yes, Areyn.
[17:37] Areyn Laurasia: The Star Trek museum already has a sick-bay. It would seem redundant to rebuild sets.
[17:37] Areyn Laurasia: Unless it's part of a class.
[17:37] Solomon Flax: Sorry, Areyn, which museum is that?
[17:37] Areyn Laurasia: The Star Trek museum run by Sabri Picard
[17:38] Areyn Laurasia: It's in SL
[17:38] Solomon Flax: Well, I reluctant to use facilities that are offsite... just because we can't secure them as reliably.
[17:38] Lev Winx gave you The Star Trek Museum of Science.
[17:38] Solomon Flax: Even a floor on the new academy building that is furnished that a bridge will do.
[17:38] Solomon Flax: *like that of
[17:38] Areyn Laurasia: ok, I understand that, sir.
[17:40] Solomon Flax: OK, once again, that you all very much for contributing to this discussion. It has been very helpful for me, I hope you agree.
[17:40] Solomon Flax: Just two notes:
[17:40] Solomon Flax: 1. Ekevu Lian at the back there will be in charge of coordinating the teaching coordinators for your subdivisions.
[17:40] Ludo Merit claps
[17:40] Rod Halberd gave you ranks.
[17:41] Ludo Merit: OMG I feel great!
[17:41] Solomon Flax: 2. I will be reviewing and revamping the StarFleet Academy SLQ group and the tags so if you find yourself renamed or even ejected, rest assured it is not personal and you will be reinstated s necessary... (for a small 1 million Linden dollar fee).
[17:42] Si Arcadia laughs.
[17:42] Afalalota Cummings: ahh, loose change I see Soloman
[17:42] Solomon Flax: Thank you all, I will post the chatlog on the webforum.
[17:42] Si Arcadia claps.
[17:42] Solomon Flax: Ex Astris, Scientia
[17:43] Ludo Merit claps

[Dolamite Giffen]

