Dean Newcomb called the meeting to order at 10:32 a.m. The minutes of the March 15, 2011 meeting were approved.
General Informational Items
N/A
Consent Agenda
The following proposals were approved without further discussion:
English
Proposed revisions to creative writing minor:
The coordinators of the Creative Writing Program propose two changes in requirements for the Creative Writing minor. They want to drop the required creative writing seminar and one of the literature courses since literature is taught in all of the creative writing workshops. But six courses will still be required for the minor.
Film Studies
FMST 203 With Images and Sound: Introduction to the Language of Film
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
Religion
New course proposal:
RELG 281 Islam: Muhammad to the Modern Age
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
Revised course proposals (title and/or catalog changes only):
RELG 241 Introduction to New Testament (formerly Introduction to Early Christian Era)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
RELG 242 Jesus in History and Tradition (formerly Jesus and Christian Origins)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
RELG 243 Ancient Mediterranean Religions (formerly The World of the New Testament)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
RELG 247 Women in Early Christianity (formerly Women and Christianity: Origins through Middle Ages)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
RELG 340 Lost Christianities (formerly Varieties of Early Christianity)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
Discussion Agenda
Dean Newcomb shared with Council that soon-to-be-dean Skerrett would prefer to wait until she arrives to decide about department “profiles.”
Attending Academic Council were Director of Pre-Health Education, John Vaughan and Associate Professor of Political Science, Rick Mayes. Two areas of concern arose regarding the medical humanities major proposal: 1) The title “Medical Humanities” may not accurately depict the program; and 2) it was unclear whether resources would be available to consistently carry out the program. The majority of Council was in favor of continued work on the proposal and of determination of the resources that would be needed to support the program.
Also attending Academic Council was Professor of History, Woody Holton. Woody reviewed the proposed changes to the committee selection process. The dean tallied up the approximate number of faculty in each of the tripartite divisions and found the distribution to be equitable (DIV I=86, DIV II=78, DIV III=78). Council requested further clarification regarding the existence of the quadripartite divisions. The proposed elimination of the quadripartite division would mean that the committees would need to have at least one member from each of the three divisions and one at-large member (e.g., Tenure & Promotion Committee). The committees affected by this change would be the Dean’s Advisory Council, the Nominating Committee, and Planning & Priorities. Council was in favor of simplifying the election process, but requested historical information about the establishment of the quadripartite divisions and the election process before making modifications.
Council suggested developing an ad hoc committee to establish committee selection criteria for use by the Nominating Committee. It was also suggested that committees, in general, set face-to-face meeting dates (as opposed to operating via email).
Council felt strongly about eliminating item #4 (email opt out) as it was believed many people would, in fact, opt out of the balloting process, leaving very few options. The dean suggested that item #4 be withdrawn from the document, Woody agreed.
Council encouraged Woody to continue to explore the original rationale behind the creation of the quadripartite divisions. In addition, Woody will look into creating an ad hoc committee to establish committee selection criteria.
Dean Newcomb distributed a handout and reviewed the latest changes to the language contained within the T&P faculty handbook guidelines and requested Council feedback (summarized below).
Section A., paragraph two (preamble) – Council suggested that the language be changed to (in bold): Faculty members are expected to show that their performance in each of the areas, teaching, scholarship, and service meets the standards set forth below.
Section A., 1. Teaching, new section-paragraph three – Council suggested replacing the word “manuscript” with the word “submission.”
Section A., 1. Teaching, new section-paragraph five – Council asked that the language be revised to address a number of possible scenarios. The process, as written, does not clearly explain what would happen should there be a change in vote at the department, committee, or dean level. If the candidate response prompts a change in vote, it is not clear what written reports should be generated and how they should be included in the portfolio moving forward.
The meeting adjourned at 11:46 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Burns
General Informational Items
N/A
Consent Agenda
The following proposals were approved without further discussion:
English
Proposed revisions to creative writing minor:
The coordinators of the Creative Writing Program propose two changes in requirements for the Creative Writing minor. They want to drop the required creative writing seminar and one of the literature courses since literature is taught in all of the creative writing workshops. But six courses will still be required for the minor.
Film Studies
FMST 203 With Images and Sound: Introduction to the Language of Film
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
Religion
New course proposal:
RELG 281 Islam: Muhammad to the Modern Age
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
Revised course proposals (title and/or catalog changes only):
RELG 241 Introduction to New Testament (formerly Introduction to Early Christian Era)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
RELG 242 Jesus in History and Tradition (formerly Jesus and Christian Origins)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
RELG 243 Ancient Mediterranean Religions (formerly The World of the New Testament)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
RELG 247 Women in Early Christianity (formerly Women and Christianity: Origins through Middle Ages)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
RELG 340 Lost Christianities (formerly Varieties of Early Christianity)
1 unit
Prerequisites (if any): None
Discussion Agenda
Dean Newcomb shared with Council that soon-to-be-dean Skerrett would prefer to wait until she arrives to decide about department “profiles.”
Attending Academic Council were Director of Pre-Health Education, John Vaughan and Associate Professor of Political Science, Rick Mayes. Two areas of concern arose regarding the medical humanities major proposal: 1) The title “Medical Humanities” may not accurately depict the program; and 2) it was unclear whether resources would be available to consistently carry out the program. The majority of Council was in favor of continued work on the proposal and of determination of the resources that would be needed to support the program.
Also attending Academic Council was Professor of History, Woody Holton. Woody reviewed the proposed changes to the committee selection process. The dean tallied up the approximate number of faculty in each of the tripartite divisions and found the distribution to be equitable (DIV I=86, DIV II=78, DIV III=78). Council requested further clarification regarding the existence of the quadripartite divisions. The proposed elimination of the quadripartite division would mean that the committees would need to have at least one member from each of the three divisions and one at-large member (e.g., Tenure & Promotion Committee). The committees affected by this change would be the Dean’s Advisory Council, the Nominating Committee, and Planning & Priorities. Council was in favor of simplifying the election process, but requested historical information about the establishment of the quadripartite divisions and the election process before making modifications.
Council suggested developing an ad hoc committee to establish committee selection criteria for use by the Nominating Committee. It was also suggested that committees, in general, set face-to-face meeting dates (as opposed to operating via email).
Council felt strongly about eliminating item #4 (email opt out) as it was believed many people would, in fact, opt out of the balloting process, leaving very few options. The dean suggested that item #4 be withdrawn from the document, Woody agreed.
Council encouraged Woody to continue to explore the original rationale behind the creation of the quadripartite divisions. In addition, Woody will look into creating an ad hoc committee to establish committee selection criteria.
Dean Newcomb distributed a handout and reviewed the latest changes to the language contained within the T&P faculty handbook guidelines and requested Council feedback (summarized below).
Section A., paragraph two (preamble) – Council suggested that the language be changed to (in bold): Faculty members are expected to show that their performance in each of the areas, teaching, scholarship, and service meets the standards set forth below.
Section A., 1. Teaching, new section-paragraph three – Council suggested replacing the word “manuscript” with the word “submission.”
Section A., 1. Teaching, new section-paragraph five – Council asked that the language be revised to address a number of possible scenarios. The process, as written, does not clearly explain what would happen should there be a change in vote at the department, committee, or dean level. If the candidate response prompts a change in vote, it is not clear what written reports should be generated and how they should be included in the portfolio moving forward.
The meeting adjourned at 11:46 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Burns
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