The Arts and Sciences Council, November 19, 2015, 3:30-5:00, UMC 247

Meeting Minutes

Representatives present: Sabahat Adil, ALC; Michela Ardizzoni, FRIT; Julio Baena, SPAN; Daniel Barth, PSYC; Paul Beale, PHYS; Giulia Bernardini, HUMN; Erica Ellingson, APS; Robert Ferry, HIST; Rebecca Flowers, GEOL; Gerardo Gutierrez, ANTH; Weiqing Han, ATOC; Leslie Irvine, SOCY; Najeeb Jan, GEOG; Moonhawk Kim, PSCI; E. Christian Kopff, HNRS; Lonni Pearce, PWR; Rob Rupert, PHIL; Neeraja Sadagopan, SLHS; Kelly Sears, FILM; Ted Stark, THDN; David Stock, EBIO; Ding Xue, MCDB

Representatives not present: Andrew Cain, CLAS Cathy Comstock, RAPS; Kim Dickey, AAH; Vanja Dukic, APPM; Holly Gayley, RLST; Patrick Greaney, GSLL; Ruth Heisler, IPHY; Mans Hulden, LING; Daniel Kaffine, ECON; Rolf Norgaard, PWR; Bianca Williams, ETHN; Paul Youngquist, ENGL

Also in attendance: Steven Leigh, Janice Jeffryes

Robert Rupert called the meeting to order at 3:35 PM.

Dean’s Report, Steven Leigh

The search for the two new associate dean positions, the Associate Dean for Research and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, is underway. There are two finalists for the Associate Dean for Research, Theresa Hernández (PSYC) and Kent Hutchison (PSYC). At 2:00 on Wednesday, December 2, in UMC 247 the ASC will have an opportunity to meet the 2 candidates and ask questions. The ASC will have the opportunity for an advisory vote for this position.

There are 57 candidates for the AD for Undergraduate Education. One member of the 3 member committee reviewing applications will be from the ASC.

The position, Associate Dean for Faculty and Administrative Affairs was retired when it became apparent the college wasn’t supporting research sufficiently or being strategic concerning undergraduate education, particularly recruitment and enrollment. The Associate Dean for Research will be able to focus on needed research support such as obtaining larger grants and insuring indirect cost returns. This position will also be working with the Office of Contracts and Grants and the Vice Chancellor for Research, relieving faculty of that duty when applying for grants. Other PAC 12 universities have these positions.

An anonymous survey form has been set up to collect feedback on the candidates.

Chair’s Report, Robert Rupert

The Executive Committee met recently and voted to renew the ad hoc Core Curriculum Revision Committee. The motion: The ad hoc Committee to Revise the Core Curriculum be renewed with the recommendation that by March 1, 2016 the committee produce a proposal for a vote by the faculty of Arts and Sciences was passed unanimously by the Executive Committee 7-0-0.

Professor Rupert asked the representatives to consider the method of voting to be used for a full faculty vote. The university sponsored Qualtrics was suggested which provides anonymous results while allowing for necessary department identification will be researched as a possible method.

Professor Rupert attended a meeting chaired by Jeff Cox dealing with changes to instructor titles; nothing has been decided. It is possible an additional title may be added (i.g., Sr. Instructor of Distinction) or there may be changes in working titles, not official HR titles which may have the word “professor” in them (i.g., Assistant Teaching Professor).

Erica Ellingson, chair of the ASC Diversity Committee, brought a draft of a proposed statement (attached) asking the ASC to approve; written to the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement from the ASC and BFA, a statement on diversity. The Diversity Committee wanted the faculty to issue a strong statement of support. A few comments by representatives mentioned the lack of substance in the statement. A friendly amendment added campus before administration. Robert Ferry noted the BFA hadn’t approved this statement, only expressed a willingness to issue a joint statement on diversity. The assembled representatives voted 17-2-2 to approve the statement.

Bylaws Discussion

A final draft will be sent out to the representatives. The proposed changes are, in brief;

  • The program assistant, rather than the chair, will take minutes
  • The minutes may be approved by e-mail
  • No Executive Summary will be required

Proposal on Academic Honors

Michael Grant visited the BFA with a proposal to simplify academic honors; a link was provided showing the current academic honors and the proposed changes, making them standard across the university.

The representatives feel that there is not enough information to discuss. The general consensus is that there isn’t a problem with academic honors being different throughout the university and that losing the ability to set academic honors by college is seen as a loss of college autonomy. Michael Grant will be invited to an ASC meeting to discuss this further.

Proposal for Policy on Academic Standing

The points proposed are, in brief:

  • Current required GPA’s will remain the same.
  • All colleges will give a first semester “grace period” from academic probation.
  • The term “academic probation” will be changed to “academic recovery.”
  • The term “academic suspension” will replace “academic dismissal.”
  • Outcomes for academic alert will be standardized.

Dean Leigh feels the academic semester break is important for retention. The college is continually trying to improve academic advising and opportunities to assist students.

“Jailhouse language” was mentioned; the representatives don’t want the language to sound criminal while not lowering academic standards.

The Provost Office has funded a coaching program on campus; people who can identify students who are struggling are given resources to reach out to help. The representatives discussed the Student Academic Success Center (SASC) and the support it provides students. It was suggested that faculty input to support specific student’s needs would be productive. Also, their mission is publicized as for 1st generation college students and for minority students even though the program in actuality, will help any student. Representatives would like to see this tied back to the classroom in which he or she is not successful.

Relationship between ASC and Academic Affairs Advising Committee

Professor Rupert has looked into the committee that is bringing the previous proposals to the ASC. The Academic Affairs Advising Committee is run from Mike Grant’s Office, has eight members, normally doesn’t meet in person, but meets by e-mail. The members are appointed by the deans of the various college and have indeterminate terms of service. The Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education serves as the chair and reports the committee’s work to the Provost.

The most important issue this committee has worked on recently is the decision that only Certificates that meet certain guidelines can be listed on a student’s transcript.

Professor Rupert suggested the ASC Executive Committee draft a motion to bring to the ASC addressing the selection of AAAC members. In addition, the substantive issues should be brought to the ASC before a vote is taken by the AAAC.

New Business

Professor Ellingson let the representatives know that there is a movement to create a minor in Space. The groups now involved are in A&S Natural Sciences and Engineering; these groups would like to have involvement by others colleges and departments to help define what our students can learn, imagine and create having to do with space. Please contact Professor Ellingson to become involved.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:53