Part 1 of the log from 3-23-07 Planning meeting-Dolamite chair


[10:59] You: *starts log*
[11:00] You: Alright did we all get a copy of the sfa meeting agenda?
[11:00] RoBobby McMillan: Yep.
[11:00] Hugh Dench nods
[11:00] Zoltan Insoo: thx
[11:01] You: so we all got it?
[11:01] Lynk Dryke: nope
[11:01] Ludo Merit: Is there something to click?
[11:01] You: No...
[11:01] Lynk Dryke accepted your inventory offer.
[11:01] RoBobby McMillan accepted your inventory offer.
[11:01] You: ludo its the same one as yesterday..
[11:01] Gissmo Schroeder: Can i have to please?
[11:01] Gissmo Schroeder accepted your inventory offer.
[11:01] Ludo Merit: OK
[11:01] You: anyone else need it
[11:01] Gissmo Schroeder: thx
[11:02] You: Alrighty first off, what i say is only secondary, since Solomon Flax is the commandant. So i might not know all the answers but ill do my best, to answer.
[11:03] You: This is a meeting ot offer you the chance to voice your opinions about the new academy structure.
[11:03] You: But pleas do not use this as a "bitching" session, lets keep it constructive
[11:03] Dray Maverick is Offline
[11:03] Dray Maverick is Online
[11:04] You: Like we mention in the agenda handout, it is unreasonable for all aspects of the Academy's startup to be discussed but it will help me gauge the interest in the SFA.
[11:04] You: Ok first off can i get a show of uhh...Ayes! for anyone who wants to be an instructor
[11:04] RoBobby McMillan: Aye
[11:05] Ludo Merit: Aye sir
[11:05] Jim Foxley: Aye
[11:05] DarkAlpha Bourne: ayed in the last meeting so id better be consitent
[11:05] You: even if ya did this yesterday
[11:05] You: Ok so only 3 are here for teaching...
[11:05] You: Ok
[11:05] You: Excellent, I thank you for your interest. For those of you who haven't intended on teaching (yet), thank you for your attendance here too.....It shows your dedication to the cause that is SLQ.
[11:06] You: OK, the first agenda item is with regards to Cadet Orientation....this is something i have been tasked to get underway, so it will nice to hear some comments when i ask for them...
[11:06] You: Please raise your hand and i will call on you in order..
[11:06] RoBobby McMillan raises hand
[11:07] Luni Luna is Online
[11:07] Jim Foxley raises hand
[11:07] You: Basically, I am interested in ideas on how to improve the first impression that new recruits get of SLQ... presently, after they get processed by personnel they sort of get left on their own to figure things out before the exam, this isn't helping our image, and with the new and improve academy leaders, this should be addressed.
[11:07] You: Yes Ro?
[11:08] You: (btw please try to ype up your questions as i am typing so we can speed it up)
[11:08] You: type*
[11:08] RoBobby McMillan: I was wondering... would it be possible if Cadets were assigned individual instructors? Some sort of contact person to goto when you ahve qustions?
[11:08] You: Yes, the idea of mentors has been discussed
[11:08] You: So possible yes, gonna happen not entirely sure.
[11:09] Lucas Atlantis is Offline
[11:09] You: it will probably be in a different form
[11:09] You: Ok Jim
[11:09] Jim Foxley: Did those suggestions I gave to you help you in any way?
[11:09] You: Umm, i dunno if i received those, you might hve given them to Solomon
[11:10] You: feel free to send me your notecards if ya wish
[11:10] Jim Foxley: You were at the counselling office and I gave you a notecard.
[11:10] You: Oh that
[11:10] You: Yes.
[11:10] You: Those are a seperate project, but related.
[11:11] You: But they did help annd i did forward them
[11:11] You: What jim is talking about
[11:11] You: is missions for cadets to do
[11:11] You: when they arrive in the academy
[11:12] You: It gives them a sense of purpose while learning some SL skills
[11:12] Jim Foxley: I just wanted to know, because I have some others I didn't forward to you. I will soon.
[11:12] Dolamite Giffen nods
[11:12] You: Anyone else, wish to talk about the cadet orientation
[11:13] Morgue McMillan raises hand
[11:13] You: Yes morgue
[11:13] Morgue McMillan: Would it be possible to let the cadets go around the subdivisions for a day or two
[11:13] Morgue McMillan: just to stay there and look what the work is like?
[11:14] You: That would go in line with the mentor thing, And that would most likely be division based.
[11:14] Morgue McMillan: ah -ok
[11:14] Hugh Dench raises hand.
[11:14] You: One of the ideas is to offer what is now called cadet to ensign much sooner
[11:14] You: So that they all know the rules
[11:14] Jim Foxley: Divisions and sub would have to set up an agenda for Cadets.
[11:14] You: and what the divisions are
[11:15] Dolamite Giffen nods
[11:15] Grace Nakamura: me/raises hand
[11:15] Morgue McMillan: but thought of a kind of plan for every cadet to go through every sub
[11:15] Dolamite Giffen nods
[11:15] You: yes good idea, morgue.
[11:15] You: hugh?
[11:15] jon Mankiewicz: raises hand
