Present: Dean Swartz, Associate Deans H. Scott and P. Smith, E. Dobbs, R. Grey, M. Pillado-Miller, L. Sinnett, D. Smith, B. Voyles, T. Crady, Vice-President and Dean for Student Affairs.

The Dean called the meeting to Order at 4:22 p.m. at Nollen House.

Remarks by Dean of Student Affairs on "Cultural Audit"

Dean Crady described for Council members the study of student life or "cultural audit" which is taking place this semester. This environmental assessment of student culture is meant to help us better understand our existing student culture and to plan for the future. Outside consultants with well established research records in the area of student life from the University of Vermont, Michigan State University and Iowa State University are being brought to campus in the next several weeks to facilitate focus groups of faculty, students, and staff.

Crady left the meeting at 4:35 p.m.

The minutes of February 3 were corrected and approved.

Remarks by the Dean

The Dean reported one resignation from the faculty and reviewed the status of searches for tenure-track and temporary positions.

Faculty Meeting Agenda

Council discussed the agenda for the Faculty Meeting on February 15.

Discussion of Staffing Proposal from the Theatre Department

Council discussed the description of staffing needs from the Theatre department and recommended that the description be returned to the department for more information concerning rationale for the request. The Dean will request that the Theatre department refer to the rationale presented in the department's fall 1993 request for its fourth position and demonstrate how the expansion to four positions has been used.

End-of-Course Evaluations

Council discussed Sinnett's analysis of end-of-course evaluation data which is part of the overall review of our current system for gathering information from students on teaching which is used for personnel and salary decisions. This discussion will be continued as Council plans for a discussion of this review with the full faculty at a future faculty meeting this semester. Faculty legislation in the spring of 1994 required that this system be reviewed after three full years of use (1995/96-1997/98).

Remarks by Council Faculty Members

Dobbs stated that some faculty members have requested that course reductions for chairs be placed on the Council agenda this spring. When chairs were given a one course reduction in a two-year term beginning in the fall of 1996, Council requested that this issue be discussed again after a three-year trial period.

Dobbs also reported that some discussion will need to occur with faculty support staff about the decision to introduce copying machines which will function also as FAX machines in faculty secretaries' offices. Issues of accessibility of these machines and confidentiality have arisen.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

Helen Scott
Secretary