Dean's
Council Meeting
College
of Arts and Sciences
May 3,
2006
Present: D. Brousseau, M. Coleman, R. Crabtree, R. DeWitt, J. Escobar, J. Garvey, J. Goldfield, D. Greenberg, A. King, P. Lane, D. Li, D. McFadden, L. Newton, E. O'Connell, L. O'Connor, S. Rakowitz, R. Rodrigues, G. Sauer, K. Schlichting, M. Sourieau, E. Umansky, Y. Williams, R. White, and
D. Winn
Not Present:
M. Carolan, K. Cassidy, and V. Rosivach
The meeting convened at 4:00 p.m.
Dean's Introductory Remarks
Visiting Faculty Request—The Dean shared
the list of
one-year visiting faculty request to assure he received appropriate
department
needs.
Preview of Next Year—The Dean summarized
the
upcoming year's initiatives—summer discussions relative to the Merit
plans, Strategic Plan, assessment, and staff reviews for program
assistance. All program assistants
visited Human Resources to discuss their specific responsibilities
associated
with their positions. A generic
description for program assistants were generated as a guideline, and
should be
used to tailor the actual position needed within each department. The Dean suggested the formation of a
subcommittee to evaluate each position to see how well staff members
are
integrated within the College. The
purpose is to utilize College staff appropriately offering staff
members the
opportunity to utilize their strengths to the fullest or increase their
capabilities in areas of weakness.
A protocol on how to communicate department needs to staff is
essential. Staff members are often
confused as to what their expectations are, and they should prioritize
request,
especially when assisting multiple chairs, program directors, and
faculty.
Large Format Printer—Dr. Glenn Sauer
discussed the
need for a large format printer, in the sciences, in order to produce
large
poster formats used for data presentations. Previously
there was an approval to purchase this type of
printer, but the space requirement did not allow them to follow through
with
the purchase. Sauer communicated
their needs to Art Payne, Director of Printing and Graphics. Upon renewal of leasing contracts,
Payne agreed to assist with the purchase and storage of the printer as
long as
a sufficient need for this type of equipment existed within the
College—four departments showed an interest.
CAPP—Robert Russo, Director of the
Registrar's
Office, indicated that all majors and minors for CAPP are completed. He asked the Dean to inform faculty
that all student records are accessible to the department.
This information is not exclusive to
faculty advisees; therefore, faculty can view all student audits within
their
department. The Communication
Department is actively utilizing the system. Crabtree
communicated to colleagues, within her department,
that they should learn how to run the audits and become familiar with
all
aspects of the system. She is
interested in facilitating a training session for her department. Russo agreed with the importance of
training and encourages all departments to engage in training. Mrs. Susan Peterson expressed the
importance in communicating changes within their courses and/or special
circumstances to Fran Potocki in SCT, so that the system accurately
record
student records. She also informed
the Council that that Jennifer DeMartino is a good resource for
colleagues
needing CAPP training.
Lipmann Hearne—The Lipmann Hearne
Marketing Company
will meet with the Dean, along with the Steering Committee, on Tuesday,
May
9. An invitation was extended to
any member of the Council, who had interest in joining the discussion.
Pass-around Information—The Dean circulated two opportunities consisting of a Dean for Building Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design, and an Associate Director of Baylor's Institute for Faith and Learning.
Approval of Minutes
Strategic Planning, Living,
Learning, and the Coming
Year
The Strategic Plan is a prioritized
initiative for the
entire University. University
resources will be distributed based on congruence with the Strategic
Plan;
therefore, the College should move forward to make efforts in a
concerted
way. The Dean expressed the
importance of the integration of the interdisciplinary programs with
the
core. He mentioned that it is
transparent that the College programs have great opportunities for full
integration. Departments have many
ideas associated with the core and living and learning, as do the
programs, but
the interception between the departments and the programs is beneficial
to the College. The Dean initiated a
discussion
to brainstorm ideas in which this interception could begin to form.
