Instructional Support Committee

Attending: Cecilia Knight, Keri Kornelson, Dan Reynolds, Anatoly Vishevsky, Jon Chenette, Bill Francis, Richard Fyffe, Chris Johnston, John Whittaker, Terri Phipps

Minutes of 14 March approved.

Fast track approval reported to committee

• EDU: Analysis of Conflict (summer course: Co-sponsored by Peace Studies) $735

Discussion of EKI-related curricular development funding guidelines

Jon distributed draft guidelines with four funding models. A maximum of $4500 per person for summer travel related to interdisciplinary curricular development has been set. This funding can be used for expenses and/or stipend of up to $3,000. Living expense allowances will follow current CSFS guidelines. ISC agreed that the first three models provide a good starting point by which to allocate funding. The fourth model, departing from CSFS guidelines, was not approved.

Library/ITS/EKI Taskforce

This taskforce has been charged with developing ways by which the Library, ITS, and Faulconer Gallery could work together, separately, or in conjunction with other campus entities to advance the College’s strategic plan. The main focus will be on strategies #1 (on inquiry-based learning and interdisciplinary studies) and #2 (fostering a sense of ambition, adventure, and well-being). Other areas may be considered as well.

The taskforce met for a brainstorming session. One suggestion that will be discussed further is the creation of an infrastructure to manage intellectual assets. These assets would include books, MAPs and other student works, Art collections, Science materials, etc. This infrastructure would allow a user to type a word or phrase in a search engine and receive multiple types of works in response. Jon will send a draft of other suggestions stemming from this brainstorming session to ISC. The taskforce welcomes input.

Library course reserve memo

The Library encourages faculty to use print rather than electronic reserves when possible and pedagogically appropriate. The memo outlines advantages and disadvantages of both types of reserves. The faculty member should determine which type of reserve is best. E-reserves have had a large impact on the budget this year which could lead to cuts being taken elsewhere.

Concerns:

• Student culture has moved from relying on print materials to accessing materials electronically at their convenience. Will they physically go to check out and read materials?
• Students don’t always have access to print materials when it is convenient for them. Is it possible to reserve materials in advance for a certain time slot? There is no system in place for such reservations.

Office of Interdisciplinary Studies Advisory Board review of EKI-related proposals

• MUS 321/ENG 386: This proposal replaces the previously-approved faculty-faculty tutorial. Courses will be taught in spring 2008. $3000 stipend each is approved. Jon will notify faculty with the approval and note that they will be expected to meet more than the eight times mentioned in the proposal.
• GDS 395: Travel to Costa Rica. Course will be taught in spring 2008. $2000 approved for expenses. No stipend has been requested at this time.
• ENG 360/REL 394: Travel to India. Courses will be taught in spring 2008. $1500 approved for travel. Faculty member should work with Rebecca Stuhr at Burling before traveling to develop an acquisitions plan and make arrangements for acquiring materials that may not be available through direct Library purchasing.
• HIS/RUS 395: Proposal withdrawn. Proposal may be resubmitted as an individual proposal.

ARH/Carnegie classroom upgrades

Funds are available this fiscal year to complete a small portion of 2008-2009 planned upgrades. ITS cannot commit to any new AV projects beyond what is already scheduled. Based on feedback from CFFLS and members of the Social Studies division, ISC endorses plans to replace the wooden tablet-arm chairs in ARH this summer. Replacing these chairs will be a fairly quick and easy project that will positively affect the teaching and learning environment. One ISC member suggested that the wooden tablet-arm chairs be offered to the community rather than be destroyed.

Respectfully submitted,
Terri Phipps