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

The meeting came to order at 4:15 a.m. in the Nollen Conference Room.

President's Remarks

The President made no remarks.

Dean's Remarks

The Dean noted that he had received a call from the Chief Financial Officer at Kenyon who expressed questions regarding the appearance of a 10% raise in the salaries of assistant professors over the past year. The Dean explained that this was an attempt to rectify salary levels among peer institutions.

The Dean suggested placing discussion of assessment of our Centers on the agenda for next week.

Council Member Remarks

W. Moyer noted that the Expanded Knowledge Committee (in connection with the Strategic Planning Process-W. Moyer, V. Brown, C. Lindgren, M. Sortor, T. Armstrong, S. Andrews) was in place and would meet Monday, September 27th. L. Gregg-Jolly noted that she was surprised to hear of the larger scope of the charge to the Committee indicated by the President at the faculty meeting this week. The President suggested that he hoped that the Committee would simultaneously address the issues of expanding knowledge, enhancing diversity, and decreasing dependency on term appointments. L. Gregg-Jolly asked about the process that would be put in place to continue the involvement of the Executive Council in Strategic Planning. W. Moyer stated that the Committee would report to Council on a regular basis. The Dean noted that while we expect the Expanded Knowledge Committee to bring recommendations to the Council for consideration, we need to be aware of other structures of faculty governance. The President noted that we will be needing to do intermittent cost projections associated with Committee recommendations. D. Lopatto raised concerns regarding planning by the Committee which might take place outside of resource considerations.

V. Brown noted profitable meetings with J. Kalkbrenner and the President on issues regarding the Forum Grill and enhanced representation of student concerns on the Dining Services Committee.

Proposal from the Department of Chinese and Japanese

The Dean reviewed the history of the many proposals for tenure-track appointments in Japanese language and literature. There was concern among Council members about this going forward in light of the actions of the Executive Council last spring. However, in view of the fact that it is going forward because the Department met the President's requirement of presenting a sensible curriculum the Council members took the following action. W. Moyer moved, V. Brown seconded, approval of the Department of Chinese and Japanese position announcement contingent upon adding the standard sentence emphasizing diversity even though this is a standard search. The motion was approved.

Classics Department Proposal

The Dean reviewed the Executive Council action regarding a proposal from the Classics Department. R. Vetter moved, W. Moyer seconded, approval of the Classics Department proposal that Monessa Cummins be appointed as assistant professor.

Diversity Search Position Announcements

The Dean called for the Executive Council to identify the search committees for Gender and Women's Studies, Geography, and Neuroscience given their interdisciplinary characteristics. He suggested that the committees be composed of persons who could adequately represent the interests of the fields rather than the interests of a single discipline or department.

There was discussion of the burden that would be placed on the members of large committees by requiring all to read all of the files.

Approval of the Diversity Position Announcements

D. Lopatto moved, E. Willis seconded, approval of the Chemistry Department position announcement for a diversity search. The motion was approved.

E. Willis raised the issue of inclusion of the possibility of appointments at the Associate rank in position announcements and urged its uniform inclusion in the diversity position announcements. It was agreed.

E. Willis moved, L. Gregg-Jolly seconded, approval of the neuroscience position announcement. The motion was approved.

V. Brown moved, W. Moyer seconded, approval of the Gender and Women's Studies position announcement. The motion was approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

Secretary
Karen Wiese