Minutes of the September 1, 2005 Faculty Meeting

President Thomforde called the meeting to order at 9:00 am.

Pastor Benson opened the meeting with prayer.

The President thanked Pam Dresow for arranging the coffee that was available for the faculty prior to the meeting.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes for the May meeting of the faculty were approved.

President's Remarks

The President shared the report of the Teagle foundation, which researched colleges whose performance exceeds their resources. St. Olaf College is among those schools and the President mentioned that he believes that the faculty’s sense of vocation contributes to the College’s performance.

The President spoke for the Treasurer, Alan Norton, indicating a budget surplus. He invited questions about his opening address or the budget. None were asked.

Enrollment and Financial Aid

Michael Kyle reported on the incoming first-year class, thanked the admissions staff, gave several sketches of incoming first-year students, and outlined future challenges to student recruitment.

The President noted that a question facing the College is the cost of educating its students.

Dean's Remarks

Provost May welcomed the faculty back to campus, especially those who were abroad in the Spring Semester of the 2004-05 academic year, those who were on sabbatical. He also welcomed new members of the faculty to the College.

He asked the faculty to remember four emeriti who died in the summer of 2005: George Helling (Sociology), Rodney Grubb (Political Science), Sig Fredrickson (Music), and Donald Hoiness (Music).

Provost May reported future initiatives for the dean's office to pursue, which come from a summer meeting of the associate deans and from a meeting with the leadership group of program directors and department chairs.

These initiatives are the following: planning for facilities for the entire academic division because the new science building will have impact on nearly all programs and departments; considering what a global perspective means for both faculty and student; bolstering undergraduate research in the sciences and extending it across the curriculum; and developing an educational philosophy on the determination of class sizes.

In a recent meeting, the leadership group added the following two initiatives: considering the range of faculty development opportunities and faculty governance.

David Nitz and Mary Carlsen reported on the presidential search committee. The committee met twice in August. There are opportunities for the faculty to nominate candidates or communicate priorities for the search. One may nominate a candidate by sending a letter to the email address president-search@stolaf.edu . Letters should include rationale for the nomination and a biography. Tad Piper, chair of the committee, will meet with representative faculty groups this fall.

Provost May noted that schools receiving federal funding are required to recognize Constitution Day. St. Olaf has scheduled its recognition for Community Time on 22 September. Charles Umbanhowar, Sr., professor emeritus of political science will lecture. The title of his address is "Keeping a Constitution in Wartime."

The Provost concluded with remarks on the enduring value of the liberal arts by reading from Cicero's Pro Archia (On Behalf of the Poet Archias).

Marketing Plan

The President introduced Jan McDaniel and Kathy Chadwick to speak about the marketing plan. Kathy Chadwick shared the results of research on how the College’s marketing functions internally and how it is perceived externally. The St. Olaf Choir tour earlier this year provided an opportunity to market the College in a unified way. A card, "The Promise," was distributed to the faculty, which summarizes messages about the College one might communicate. Kathy Chadwick invited responses to the marketing plan from the faculty.

The President noted changing regional and national demographics, the challenges recruiting multicultural students, and the shrinking pool of students from which the College has historically drawn.

LaVern Rippley asked how the College defines multicultural students. The President responded that the College uses Federal definitions and guidelines.

Announcements

Paddy Dale summarized current grants won and pursued by the College and the faculty.

Gary Gisselman introduced Mariana Araoz as a guest artist in the Theatre department.

Gary Wicks announced the conference "Second International Sport and Religion Conference: Inquiry into Culture Values," would be held 28 and 29 October; faculty are invited to join sessions.

L. DeAne Lagerquist announced a change in procedure for changing student registration in General Education 111 and Religion 121 for the fall semester.

Corliss Swain announced that Jonathan Lear will deliver the Belgum Lectures on 21 and 22 September.

Jan Allister expressed thanks to the President for his gracefulness in chairing this meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.