The College presently utilizes adjunct
faculty at a thirty
percent capacity, which has been consistent within the past two years. It is difficult to integrate the core
and move towards becoming a model for Jesuit education if the College
is faced
with a high dependency on adjuncts.
The increase of full-time faculty members, within the College,
is an
essential component towards integration.
The Dean will communicate the importance of increasing
full-time hires, and he encouraged the
chairs and directors
to work concretively with him towards this initiative.
He suggested that a document be
constructed and signed by department chairs and program directors
requesting
their full-time faculty needs, along with a schedule for these
positions, and
the possibility of assigning responsibilities to these future positions. The Dean opened the floor for
discussion.
Dr. David McFadden asked the Dean what
Strategic goals
would impact the College during the upcoming academic year. The Dean mentioned that the impact of
the Strategic Plan seems to be moving in the order in which the
initiatives are
listed—integration of the core curriculum, integration of living and
learning and the integration of Jesuit education into the graduate
programs. He expressed concerns with the
living
and learning initiative, stating that it appears the academic division
enfolds
this initiative largely into service learning. There
should be other thoughts paralleling the service
learning initiative. A greater
communication between the Academic Vice President and the Vice
President of
Student Services should take place.
Dr. Robbin Crabtree mentioned that Dr. Grossman solicited, to
colleagues
who are facilitating the Strategic initiatives; a set of specific
objectives,
time lines, and resource needs, along with an outlined budget. Crabtree also mentioned she
participated in a conference call initiated by Mark Reed, which
included many
colleagues from both the academic and student service divisions. Dr. Mary Frances Malone represented the
Academic Vice President's Office.
This discussion voiced the premise that student affairs initiate
bridge
building with academic affairs. A
power point presentation was distributed and used as guidance. This presentation allowed them to
identify areas, in which they should engaged in, or in which they are
presently
engaged and could extend growth.
Crabtree voiced that this discussion was very helpful. The Dean asked Crabtree to forward this
presentation to the Council.
Dr. Joel Goldfield expressed his interest
with the
integration of the core. He
requested that a discussion take place, at a future Dean's Council
meeting, to
reflect the outcome of the assessment workshop. Brainstorming
ideas from thirty faculty and staff members
pertaining to topics such as student writing, student expectations
after
graduation, and integration of the core were electronically recorded. The Dean asked that this request
be discussed with the Steering Committee.
Lane mentioned that, through the
self-study initiative,
all departments have a role to assess their goals and measurable
objectives
relative to the core. They are
working towards fulfilling the University's agreement with the AACSB. The University agreed to follow
well-established
criteria; therefore, Lane felt there was no need for an extensive
conversation
regarding the core. The College
assigned assessment committee representatives, for each department, who
attended
the workshop and are working towards this initiative.
They are well aware of the importance that the integration
of the core holds for the College and are moving towards fulfilling the
goals.
The Dean asked the Council to be
conscious of some questions
and concerns that may be addressed when the College request full-time
positions
as part of the integration of the core.
There may be a concern with the lack of full-time faculty
teaching lower
level courses. The Dean reminded
the Council that the College had performed curricular work in order to
reduce
the use of adjuncts—accomplishing a ten percent reduction over the
course
of a few years. The College created a policy, where a minimum course
enrollment
of a ten-student threshold is mandatory in order for a course to run. When recruiting new full-time faculty
the College cannot mandate that new faculty teach two core courses and
one
upper level course. This request
would cause recruitment of sub quality faculty and/or lack of diversity
within
the College. This is not the way
to offer a Jesuit model education.
Crabtree discussed the importance of
coordinating events
that would link classrooms across the disciplines offering a more
comprehensive
experience and drawing a larger student body. She
shared her observation of the immigration discussion
that was offered on-campus, which captured areas of study for many
classes. There were two or three
classes attending the presentation at one time—classes were coming and
going. The overlapping of classes
throughout the presentation demonstrated an important model of how
issues are
interrelated across the disciplines.