[11:16] Hugh Dench: Yes, maybe an idea: SO maybe we can etablish in every subdiv a little informaiton point...
[11:16] Hugh Dench: In some divs there is such an information point...
[11:16] Hugh Dench: But maybe we can have information there especiallay for cadets
[11:17] Hugh Dench: so the cadets can identify such an information point, because they all have the same look....and there you can get informaiton....
[11:17] Dolamite Giffen nods
[11:17] You: Alright grace?
[11:17] Grace Nakamura: yes, good idea
[11:18] Grace Nakamura: Ineed to know more about the divisions
[11:18] Morgue McMillan raises hand
[11:19] Grace Nakamura: to realize what is the work there and join to do it
[11:19] Joolina Kawaguichi is Offline
[11:19] You: Yes ucrrently that is addressed at the end of the two week mark...
[11:19] You: Why we don;t know...except that they wanted ya to show some sense of loyalty
[11:20] You: Jon?
[11:21] You: ok meogure?
[11:21] Morgue McMillan: that all might be due to a coordination between personnel and academy at first step
[11:21] You: morgue*
[11:21] Dolamite Giffen nods
[11:21] Morgue McMillan: and personnel and subdivs in second
[11:21] Morgue McMillan: or academy and subs?
[11:21] You: Yes, we are cworking on cousneling personnel and acdemy be very close together
[11:22] Ekevu Lian is Online
[11:22] You: So we will be working with all the sibdivisions
[11:22] You: On that idea.
[11:22] Dragonfan Hooper: Emera raises hand
[11:22] You: Yes ..emera
[11:23] Dragonfan Hooper: Emera: i was thinking of including the new divisions in the cadet to ensign course
[11:23] Dragonfan Hooper: Emera: like qpedia and linguistics
[11:23] You: Yes they will be added
[11:23] You: as we grow
[11:24] You: but it wont be called cadet to ensign anymore...
[11:24] You: As we are revamping that idea and class
[11:24] You: OK any more or can we move on
[11:24] You: Ok, moving on
[11:25] You: SOlomon has deduced that the reason why the academy hasn't worked before is its to much on the commandant.
[11:25] You: So, what we are pushing is for the leads and cheifs to manage their own division/sub, teachings.
[11:26] You: So for example
[11:26] You: I am in charge of counseling teachings.
[11:26] You: So i have appointed ludo as our lead counseling teachings.
[11:26] DarkAlpha Bourne is Offline
[11:26] DarkAlpha Bourne is Online
[11:26] You: And she will be responsible for teaching people counseling stuff
[11:26] You: as well as others as we go alon
[11:27] You: So thats the idea there...
[11:27] You: Now what kind of classes do you guys want to learn about?
[11:27] You: Or teach
[11:27] RoBobby McMillan raises hand
[11:27] Jim Foxley raises hand
[11:27] jon Mankiewicz: sorry back
[11:27] You: Ro
[11:28] RoBobby McMillan: A class I'd like to teach, would be starfleet tech, science, etc. I would like to learn scripting, etc.
[11:28] Hugh Dench raises hand
[11:28] DarkAlpha Bourne raises a paw
[11:28] You: feel free to just speak the classes you want to teach
[11:28] You: No need to raise hand
[11:28] You: this is just an idea forum here
[11:28] Grace Nakamura raise hand
[11:28] Hugh Dench: I think the conversation courses are included in this new cadet-program?!
[11:28] DarkAlpha Bourne: in that case Id like to try teaching scripting
[11:29] Jim Foxley: I think science-related classes would be a good contribution to Academy and Starfleet. Thats what I am prepared to teach.
[11:29] You: grace?
[11:29] Grace Nakamura: I'd like to learn about scripts
[11:29] Grace Nakamura: and science, too
[11:30] Gissmo Schroeder: Learn about Scrips
[11:30] WhiteWolf Goodfellow: A Math Class to help with Building instead of depending on eye sight
[11:30] You: I am preparing a class on RP. Aka...starship operations
[11:30] You:
[11:30] DarkAlpha Bourne: an rp class is definatly needed
[11:30] Luni Luna is Offline
[11:31] Morgue McMillan: We could of course teach some language skills
[11:31] jon Mankiewicz: what about rp lanugages class
[11:31] Morgue McMillan: semms there is a need on it
[11:31] Morgue McMillan: *seems
[11:32] You: on rp languages or language?
[11:32] You: or both
[11:32] Morgue McMillan: both
[11:32] You: lol
[11:32] Grace Nakamura: yes, sure both
[11:32] jon Mankiewicz: both
[11:32] Colton Welders is Offline
[11:32] Hugh Dench: btw...I think with that languages classes.....I think a conversation course for (starfleet) english is more needed atm
[11:32] You: Ok well you do know, those that are bringing up these ideas, are gonna need tp make the class
[11:32] You:
[11:32] You: So we can teach it
[11:33] You: or you can teach it
[11:33] You:
[11:33] Morgue McMillan: sure
[11:33] Morgue McMillan:
[11:33] You: id say make that a relative priotiy
[11:33] You: Once we have the academy structure set up
[11:33] You: We will start needing classes
[11:34] You: So, start working with your subdivision lead or asst lead, and cheifs of your divisions for help.
[11:34] You: Anyways..
[11:34] You: Moving on

