Announcements:

Dean David Savage said that the search in Japan History is now interviewing three candidates. Candidates will begin on-campus interviews next week. He also said there is a very strong candidate pool for the Philosophy position as well.

Dean Curt Keedy reported that the Physics search committee will be interviewing candidates over the next two weeks and hopes to make a decision in the search by early February.

Dean Keedy said his office is purchasing a pack of 10 parking passes for each of the Mathematical and Natural Sciences departments for visitor use this year. Next year the departments will need a budget adjustment to reflect the new expense.

Dean Curtis Johnson announced that Assistant Professor of International Affairs Mine Eder has announced her marriage and will submit her resignation after this academic year. After going through some lengthy immigration problems with her, the department just recently completed a search and rehired Eder for the tenure-track position. The department will investigate any viable applicants from that search. In addition, they will post the advertisement in their professional bulletin in February to solicit more interest. Marty Hart-Landsberg, Nora Beck, Rich Peck and Bob Mandel will again serve on the search committee.

Dean Atkinson met with David Savage and Marty Hart-Landsberg last week to discuss a proposal to the Luce Foundation in support of Asian Studies. They identified a need for another instructor in Asian Studies, specifically in the area of China or Korea. Dean Atkinson is drafting a proposal letter that, if successful, would fund 4 years salary for a junior professor in the social sciences, strengthening the existing program in Asian Studies.

Dean Atkinson reported that there was a decision made in the Johannah Sherrer memorial. There will be a plaque in the Watzek Library lobby, probably dedicated next fall. Those who wish to contribute in Johannah’s memory can contribute to a book fund in her name, used to purchase reference books for Watzek.

The search for a new Director of Watzek Library has begun. The members of the search committee are Stephen Beckham, Eban Goodstein, Bret Ingerman, Erin Bailey, Jay Casbon, Dean Atkinson, Peter Nycum and a still unnamed person from the sciences.

Agenda Items:

1. Dean Atkinson said that there is a need to distribute better information to adjuncts and visitors regarding policies and procedures, e.g. sexual harassment, drug and alcohol and students with disabilities. In addition, there should be some instruction regarding expectations of instructors and instruction at the College available, e.g. the mandatory elements of a quality syllabus. She asked the deans to talk to their chairs regarding what, if any, instruction adjuncts should receive regarding conducting a course at the College.

2. Dean Atkinson announced that the Director of Media Services Dan Snodgrass has resigned.

3. The Council discussed the possibility of having an expanded New Faculty Orientation in the fall. Tenure-track hires are being given contracts which begin on August 15. The Council agreed this would be a unique opportunity to conduct workshops on how to teach students to write and speak more effectively.