It created an opportunity for integration of courses and common
conversation, along with feeding life and learning experiences into one
another. Crabtree recommended that
the College work towards offering a greater number of these
initiatives, but
avoid over saturation. This will
generate a positive impact for the student body.
Dr. Yohuru Williams agreed with Crabtree; he mentioned
the importance of using the core as an opportunity to demonstrate a
unique
learning opportunity and not necessarily a "pet project" driven by only
one
particular program or department.
McFadden mentioned that there is a challenge in coordinating
events in
unison with other departments and/or programs, but it is an important
component
of interdisciplinary initiatives. The
development stage for a successful event is
very time consuming.
The Dean suggested three items that would
be coalescent—aids,
immigration, and migration—as the College moved towards the integration
of the core. Dr. Lisa Newton
mentioned environment as a possibility.
There is a complete task force designed to engage students in
topics
such as recycling, conserving the campus grounds, and issues pertaining
to
pesticides and their health, all of which can extend a large number of
activities and academic support.
The Dean took a poll on which initiatives the Council felt would
assist
the College with coalesce during the coming years—interests reflected
13
for aids, 16 for immigration/migration, 15 for environmental, 7 for
evolution,
6 for democracy, 6 for nuclear, 10 for avian flu/public health.
Dr. Susan Rakowitz mentioned that the
Steering Committee
discussed the use of the Humanities Institute Grant to fund special
events—groups of faculty can work together to propose integration of
core
related issues. Crabtree mentioned
that communication among departments and programs is essential. For instance, in the fall the Communication
Department is offering a course on health communication, where
communication
students and nursing students will visit a clinic.
This class could focus on a theme relative to aids, which
would correlate to the work that Williams is engaged in through his
aids
project. Crabtree reiterated the
importance of the syllabi, which provides advance notice of the
curriculum, so
department chairs could recommend to their colleagues.
Dr. Ellen Umansky asked how departments
and programs could
calendar their lecture initiatives, so the University could prevent
interference with other scheduled activities. The
Dean previously addressed this topic with the
President. There was conversation
relative to utilizing the master calendar, so colleagues could list
their
events. The Dean offered to follow
up with an e-mail to the President and Vice Presidents mentioning the
concerns
of the Council and asking for this initiative to move forward. He asked Crabtree and Rakowitz to
assist him in constructing a memo addressing these issues, in order for
the
master calendar to work effectively.
The master calendar needs a constant updating option in order
for it to
assist the University efficiently.
The idea is to have a calendar that would promote the
opportunity to plan
an alternative date for an event, which would reflect a greater
attendance.
Space and Space Allocation
The Dean updated the Council on the
reallocation of office
space available due to the construction of the newly designed Kelley
building. The room previously
occupied by the Registrar's Office was allocated to The Center for
Faith and
Public Life, The Office of Service Learning, and The Program in
Catholic
Studies. The International Studies
program will occupy the space that previously housed the Graduate
Admissions
Office. The Sociology Department
potentially may relocate to the third floor of DMH.
The Dean also clarified the space policy
that was
previously distributed to the science department chairs.
There has been some confusion with this
policy, causing an upset with the scientists. The
policy states that no one in particular has ownership to
space; it is University space. It is the Dean and/or the Academic Vice
President who assigns the space, which may bring other programs that
are non-scientific
into the Bannow area. The criteria
stated that the space would be allocated according to how it is
used—mainly assuring that it be used for what it was intended. Secondly, it is important that faculty
are situated in the proximity of colleagues within their department. The Steering Committee was
concerned with the idea that there is no method to request space. The Dean has the right within the
College to allocate space, but there should be procedures set forth to
regulate
requests for space outside of the College? Available
space seems to be favored towards those
individuals associated with the Strategic Plan and/or major grants.
