1. Approval of
A&S Faculty Meeting minutes from December 3, 2015
Dr. Bill Ross
moved approval of the minutes of December 3, 2015. Dr. Louis Schwartz seconded.
With no further discussion, the minutes were approved by voice vote.
2. Approval of
Actions of Academic Council from January 19, 2016
Dean Skerrett
moved approval of the actions of Academic Council from January 19, 2016. With
no further discussion, the actions of Academic Council from January 19, 2016
were approved by voice vote.
3. Program Based
Budgeting Presentation
Dean Skerrett spoke
about the Dean's Advisory Council, it's history and creation, and the
importance of its role in faculty governance. She also reviewed the Program
Based Budgeting process that is now in its fourth year. Dean Skerrett expressed
admiration and thanks to the members of Dean’s Advisory Council, and especially
to the Chair Jon Dattelbaum, who, this year, led the meetings and process.
Dean Skerrett
noted that the DAC By-laws provide that the dean must present the DAC
recommendations and outcomes to the Academic Council and the A & S faculty
meeting. These reports are integral to the transparency of process.
Dean Skerrett
presented slides showing the outcome of requests for operating funds,
one-time/non-continuing funds, and faculty and staff position requests. There
were seventeen faculty positions requests with thirteen recommended and
approved. There were three staff position requests approved in departments to
offer direct support of faculty teaching and scholarship.
In order to
reduce bureaucracy, the Dean allocated $1,000 of non-continuing funding to each
department or program that offers a Major ($31,000). These funds can be used on
a discretionary basis. Surplus will fall to the bottom-line and be recycled to
the departments through the next annual PBB process. Dean Skerrett noted that
this allocation reduced the number of small requests in the PBB process,
allowing the Dean’s Advisory Council to focus on substantial requests.
Overall, the DAC
recommended allocations of more than $190,000 this year.
4. Update from
the Ad Hoc Committee on the B.S. Degree - Dr. Kristin Nolin
Dr. Kristine
Nolin, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on the B.S. Degree, answered questions
regarding the report from the Ad Hoc Committee reviewing the B.S. Degree. The
wording of the proposed change will be modified to address concerns brought
forth in the meeting. The modified proposal will be delivered to Academic
Council on February 2, 2016.
5. Discussion of
New Minor in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Design (cross-school minor) -
Dean Skerrett summarized
the motion and the friendly amendment. She noted that Dean Nancy Bagranoff led
a Town Meeting on January 15 to discuss the proposed EID minor. Dr. Nicole
Sackley shared a document entitled Suggestions for Revision of the Minor at the
Town Hall, and the Entrepreneurship faculty regarded some of the suggestions as
friendly revisions. However, the Entrepreneurship faculty regarded the inclusion
of two A & S courses from the supplied list to be a different proposal than
the one they have advanced.
Dr. Nicole
Sackley described how the document entitled, “Suggestions for Revision of
Entrepreneurship Minor” was created.
Dr. MariLee
Mifsud expressed concern about A & S faculty working without credit to
support capstone projects or other advising for the Entrepreneurship major.
Dr. Jessie
Fillerup expressed concern that requirements for an A & S Major and the EID
minor might not coordinate.
Dean Skerrett
reviewed again the University’s Policy
for Creating, Suspending, and Eliminating Academic Programs. She noted that
the policy envisions a proposal generated by faculty experts in a home school,
advanced by the dean of the home school, for consultation with faculty in other
schools. The dean and faculty from RSB have requested a recommendation from the
School of Arts & Sciences to advance to the next stage in the process,
which is review and recommendation by the Cross-School Curriculur Oversight
Committee.
In order to give
a quorum the opportunity to vote on the proposal, as previously requested by an
A&S faculty member, Dean Skerrett proposed an electronic vote.
Dr. Nicole
Sackley offered that, prior to voting, she would like to have a fuller document,
based on more comprehensive discussion with Arts & Sciences faculty. Dean
Skerrett noted that deferring the vote on the proposal indefinitely would
prevent the faculty proposers from taking timely action: If A&S votes to
recommend the proposal, it can advance to the Cross-School Curricular Oversight
Committee; if A&S faculty do not recommend, the Entrepreneurship faculty
can consider alternatives.
Dr. Ted Bunn moved
an electronic vote on the proposal. Dr. Bill Ross seconded. After discussion,
the motion was approved.
Dean Skerrett
said she would defer the electronic vote until Wednesday, January 28, in order
to provide opportunity for interested faculty to have further meetings to
discuss their recommendation.
The meeting
adjourned at 5:40.
