Present: Dean Swartz, Associate Dean H. Scott, E. Dobbs, R. Grey, M. Pillado-Miller, L. Sinnett, D. Smith, B. Voyles, and guests: D. Lopatto, C. Trosset, and G. Adams

The Dean called the meeting to order at 4:17 p.m. in Windsor House.

Discussion of Department Learning Assessments

David Lopatto, (Coordinator for our self study for NCA and for department student learning assessment plans), Carol Trosset (Director of Institutional Research), and Gerald Adams (Registrar) joined Council to discuss departmental student learning assessment plans. Lopatto reported that we are on schedule with all of our planned assessment activities in preparation for our NCA review team visiting campus November 16-18. We now have an assessment advisory committee (D. Lopatto, P. Smith, and G. Adams) which will oversee our on-going assessment of student learning; Carol Trosset, Office of Institutional Research, will work with the advisory committee in managing the implementation of departmental plans. Departments will report directly to Institutional Research and the advisory committee which will in turn report annually to the Executive Council in summary form. These annual summary reports will keep Council informed about assessment activities, allow Council to find common themes across departments, and aid Council in its function as a long-term planning committee. We currently have a five-year plan in place for departmental implementation of plans, reporting, summer assessment workshops. Council asked that the Dean contact department chairs for latest reports on plans prior to the NCA visit. Lopatto will send Council copies of all reports that he has received to date. Council will discuss these reports prior to the NCA visit.

4:53 p.m. Lopatto, Trosset, and Adams left the meeting.

The minutes of September 30 were corrected and approved.

Remarks by the Dean

Fund for Excellence proposals were due in the President's Office on October 1. The President and Jonathan Brand are writing short summaries of all the proposals which will be sent to the whole campus early next week. The full proposals will be on reserve in the President's Office, the library, and faculty secretary offices.

The Dean distributed the Fund for Excellence proposal from the deans. The proposal, on reserve with the rest of the FFE proposals, addresses the following areas: academic programs; faculty scholarship; diversity on the faculty; facilities; organization, computing, office efficiency, and secretarial support.

The Dean has put together a number of faculty focus groups which will be invited to meet with our campus planners during the next several weeks.

In order to make the scheduling of simple events more efficient, the Dean has asked Jim Work to handle this type of scheduling. One call to Work's office will take care of calendar and memo listings, room assignments, refreshments, invitations.

Grey asked if something could be done to make the ordering of cars and drivers more efficient. The Dean responded that he is addressing many issues such as these. He is working on finding ways to make the whole support system more efficient before adding more staff. Sinnett agreed with the Dean's goal stating that we need to address two problems -- widespread inefficiency and lack of adequate number of support staff; she hopes we will address both of these problems.

Voyles asked about the Alceste Pappas evaluation of support staff. The Dean stated that the firm is working on its final draft.

Leaves for Lecturers

Sinnett moved and D. Smith seconded the following:

The Executive Council, upon careful reading of the faculty handbook, in consideration of professional development opportunities for all faculty, and in response to a request from the Writing Laboratory staff, recommends to the Dean of the College the following:

That all faculty with the title of lecturer be considered for professional development leaves. Because faculty with the title of lecturer are normally not expected to produce original scholarly works, leave proposals will be evaluated according to their potential for outcomes with clear benefits to the College. The Dean of the College should ensure that leaves contribute positively to the college, allow the smooth functioning of departments, and are granted fairly. The Dean should work with the heads of departments and individuals who might avail themselves of professional development leaves to make them aware of such opportunities.

The motion passed unanimously.

General Policy on Faculty Allocations

The Dean distributed a list of current faculty with rank and status in order to initiate a discussion about our current staffing situation. The Dean and P. Smith will prepare further lists providing a historical perspective on faculty size. Although some departments have submitted proposals to the Dean for an increase in staffing, these are unlikely to be considered until a broader discussion concerning faculty size and the future direction of the college has taken place. In the context of this discussion, Council will discuss policy concerning the necessity for submitting a rationale for filling any faculty position along with descriptions of such positions. This is currently done by departments but not consistently.

Executive Council Faculty Remarks

Pillado-Miller asked how it had been decided which staff members and students were to be invited to inauguration events. The Dean will look into this and respond to Council next meeting.

Dobbs commented that she is pleased that Council has been moving through the agenda items established by Council early this semester at a reasonable rate.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:06 p.m.

Helen Scott
Secretary