[Dolamite Giffen]

Part two of academy planning meeting- We went a little of track due to the lack of responses, but it turned out well, and i thank all who attended. Dolamite-Chair

[11:34] You: As yet, there is no policy on how course completion will be recognized and whether credits and honours will be bestowed upon graduates. Voice your views at this time.
[11:34] You: Raise hand please
[11:35] You: one idea is using university type credts..
[11:35] You:
[11:35] You: SO yea expand please
[11:35] You: this is the second most important thing right now
[11:36] You: No comments...wow
[11:36] You: So noone wants us to be credited
[11:36] WhiteWolf Goodfellow thinkin
[11:36] RoBobby McMillan raises hand
[11:36] Morgue McMillan: so what would that look like? will there be points?
[11:37] jon Mankiewicz: raises hand
[11:37] Morgue McMillan: and on what basis?
[11:37] You: i duno morgue it was an idea..
[11:37] RoBobby McMillan: Is it an idea to... I dunno, create some sort of notecards or so, to give to the cadets who com pleted the course?
[11:37] You: please offer a different one
[11:37] You: or expand
[11:37] Morgue McMillan: ok - we have to think it over
[11:37] Jim Foxley: Credits might work. Starfleet could assign a certain number of credits at a certain subject (science, building, languages...) for a Cadet to become Ensgin, instead of a simple SIM rules test.
[11:37] You: Yes
[11:37] WhiteWolf Goodfellow: Spreadsheets help keep track of things
[11:38] You: thats the idea JIm
[11:38] You: Thank you
[11:38] Jyrras Wilder is Offline
[11:38] You: All this is is in an effort to get cadets from personnel to ensign.
[11:38] Jyrras Wilder is Online
[11:38] Jim Foxley: And to join a Division or sub, there might be other classes/credits/tests too.
[11:38] You: While teacihng them about trek,slq, and Sl skills
[11:39] You: Before they become either a ccrewman or an officer...asuming we do rank structure changes...
[11:39] You: Hmmm which brings me to other..
[11:39] Morgue McMillan: so what are we upon?
[11:39] Morgue McMillan: Do we change the whole structure then?
[11:40] You: What do you all think of installing crewman ranks instead of just having a boatload of ensigns and LT.Jg's....
[11:40] You: no we are on other morgue
[11:40] You: With this, ensign actually means something
[11:40] Zoltan Insoo: raises hand
[11:40] Morgue McMillan: ok got it
[11:40] Jim Foxley: Not only crewman ranks, but field ranks too, for Marines.
[11:40] You: while giving our members a sense of accomplishment
[11:40] You: Mariness?
[11:40] You: when do we have marines?
[11:41] WhiteWolf Goodfellow: ^^
[11:41] You: Marines aren't trek, except for games..
[11:41] Hugh Dench raises hand....
[11:41] Jim Foxley: Yes. We happen to have a lot of people that love to carry weapons around. Group them in tactic divisions and we have another kind of RP.
[11:41] You: Zoltan after jim is done its your turn
[11:42] You: AHH weapons..
[11:42] You: we are trying to remove that lol
[11:42] Hugh Dench: I think the structure with the titles "Ensign", "Lt. Jg." is better than this things with "crewman"
[11:42] Zoltan Insoo: The idea of introducing credit system based on the accomplishment of some classes seems to be nice, but ..
[11:42] Jim Foxley: Cobramax insists in doing tactical training sessions.
[11:42] Zoltan Insoo: .. won't this frighten new Cadets from going upwards?
[11:42] You: Howso?
[11:42] jon Mankiewicz: what about cadet using weopon wronly
[11:42] Zoltan Insoo: Complicated steps to be an Ensign
[11:43] Zoltan Insoo: I think the 1st step (Cated too Ensign) could remain the simplye SIm test
[11:43] You: Well, i am gonna speak mildly opinion based..here so i am OOC
[11:43] Zoltan Insoo: not to frigten away new people
[11:43] Zoltan Insoo: then the classes (science, etc) could be for the next ranks
[11:43] Jim Foxley: No. Cadets wouldn't be allowed to use weaps. They would have to pass an extensive training to do so, and even attending to Ludo's classes.
[11:43] You: Well, while i encourage that..at one side...
[11:44] WhiteWolf Goodfellow raises hand
[11:44] You: The other side is, when in trek does an ensign not know anything
[11:44] You: And moving up shoyuld be hard...
[11:44] You: Its not easy..its work, but i hope the classes be fun and encouraging
[11:44] You: Not boring
[11:44] You: and lame
[11:44] You: At least 101 classes.
[11:44] You: Nothing past that
[11:45] You: until they join a division
[11:45] WhiteWolf Goodfellow gave you Ranks (names).
[11:45] You: any other ideas..did i miss anyone?
[11:45] You: Hugh?
[11:45] You: and ww
[11:45] WhiteWolf Goodfellow: i passed you a notecard
[11:45] WhiteWolf Goodfellow gave you Ranks (names).
[11:45] You: yes.
[11:46] Hugh Dench: ah, just said that for me the "ensign", etc. titles and structure are feeling better than this thing with the crewmen
[11:46] Colton Welders is Online
[11:46] You: Well, my fear is..
[11:46] Ludo Merit raises hand
[11:47] You: SLQ isnt a game where we all can move up, since we cant all have 80 captain, and all that...all that will happen is we will end up tearing ourselves apart...but this is off topic and OOC...So lets move to LUdo
[11:47] Ludo Merit: sorry, phone
[11:47] You: hehe
[11:47] You: nice timing
[11:48] You: So anyother views
[11:48] You: anything at all
[11:48] You: about academy..
[11:48] You:
[11:49] DarkAlpha Bourne: well...
[11:49] DarkAlpha Bourne: id have to agree with u on the idea of a crewman rank
[11:49] DarkAlpha Bourne: everybody is an ensign.... and just for answering 10 or so questions
[11:49] DarkAlpha Bourne: or even just guessing and happening to get them right
[11:49] Ludo Merit: Ludo merit raises hand
[11:49] You:
[11:49] You: Hold dark we will continue
[11:49] You: after ludo
[11:50] You: Go ludo
[11:50] DarkAlpha Bourne: im done
[11:50] You: ok
[11:50] You:
[11:50] Ludo Merit: Concerning the idea of changing the rank structure.
[11:51] Ludo Merit: Ranks serve three purposes in SFC. one, Cadet means unindoctrinated member, ensign means member
[11:51] Ludo Merit: Two, above that, ranks are based partly on service to the group and partly on what office one holds. This is confusing and disappointing to many people.
[11:52] Ludo Merit: If we add ranks, we should be sure we know what they mean. I think we need a better reward structure that does not use the same titles as the positions given to holders of lead and such.
[11:53] Dolamite Giffen nods
[11:53] Ludo Merit: Am I a Lt' JG because I used to be a lead?
[11:54] Ludo Merit: So I'm not sure whether the new grades will be helpful. I like the idea of more grades, and yes, I've seen that rank list. But witout knowing how they would be awarded I'm not sure what to think.
[11:54] Morgue McMillan: I guess Ludo is right
[11:54] Morgue McMillan: atm it is all mixed up
[11:54] Ludo Merit: So I hope we continue to work on that idea.
[11:55] You: Yes. This idea has been in circulation
[11:55] You: And there are some good benchmarks made
[11:55] Ludo Merit: Along with working on how to reward people for taking courses, and how to reqard them for service.
[11:55] You: to get from one to the next
[11:55] You: Yes
[11:55] Ludo Merit: Good.
[11:55] You: The admirals have now opened discsussions again about ranks structure
[11:55] You: We already did it once here
[11:55] Ludo Merit: That's good too.
[11:55] You: to make us cadets not ensign
[11:56] You: We used to have they come into group
[11:56] You: and they be ensigns
[11:56] You: But as we grew more trek reality came apparantly needed
[11:56] You: So we made cadets
[11:56] You: And now it is time to revisit our drawings on ranks
[11:56] You: For crewman
[11:56] You: as we grow
[11:57] You: and our policies ther arent fully developed or clear
[11:57] You: We need to address it regardless of crewmen..
[11:57] You: So yea
[11:57] Jim Foxley: Agreed.
[11:57] You: thats all i have for yall, unless ya have any more ideas. or comments

