Present: C. Hunter, E. Marzluff, J. Meehan, R. Osgood, S. Rebelsky, T. Roberts, J. Swartz, E. Willis
Acting Secretary: Jon Chenette

The meeting came to order at 8:45 a.m. in the lower level conference room of the John Chrystal Center. Approval of the minutes of 5/9/07 was postponed to allow more time for members to read them.

President’s Remarks

None.

Dean’s Remarks

The Dean announced that Kathleen Skerrett has accepted an appointment as Associate Dean, replacing Brad Bateman. Her start date and the details of how to replace her remain to be worked out.

E. Willis asked about progress in the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Achievement search. The President summarized the status of the search and indicated that a decision is likely soon.

The Dean announced that all but one of the term faculty searches have concluded. There will be a History candidate on campus next week.

Council Members’ Remarks

T. Roberts expressed his appreciation to his colleagues for the pleasure of serving with them on Council. The Dean thanked T. Roberts, C. Hunter, and E. Marzluff for their dedicated service as Council members.

C. Hunter conveyed concerns he has heard about the brief turn-around time between notification of students about being closed out of classes and the opening of the drop-add period. Students who are unable to locate their advisors quickly are at a disadvantage. E. Willis suggested that a minimum of two days should elapse between closure notification and the start of the drop-add period.

C. Hunter indicated that workspaces for summer MAP students need to be more discipline-specific. The Dean replied that the mixed workspaces were an attempt to respond to complaints about isolation. E. Willis suggested that mixed workspaces need to be larger if they are to work successfully. C. Hunter suggested that dedicated Social Studies research and teaching labs are needed. The President indicated that the move of some offices to 1205 Park St. may allow for some shuffling of spaces that would free up rooms, and the Dean added that the opening of the new science facilities may also make space available in ARH or elsewhere.

T. Roberts reported that discussions between the Religious Studies and History departments may lead to an EKI position proposal in Islamic studies.

There was discussion of on-campus catering. The President indicated that our catering policy gives the College catering operation right of first refusal for on-campus events but that catering operations from off campus may fill in when Catering is unable to meet needs.

E. Willis reported that we have excellent candidates for the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid position who will come to campus soon.

Response to Teacher Education Committee on new directions in teacher certification program

E. Willis indicated that many people from Council and the Education Department have been involved in drafting a response to a memorandum received by Council from the Teacher Education Committee regarding elementary certification.

Faculty Position Proposals

There was continued Council discussion of faculty position proposals. In its discussion of these proposals, Council decided that position descriptions for all faculty searches will contain the following language “Assistant Professor (Ph.D.) preferred; Instructor (ABD) or Associate Professor possible”.

Search for Dean of the College

The President expressed his desire for the Executive Council’s input on the parameters to be included in the position description for a new Dean. E. Willis suggested that Council have a meeting with the President devoted to this topic. The President indicated that Susan Schoen will set up a Council meeting, which the Dean will not attend. Council will need another meeting to cover the remaining agenda items, which perhaps could follow immediately after the meeting concerning the Dean search.

The meeting adjourned at 10:38 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jon Chenette, acting secretary