Minutes of the May 1, 2003 Faculty Meeting

President Thomforde called the meeting to order at 11:32 a.m. and provided the opening blessing.

Approval of the Minutes of the April 2003 Faculty Meeting.

Moved and approved.

President's Remarks

President Thomforde thanked the faculty for their good work and remarked that the North Central accreditation team has come and gone with thanks particularly to Arnie Ostebee and Lisa McDermott for facilitating the group. The team indicated the need for growth on assessment and governance, were impressed by everyone's knowledge of the mission, and will recommend that the college be reaccredited for another ten years.

The Strategic Plan is in its Draft II stage and is ahead of schedule. Questions in a broad conceptual nature that need to be answered include: What kind of goal do we see the college pursuing in the future; what vision do we imagine St. Olaf to be like out in the future; what are the founding values which guide and shape us; and what specific strategies will get us there.

The Board retreat in scheduled for June. Draft III will be written this summer with the final vote in December '03.

RPC

Bryn Geffert, on behalf of the Review and Planning Committee, moved for approval of RPC 02-03/10, Motion to Amend Personnel and Responsibilities of CEPC, as set forth in said green sheet. Motion carries.

Bryn Geffert, on behalf of the Review and Planning Committee, moved for approval of RPC 02-03/11,4.IX, Tenure, and 4.XI, Procedures for Granting Tenure and Promotion, as set forth in said green sheet. Anne Groton proposed a friendly amendment, to add the following prior to 4.XI(2), second paragraph: "For all cases of promotion or early tenure,?"

Anne Walter proposed a friendly amendment, 4.XI(2), second paragraph, to change "sh/he shall also poll all of the tenured members of the department to determine whether there is support of the majority. With the consent of the candidate and the support of the majority of the tenured members of the department, the?"

To read:

"sh/he shall also poll all of the tenured members of the department to determine the level of support. With the consent of the candidate, the?" Discussion follows regarding whether support of the majority of the tenured members of the department is necessary. Second friendly amendment moved to a formal motion as set forth above. Motion seconded. Further discussion of "early tenure" and timetable. Motion carries.

Discussion of document as amended continues. Additional motion by Anne Walter to 4.IX.1 (1), second to last paragraph to strike the following "upon nomination by a majority of the tenured members of the faculty member's department and the faculty member's consent." Second. Discussion. Further discussion of early tenure issues. Motion does not pass.

Further lengthy discussion of original motion. David Emery motions to restore 4.IX.1(1), the third paragraph: "During the probationary period an explicit decision concerning the granting of tenure shall be made for each faculty member, who shall be notified in writing of this decision." Second. Motion carries. Further discussion.

Motion postponed until the opening 03-04 Faculty Meeting. RPC will move for a clear statement to request to work on this summer.

Bryn Geffert, on behalf of the Review and Planning Committee, moved for approval of RPC 02-03/12, Faculty Meeting Schedule for 2003-04, as set forth in said green sheet. Motion carries.

CEPC

David Booth, on behalf of the Curriculum & Educational Policies Committee, moved for approval of CEPC 02/03-11, Motion to move to establish American Conversations as an ongoing program of the college, as set forth in said green sheet. Rationale presented. Discussion follows, including questions regarding how the program is funded and how FTE is compensated when faculty are housed in another department. Further discussion regarding whether staffing has negative affects on departments that supply faculty. This motion does not attempt to view these staffing decisions, rather such decisions are for the Dean's Council. Concern that this needs to be addressed separately. Call the question. Motion as presented carries.

David Booth, on behalf of the Curriculum & Educational Policies Committee, moved for approval of CEPC 02/03-12, three new courses: ID 230: Communicating Science and Mathematics; Asian Studies 270: Visual Culture of Modern China; and Art History 250: The Arts of the African Diaspora, as set forth on said green sheet. Motion carries.

Office of the Registrar

Mary Cisar, Registrar, moved that the 693 candidates for the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music who satisfactorily complete all degree requirements be awarded their diplomas with appropriate honors at Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 25, 2003, and that those who have a minimum GPA of 2.00 and who come to within two full courses of completing degree requirements be permitted to participate in Commencement exercises and that their diplomas be awarded upon completion of the remaining requirements. Motion carries.

ARFAC

Paul Niemisto reported on the community discussion regarding the proposed Needs-Sensitive Admissions Policy. Discussions were held on April 4. ARFAC will have it's last meeting of the year Tuesday, May 6, 2003.

Athletic Committee

Dan Hofrenning, on behalf of the Athletic Committee, moved for approval of the Fall Sports Schedule. He also presented a brief report on the findings of the Athletic Committee's discussions addressing concerns from faculty about missed classes for sport contests, indicating that 0-3 classes missed is an acceptable range. Discussion follows with a request for a more formal policy. Request that the number of days missed will appear at the bottom of each schedule. These will appear on the websites. President Thomforde requested that Matt Rohn present him with the specific questions he would like the Athletic Committee to address. Motion carries.

Dean's Remarks

Jim May, Provost and Dean of the College, announced that Bryn Geffert successfully defended his dissertation. He also applauded the faculty for a year of putting students first, giving him some slack, and working well together.

Announcements

Dick Bodman announced the Freeman Grant and the opportunities available for faculty and staff.

Bryn Geffert announced that RPC has decided to appoint a committee this summer to look closely at the questions of the Faculty Manual and Faculty Handbook.

Mary Titus would like to thank all that have worked with the American Conversations program.

Wendy Allen announced that St. Olaf just received its fifth Fulbright.

Barb Lundberg provided an update on applications for enrollment.

Meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

Mary Sue Lovett
Faculty Secretary