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 4:22 p.m. in Nollen House.

The Minutes of February 17 were corrected and approved.

Remarks by the Dean

Dick Williams has been appointed Director of Dining Services. He currently serves as the Director of Food and Catering for the Nebraska Unions at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He starts work on April 12.

Offers are still out for tenure-track positions in Chemistry, English, and French. A two-year leave replacement in Russian has been filled. Division chairs and Council members involved in the interviewing of candidates for these positions provided Council with a description of the candidates and what they would add to the faculty. This discussion follows the recommendation by D. Smith that the full Council ought to hear from the Council members who have interviewed candidates since appointments are to the faculty not just to a department. Council has a role to play not only in recommending the description of the position to be filled, but also in recommending the person to receive it.

Brad Bateman has been named a Fellow at the National Humanities Center, 1999-2000.

The Dean reviewed with Council the agenda for the Faculty Meeting which will take place on Monday, March 1.

The President has sent out an announcement about the application deadline of April 9, 5:00 p.m. for the second round of Fund For Excellence proposals.

Personal Leave Request

Council approved a request for personal leave finding that it meets the criteria for leave without pay (see Executive Council Minutes, October 28).

CSMP Recommendations

Seven departments proposed inviting CSMP fellows. Council discussed the qualifications of each of the candidates and the institutional context of departmental and college-wide needs. Council decided to request that one department invite a candidate for an on-campus interview.

Discussion of Advising Proposal

Council discussed a proposal from the Curriculum Committee that students be required to submit, along with their declaration of major, a comprehensive academic plan similar to plans students already submit for off-campus study or early graduation. The plan would consist of a list of courses already taken and planned, accompanied by a 100-200 word rationale evaluating the student's liberal arts education to date and setting goals for the third and fourth years of study. This proposal was endorsed by Council and will be discussed at the Faculty Meeting on Monday, March 1.

Remarks by Council Faculty Members

D. Smith commented that we should do our best to ensure that, when a candidate comes to Grinnell for interviews, the interviewing department finds room on the schedule for the candidate to meet with persons outside the department whom the candidate might find it helpful, useful, encouraging to meet. We need to take maximal advantage of the time available to present the College as a whole, and not just the department, in the most attractive way.

Pillado-Miller distributed a revised staffing proposal from the Theatre department. This will be discussed at the next Council meeting.

Dobbs distributed an additional document from a faculty member who has raised a personnel issue. This will be discussed at a future meeting.

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

Helen Scott
Secretary