College of Arts & Sciences Meeting

Fairfield University

23 March 2012

Alumni House

MINUTES

Prof. Epstein (Chair, CAS Committee) called the meeting to order at 4:41p.m. There were approximately 65 faculty members present.

I. Approval of Minutes

MOVED by Prof. Bowen and seconded by Prof. McSweeney, that the minutes of the March 23^rd meeting be approved as submitted.

Motion PASSED [55 in favor, 0 opposed, 10 abstained]

CORRECTIONS: no proposed amendments or corrections submitted

II. Annual report from the ASCC (Jerelyn Johnson)

Professor Johnson, Chair of the ASCC, delivered a year-end report from the ASCC:

Arts and Science Curriculum Committee, Annual Report 2011-2012

Meetings

The ASCC met eight times during the academic year 2011-2012: 9/20, 10/18, 11/8, 12/13, 2/14, 2/28, 3/20, 4/10 and will meet again on 5/8.

Committee Membership

The members of the committee were: Robbin Crabtree, Anita Fernandez, Johanna Garvey, Manuyl Im, Jerelyn Johnson (Chair), Scott Lacy, Doug Peduti, Vin Rosiavach, Giovanni Ruffini, Les Schafer (Fall ’11), Roxana Walker-Canton, Tommy Xie (replaced by Janet Striuli Fall ’11), Qin Zhang

New Course Proposals

The Committee considered 61 new courses: approved 60 of them, some with requests for clarifications and/or modifications.  One course was sent back to the proposer for revision and was not resubmitted. We approved undergraduate courses in Arabic, Anthropology, Biology, Chinese, Classical Studies, Communication, English, English Writing, French, German, Hebrew, History, Italian, Math, Modern Languages and Literatures, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish, New Media: Television, and Visual and Performing Arts. And graduate courses in Communication, English and the new Masters in Public Administration.

Program and Curriculum Revisions

The ASCC reviewed and approved Program and Curriculum Revisions in Irish Studies, Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Modern Languages and Literatures (majors & minors).

· Irish Studies: two changes were approved:

Irish Studies will now allow 9 hours of credits from study abroad at NUI Galway to count toward the 15 credit minor in Irish Studies (previously only allowed 6).

The short term course students take in Galway, “EN 369: The Galway Experience”. can now count as the Irish Studies/English course “EN 161: Irish Literature”. Up throught the AY 2012/2013, students may take both of these courses for credit toward the minor and/or their minor or major in English.

· Religious Studies

Religious Studies will now have as their introductory course RS 101, with five different subtitles, replacing the current RS 10 and it’s up to fourteen subtitles. Additionally, all of their previously numbered 100 courses will be 200-level courses, with the only pre-requisite of RS 101. They are also changing any current 200-level course to a 300-level course if it needs further RS background as a pre-requisite.

· Philosophy

A. Core Curriculum requirements for Philosophy changed. The new requirement is: PH 101 and any 200-level course (changed from PH 10 and one 100-level course).

B. Philosophy created several new 200 level courses.

C. Philosophy renumbered several 200-level courses to 300-level courses.

Miscellaneous Business

· Five-year Review of the Catholic Studies Minor. The ASCC recommended another review in three years.

· Closure of the Corporate Cohort Program in Communication

Considered and Recommended Adoption of

· Bachelors of Professional Studies in to the College of Arts & Science

· Creation of a new Masters in Public Administration

· International Studies Governance Document

· Name Change from the Minor in Women’s Studies to Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

· Administrative changes in CO 560/561 and 570/571

· The committee will meet on meet on May 8^th 2012 to consider a proposal for a Minor in Behavioral Neuroscience and curriculum revision to the New Media program.

III. Annual report from the faculty members of the CAS Board of Advisors

Professor Kubasik delivered a year-end report from the CAS Board of Advisors:

College of Arts and Sciences Board of Advisors, Report 2011-2012

The College of Arts and Sciences Board of Advisors is a group of professionally successful alumni, parents of students, parents of alumni and other friends of the college who gather together regularly in support of the ongoing success of the College.

This year, Jill Deupi (Assistant Professor of Art History and Director of the Bellarmine Museum) and I are the faculty members appointed by the Dean to serve on the College Board of Advisors.   You have heard of the work of this group at this year-end meeting from previous faculty members of the board, Renee White and Kathy Schwab.

The Board meets three times per year.  At our first meeting of the year, we discussed the arts and arts education at Fairfield.  The Board heard presentations from the new Director of the Quick center, Gary Wood (re-imagining the Quick Center), Lynne Porter (re:  Creative Life Residential College) and Jill Deupi (re:  Bellarmine Museum of Art).

Our second meeting was a joint meeting between the School of Nursing Board and the College’s Board.  The highlight of that meeting was a presentation from Patrick Kelley (’76), who is a Senior Board Director at the Institute of Medicine (an arm of the National Academies), who spoke about Health Professional Education for the 21^st Century.

