March 17, 2015 Academic Council Meeting Minutes

The dean called the meeting to order at 10:30.

1. Approval of Minutes of March 3, 2015

Dr. Bill Ross moved approval of the minutes of March 3, 2015. Dr. Yvonne Howell seconded. With no further discussion, the minutes were approved by voice vote.

2. Revised Course Proposals

PHIL343, PHIL344, and PHIL359 were presented as revised course proposals.

Dr. Geoff Goddu moved approval of the revised course proposals. Dr. Jeff Riehl seconded. With no further discussion, the revised course proposals were approved by voice vote.

3. Recommendation to Revise By-Laws of Deans Advisory Council

Dr. Jon Dattelbaum motioned to recommend the proposed revision to the By-Laws of the Deans Advisory Council to A&S Faculty. Dr. Michelle Hamm seconded.

Dr. Jon Dattelbaum described the revisions, the most significant of which was that the Chair runs DAC meetings instead of the Dean. There was also a clarification of language regarding the voting process.

With no further discussion, the proposed revision to the By-Laws of the Deans Advisory Council was approved by voice vote.

4. Recommendation to Revise Three-Year Merit Review

Dr. Jennifer Nourse motioned to recommend the proposed revision to the Three-Year Merit Review Guidelines to A&S Faculty. Dr. Sydney Watts seconded.

The Dean described revisions Associate Dean Libby Gruner made to the definition of “context.”

Discussion ensued regarding the definition of context.

Following lengthy discussion, the Dean called the question. There were 12 yay, 7 nay, and 6 abstentions.

Before moving on, the Dean singled out the special provision concerning faculty directors and triennial schedules. The Council unanimously recommended that the A&S Faculty approve the special provision independently of any other revisions.

5. BS Degree Proposal—Dr. Malcolm Hill

Dr. Malcolm Hill introduced the proposed changes to the BS degree, explained the brief rationale for the degree changes, and then opened for discussion.

Discussion ensued regarding the implications of removing Calculus II from the BS degree requirements. In the end, Dr. Bill Ross suggested the chairs of the math and science departments meet to discuss the proposed changes, and then bring back to Academic Council a revised recommendation for further discussion and vote.

The meeting adjourned at 11:45.

Respectfully submitted,

Matt Oglesby