Present: R. Osgood, J. Brand, J. Swartz, P. Smith, H. Scott, B. Grey, D. Kaiser, K. Kamp, J. Mohan, J. Mutti, B. Voyles.

The meeting came to order at 4:15 p.m. in the Nollen House Conference Room.

The minutes and excerpts of 9/5/01 were corrected and approved.

Dean's Remarks

The Dean asked for clarification of the language and approval of the advertisement for the visiting position in the Humanities Center for next year. There was discussion of the desirability of breadth of disciplinary fields which could receive consideration. Council approved the advertisement, as amended.

Late last spring a committee met to consider the specific language of the sexual harassment section of the student handbook. The Dean handed out a document which reflects their recommendations for changes for Council to consider in relation to the faculty handbook.

Last spring Council appointed a subcommittee of Council to draft a mission statement for the College. That group met several times and with the help of J. Brand and P. Smith have agreed to a new draft statement of purpose which is a broader statement of why the college exists. The committee also presented the statement of core values previously endorsed by a multiconstituent group in 1998 and flowing from a core values statement endorsed by the full faculty. B. Grey moved, B. Voyles seconded, approval of the statement of purpose and the core values. The motion was approved.

Discussion of the Faculty Meeting scheduled for September 17th

B. Grey announced that he will lead the discussion with the faculty on long range planning with the possibility of getting into substantive issues and attempting prioritization of major objectives. He stated that he doesn't think many understand the myriad of items which are included in the academic budget and that, collectively, we haven't had this discussion before and it is necessary to do. The President stated that he would like to see the faculty have a discussion of base salary enrichment, ancillary compensation (such as leaves), and relative size and breadth of the faculty in relation to priorities and trade-offs. The Dean suggested that rather than focusing a discussion on budget we might benefit most by looking at the North Central Association's accreditation report in which there was considerable light shed on the issue of continuous and increasing encroachment on faculty time. Considerable discussion ensued on faculty scholarship and teaching commitments. B. Grey agreed that there is good reason to look at this process focusing on time, but that money is also central. He also noted that he and J. Brand are talking with a few people about consulting to us on the process of long range planning. Also, Michael McPherson (Macalester) and Nancy Dye (Oberlin) have found November 16th as the only possible date for consultation and have suggested Council meet with them in Minneapolis on that date. It was agreed to do so.

Schedule of Faculty and Division Meetings

H. Scott has examined the calendar and has suggested dates (handout) which can be set aside for faculty and division meetings for the remainder of this semester which allows for the regularity of scheduling which was requested by B. Voyles last meeting. She handed out a similar proposed schedule for spring semester. D. Kaiser moved, K.Kamp seconded approval of the fall schedule of meetings. The motion was approved.

Discussion of Privacy Policies

D. Kaiser circulated by email a set of questions regarding privacy policies in place throughout the college (and with special reference to personal computer data) and a proposed motion to pursue information gathering. The President opened the discussion with the observation that this is an incredibly complex area, particularly with regard to the law. In some cases, he pointed to student records as an example, there is no policy originating in the institution because it is regulated by statute. He suggested a small committee be formed to pursue what will inevitably be a long and thoughtful process. D. Kaiser stated that he is not necessarily asking for the development of policy, but rather a simple information gathering process that makes transparent the procedures taken to adhere to existing statutes and policies which govern the decision-making in the various units of the college. The discussion was not concluded.

The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

Secretary
Karen Wiese