January 19, 2016 - A&S Faculty Meeting Minutes

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.