Present: J. Brand, J. Swartz, P. Smith, 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 10/31/01 were approved.

The President was not present.

Dean's Remarks

The Dean noted that there was a problem last spring with the End-of-Course evaluations processing procedure which resulted in the disappearance of some of the forms between the Office of Institutional Research and the Service Bureau. He has been working with Angie Story Johnson and Scott Baumler to improve the procedure so this does not happen again. This year when the forms are returned to the academic support offices copies will be made, the forms will be ordered and retained by the department chairs, with the originals then going to the Office of Institutional Research for scanning. K. Kamp pointed to the need for support staff to reinforce confidentiality since students often work in these offices.

The Dean noted faculty concern about the fall semester deadlines for grades. He reviewed the process for Council. Once grades are received the Registrar prepares a computer generated docket for the Committee on Academic Standing. After they review the docket students who are to be suspended or expelled must have time to appeal before the semester begins. This year there are four weeks between semesters whereas in recent years there has been five weeks. This is what our faculty approved calendar calls for. B. Voyles suggested that the Registrar could simply poll the faculty to determine if there are any serious cases (students who are likely to receive a D or F grade) as is done with seniors in the Spring semester which would allow the faculty additional time to get their grades for the rest of their students in to the Registrar. The Dean replied he would ask H. Scott to bring this up with the Committee.

He noted that the meeting with Mr. Haas is Saturday. At this point the Office of Institutional Research reports having received survey responses from approximately 30% of those who received it. He stated that while he is looking forward to the academic planning process he believes it will be a significant challenge for Council.

Economics Department Position Description

The Dean reminded Council that they had approved a position description from the Economics Department last week. Subsequently, it has become known that there may be additional leaves taken next year. Thus, the Department has brought back a new position description which is broader than that approved which includes a statement that the department is looking to hire in one or two term positions. D. Kaiser asked how this new situation will affect the sense of the last Council which made a recommendation to the departments that tenured faculty teach statistics. J. Mutti responded that if this scenario plays out the term person would be asked to teach statistics. D. Kaiser moved, B. Grey seconded, approval of the position description. The motion was approved.

Diversity Candidate Proposals

Council has received proposals to bring diversity candidates from sociology and political science (distributed at the start of the meeting) to campus for interviews. B. Voyles asked if the decision at this stage is whether the candidates are strong enough or whether the department proposals are strong enough in relation to the departmental curriculum. B. Grey reminded Council that the departmental proposals were approved last year and the current decision is with regard to the strength of the candidates in relation to the diversity initiative.

J. Mutti noted that the sociology diversity candidates should be looked at from the viewpoint of meeting the needs of strong department enrollment and a more structured curriculum. The Dean noted that part of their argument is that this appointment would leave proof the department. K. Kamp stated that she believes the candidates are strong and each would meet the curricular need within the department. J. Mutti moved, B. Grey seconded, Council approval to allow the Sociology Department to bring up to three candidates to campus for interviews. The motion was approved.

B. Grey noted that the Political Science Department has only just gotten their proposal to Council. He stated that there are several highly qualified candidates. J. Mutti moved, J. Mohan seconded, approval to allow the Political Science Department to bring their top candidate to campus for an interview. K. Kamp suggested that the department ask the candidate whether if s/he were brought to campus now for an interview and that were successful would s/he be able to commit right away. The motion was approved. B. Grey requested approval for the Political Science Department to bring in a second candidate on the department's acquisition of additional information. Council deferred that decision.

Discussion of Education Department Program Issues

The Dean noted that Council had invited M. Voyles and J. Ketter to join them at this meeting. He reminded them that it is not the goal of Council for this meeting to make decisions, but to gather information. M. Voyles and J. Ketter entered the meeting at 5:20 p.m. and left the meeting at 6:20 p.m.

Council Remarks

J. Mohan noted that the President had sent a letter to Waseda University dated November 5 in which he discussed the potential for future collaboration. D. Kaiser suggested that this subject is an appropriate issue for discussion during the long-range planning process.

The Dean noted that the Curriculum Committee wishes to engage the divisions in MAP discussions prior to the end of the semester.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Secretary
Karen Wiese