December 6, 2011 Academic Council Minutes

Dean Skerrett called the meeting to order at 10:31 a.m. The minutes of  November 15, 2011 meeting were approved.

All proposals on the December 6, 2011 consent agenda were approved.

 Discussion Agenda:

1.Budget Realignment

Dean Skerrett discussed the work of the program based budget pilot group. The group was able to discuss budgeting challenges and proposal realignments.The dean informed Council that the program based budget pilot will broaden next year so that every department will be able to participate. The realignment of budgets, as approved by departments, will be effective July 1, 2012.



2.Chair Stipends/Program Coordinator Stipends

Dean Skerrett expressed concern that department chairs and program coordinators are not receiving their pay until one year after service is complete. Dean Skerrett informed Council that she would like to change this process by paying Chairs during their service as this would be better aligned with typical compensation practice.  Dean Skerrett plans to work towards creating a policy that will, for new chairs, come into effect July 1, 2012.

3. Reorganization of Academic Council Meetings

 Dean Skerrett opened discussion on the organization of Academic Council meetings. The dean asked Council for suggestions or concerns regarding organizing Academic Council meetings. Should members sometimes meet in quadripartite divisions?  Many agreed that bi-monthly meetings are necessary so as to not create a backlog of work. Some members suggested meeting in small groups organized by issues and not by their division. Concerns were raised if meeting in smaller groups would create more meetings. Dean Skerrett assured Council she would not like more meetings. The idea of members submitting agenda items and approving consent agenda items online was suggested. Some Council members thought this would allow flexibility for discussion while keeping the tradition of the bi-weekly Academic Council meeting. Dean Skerrett encouraged Council to think about projects for Academic Council next year and to continue to think of ways to enhance Council and Academic Council meetings.


Dean Skerrett reminded Council of the A&S faculty holiday reception to be held on December 7th, and thanked everyone for a great semester.




The meeting adjourned at 11:16  a.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Zandria Ivy