The meeting came to order at 1:30 p.m. in the Nollen House Conference Room.

President's Remarks

The President noted that the Board of Trustees had their annual retreat in Grinnell this year and among the items on their agenda was a discussion of diversity that resulted in the issuance of a diversity statement. They also discussed physical facilities that resulted in a trip taken recently by several administrators and Bob Grey to Agnes Scott, Emory, Colby and Bates to view campus buildings. One major observation is that other schools are far ahead of Grinnell in thinking about dormitory living spaces. The Trustees have authorized detailed planning for housing and a new energy infrastructure facility. There will be committees working on the new welcome center, science center, and energy infrastructure facility.

He mentioned that there are some smaller construction projects taking place on campus to add parking, sidewalks and vehicle access to the Bucksbaum Center, and in October grading of the new athletic fields will begin to allow spring planting.

There was a brief discussion of a study of current classroom use being undertaken by the Instructional Support Committee.

The President extended an invitation to the Council to have any of its members who are interested to attend the President's Staff meetings on Monday mornings.

Dean's Remarks

The Dean reviewed the staffing situation. Two one-year temporary positions in Biology and Chemistry were successfully filled in June. The Library is in the process of interviewing candidates for a regular position approved last year. Psychology and Education searches for one-year temporary positions were not successful and those departments have been able to make part-time appointments and internal adjustments to cover their needs.

H. Scott noted that all 32 sections of tutorials are filled with not more than 12 students each.

The Dean passed out current enrollment data that show a fairly average size class of incoming students, with remarkable increase in African American student enrollment.

He announced that the technical assistant position in the Dean's Office would be vacated at the end of the week and that he hoped to be able to make a new appointment within the week.

He noted the relocation of several offices over the summer. The Chaplain's Office has moved to 919 7th Avenue. The Office of Institutional Research has moved to Alumni House along with those ITS staff working on data base systems. The new International Studies Center is located on second floor of Fell House.

Finally, the Dean noted that all annual committee reports will be placed on the Dean's web page rather than printed this year.

Approval of Position Descriptions

Last spring the Executive Council approved two new positions in English. The department has provided this new Council with position descriptions in 19th Century British Literature and Modern American Literature for approval. M. Pillado-Miller moved, B. Voyles seconded, approval of the two tenure-track position descriptions. The President raised the issue of opening possibility of consideration of all ranks. The motion passed.

Approval of New Staffing Proposals and Position Descriptions

Last spring the Executive Council considered staffing proposals from the Physics and Religious Studies Departments without approval. The Council remanded the proposals back to the departments with suggestions for their consideration. Those departments have now provided Council with revised proposals for approval.

The Physics Department submitted a proposal for an early replacement for C. Duke. Last year's Council felt that there was insufficient consideration of the curricular issues and a Senior Faculty Status issue within the department. The Department has resubmitted their proposal with appropriate consideration of the issues. B. Voyles moved, M. Pillado-Miller seconded, approval of the staffing proposal. T. Moore raised the issue of whether hiring a woman would satisfy the requirements of a diversity initiative. The President stated that in the case of physics it would because of the historical paucity of women in the field. The Dean noted that the department did not submit a position description with the proposal, but if approved they would submit one for next Council meeting. B. Ferguson stated that in this case and in similar cases where a department faces a long-term series of temporary replacements that the Council should take a serious view of staffing requests in an attempt to bring stability to the department and curriculum. The motion passed.

The Religious Studies Department submitted a new staffing proposal and position description in response to Council's vote last spring against the addition of two positions in the department. Last year's Council suggested that the department consider their curricular needs and make a decision which reflects their priorities.

There was discussion of the language of the proposed position description. B. Grey moved, B. Voyles seconded, a friendly amendment to M. Pillado-Miller's motion which would separate the position description from the proposal for consideration of approval. The motion passed.

The Dean and M. Pillado-Miller will work with the Department to revise the position description to more accurately reflect the language of the approved staffing proposal.

President Osgood and J. Brand left the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

Council Remarks

K. Kamp asked that discussion of parental leave replacement be added to the agenda.

B Ferguson asked that diversity, long-range faculty allocation process, and long-term curricular initiatives and planning be added to the agenda.

B. Voyles asked that the discussion of concentrations be moved to an early time on the agenda.

Finally, the Dean noted that a brief brochure has been developed by the Bookstore for students that explains why the course packets are so expensive, highlighting the many permissions that must be obtained. The Bookstore and Libraries are working together to identify existing subscriptions to publications, electronic or otherwise, which might result in lowering the overall costs.

The meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.

Karen Wiese
Secretary