Dean Skerrett called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. The minutes of the February 19, 2013 meeting were approved.
The English Department would like to change the number of English 364 Film Directors to English 379, a number not currently in use. There was no objection.
Student development:
In the past, department chairs and other faculty members have expressed concern about how to address students’ mental health problems. Colleagues in Student Life and CAPS offered a presentation on programs at the University of Richmond and recommended best practices. The goal is to ensure that the lines of communication are open between Student Life and faculty members to help coordinate the timely support for our students in distress. Dr. Joseph Boehman, Dean of Richmond College, reminded faculty members that they are often the first line of defense for a troubled student. Dean Boehman discussed changes in behaviors, such as a drop in class attendance, can be signs of a larger problem. More students are utilizing CAPS each year. At the moment, 16% of students at the University of Richmond seek counseling each year. A lower stigma regarding mental illness and treatment, greater availability of medications, and increased academic pressure are a few reasons why there is an increase in students accessing college mental health services. Currently, the greatest mental health risk at the University relates to over-consumption of alcohol.
AAUP: Tenure and teaching intensive appointments
Dean Skerrett resumed discussion about the demographics of the A&S faculty, particularly the growing proportion of non-tenure-line faculty. The dean also introduced the AAUP link that was distributed via email, and invited Prof. Julie Laskaris to comment. The increase in the role of non-tenure-line teachers has occurred across the profession. The question is how to review, compensate, and ensure academic freedom and faculty citizenship to these teaching-intensive roles. Currently, 44% of the A&S faculty (by head-count) is non-tenure track and the number of director positions has increased over the last 5 years. Members of Academic Council offered two queries for research: 1) How does the teaching load for directors at the University of Richmond compare to those at other schools, and 2) what proportion of courses are taught by non-tenure-line faculty members. The dean’s goal is to have tenure-line faculty teach courses at all levels of the curriculum and all areas, including general education courses. She encourages the faculty to exercise shared governance over the curriculum and educational program so that, as far as possible, the tenured faculty commit to teach the curriculum we collectively design. The dean also noted that the demographic statistics of the A&S faculty indicate that diversifying the faculty continues to be a priority as we conduct each search.
Honors Convocation:
This year’s A&S Honors Convocation will be April 9th at 11am in Camp Concert Hall. We have noticed that the event has not been well-attended. In an attempt to highlight this event, the deans have decided to call it “ Honors Convocation: A Celebration of Student Achievement.” Dean Skerrett’s longer-term vision is to connect Honors Convocation with the A&S Student Symposium and dinner. The dean encouraged members to let her office know if there are other student awards that should be recognized at the Honors Convocation this year, or if members have any recommendations for re-designing the ceremony. Please forward those suggestions to the dean’s office. Invitations for the Convocation will be sent after the Spring Break. Please encourage your faculty and students to attend.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45am
Respectfully submitted,
Zandria Haines
The English Department would like to change the number of English 364 Film Directors to English 379, a number not currently in use. There was no objection.
Student development:
In the past, department chairs and other faculty members have expressed concern about how to address students’ mental health problems. Colleagues in Student Life and CAPS offered a presentation on programs at the University of Richmond and recommended best practices. The goal is to ensure that the lines of communication are open between Student Life and faculty members to help coordinate the timely support for our students in distress. Dr. Joseph Boehman, Dean of Richmond College, reminded faculty members that they are often the first line of defense for a troubled student. Dean Boehman discussed changes in behaviors, such as a drop in class attendance, can be signs of a larger problem. More students are utilizing CAPS each year. At the moment, 16% of students at the University of Richmond seek counseling each year. A lower stigma regarding mental illness and treatment, greater availability of medications, and increased academic pressure are a few reasons why there is an increase in students accessing college mental health services. Currently, the greatest mental health risk at the University relates to over-consumption of alcohol.
AAUP: Tenure and teaching intensive appointments
Dean Skerrett resumed discussion about the demographics of the A&S faculty, particularly the growing proportion of non-tenure-line faculty. The dean also introduced the AAUP link that was distributed via email, and invited Prof. Julie Laskaris to comment. The increase in the role of non-tenure-line teachers has occurred across the profession. The question is how to review, compensate, and ensure academic freedom and faculty citizenship to these teaching-intensive roles. Currently, 44% of the A&S faculty (by head-count) is non-tenure track and the number of director positions has increased over the last 5 years. Members of Academic Council offered two queries for research: 1) How does the teaching load for directors at the University of Richmond compare to those at other schools, and 2) what proportion of courses are taught by non-tenure-line faculty members. The dean’s goal is to have tenure-line faculty teach courses at all levels of the curriculum and all areas, including general education courses. She encourages the faculty to exercise shared governance over the curriculum and educational program so that, as far as possible, the tenured faculty commit to teach the curriculum we collectively design. The dean also noted that the demographic statistics of the A&S faculty indicate that diversifying the faculty continues to be a priority as we conduct each search.
Honors Convocation:
This year’s A&S Honors Convocation will be April 9th at 11am in Camp Concert Hall. We have noticed that the event has not been well-attended. In an attempt to highlight this event, the deans have decided to call it “ Honors Convocation: A Celebration of Student Achievement.” Dean Skerrett’s longer-term vision is to connect Honors Convocation with the A&S Student Symposium and dinner. The dean encouraged members to let her office know if there are other student awards that should be recognized at the Honors Convocation this year, or if members have any recommendations for re-designing the ceremony. Please forward those suggestions to the dean’s office. Invitations for the Convocation will be sent after the Spring Break. Please encourage your faculty and students to attend.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45am
Respectfully submitted,
Zandria Haines
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