[Solomon Flax]

Thanks to Dolamite for chairing the second meeting in my absence. I have read the chatlog and will consider all the positions that were presented at that meeting.

All your input is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Solomon Flax.

[Takira Sukra]

I found this information regarding Academy Core Curriculum in FASA's STTNG Officer's Manual (1988). This might give the Academy some ideas regarding the concept of credits. Here it is (in four parts by years):

FIRST-YEAR COURSES

Required Courses
Advanced Mathematics - 3 hrs
Armed Combat Training - 3 hrs
Astrogration and Space Science - 2 hrs
Computer Operation - 2 hrs
Federation Cultures/Social Customs - 3 hrs
Federation History - 3 hrs
Federation Law - 3 hrs
Galacta I - 4 hrs
Hand-to-Hand Combat - 3 hrs
Introduction to Warp Mechanics - 3 hrs
Physical Conditioning I - 6 hrs
Officer Leadership I - 4 hrs
Starship Life and Procedures - 3 hrs
Starship Sensor Systems Operations - 3 hrs
General Medicine, Humanoid - 3 hrs

Total: 48 hrs + 12 hrs electives = 60 hrs

Electives
Alternate Time Probabilities - 1 hr
Applied Electronics - 6 hrs
Computer Science/Technology - 2 hrs
Dimensional Mathematics - 2 hrs
Galactic Astronomy - 3 hrs
General Biology - 3 hrs
General Chemistry - 3 hrs
Interstellar Trade and Commerce - 2 hrs
Small Systems Technology - 2 hrs
Physics - 2 hrs
Planetary Ecosystems - 3 hrs
Planetary Government Systems - 4 hrs
Planetary Geology - 3 hrs
Psychology, Human - 3 hrs
Terran Military History - 3 hrs
Terran Social History - 3 hrs

