Dean Skerrett called the meeting to order at 10:31 a.m. The minutes of the January 17, 2012 meeting were approved.
All proposals on the February 21, 2012 consent agenda were approved.
Discussion agenda
1. Arts initiative
Dean Skerrett asked Lisa Gentile to report on the Arts Initiative as Lisa has spearheaded this initiative over the last few weeks. Lisa mentioned that she is working with the Modlin Center, Museums, as well as the departments of Art and Art History, Theatre and Dance, and Music, to work towards a vision for the arts over the next 10 years. The initiative will focus on what needs to happen before any renovations are done or new spaces added. Dean Skerrett mentioned the most critical problem across departments is the need for space. The initiative will also focus on exploring opportunities to connect the Arts with other departments across campus. Gene Anderson mentioned the Music department is revising its curriculum to make it more flexible and making it more adaptable for interdisciplinary work. Many agreed that these initial meetings have been helpful as it reveals commonality among departments. Dean Skerrett noted that the benchmarking consultants will be on campus this summer. The dean stressed the importance of having a strategy in place beforehand so that Arts departments’ vision and commitment will be a map for the consultants.
2. Annual performance reviews
Dean Skerrett informed Council that the provost has approved the annual performance review raises. Human Resources, along with the provost’s office, will work on getting the letters out to faculty members. Dean Skerrett mentioned she learned many things during this process. Dean Skerrett stressed the importance that the process has to be annual, fair, and apply consistently to all faculty members. The dean invited Malcolm Hill to present a PowerPoint slideshow on how the annual review process worked this year. After Malcolm’s presentation a question was raised regarding the evaluation process for directors. Dean Skerrett informed Council that the past processes were applied this year for directors. Each department chair will receive a copy of the PowerPoint to share with their colleagues.
3). Merit review process revisions
In the fall, faculty members elected an ad hoc committee to revise the merit rubric. Dean Skerrett has met with the ad hoc committee to produce a draft of the new guidelines and rubric. Some Council members mentioned they had not yet received the new draft of the guidelines and rubric. Dean Skerrett encouraged them to reach out to their representative. A new draft was forwarded to department chairs to share with their colleagues. All revisions must be sent to Dean Skerrett by March 20, 2012 in order to review and make revisions before the March 29, 2012 A&S faculty meeting. After consultation, a final draft will be brought before the faculty for a vote at the final A&S faculty meeting on April 21, 2012. The dean noted that any thoughts or ideas regarding the revisions should be forwarded to the ad hoc representatives.
4.) Interdisciplinary programs and joint appointments
The dean has been writing letters of appointments for faculty members who are in joint appointments for 2 years. Dean Skerrett had conversations via email with specific faculty members, department chairs, and program coordinators. A question was raised regarding what the current process is for taking on a joint appointment and if the process starts in the dean’s office. Dean Skerrett confirmed the first step would be to go to the dean with an agreement between the department chair and the chair or coordinator of the program. A concern was raised regarding a faculty member with a joint appointment going on leave. Dean Skerrett has not yet seen this listed as a term in joint appointments as the only terms are review accountability.
5.) Subject rule
Suzanne Jones opened discussion on the 17.5 credit rule. Suzanne suggested changing the wording of the rule as she does not know if students understand that they are able to petition for an exception to the rule. Dr. Jones suggested dropping the words “in no case.” A few Council members suggested possible wording changes. It was decided that Suzanne Jones will draft some options and bring this to a vote at the next Academic Council meeting.
Dean Skerrett ended the meeting by mentioning the upcoming AAC&U Leadership Institute that will be held this summer in Vermont. If anyone is interested or has any nominations, please let the dean know, as the provost is willing to send a group from the University.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:43am
Respectfully submitted,
Zandria Ivy
All proposals on the February 21, 2012 consent agenda were approved.
Discussion agenda
1. Arts initiative
Dean Skerrett asked Lisa Gentile to report on the Arts Initiative as Lisa has spearheaded this initiative over the last few weeks. Lisa mentioned that she is working with the Modlin Center, Museums, as well as the departments of Art and Art History, Theatre and Dance, and Music, to work towards a vision for the arts over the next 10 years. The initiative will focus on what needs to happen before any renovations are done or new spaces added. Dean Skerrett mentioned the most critical problem across departments is the need for space. The initiative will also focus on exploring opportunities to connect the Arts with other departments across campus. Gene Anderson mentioned the Music department is revising its curriculum to make it more flexible and making it more adaptable for interdisciplinary work. Many agreed that these initial meetings have been helpful as it reveals commonality among departments. Dean Skerrett noted that the benchmarking consultants will be on campus this summer. The dean stressed the importance of having a strategy in place beforehand so that Arts departments’ vision and commitment will be a map for the consultants.
2. Annual performance reviews
Dean Skerrett informed Council that the provost has approved the annual performance review raises. Human Resources, along with the provost’s office, will work on getting the letters out to faculty members. Dean Skerrett mentioned she learned many things during this process. Dean Skerrett stressed the importance that the process has to be annual, fair, and apply consistently to all faculty members. The dean invited Malcolm Hill to present a PowerPoint slideshow on how the annual review process worked this year. After Malcolm’s presentation a question was raised regarding the evaluation process for directors. Dean Skerrett informed Council that the past processes were applied this year for directors. Each department chair will receive a copy of the PowerPoint to share with their colleagues.
3). Merit review process revisions
In the fall, faculty members elected an ad hoc committee to revise the merit rubric. Dean Skerrett has met with the ad hoc committee to produce a draft of the new guidelines and rubric. Some Council members mentioned they had not yet received the new draft of the guidelines and rubric. Dean Skerrett encouraged them to reach out to their representative. A new draft was forwarded to department chairs to share with their colleagues. All revisions must be sent to Dean Skerrett by March 20, 2012 in order to review and make revisions before the March 29, 2012 A&S faculty meeting. After consultation, a final draft will be brought before the faculty for a vote at the final A&S faculty meeting on April 21, 2012. The dean noted that any thoughts or ideas regarding the revisions should be forwarded to the ad hoc representatives.
4.) Interdisciplinary programs and joint appointments
The dean has been writing letters of appointments for faculty members who are in joint appointments for 2 years. Dean Skerrett had conversations via email with specific faculty members, department chairs, and program coordinators. A question was raised regarding what the current process is for taking on a joint appointment and if the process starts in the dean’s office. Dean Skerrett confirmed the first step would be to go to the dean with an agreement between the department chair and the chair or coordinator of the program. A concern was raised regarding a faculty member with a joint appointment going on leave. Dean Skerrett has not yet seen this listed as a term in joint appointments as the only terms are review accountability.
5.) Subject rule
Suzanne Jones opened discussion on the 17.5 credit rule. Suzanne suggested changing the wording of the rule as she does not know if students understand that they are able to petition for an exception to the rule. Dr. Jones suggested dropping the words “in no case.” A few Council members suggested possible wording changes. It was decided that Suzanne Jones will draft some options and bring this to a vote at the next Academic Council meeting.
Dean Skerrett ended the meeting by mentioning the upcoming AAC&U Leadership Institute that will be held this summer in Vermont. If anyone is interested or has any nominations, please let the dean know, as the provost is willing to send a group from the University.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:43am
Respectfully submitted,
Zandria Ivy
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