University
College Committee
Minutes of February 25, 2008
[Approved 3/18/08]
Attendance: L. McSweeney (Chair), Dean E. Wilson, E. Langran, E. Dreyer.
1. The meeting was called to order by L. McSweeney at
12:30 p.m.
2. Minutes for meeting of 1/30/08 were unanimously
approved.
3. An extensive discussion on the concepts and
wording of the “Mission” and “Vision” sections of the Governance
Document for University College ensued. What is the identity of UC and
how is the best way to express and communicate this identity?
• Dean Wilson handed out a worksheet on which members
of the committee were invited to jot down ideas related to Mission and
Vision. She noted that they are looking at Vision from an internal
perspective (what inspires and motivates UC staff) and Mission from a
more external, public perspective. She noted that a desired and
realistic goal by semester’s end would be to have these two sections of
the governance document completed.
• What is the best way to utilize language that point
to the Ignatian tradition of a Jesuit institution?
• It would be helpful to keep in mind the goals and
language of Farifield’s strategic plan.
• Since UC is shifting from being a separate unit of
the university to having a more integrated role across the entire
university, it is imperative to identify its unique role in this
configuration. UC is in service to, and collaborator with, other parts
of the university. Should the governance structure aim for more
centralization or de-centralized and what would each of these models
look like? How build links with various other areas of the
university?
• UC activities include: academic advising; career
counseling; individual course design; enrichment courses; graduate and
continuing education courses; degrees and certificates; study abroad
programs; on-line courses; international study; provide teaching
faculty with media assistance and education, etc.
• How should UC build links with faculty from area
community colleges and the Jesuit school in Nicaragua?
• How should UC express criteria by which it can do
self-assessment?
• What would be contained in a concept paper
addressing the role of UC at Fairfield?
• UC courses extend from general studies to masters’
programs.
• What language best describes what UC does – enrich;
enhance; personal and profession development, etc.
4. Tasks
• Dean Wilson will solicit mission and vision
statements from departments that are comparable to UC at three other
schools, including some from other Jesuit institutions.
• Dean Wilson will provide committee members with
the most recent version of the entire governance document.
• Elizabeth Dreyer agreed to offer some ideas from
the Ignatian tradition relevant to the mission of UC for the committee
to discuss at its next meeting.
5. Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth A. Dreyer