Present: V. Brown, L. Gregg-Jolly, D. Lopatto, R. Osgood, W. Moyer, J. Swartz, R. Vetter, E. Willis

The meeting came to order at 4:20 p.m. in the Nollen Conference Room.

The minutes and excerpts of the 2/9/05 and 2/16/05 were approved.

President's Remarks

The President noted that he had distributed a memorandum reporting on the recent meeting of the Board of Trustees in Grinnell. He reported that the Board had approved the Science construction project and planning will begin immediately.

Dean's Remarks

He noted that as a part of revising the faculty salary process Council never completely resolved the issue of salary reviews for those in five-year terms positions (mostly library and PE). The Personnel Committee and Budget Committee have discussed and here is what they recommend.

In the case of faculty members with five year renewable term contracts, the Personnel Committee will establish a merit score as a part of the review that will carry forward for three years at which time the faculty Budget Committee will do a standard salary review and establish a merit score tenable for two years, until the next contract renewal. This proposal allows the Personnel Committee to do the review when they are doing an Interim Review with better evidence than the Budget Committee would have and then lets the Budget Committee do the review in the 'off years', while keeping the salary review and contract renewals in sync. W. Moyer moved, D. Lopatto seconded, approval of this procedure. The motion was approved.

The Dean updated Council on the status of faculty searches.

The Dean distributed a request from SGA for permission to have a concert on Friday April 29th with numerous sideshows and activities on Mac field to counter stress that builds up at the end of the semester. W. Moyer moved, D. Lopatto seconded, approval of this request provided that there be no music between 1:00 and 4:15 while classes are in session. The motion was approved.

He noted that the Council will take up the subject of assessment on March 9th. Marci Sortor will be invited to the meeting to lead the discussion.

He distributed information on class size, number of sections, number of classes by size, and faculty size.

Council Remarks

D. Lopatto reported on the Science Division meeting to discuss the Expanding Knowledge Initiative. He noted that W. Moyer was there to guide the discussion and over 25 faculty were in attendance. He reported that there was significant disagreement with proposed organization/administration of the program and marginalization of departmental personnel needs at lower course levels where there is high demand. L. Gregg-Jolly noted serious concern among departments that they will find themselves in the position of not having their needs met because hiring under this initiative will be priviledged. Lopatto thanked Moyer and Clark Lindgren for leading a good discussion.

W. Moyer noted that the Expanding Knowledge Initiative Committee will be meeting with the SGA tonight to discuss the Initiative.

The Dean thanked W. Moyer for writing a very clear and educational letter to four students who sent a letter on February 21 to the entire faculty regarding the proposed 6.5% tuition increase. There was discussion of merit increase, financial aid, and stabilization of tuition increases.

R. Vetter reported having received a message from colleagues in the languages expressing concern over a rumored Council decision that would prevent departments from asking candidates to teach classes during their on-campus interview. They believe this is essential in order to communicate that teaching the language is very much a part of their job. He satisfied their concern by stating that no such policy was proposed much less passed by Council.

L. Gregg-Jolly would like to have the final version of the Diversity report distributed to faculty and staff supervisors in hard copy.

The Dean distributed 2/21/05 draft of a memorandum entitled "Executive Council Statement on Faculty Allocation Procedure" and draft proposed changes to the Faculty Handbook on faculty recruiting. There was discussion.

Consortium for a Strong Minority Presence and Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow Proposals

Council discussed their prioritization of departments with proposals to make appointments of CSMP and Mellon postdoctoral fellows. E. Willis stressed the importance of being able to offer these fellows strong mentoring in both teaching and research.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Secretary
Karen Wiese