[Takira Sukra]

SECOND YEAR

Required Courses
Applied Medical Techniques - 10 hrs
Deflector Operation/Technology - 3 hrs
Galacta II - 3 hrs
General Medicine, Klingon - 3 hrs
Hand-to-Hand Combat II - 3 hrs
Klingon History and Culture - 3 hrs
Officer Leadership II - 8 hrs
Physical Conditioning II - 20 hrs
Starship Communications Operations - 3 hrs
Starship Helm Operations I - 4 hrs
Starship Navigation Principles I - 4 hrs
Star Fleet Security Procedures - 4 hrs

Total: 68 hrs + 12 electives = 80 hrs

Electives
Advanced Biology - 3 hrs
Advanced Chemistry - 3 hrs
Advanced Warp Mechanics - 4 hrs
Alien Medical Psychologies - 3 hrs
Applied Genetics - 3 hrs
Archaic Weapons Systems - 1 hr
Astrophysics - 2 hrs
Emergency Weapon Construction - 1 hr
Federation Literature - 3 hrs
General Pathology - 4 hrs
Hyperspatial Mathematics - 4 hrs
Interstellar Languages
Andorian - 3 hrs
Klingonaase - 3 hrs
Orion - 3 hrs
Romulan - 3 hrs
Tellaran - 3 hrs
Vulcan - 3 hrs
Mechanical Engineering I - 3 hrs
Orion History and Culture - 3 hrs
Plasma Phsycis - 4 hrs
Psychology
Klingon - 3 hrs
Romulan - 3 hrs
Surgical Conditions and Procedures - 5 hrs
Transporter Systems Operations - 4 hrs

[Takira Sukra]

THIRD YEAR

Required Courses
Emergency Command Procedures - 3 hrs
Environmental Suit Operations - 3 hrs
Ground Vehicle Operation - 3 hrs
Ground Vehicle Maintenance - 3 hrs
Officer Leadership Development - 8 hrs
Physical Conditioning II - 16 hrs
Planetary Survival - 20 hrs
Small Unit Tactics - 20 hrs
Starship Navigation Principles II - 4 hrs
Shuttlecraft Operation - 4 hrs
Zero-Gravity Combat Techniques - 4 hrs

Total: 88 hrs + 12 hrs electives = 100 hrs

Electives
Artistic Expression - 2 hrs
Advanced Electronics - 4 hrs
Advanced Pathology - 4 hrs
Biochemistry - 4 hrs
Electrochemical Physics - 3 hrs
Energy Weapon Construction - 6 hrs
Computer Cybernetics - 3 hrs
High-Energy Partical Physics - 3 hrs
High-Energy Weapons Systems - 4 hrs
History of Federation Military Tactics - 6 hrs
Impulse Drive System Technologies - 5 hrs
Mechanical Engineering II - 3 hrs
Shuttlecraft Maintenance - 2 hrs
Starship Helm Operations II - 4 hrs
Xenobiology - 6 hrs
Xenopathology - 6 hrs

[Takira Sukra]

FOURTH YEAR

Required Courses
Administration, Theory and Practice - 6 hrs
Alliance Government - 10 hrs
Cadet Cruise Orientation/Preparation - 12 hrs
Federation Diplomacy, Theory and Practice - 5 hrs
Instructional Techniques - 3 hrs
Officer Leadership Development - 10 hrs
Physical Conditioning IV - 10 hrs
Psychology of Command - 4 hrs
Spacial Combat Strategies - 6 hrs
Staff Officer Leadership Development - 10 hrs
Starship Navigation Principles III - 4 hrs

Total: 80 hrs + 20 hrs electives = 100 hrs

Electives
Advanced Communication Applications - 4 hrs
Advanced Cybernetics - 4 hrs
Advanced Security Procedures - 4 hrs
Advanced Surgical Techniques
Humanoid - 8 hrs
Alien - 8 hrs
Advanced Warp System Technologies - 6 hrs
Artistic Expression - 2 hrs
Federation Corporate Structures - 2 hrs
Federation Leisure Systems - 1 hr
Fencing - 3 hrs
History of Federation Scientific Development - 3 hrs
Hospital Adminstration Principles - 6 hrs
Hyperspatial Circuitry Construction - 2 hrs
Medical Internship - 20 hrs
Star Base Operations - 3 hrs
Transporter Systems, Advanced Theory and Practice - 4 hrs