Minutes of the March 4, 2004 Faculty Meeting
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President Thomforde called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. and Pastor Bruce Benson provided the opening blessing.
Approval of the Minutes of the February 2004 Faculty Meeting.
Moved and approved.
President's Remarks
President Thomforde began his remarks by talking about the work of the College Council and the President's Cabinet. The Council continues to provide recommendations about the long range planning and vitality of the college. The Cabinet meets once a month about the day-to-day responsibilities and the year's budget. The Cabinet is divided into four groups dealing with the following issues: marketing; oversight and planning for the Science facility; inclusiveness and diversity; and creating a more viable economic model.
CEPC
David Booth, on behalf of the Curriculum & Educational Policies Committee, moved for approval of CEPC 03/04-4, New Course Proposals for: English 215 Fiction Down Under; English 371 Advanced Poetry Writing; English 374 Screenwriting; Religion 320 Interpreting Sacred Texts; Environmental Studies 225 Environmental Political Theory; Statistics 272 Statistical Modeling; Biology 110 Supplemental Biology; Education 321 Teaching of Reading 5-12; and Education 322 Teaching or Reading K-6, all as set forth in said green sheet. Moved and approved.
RPC
Bryn Geffert, on behalf of the Review and Planning Committee, moved for approval of RPC 03/04-4, revisions to Section 1 - 1.0 of the Faculty Manual, as set forth in said green sheet. Additional comments on rationale of the contractual document. Moved and approved.
Bryn Geffert, on behalf of the Review and Planning Committee, moved for approval of RPC 03/04-5, revisions to Section 5.1 Benefits of the Faculty Manual, as set forth in said green sheet. Additional comments on rationale. Moved and approved.
Bryn Geffert, on behalf of the Review and Planning Committee, moved for approval of RPC 03/04-6, recommending that the Board of Regents recognize Environmental Studies as a Department commencing September, 2004, as set forth in said green sheet. Moved. Charles Umbanhowar Jr. spoke on behalf of the Motion and the document's attempt to provide more flexibility and allow Environment Studies to work better with other departments. The department will stay in IGS. No change in 3.0 FTE. Additional comments on rationale. Jim May commented to the question of whether IGS overall is facing cuts by stating that the total FTE of the Faculty has not changed and will not change in the near future, although there has been some reallocation within Faculty. There could be internal shifts, but the total Faculty FTE remains unchanged. Solveig Zemple, Dean of IGS, added that this particular Motion does not affect the FTE. A question was asked whether there were any ramifications for tenure and promotion and Umbanhowar answered that only if one's formal appointment was to Environmental Studies. Bryn Geffert added that RPC is presently working on issues regarding joint appointments and tenure and promotion. Additional discussion. Approved.
Community Time Preferences
David Booth, on behalf of Paul Wojick and himself, as Chairs of RPC and CEPC, presented the ballots for 'approval voting' of the four alternatives for Community Time. He thanked the Task Force for their report and recommendations. This vote will serve as a recommendation to the Dean and President. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the effectiveness of 'approval voting.' Additional discussion focused around the addition of Option 4, an option that was not presented by the task force, but was added after review by the committees. The President asked that we act on the ballot. Voting proceeded.
Report on February Board Meeting
Jim Farrell, Observer to the Board of Regents, commented on the February Board Meeting. The Board discussed financial issues and determined that we don't have too much money. RFCC met with the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board and discussed how academic programs are evaluated. David Booth presented a report from CEPC on the contribution of the departments and programs to the good of the College. Jim May and Kathy Chadwick talked to the Board about the review of the Nursing Program.
The issue of Intellectual Diversity came up in the students' meeting and then briefly again at the full Regents' Meeting. Jim anticipates that this will be an ongoing discussion.
President Thomforde thanked Jim for serving as the Observer to the Board of Regents.
Dean's Remarks
Jim May, Provost and Dean of the College, first addressed the previous question about FTE and staffing. He explained that we have a 'frozen' pool of faculty FTE and from that pool we draw: 1) teaching/student activities; 2) administrative appointments and other release time (department chairs, etc.); and 3) sabbaticals. Each year presents a challenge and could put stress on one or two of these areas.
He announced that the Faculty Database of Professional Activity is working. He thanked everyone for responding to Steve McKelvey and the use of the Continuing Reporting System. As an ex-officio member of RPC, he announced that RPC is working on the GRECO report on governance reform. He encouraged all to give ideas to RPC.
Announcements
President Thomforde thanked all involved with the Peace Prize Forum and the Globalization Conference.
Barb Lundberg, Vice President and Dean of Enrollment, provided an update on Admissions.
She reminded all of Scholars Day scheduled for Saturday, March 13.
I reminded everyone of the First Annual St. Olaf Faculty and Staff Quiz Bowl tonight.
Eida Berrio announced the Women Athletes Panel and Reception also scheduled for tonight.
Deborah Anderson reminded the Faculty that the Nominating Committee is taking nominations for a number of open positions.
Meeting Adjourned at 12:24.
Mary Sue Lovett
Faculty Secretary
March 4, 2004 agenda