Our final meeting of the year, scheduled for mid-June, will be a joint meeting between the College Board of Advisors and the Board of the Dolan School of Business.  At that meeting, we expect to discuss “Career Readiness and the Liberal Arts”.

It’s been a wonderful experience to meet and work with these professionals who are so supportive and understanding of the significance and value of a liberal arts education.

IV. Dean’s remarks

A. The Dean named, and CAS colleagues recognized the following faculty who were recently tenured and/or promoted.

· Promoted to rank of Professor: Dr. Kathy Nantz (EC) and Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld (HI)

· Tenured and promoted to rank of Associate Professor: Dr. Jim Biardi (BI), Dr. Ryan Drake (PH), Dr. Jerelyn Johnson (MLL), Dr. Scott Lacy (SO/AN), Dr. Shawn Rafalski (MA), Dr. Giovanni Ruffini (HI), Dr. Chris Staecker (MA), Dr. William Vasquez-Mazariegos (EC), and Dr. Jiwei Xiao (MLL)

B. The Dean presented an update on faculty hiring. She reported that six (6) new hires will join the CAS faculty in Fall 2012. The Dean noted that the CAS has not yet received approvals for hires/searches for the 2012-2013 academic year. Nonetheless, she expects approximately five positions will be approved.

C. The Dean presented program highlights from the past year.

· Program Reviews completed in LACS, WS

· Self-Studies begun in AS, CO, RS, RES

· Program reviews beginning next year for PY, EC, PO, HI and MA grad (PO already started); MFA 5-year new program review also scheduled for next year

· Curricular Revisions instituted arising from program reviews in EN, MLL, PH, MA

· Several revisions to the ways departments number their core courses: HI 10, PH 101, RS 101, etc. Faculty should check with those departments for specific information (which has been communicated broadly and will appear in the catalog to assist advising).

· A new MPA program has passed UCC and is pending EPC approval next week based on a few changes they requested, will go to AC in the fall and then to the State. We will begin marketing and recruiting as soon as AC has approved with “pending State approval.”

· Pre-tenure faculty reviews are nearly complete. The Dean reported that the pre-tenure review process has been “a genuine pleasure” for her and for the Associate Deans.

· The Dean briefly explained that a planning group has been established to begin, from the ideation phase forward, the process of expanding the School of Nursing with revised (and perhaps additional) spaces for health sciences. Part of this plan includes moving the School of Engineering into Bannow where it can be better integrated with other science and technology programs.

D. Introduction of Strategic Priorities

· The Dean invited faculty feedback and ideas for upcoming and on-going discussions on the strategic vision and priorities for the CAS. Of the many ideas to be discussed includes a reinvigorated re-launch of the Humanities Institute.

· In Fall 2012, the CAS Planning Committee and the Dean will distribute documents to CAS faculty to open discussions on several key themes: fostering integrative teaching and learning; strategic program development; and championing liberal arts education.

· The Dean strongly encourages faculty to share their thoughts on what our priorities should be as we seek to improve what we do through engagement with new challenges and opportunities.

E. The Dean made the following announcements:

· Re-visioning the “Humanities Institute” Initiative for advancing the Humanities at Fairfield University

o Final call for proposals

o Selected group will be announced in early May

· School-wide receptions for students and their families at Commencement

o Reminder: participation in commencement is an expectation for all faculty unless you are excused by the SVPAA

o On Saturday May 19 from 2pm until 3:30pm there will be school/college wide receptions for the baccalaureate degree candidates and their parents.  

o The College of Arts and Sciences reception will be housed under a tent on the field adjacent to Lessing Field (across from Campion Hall).  

o The CAS reception will be officially hosted by the Dean; success depends on faculty presence and involvement.

o Invitations to students go out with Senior Week materials; please encourage your seniors to attend with their families and indicate your excitement about seeing them there.

F. The Dean reported on emerging Bridgeport Initiatives and partnership opportunities

· The Brookings Institute has named Bridgeport as the fifth most productive city in the world joining Hartford, Oslo, Norway, San Jose, and Abu Dhabi in the top five.

· The report cited the City’s medical sector as an important source of revenue, “in fact, three of its five top employers are in the medical sector.”

· The Dean attended a recent meeting between Mayor Finch, his staff, and leadership from the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. Several Fairfield faculty were also present for this meeting. Participants discussed potential opportunities for Bridgeport-Fairfield partnerships. The Dean shared this partial list of examples:

o Bridgeport initiatives around Health Sciences (new magnet school, hospitals, Yale-NH expansions, etc.): opportunities for Fairfield for clinical placements, regional sim lab management, potential nurse-managed clinics, curricular planning, teacher education partnerships, biomedical and medical technology collaborations, etc. 

o "Eco" initiatives (partnership with Dupont, GE, Sikorsky): collaborative opportunities with lake remediation, solar park, environmental education, sustainability projects, etc.

o Arts – rehabbed arts space, "City Canvases" public art grant received by Bridgeport

o Centers for Innovations and Entrepreneurship – opportunity to collaborate on "Innovation" grant application, on planning for business incubators and entrepreneurships (energy, technology, transit projects?) 

