Academic Council: November 15, 2011 Minutes

 Dean Skerrett called the meeting to order at 10:32  a.m. The minutes of the October 18, 2011 meeting were approved.

Due to technical difficulties, the consent agenda from November 15, 2011 will be moved to the December 6, 2011 meeting.

The Healthcare Society and Major was moved from the consent agenda to the discussion agenda.

Discussion agenda

1. Campus tours with Nanci Tessier:

Dean Skerrett welcomed vice president of enrollment, Nanci Tessier, and thanked her for attending Council. Nanci expressed appreciation of Council's continued interest with campus tours and the importance of having shared goals. Nanci assured Council that the admissions office has built a recruitment plan that represents the university in its entirety. Concerns were raised regarding department representation among student tour guides. Nanci stated that the admissions team looks for broad representation when hiring tour guides. It was suggested that departments reach out to admissions with a list of students who are willing to give campus tours so admissions will have a running list when looking to pair prospective students. Questions were raised on how prospective students are initially recruited and if the School or Arts and Sciences is represented in the process. Nanci outlined the process and noted the admissions process updates year to year. Nanci encouraged Council to reach out to her with any questions or ideas, and extended an open invitation to those who would like to continue this discussion.

     2. Minor In Linguistics Proposal

The dean opened discussion on the proposed minor in Linguistics. Questions were raised about the requirements of the minor. It was suggested that students should take a 300 level course before a 400 level course. Questions were also raised  was decided that this minor will need close advising since there will be so few students minoring in Linguistics.It was mentioned that this minor was created as a response to student demand as these courses continue to fill each semester. This motion was approved. The minor will be effective Fall 2012.

   
     3. Healthcare and Society Major

Rick Mayes and John Vaughan opened discussion regarding the proposal for a Healthcare and Society (HCS) major. This major will  promote an interdisciplinary understanding of medicine and healthcare and will allow students to explore classes that may better complement their health career interests. There is significant student demand in this area. This motion was approved. 



  4. Inuksuit Project

Gene Anderson informed Council of an upcoming project the music department has been working on, Inuksuit. The performance will take place outdoors on April 21, 2012 and will celebrate Earth Day.  The composer, John Luther Adams, will be actively involved in the performance. Gene extended an invitation to all departments who would like to be involved as the music department is hoping this will gain support and will be a campus wide activity. 

  

  5. New Associate Deans

 Dean Skerrett announced the School of Arts and Sciences new associate deans Vincent Wang, Malcolm Hill, and Lisa Gentile. The new associate deans will start in January and will allow the dean's office to accomplish some new initiatives in the Spring semester.

  6. New Business

 Dean Skerrett mentioned the realignment of the School of Arts and Sciences budget. Members of the budget and operations team sent budget worksheets to all department chairs and program coordinators for review. These worksheets have a three year history of actual expenditures and a calculation of a three year average for each line. The dean mentioned that the pilot program is underway and is a great learning tool for the deans office on how to move forward with program based budgeting. 



The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Zandria Ivy