Instructional Support Committee

Attending: Leslie Gregg-Jolly, Shuchi Kapila, Paul Munyon, Roger Vetter, David Romano, Richard Fyffe, John Kalkbrenner, Karen Shuman, Albert Lacson, Ian Athanasakis (STAC), Terri Phipps

Fast-track Approvals:

• Teaching Writing at Grinnell lunches ................................................................................ $810
• Art field trip (Bill Viola: "American Views: How to Read Poetry and Encounter Art") .......... $300
• Introductory Statistics Teaching and Learning Discussion Group ........................................ $480
• Philosophy (Latin course) ................................................................................................. $928

Approved via email before first meeting:

• Common Ground lunches ............................................................................................. $3000
• Anthropology field trip (atlatl event, Cahokia Mounds, IL) ................................................ $655

The meeting began with an introduction of members. SGA has not yet determined senators. A representative to ISC will be named once this determination is made. The Committee consists of two faculty members from each division (voting members), and representatives from the Library, ITS, College Services, Associate Dean, and two students (non-voting members). The question of whether or not student representatives should have a vote was raised. Students are concerned with having a voice. ISC has welcomed student input in the past and will continue to do so. Leslie will check into this issue.

Charge to ISC:

This committee shall be responsible for encouraging teaching initiatives and ensuring the auxiliary support necessary for the successful completion of pedagogical objectives.

Minutes of May 7 approved.

One member questioned why the Anthropology field trip was forwarded to the Committee to approve since, by its budget, it should have fallen within fast-track guidelines. ISC guidelines state that overnight field trips are not funded. This field trip includes an overnight stay (a Friday night). Potential conflicts with courses and other activities need to be taken into account when planning or approving field trips. Should ISC revise guidelines to allow overnight trips when there is a compelling argument? The College supports athletic trips; academics should be afforded similar consideration.

Future agenda items:

• Field trip guidelines
• Course development guidelines, specifically the lead time between course development and course offering
• Faculty travel and per diem guidelines

Curricular Development Proposals:

• CFFLS lunches (approved) .............................................................................................. $1300
• STaLG lunches (approved) ............................................................................................. $1440
• English (Lilly conference) (approved) .............................................................................. $1830
• Faculty-Faculty-Faculty Tutorial (RUS/ENG/CHM) (approved) ......................................... $2025

Discussion of Philosophy/Physics proposal:

This proposal was received as a 3-year project.

Questions:

• What is the long-term staffing commitment?
• How often will this course be taught?
• Will the course load in departments allow both faculty time to teach this course on a regular basis?

Leslie will check the course load issue. This proposal is tabled pending further information.

Listening Room Planning: Richard would like to form one or more focus groups to discuss Listening Room needs. What does the campus community need? Planning will require input from all users.

Respectfully submitted,
Terri Phipps