o Fairfield's near-to-approval MPA program – internships, advisory group opportunities with Bridgeport

o Fairfield's Cities focus – multidisciplinary opportunities to collaborate with Bridgeport (with a request to look at cities regionally)

o Grant opportunity – explore Community Outreach Partnership grant (from HUD) based on existing relationships with Bridgeport and focused on 2-3 partnership areas/outcomes. Susan LaFrance will follow up on the grant opportunities.

o The Dean urged faculty to keep her informed about their research or other partnerships in Bridgeport. VP Sudhakar’s office (Marketing & Communications) will maintain direct contact with the Mayor’s office so the CAS can coordinate and leverage our efforts/initiatives

G. Questions and Answers

Prof. Gordon asked how Fairfield University’s portfolio review might be impacted by the cost of the proposed Health Sciences building.  The Dean said that the proposed expansion is “in the campaign” meaning that construction presumably would not begin until funds are raised.  She added that the Health Sciences expansion is at such an early stage that we do not even know how much the project will cost, though there is an earmark for it in the campaign.

In terms of the portfolio review question, the Dean reported that CAS programs are strongly enrolled, and we have clearly demonstrated our efficiency and efficacy in terms of our management of resources in relation to our contributions to the university at large.  She noted that she believes that the SVPAA is supportive of the CAS and its strong showing in the early data generated in anticipation of the portfolio review process. But we do have to look at our programs in terms of their costs, among other factors.

Prof. Bowen asked about the programs that might be moved into the School of Engineering facilities if the School of Engineering moves to Bannow as part of the Health Sciences expansion.   The Dean reported that there are no specific plans for moving offices or programs into the buildings that would be vacated by the School of Engineering, though she has shared various ideas when there have been opportunities to do so (e.g., an Arts building, or moving programs out of CNS so it can be fully returned to the College, etc.).  She added that there is some consensus among facilities folks that “peripheral” offices/programs (those whose work is primarily external to the University) could be appropriate candidates for more peripherally located spaces.  

V. Recognition and Reading of Faculty Book list

The Dean encouraged faculty to review the books recently published by our colleagues. She recognized each faculty author with a recent book. She invited the faculty authors to the front of the room where they posed with the Dean for a photograph.

VI. Announcement of Recipient of the CAS Distinguished Teaching Award

The Dean read the award winner’s citation and a number of student quotes from the winner’s nomination file. The Dean presented Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Kris Sealey. The CAS faculty gave Prof. Sealey a standing ovation.

VII. Final Thoughts (Words of Appreciation from the Dean)

· The Dean gave special thanks to the CAS staff for their dedication and hard work: Jean Daniele, Fran Yadre, Jean Siconolfi, and Cathy Alberti.

· The Dean also gave thanks to the staff of University College. She noted that UC staff deserve special recognition for their gracious collaborative efforts over the past two years. In particular the Dean distinguished Sandy Richardson who has been doing double duty for two schools this year.

· The Dean shared her appreciation and gratitude for the work of our Assistant and Associate Deans. On the Assistant Deans: “Sue Peterson and Dawn DeBiase, serve our students incomparably.” On the Associate Deans, they “…guide the College and inform my work in so many important ways: Joan Weiss (who leaves us this summer), Manyul Im, Aaron Perkus (who will transition from UC to CAS this summer), and Jim Simon (who has begun orienting to his new role, also beginning this summer).

· The Dean expressed her heartfelt thanks to all the CAS Department Chairs, Interdisciplinary Program Directors, and Grad Program Directors: “We are working together to solve problems, move the college forward, ensure our students get a great education, and support all our faculty’s success. I’m excited to welcome several new/first-time chairs at this summer’s retreat. We are a school in motion!” The Dean also thanked Chairs for their dedication to supporting pre-tenure faculty.

· The Dean shared her gratitude to the ASCC and the A&S Planning Committee for the hard work they have done over the past year. She explained that the Planning Committee has become a very important venue for discussing ideas, solving problems, and advising me in all respects. She also noted that the ASCC has been working very hard to help facilitate a wide range of curricular updates and program revisions.

· The Dean thanked the officers of the college, Scott Lacy (CAS Secretary) especially for his quick turnaround of minutes, and both Sally O’Driscoll (CAS Chair) and Bob Epstein (Acting CAS Chair-sabbatical replacement).

· Last, the Dean congratulated all college faculty for another productive year:

“There are so many artifacts of our extraordinary scholarly and creative outcomes, and I hope all will stay to peruse and celebrate. Even I managed to engage in some scholarly pursuits this year, and also to teach a class. I am so proud to be a member of this distinguished community of teacher-scholars-artists and am grateful for the opportunity to serve you as Dean.

VIII. Adjournment

MOVED by Prof. Sapp and seconded by Prof. Bowen, to adjourn.

Motion PASSED unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Scott M. Lacy

CAS Secretary