President Russell K. Osgood called the meeting to order at 4:17 p.m. in ARH 302.

Approval of Minutes-Russell K. Osgood, President
Minutes from the April 4, 2005, meeting were approved.

Expanding Knowledge Initiative Discussion-Wayne Moyer, Chair of the Faculty
Moyer presented the draft of the Expanding Knowledge Initiative proposal to the faculty. The motion was passed that Faculty move into the Committee as a whole to open the discussion of the proposal.

The structure of leaders for the initiative seems a little top heavy, is there a reason to have so many layers? Is it necessary to have professors instead of one board?
The Committee feels that the professors should be intimately involved and that professors should serve as ex-officio; the board will serve more as a resource for the director. There is a question about the size of the board and the Committee would like to hear about what an appropriate size would be.

A concern was raised about the proposed professorships and how they will affect departments. Another concern was raised about the entire idea of professorships; the idea seems to promote a model of interdisciplinary study that does not represent the larger understanding that all professors should strive for interdisciplinary work. Also, as there is already so much interdisciplinary study occurring, why hire more outside professors to take on what the current faculty is already doing?
The Committee felt that there was some power of having an individual to serve as an example and work with junior faculty. These professors will not be fully taken out of departments; there are still a lot of details that need to be worked out. The idea is that these are rotating positions; the Committee has recommended 6 years, but the timeline is not fixed.

Concerns were raised about faculty time and schedules, as well as the increasing student body.
The initiative recognizes other needs and has tried not to monopolize on hiring needs or faculty schedules; the second-year retreat details have not been finalized. The proposed number of 12 new positions is not a fixed number. There is a better chance of encouraging the Trustees to support getting more faculty at Grinnell College if this proposal is passed.

Many valuable goals are suggested in the proposal, but it seems unrealistic to be able to meet all of them with one proposal.
The Committee feels that it is more important to set goals and make substantial process towards them.

Will the Trustees feel like the proposal was a waste if all the goals are not fulfilled?
The Trustees want some kind of academic proposal from the faculty. As the facility projects are coming to an end, the trustees want an organic proposal from the faculty that will seek to positively affect the faculty's feelings about its job.

What is the value added?
The value of interdisciplinary study is to allow students to come at issues from different perspectives, providing students with more analytical tools and more open perceptions.

Several specific recommendations were made for improvement of the content and style of the proposal. The Committee was informed of the recommendations, concerns, and support of the faculty.

Remarks-Russell Osgood
No remarks.

Remarks-Jim Swartz, Dean of the College
No remarks.

Remarks-Wayne Moyer
No remarks.

Announcements and new business
No announcements or new business.

Osgood adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Shannon C. Harman
Secretary to the Faculty