Present: J. Brand, J. Swartz, P. Smith, D. Caulkins, W. Ferguson, B. Grey, K. Kamp,
T. Moore, M. Pillado Miller, B. Voyles.

The meeting came to order at 4:20 p.m. in the Nollen House Conference Room. The minutes and excerpts from the 3/14/01 meeting were approved.

Dean's Remarks

The Dean noted that he had met with George Caroll to discuss a range of issues currently being taken up by the Student Government Association. He was informed that the subject of minors has become an issue for the student body as seen in the recent elections.

The Dean noted that four proposals for tenure-track positions have been received in Biology, English, History, and Mathematics and Computer Science (for a statistician). He is expecting three additional proposals. He stated that he would ask the Office of Institutional Research to update the course enrollment data provided to Council last year for use in the discussion of departmental proposals for tenure-track appointments and decisions regarding faculty position allocations.

Other actions which were approved by Council electronically during the past week include proposals to approve offers for one-year replacement extensions in Philosophy and Physics. He noted that Council had received an electronic proposal from the Biology Department to make an offer for a one-year temporary replacement position. B. Voyles moved, M. Pillado Miller seconded, approval of the proposal. The motion was approved.

The Dean noted that in keeping with the mission of the newly created Office of Institutional Budget and Planning, J. Brand would like to proceed by structuring the budget planning process and timeline. J. Brand stated that he wants to create a budget planning guide so that everyone can become comfortable with this new participatory process. The Dean asked Council members to provide input to J. Brand within the week regarding this new process and timeline.

The Dean stated that in a recent meeting he had talked with the Associate Dean at Bates College who had mentioned that the Bates faculty have recently passed new policies regarding the status of part-time faculty. She has shared a copy of the new policy with him and he handed out a copy to Council for their information.

The Dean passed our graphical presentations of the numbers of double majors and concentrators over the past decade prepared by the Registrar as information for Council.

The Dean began what he hoped would be a brief discussion of the diversity initiative.

Discussion of Methods of Class Closings

The Dean reviewed prior Council discussion on this subject, noting there had been no agreement reached. He stated his interest in this subject is to try to find a more equitable and efficient enrollment management system which would result in a tremendous savings of faculty time.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Secretary
Karen Wiese