Present: J. Cummins, B. Ferguson, K. Jacobson, J. Meehan, R. Osgood, J. Swartz, E. Willis

Paula Smith was in attendance in her role as the new Dean beginning in July, 2008. Mark Schneider was in attendance in his role as the new Chair of the Faculty beginning in August, 2008.

The meeting came to order at 4:15 p.m. in room 226 of the Rosenfield Student Center.

The minutes and excerpts of March 5, 2008 were approved.

President’s Remarks

There was a discussion of the Gender and Women’s Studies concentration.

Dean’s Remarks

The Dean updated Council on the status of faculty searches.

P. Smith left the meeting at 5:00 p.m.

The Dean proposed sending appeals in academic dishonesty cases directly to the President’s Office as a new procedure in the process. J. Cummins pointed out that the student handbook does not specify that, after the appeals board hearing, a final appeal to the President is possible. This is of special concern since the first appeal is only allowed on procedural grounds. General issues of academic honesty policies were discussed, including variability among departments and instructors. Collaborative work seems to be a point of confusion.

Council Remarks

E. Willis raised concerns of diversity in term hiring. She pointed out that there is some confusion among chairs with regard to diversity procedures for term positions. There also has been at least one instance of a term position search being held up (or at least perceived to be held up) because the pool was not as diverse as one might expect. The pros and cons of searching for diversity in these positions was discussed further.

Independent Study

The Dean distributed some statistical information on independent study. E. Willis pointed out that there are two issues as described in a memorandum dated 12/4/07 from the Curriculum Committee:

• Compensation for non-MAP independent study supervision; and
• The incentive system for MAPs pushes projects that are more appropriately categorized as independent study.

The President expressed his reservations about giving cash compensation citing this as an inappropriate incentive to greater work. He also stated that he thought the issue of MAP quality should rest with the departments. Further, he likes the outcome of MAPs leading to greater support for full-year leaves. Council expressed concern with the lack of evaluations of student MAPs. There was concern that a MAP requirement may lead to uncertain quality outcomes. The Dean noted that he has encouraged the Committee for the Support of Faculty Scholarship to question summer MAPs to improve quality. E. Willis pointed out that students are coming with expectations of being able to do MAPs, so whatever happens the message to students must be clear. She pointed out that there are two distinct models:

• Faculty projects with students recruited (mostly in the sciences); and
• Student projects with faculty recruited (mostly in the non-sciences.

J. Meehan noted that while limits on the number of MAPs are important they are not well enforced. Swartz responded that the only limits are on how many can be counted toward graduation. Various models for limits for faculty and students were discussed.

The President suggested that making judgements on approval of MAPs should take care not to second guess faculty, while still protecting pre-tenure faculty.

E. Willis summarized the discussion. There should be no compensation, encourage vetting by departments, restrict school-year numbers of MAPs undertaken by both faculty and students, and required MAPs is a bad idea.

The meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.

Substituting for the Secretary
Mark Schneider