Lane pointed out that there is classroom
space that is not
being scheduled efficiently. The
Dean mentioned that there is a committee currently evaluating this
problem. Dr. Kurt Schlichting
informed the Council that, during a previous year, one of the Dean's,
along
with Bob Russo, and Ric Taylor walked through each of the classrooms to
evaluate cosmetic needs. Schlichting found
that this procedure was helpful; it avoids
deterioration of the esthetics of the classroom.
He recommended that this become an active procedure. The Dean asked to place this item on
the Steering Committee agenda to see if the Committee could suggest a
team. The Registrar's Office is
responsible to assure the upkeep of the classrooms.
If a faculty member is having difficulty with their space,
they should report their needs to the Registrar to rectify their
problem. Lane mentioned that there is a
capital
budget for annual repairs, so there is no reason why classroom upkeep
should be
neglected.
Chair's Remuneration and Selection
Crabtree summarized the history of the
chair's
remuneration and selection issues that were addressed by the Dean's
Council.
á
The issue of chair's selection was on the
table when
Merit was first discussed, but the College managed to decouple the two
items.
á
The issues of chairs remuneration was
connected to the
Full-time Faculty Teaching Equity Committee work. The
report from this Committee recommended that the Dean
perform his duty with a full transparency and periodic review for all
releases
and reassignments.
á
The chairs remuneration became connected to
the issue
of chairs selection. The Dean's
Council attempted to change the Governance Document creating a
compromised
solution. They attempted to change the Governance from the present
policy of
department elect to election within the department, followed by the
Dean's
approval. The Academic Vice
President found this "cumbersome" and was not interested in supporting
the
Council's request if there was a faculty vote. This
motion was withdrawn. Crabtree mentioned
that the Council still faces inequitable
and inappropriate remuneration for the chairs.
Crabtree proposed, in keeping with the
Full-time Faculty
Teaching Equity report and maintaining the existing power of the Dean,
that
each department, in consultation with the chair, design a proposal, for
a
discussion with the Dean. The
equity component should not be equivalent across the disciplines. A review of the each individual
department should be considered voicing the accountability to meet the
department's needs and necessary responsibilities.
Dr. Donald Greenberg felt that formal proposals are not
necessary. Chairs responsibilities have
grown over
the years, and they should be compensated appropriately for their
efforts. The compensation remained
consistent
over the past ten years. Escobar
agreed with Greenberg and felt that a policy would be the appropriate
course of
action—equity across the board is important. She
felt that their stipends are equivalent to teaching a
summer course, because a chair's responsibility filters through the
summer months—submission
of department annual report is due in June, along with and student
advising,
especially during the month of August.
She felt that their stipend is compensation for these summer
duties; it
is not remuneration covered by their contract. Chairs
are fulfilling a nine month commitment without any
course release, which means they are chairing their department without
compensation.
Fr. Frank Hannafey mentioned that chairs
in the Dolan
School of Business receive a stipend of $7,500. He
also mentioned that there are three chairs in the College
who are presently awarded a course release. Crabtree
mentioned that these releases are appointed by the
Dean and are relative to a difference in their responsibilities. Hannafey's main concern is with
the effectiveness of a chair's teaching and service without a course
release.
McFadden mentioned that the College never
pursued an
official record requesting equitable compensation among colleagues in
the Dolan
School of Business and the College.
The Dean reminded the chairs that they can have equitable
compensation,
but the College Governance structure, relative to the election of the
chairs
needs to be reconstructed. The
Academic Vice President agreed to their request for a course release,
as long
as the chairs agreed to a change the election policy.
All other institutions have a chairs selection policy where
the Dean, Academic Vice President and/or the President hold a voice. The Dean suggested that the College
utilize a policy similar to other institutions coupled with a faculty
veto
power. This would offer a system
of checks and balances. He felt
the responsibilities of the chairs should be half administrative and
half
faculty based—bridging the two bodies. DeWitt
stated that he felt this linkage would not work
effectively. The Dean also
explained that the College can increase the chairs stipend, if they are
willing
to utilize a faculty line for funding.
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.