Present: C. Hunter, D. Lopatto, E. Marzluff, W. Moyer, R. Osgood, T. Roberts, J. Swartz, E. Willis
Secretary: J. Chenette

The meeting came to order at 2:00 p.m. in the Nollen Conference Room.

The minutes and excerpts of 5/10/06 were approved.

President’s Remarks

The President had no remarks.

Dean’s Remarks

The Dean reported that all positions are now filled except Spanish. He also reported that the Faculty Scholarship publication will be reprinted, adding information that was inadvertently omitted and including newly-reported information on faculty scholarly accomplishments from 2003 to 2005.

Council Remarks

E. Willis reported that the Diversity Steering Committee would like next year’s Executive Council to look at how we are supporting Posse students academically. They also request a review of the College’s diversity hiring policy to ensure that we are consistent in language we use regarding the disabled.

E. Willis inquired about the decision to incorporate the Grinnell-in-London and Grinnell-in-Washington committee functions under the umbrella of the Off-Campus Study Board and stated that this might have been a topic for Executive Council discussion. J. Chenette explained the background of discussions leading up to the proposal for reorganization. Rationales for the reorganization include increasing accountability of the GIL and GIW decision-making bodies, ensuring that decisions about off-campus programs are made in light of the full range of the College’s off-campus offerings, increasing knowledge of GIL and GIW among faculty members who have not been involved with those programs, and encouraging collaboration among the staff in the Off-Campus Study office. A potential disadvantage is the loss of program knowledge due to the relatively limited GIL and GIW experience among OCS Board members; this can be partly addressed through using experienced GIL and GIW faculty in a consulting capacity for the OCS Board. E. Willis requested that a copy of the revised description of the Off-Campus Study Board be sent to Executive Council members. J. Chenette indicated that he would welcome Executive Council input on the plan and that it will not be enacted until next fall and could be put on hold.

C. Hunter asked why lawn mowing is taking place along Park St. during scheduled class times, making it difficult to hear. The President agreed that this should not happen. E. Willis mentioned noise problems stemming from users of the Cultural Education Center, whose boisterousness can sometimes interfere with classes in the room below. Users need to be more subdued.

Appointment of EKI Advisory Board

Council discussed the membership of the EKI Interim Advisory Board and possible replacements for Sam Rebelsky and Todd Armstrong. After further discussion, Council agreed on possible replacements to be contacted by W. Moyer in order.

Recommendation of Center Directors

Council considered the recommendation of a candidate as the next Director of the Center for the Humanities and approved the recommendation from the Humanities Advisory Board.

Council considered the recommendation of a candidate as the next Director of the Center for International Studies and approved the recommendation from the CIS Advisory Board.

Continued Discussion of Faculty Position Proposals

Council continued their discussion of faculty position proposals.

Review of Special Search Guidelines

Council began to discuss special search guidelines. E. Marzluff recommended that Council consider the guidelines most recently sent to department chairs rather than the older one distributed with the agenda. The President emphasized the importance of ensuring that the language is keyed to the language that Brad Bateman is drafting for special searches.

Review of Document on Interdisciplinary Hiring and Reviews

The Dean reminded Council that the proposed procedures for interdisciplinary hiring and reviews would require a change in the Faculty Handbook. He pointed out that the Faculty Handbook refers to the Chair as the party most responsible for faculty reviews, but there is no Chair in the case of an interdisciplinary hire if we adopt the proposed guidelines. C. Hunter described the types of mentors that an interdisciplinary hire might need: one with an evaluative role who visits classes and functions like a department member and the other an informal mentor with no evaluative role.

Review of Facilities Projects

The President described facilities project status. The Rosenfield Center is nearing completion. The Science Center is on target for a summer 2007 completion date on the new construction, with renovation completed by summer 2008. Over the next year, the Cowles renovation project will result in the addition of forty-six to forty-eight beds to campus housing stock. There are no plans to tear down Norris or build a fifth East Campus dorm. In the queue are projects to complete the physical education complex in two phases: the field house in phase two, perhaps beginning May 2008 depending on fund-raising, and the pool in phase three. The Trustees voted that the pool will be a fifty-meter pool. Completion of phase two will allow for demolition of the PEC Field House and addition of parking in that location.

Other projects in the more distant future include possible demolition of the current Preschool and construction of a new facility or expansion; a renovation involving spaces in the Bucksbaum Center to possibly accommodate the Print and Drawing Study Room, offices, and common areas; possible renovation of the corridor between Mears and Main Hall and some areas within Main Hall to accommodate SFS faculty; varied projects to improve instructional spaces in Carnegie and ARH; and the more fanciful possibility of partnering with others to build a hotel downtown. This might call into question the need for a College guest house, especially if intimate dining spaces can be made available elsewhere.

T. Roberts asked about plans for the Library. The President replied that the new Science library and a move of the Print and Drawing Study Room will take the pressure off for a while. Some small-scale renovations on the first floor are still contemplated.

W. Moyer and E. Willis emphasized the importance of Grinnell House as a space ideal for faculty recruitment and hosting of speakers. The President mentioned frequent complaints about shared bathrooms and inadequate cooking facilities in Grinnell House. T. Roberts said that he wouldn’t preclude the possibility that a hotel could be made to feel and function like Grinnell House. Moyer asked that the President solicit additional feedback on Grinnell House, including hearing from the many people who consider it an excellent facility for hosting important functions and visitors. The President emphasized that any changes to Grinnell House will be many years off.

Council reviewed the agenda for tomorrow. J. Chenette will email the new version of the Strategy VI document and a more detailed agenda for the joint meeting with the Personnel Committee.

The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jon Chenette