Present: R. Osgood, 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 9/12/01 were approved.

President's Remarks

The President noted that the Board of Trustees is beginning to discuss moving forward with a major fundraising effort (not to be considered a campaign) for facilities and other things over a five-year period.

He stated that he had received a fax from the President of Macalester regarding their undertaking a study of their football program with a view to determining whether or not they should remain in the Minnesota league and redouble their efforts or possibly terminate the program.

The note on football prompted B. Voyles to ask why we send our football team to California to play a game during the first week of school. The President stated that this was initiated three years ago when we agreed to a Claremont McKenna request that we help them fill an unexpected gap in their schedule at a time when we faced a similar gap. The agreement has resulted in the signing of two, two-year contracts-the second of which will expire next year. Other closer options are being investigated for the future.

Dean's Remarks

The Dean briefly reviewed the current state of play with Waseda University. He noted that we have sent a letter expressing our continued interest, but nothing is likely to come of it in the near future.

He thanked Council for attending the meeting of the department chairs this week during which discussion was focused on building diversity in our candidate pools. He did note that the discussion highlighted the continuing difficulty of reaching this objective, but also the resolve to maintain this as a high priority.

The Dean stated that, in partial response to discussion of privacy policies in effect in various offices of the college, he has gathered information on some of them. He presented information on the privacy policies of the Libraries and Information Technology Services with respect to access and the Pioneer One Card.

He stated that there is a proposal from M. Voyles requesting the Executive Council make an exception to its policy to allow the tenure-track search that was approved last year to take place this year. The second part of her proposal raises questions regarding the long-range academic planning process in relation to the future of the Education Department. J. Mutti recommended that Council review this proposal. No action was taken.

The Dean suggested that Council establish a faculty committee to assess the activities and operation of the Noun Program. B. Voyles asked about the structure of the Noun Program endowment. The President responded that both the chair and the program are endowed, but there is no requirement that the person who holds the chair also direct the program. J. Mohan noted a widely expressed faculty concern that the program and the Gender and Women's Studies concentration have become unhooked. The President stated that he hoped the committee would look specifically at this issue.

Council Remarks

B. Grey noted that he and J. Brand have interviewed two candidates for planning process consultant. B. Grey moved, K. Kamp seconded, approval for Ray Haas to be invited to assist Council in this effort. Members raised wide-ranging questions from what materials to provide him prior to his arrival to what Council expects of him. A lengthy discussion ensued. The motion was approved.

B. Grey noted that a faculty member has asked to see an artist's rendition of the new Welcome Center and Admissions/Financial Aid Building. The President stated that one was not yet available.

B. Voyles asked that Council set policy on how the Speakers Committee will allocate slots.

The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Secretary
Karen Wiese