Present: Dean Swartz, Associate Deans H. Scott and P. Smith, E. Dobbs, R. Grey, M. Pillado-Miller, L. Sinnett, D. Smith, B. Voyles

The Dean called the meeting to order at 4:20 p.m. in Nollen House.

Minutes of the Executive Council meeting of May 5 were corrected and approved.

Remarks by the Dean

Economics, Theatre, English, and Gender and Women’s Studies are still in the process of filling faculty positions.

Problems have arisen in filling the Gender and Women’s Studies one-year position. Even though all of the courses taught would be for the concentration this position needs to have a departmental home. The implications of such a “courtesy” appointment in a department need to be discussed so a comprehensive policy can be established for all such situations.

Issues have also arisen in connection with temporary one-year appointments and what their appropriate role should be in departmental and college-wide business. This will require discussion by Council.

The Dean reported on the Board of Trustees meeting which took place at the end of last week. The Board approved the reappointment, tenure, and promotion of various faculty members. The presentation on the academic mission of the college by the Deans was well received as was the report to the Board by the Chair of the Faculty. The Deans’ presentation will be on the Web shortly. The Board voted to amend their by-laws to create a twelve-year term limit (three terms of four years) for Regular Trustees.

To a question about proceedings at the Board retreat in June and the Master Plan, the Dean responded that the Trustees will hear from the Campus Master Planners about progress to date on campus planning. No formal actions are expected at the retreat. The presentation on the campus plan is considered a first step in providing information and a forum for discussion since the Trustees have yet to hear the information, which has now been presented on campus.

To a question about dissemination of the final report from our NCA team, the Dean responded that we have a copy of the final NCA report but that it would not be appropriate to distribute this until the NCA Commission meets and puts its final stamp of approval on the report. This will happen sometime early in June. The report will then be put on the Web.

Personal Leave Request

The request for a personal leave was unanimously approved.

Requests for Faculty Positions

Council continued its discussion of requests from departments/concentrations for faculty positions.

Remarks by Council Faculty Members

Dobbs reported that the Dean has approved a second course reduction for her for next year, although no action has yet been taken on the recommendation of the Faculty Organization Committee that the Chair of the Faculty receive a two-course reduction.

Sinnett reported a very good turn out at the faculty discussion she facilitated last Thursday on her report on the significance of reliability and validity in our end-of-course evaluations.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Helen Scott
Secretary