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

The meeting came to order at 4:20 p.m. in Room 226 of the Rosenfield Student Center. The minutes of October 25, 2006 were approved.

President’s Remarks

The President noted that the College is moving to plan further changes to the use of various College owned houses on Park Street. He does not favor demolishing any houses that ring the campus. However, he believes that several houses south of the Chaplain’s Office which are currently occupied by student affinity groups will be renovated for academic program use over the summer. C. Hunter asked if decisions had been made for use of the old post office space. The President replied that there has been no progress on that issue because of current building project demands on the Facilities Management team.

E. Willis asked the President to discuss the College policy with regard to continuance of health benefits provided to the partner of a current faculty member as that person nears or enters retirement with respect to Medicare. The President responded that this is a very complex issue which he is not now completely familiar with. Willis urged him to make this a priority and to inform the community of expectations and practice in this area as this issue has wide-ranging and potentially very expensive implications for us all. She also noted that she would not like to see the practices of the institution come into conflict with the non-discrimination policy. The President stated that he would investigate these issues further.

Dean’s Remarks

He stated concern with the varying degree to which departments are following the diversity search procedures provided to them last year-noting that some are simply not following suggested tactics. After some discussion, it was agreed that Frank Thomas has the adjudication authority and Council expects that he will exercise it and only in cases where Frank Thomas and the Dean see red flags will Council want to discuss the recruiting process and candidates prior to on-campus interviews. The Dean distributed a tenure-track search report written by the Theatre Department.

The Dean noted that Henry Reitz has agreed to chair the preparation committee for the re-accreditation Self Assessment upcoming in 2008.

The Dean noted that the Curriculum Committee has requested from departments all required information on faculty time spent on MAPs by the end of the month.

The Dean asked the Council whether they would like to meet on November 22nd. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday on the 23rd it was agreed that Council will not meet.

Council Remarks

E. Willis noted that Anatoly Vishevsky has agreed to serve, on behalf of the FOC, on the ad hoc committee on faculty voting. With this action the issue of participation on that committee is closed.

E. Willis asked the Dean about progress toward actually being able to distribute model salary review letters. He stated that they are just about ready. She responded positively noting that people are having to write such letters very shortly.

Willis asked the President whether colonoscopy as a preventative procedure is now covered by our health insurance. He responded that he would look into it.

Marzluff noted that she had met with the tutorial and advising committee today to discuss recommendations from the summer faculty workshop on advising. She stated that these matters will be discussed at the November 20th faculty meeting.

E. Willis noted that there has been quite vigorous faculty response to Strategy 6 after the President’s presentation at the last faculty meeting and the release of the draft document dated October 23, 2006. She noted that the next steps will be discussions at the division level and in smaller groups. The President also noted that he has agreed to meet separately with the untenured faculty members for this discussion.

Willis also noted the Curriculum Committee had discussed the issues and expectations for permission to study off-campus, a second major, and graduation without completing residency requirements. The Committee decided to develop a proposal in response to faculty concerns.

S. Rebelsky asked the President about the status of the Black Cultural Center in relation to planning for the second phase of the athletics center.

Procedures for appointment and review of interdisciplinary faculty

The primary agenda item for the next faculty meeting is a discussion of interdisciplinary appointment and review procedures. T. Roberts reminded Council that it had decided that before Council decisions on these issues can be made regarding the review and promotion processes for joint interdisciplinary appointments we need to go before the faculty and because two interdisciplinary appointments will need Council’s attention sooner than later is was decided to have this full faculty discussion now. E. Willis also noted the need to sit with smaller groups with the intention of developing EKI proposals and let them know what a competitive proposal should include.

EKI Advisory Board Proposal on Faculty Position Proposals

Marzluff distributed what could be considered a final document (having Advisory Board approval) on this subject titled Preparing Position Proposals under the Expanding Knowledge Initiative dated 11/1/06. With one change, Council accepted it as final and asked that it be distributed. The President noted that we have no guidance in the current Faculty Handbook on appointments made outside of the departmental governance structure. Discussion ensued.

Council Agenda Items for Discussion

There was some discussion but no prioritization occurred at this time.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Secretary
Karen Wiese