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

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

The minutes and excerpts of September 7 were approved.

President’s Remarks

The President made no remarks.

Dean’s Remarks

The Dean noted that there will be an external review of the French Department beginning the second week of October. He stated that the Division Chair normally meets with the reviewers.

The Dean noted that with regard to personnel matters of the faculty the Executive Council sets policy while the Personnel Committee sets procedure. There is usually a joint meeting of the two Committees at the end of each academic year to coordinate the two functions. A persistent question for both Committees is how the Library and Physical Education Department deal with the need for a Student Educational Policy Committee. The Dean reported that he has asked for process recommendations from both Christopher McKee and Dee Fairchild. He distributed an email received from McKee with suggested process for selecting the student members of the Committee. Discussion ensued and revisions will be suggested to the Library.

The Dean noted that he currently has responses from two Center Directors and expects the third soon. This item will be placed on Council agenda for discussion shortly.

The Dean noted that he and the President have been interviewed by an S&B reporter on the subject of grading at the College. The thrust of her questioning was centered around her impression that grades were high across the board.

Council Remarks

T. Roberts noted his concern regarding adequate classroom space. C. Hunter, a member of the Committee organized to look at this issue, reported that the Committee agreed that there are not enough classrooms of sufficient size to accommodate larger classes. The President suggested that the College should engage a consultant to conduct a classroom utilization study.

C. Hunter asked whether the Council routinely receives external department reviews that have been done in recent years. The Dean reported that the Division Chair of the department in question has been asked to read the review and summarize for Council. The Dean will distribute copies of the review reports from the 2004-05 academic year.

D. Lopatto reported that the Science Division has met already and he noted that the Mathematics and Computer Science Department will come with a request to be separated into two separate departments. The will become the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Computer Science. This is completely non-controversial within the Division.

Library Term-Position Request

The Council has received a request for a 1-1/2 year term position as a temporary solution to a resignation to take effect in October and to cover a semester leave to be taken by the Science Librarian. There was discussion of the proposed qualifications listed in the position description, particularly centered on the desirability to attract the broadest possible pool of candidates.

Promotion to Professor

The Dean noted that at Grinnell promotion to full professor is not on a regular schedule. It is an informal process which begins with self-nomination or nomination by a department chair or division chair. The Dean will send out a memorandum to the faculty about the process of bringing someone forward for consideration of promotion soon. He will then review the recommendations and compile a list of those faculty members that he believes are ready for promotion. He will share this list with the Council for approval late in the fall semester.

Strategic Plan Tactics

The President distributed a draft document and engaged in a brief discussion of implementation of the Strategic Plan.

Construction Projects on Campus

The President engaged in a brief discussion of construction projects which are foreseen to be undertaken over the next five years.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

Secretary
Karen Wiese