September 1, 2015 - Academic Council Meeting Minutes

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

1. Approval of Minutes of April 7, 2015

Dr. Sam Abrash moved approval of the minutes of April 7, 2015. Dr. Abigail Cheever seconded. With no further discussion, the minutes were approved by voice vote.

2. Changes to Major, Minors, and Concentrations

Dr. Paul Achter introduced a proposal of changes to the RHCS Major and Minor programs. Dr. Hugh West moved approval of the motion. Dr. Bill Ross seconded.

Dr. Sam Abrash raised questions regarding the First Year Seminar being included in the RHCS Major curriculum. Discussion ensued. The motion was approved by voice vote.

3. Review of New Travel Guidelines

Dean Skerrett reviewed the changes set out in her email to the department chairs on July 22, 2015. These changes are reflected in the new guidelines, which are posted on the A&S Faculty website.

4. Review of New A1 Faculty Development Accounts

Dean Skerrett reviewed the changes set out in her email to the department chairs on July 28, 2015. The dean noted that the new A1 Faculty Development Accounts do not include restricted funds, external grant funds, or contractual start-up funds. Dean Skerrett also noted that faculty can anticipate further accounting changes in fall 2015.  Dr. Sydney Watts recommended the creation of an FAQ concerning the new Faculty Development Accounts.

5. Report on Humanities Retreat

Dr. MariLee Mifsud offered reflections about the Humanities Council Retreat.  Dr. Abigail Cheever updated Academic Council on the new Undergraduate Research Humanities Fellows Seminar.  Dr. Yvonne Howell asked if any decision had been made about the allocation of Tucker-Boatwright Festival funds. Dean Skerrett said that no decision had yet been made.

Dean Skerrett also shared with Academic Council that plans for an FYS collective in the humanities and Humanities Faculty Seminar were being advanced. Faculty can expect to hear more about these plans soon.

The final report of the Ad Hoc Humanities Initiative Committee was attached to the meeting agenda.  Dr. Skerrett thanked the members of the Ad Hoc Committee for their exciting work.

6. New A&S Ad Hoc Committees

Dean Skerrett reviewed the charge given to the Ad Hoc Committee to Review Requirements for the BS Degree. Dr. Linda Boland asked that the charge be broadened so that the committee is not limited to information gathered last year. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not the calculus requirement should be specifically included in the charge. Dr. Bill Ross argued that the language should remain. Dr. Sam Abrash and Dr. Yvonne Howell felt that the discussion should center not around calculus but on the distinction between a B.A. and B.S. degree at the University of Richmond. Dr. Mike Kerckhove concurred with this approach. Dean Skerrett noted that she would revise the charge to reflect this discussion.  She said she would send the charge to the Ad Hoc Committee in the upcoming week.

Dean Skerrett then reviewed the charge given to the Ad Hoc Committee on Promotions, which was proposed by Dr. Michelle Hamm.

Dean Skerrett then reviewed the charge given to a proposed Committee on Safety. Discussion ensued regarding whether or not it was a good idea to create a Committee on Safety that would expand the current informal Gottwald Safety Committee. Dr. Linda Boland and Dr. Michelle Hamm expressed reservations about the expansion, saying that this would not be the most efficient way to do things. Dean Skerrett accepted these reservations and said that she would report to the Nominating Committee that the Committee on Safety proposal would not go forward.

7. Proposal concerning Merit Reviews During Tenure Year—Dr. Linda Boland

Dr. Linda Boland offered a proposal concerning the completion of annual merit reviews during the tenure or promotion review year. The Dean encouraged Linda to bring forward a formal proposal for consideration at a later meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 11:45.

Respectfully submitted,

Matt Oglesby