Present: R. Osgood, J. Brand, J. Swartz, H. Scott, P. Smith, W. Ferguson, B. Grey,
K. Kamp, T. Moore, M. Pillado-Miller, B. Voyles.

The meeting came to order at 8:10 a.m. in the Nollen House Conference Room.

The minutes and excerpts from the 11/29/00 and 12/6/00 meetings were approved.

President's Remarks

The President noted that he had met with the Budget Committee of the Board of Trustees in Phoenix this past Monday. The Committee members liked the three-year budget concept. He stated that it seems clear they will abolish the FFE and bond off existing obligations. They also observed that our costs are very high in relation to revenues. They suggested adding Kenyon College to the smaller comparison group for considering such issues as faculty salaries and other expenditures and tuition. They discussed the argument made for the 105% faculty salary pool and did not dismiss it. They spent most of their time discussing how to enhance revenues.

Dean's Remarks

The Dean reviewed the status of faculty searches. He noted that an offer has been made for the Computer Science position, but that he was not optimistic that the candidate will accept. He also noted that the Council had approved making an offer to a candidate in Religious Studies, but since that time he has not been able to reach the primary candidate and the second candidate has withdrawn. Physics, Biology, and Political Science Departments have candidates on campus this week. The Physical Education Department will not bring a position description to Council before next semester.

The Dean noted that P. Smith has agreed to remain in her position as Associate Dean for one more year, after which time she will be one of the faculty on the Grinnell-in-London program.

Approval of Position Descriptions

M. Pillado Miller moved, K. Kamp seconded, approval of a position description in philosophy for a Mellon Postdoctoral position. The motion was approved.

The Dean stated that K. Jacobson and M. Chamberland have been awarded the Harris Leaves for 2001-2002.

There was discussion of the parental leave policy with agreement that there was a need for further Council discussion to define it more clearly.
The Dean noted that while there are no Council meetings scheduled until next semester, there are a number of searches ongoing over the period and he asked Council members to remain available electronically for necessary personnel actions.

Discussion of the Role of Council in Departmental Searches

The Dean handed out a draft a paragraph description of the current policy and intent of the role of the Executive Council in departmental searches. B. Grey noted that the issues of ranking and "rubber stamping" had not been discussed in the description. The President noted that the members of Council who do the interviews and write the memoranda are doing so as individuals and are not making Council recommendations. T. Moore asked that departments be asked to send the advertised position descriptions with the dossiers. Council endorsed incorporation of the Dean's text into the document describing the process for searches.

Other Business

The Music Department has provided Council with the contextual background for discussion of their request for approval for a one-year contract extension for an Orchestra Director. The issue is whether or not the position of Orchestra Director should be a regular tenure-track position. M. Pillado Miller moved, K. Kamp seconded, approval of a one-year contract extension. The motion was approved.

B. Ferguson stated that the Executive Council has a staffing proposal from the Anthropology Department. K. Kamp presented the history of the recent departmental recruitment efforts. A very lively discussion ensued.

J. Brand left the meeting at 9:15 a.m.

The President left the meeting at 9:45 a.m.

B. Ferguson moved, B. Grey seconded, approval of the Anthropology Department proposal.

The Dean left the meeting at 10:30 a.m.

B. Grey noted that he was not hearing any new arguments and asked Council if there were any questions before he called for a vote on the motion. K. Kamp asked if she should vote since there was an apparent conflict of interest. She was told that she was voting as a member of Council, not of her department. B. Grey called for the vote. The motion carried five to one.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.

Secretary
Karen Wiese