Present: J. Swartz, P. Smith, B. Grey, E. Dobbs, W. Ferguson, M. Pillado-Miller, T. Moore, B. Voyles.

The meeting came to order at 4:20p.m. in the Nollen House Conference Room.

Minutes and excerpts of the meeting of May 10, 2000 were corrected and approved.

Remarks of the Dean

The Dean thanked Council members for their hard work throughout the year, particularly noting the successful adoption of the faculty handbook.

Discussion of Principles for Staffing Proposals from Academic Departments

Council reviewed the excerpts from the Executive Council meeting of October 27, 1999 which included six principles for consideration of faculty position requests which were established by Council last fall. Council agreed that these principles had served the Council well in their recent discussions and they reaffirmed them as guidelines for departments submitting proposals in the future.

Approval of Position Descriptions

Council approved position descriptions from the following departments: Political Science; Chinese; Computer Science; Anthropology.

Position Request from the Spanish Department

The Spanish Department has requested that Council consider approving the conversion of what was to have been a three-year term position to a tenure-track position, as it was originally requested and recommended by last year's council.. B. Ferguson moved, M. Pillado-Miller seconded, Council's reaffirmation of the recommendation of last year's Council to the President that he consider adding a tenure-track position to the Spanish Department early in light of the arguments presented by the Department. . The motion was approved. B. Grey suggested that the President consider this request for an additional position as a diversity initiative

Discussion of Department Chair Duties

The Dean opened discussion of a draft memorandum from Council to the faculty on course releases for department chairs which he hopes captures the essence of Council's previous discussions on department chair duties. He also noted that he and Angie Story-Johnson had been making good progress in their discussions with individual department chairs and had been able to identify a number of functions which could be taken on by faculty secretaries. E. Dobbs noted that the point of taking this action is to remind faculty of the opportunity for course release in recognition of the burden of department chair duties. B. Voyles suggested that next year's Council continue these discussions in relation to what to do in the case of chairs that have the right, but not the opportunity to exercise the right, to course releases due to extraordinary departmental situations. T. Moore noted that MAPs will only exacerbate this situation. The Dean stated that he would welcome creativity on the part of departments in providing relief to chairs. B. Voyles moved, M. Pillado-Miller seconded, endorsement of the document. The motion was approved.

Discussion of the President's Diversity Document

There was a lengthy discussion of the President's document. Substantial discussion focused upon the structures which govern faculty searches. B. Voyles stated that this issue needs to be discussed at length next year.

Council Member Remarks

M. Pillado-Miller remarked that she was seriously impressed by the quality of student artwork exhibited during her recent visit to the Faulconer Gallery.

E. Dobbs thanked the Council members with whom she has worked and wished them good luck in next year's Council work.

The Dean stated that he has come to realize and appreciate the separate roles of the Personnel Committee and Executive Council. He recognized and praised the proactive actions of the Council in shaping the academic program of the College. He thanked E. Dobbs for her incredible skill and drive in her position of Chair of the Faculty. B. Grey noted the immense service that D. Smith has provided to the Executive Council over his career. E. Dobbs moved and M. Pillado-Miller seconded, to endorse a vote of thanks to D. Smith for his many years of dedication and contribution to the College.

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

Secretary
Karen Wiese