Minutes of the March 6, 2003 Faculty Meeting

President Thomforde called the meeting to order at 11:29 a.m. and Pastor Bruce Benson provided the opening prayer.

Approval of the Minutes of the February 2003 Faculty Meeting.

Moved and approved.

President's Remarks

President Thomforde began by remarking on the students who travel abroad and return to enrich our lives. In reference to a discussion from the February meeting, he clarified that motions can be made from the floor, but encouraged that any complicated motions be presented in written form.

December and February Board of Regents' Reports

Martha Wallace, Observer to the Board of Regents, began by commenting on the Board's focus on financial issues, which included a discussion of the balance between need blind admissions and meeting full demonstrated needs of students. The board approved a motion to direct the senior officers of the College to work toward developing a need sensitive admission policy that will enable St. Olaf to continue to meet the full demonstrated need of all students beginning no later than the class entering 2006.

The science building was on agenda at both meetings. The preliminary budget plan for 2004 was approved.

The February meeting included the Board being educated on faculty issues. Commitment to faculty development was prioritized. In response to inquiries by the Board, Paul Zorn explained the progress of a new major, and Jim May tracked the process and challenges of tenure track practices. As it was her last report, Martha Wallace thanked all and emphasized the knowledge gained from the reports presented to the Board and in the sharing of reports.

CEPC

Paul Zorn, on behalf of the Curriculum & Educational Policies Committee, moved for approval of CEPC 02/03-7, New German Major Requirements and Courses, as set forth in said green sheet. Paul Zorn also provided explanation and clarified "teaching minor." Discussion followed regarding the ability to repeat a 270 level course, and the educational value of this. Karen Achberger provided explanation. Motion passed.

Paul Zorn, on behalf of the Curriculum & Educational Policies Committee, moved for approval of CEPC 02/03-8, Religion 230: Theology of Creation, Religion 233: God and Faith in Autobiography, Religion 276: Ethics of Jesus, Political Science 117: Political Repression and Human Rights, Management Studies 229: Arts Management, Physical Education 390: Exercise Science Seminar, Asian Studies 240: Talking in Japan and the US, and Art History 260: The Arts of Japan, as set forth in said green sheet.

He proposed a friendly amendment to Religion 230, second sentence in course description, from: "This course attends to the themes of creation and 'new creation' in relation to Biblical texts, to problems posed by science (including evolution and Creationism), ?" to read "This course attends to the themes of creation and 'new creation' in relation to Biblical texts, to issues raised by science, ? " Amendment passed. Discussion of Asian Studies 240, its description and the statement that knowledge of Japanese is helpful but not necessary. Further discussion of Religion 230 and the possible addition of a friendly amendment to change the title of the course to Christian Theology of Creation. Further suggestion that since the course fulfills a BTS-T requirement, the addition of the word "Christian" is not necessary. Friendly amendment to add the word "Christian" withdrawn. Discussion of Management Studies 229 and its rationale and whether it would automatically revert back to an Interim course after 2005. Motion passed.

RPC

Bryn Geffert, on behalf of the Review and Planning Committee, acting on behalf of the Faculty Development Committee, moved for approval of RPC 02/03-5, that the Faculty Manual be revised as set forth in said green sheet. Clarification provided by Kathy Shea regarding two additional members to the FDC and the revision to the terms of office. Motion passed.

Bryn Geffert, on behalf of the Review and Planning Committee, moved for approval of RPC 02/03-6, Revisions to the Faculty Manual on Tenure and Promotion, as set forth in said green sheet. The motion addresses how administrative work is evaluated. David Nitz proposed an amendment:

Add the following sentence to the first paragraph of 4.VII.B: "Faculty who receive released time to carry out part-time administrative assignments will also be evaluated for their work in this area."

Add a fourth point to paragraph 4.VII.B: "4. As a general guideline, this area of evaluation is subordinate to the categories of effective teaching and significant professional activity."

Discussion follows. Amendment passes. Further discussion of these procedures regarding merit increases and clarification that the motion deals specifically with Tenure and Promotion. Discussion of the language under 4.XI.5 and a possible friendly amendment to the language in 1. (2) to change: "? chosen by the candidate and supervisor in consultation with one another?" to read "? chosen by the supervisor in consultation with the candidate,..." Further discussion included an additional possible friendly amendment by Jo Beld. Motion tabled.

Ratification of New Honor Council Constitution

Steve McKelvey, moved for approval of Proposed Honor Council Constitution dated March 6, 2003. Separate motion approved to allow student representatives to speak at the faculty meeting. History, clarification and discussion of the motion. Motion passed.

Community Time

Assistant Provost Arnie Ostebee moved for approval of the Continuation of Community Time for One Year, as set forth in the green sheet Memo dated February 25, 2003. Explanation of rationale. Friendly amendment to remove the words "and publicist" from the last line in paragraph 3 under Considerations. Discussion follows, including whether the February Meeting is time enough for the Registrar's office. Further discussion of whether it should continue (discussions both in favor and against), discussions of possible alternative to community time every week, impact on faculty members and students, including first year students. Discussion that the group proposed in the green sheet could possibly be appointed in a month. Possible friendly amendment suggesting that next year Community Time occur once a month for the faculty meeting only. Motion seconded. Discussion includes objections to the amendment. Call the question. Friendly amendment does not pass. Call the question. Original motion with friendly amendment to delete "and publicist" passed by hand count 94 to 34.

Meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.

Mary Sue Lovett
Faculty Secretary