ACADEMIC COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
September 14, 1999
Agenda Items:
- Faculty Leave Policy. The Council reviewed the draft
Faculty Leave Policy. Dean Dodds stressed the need for
allowing additional time off to birthing mothers. Dean
Jones said that the Supreme Court has said that parents
should be treated equally except when there is a
biological difference and a birthing mother would come
under that protection. Dean Dodds went on to say that
women who give birth to a child are often junior faculty
who are less likely to be able to take a cut in pay than
their senior colleagues, and the addition of a 6 week
medical leave after the birth, in addition to a
one-course parental leave would be desirable. Dean Jones
will develop a new policy model and bring it back to the
Council next week.
- Class Limits. Dean Johnson said that there have been
questions raised recently about caps on courses. He
suggested that the cap (or enrollment limits) for courses
be done according to the numerical rank of the course.
The following principle was adopted by the Council:
|
Capacity
|
Course Level
|
|
40
|
100
|
|
30
|
200 & 300
|
|
25
|
400
|
- Civil Discourse. Dean Atkinson said that as part of
the changes adopted in the General Education program last
spring, the option was given to faculty to design their
own Inventing America class for 10 of the 14 weeks in
spring. The stipulation was that the Inventing America
Planning Committee would review and approve the course
proposals in accordance with the I.A. principles.
- There have been complaints about the approval process
and the deadlines imposed on faculty wanting to design
their own courses for spring semester. Some faculty
complained that they were unaware of the deadlines and
that the turnaround was too early in the year.
Unfortunately, the discussion has taken a particularly
cruel twist in the shape of mean spirited email messages
to the director. The Council agreed that the whole
country is struggling with the lack of civil discourse.
The Deans decided to go back to their faculties and
reinforce the expectation of civil discourse on all
issues that come before the faculty at large.
- Care of our new facilities. Dean Atkinson reported
that there have been reports of skateboarders using the
newly laid cobblestone pathway in the glade. According to
the Student Handbook, there are specific locations where
skateboarding can occur and specific surfaces/locations
where skateboarding is prohibited. (Pathfinder, Pg. 111)
Cobblestones, asphalt, wood and other surfaces are off
limits to skateboarding. Unfortunately, even areas that
are designated as skateboard zones, such as the cement
surface in front of Pamplin Sports Center, are showing
the wear and damage from this activity. The dean said
that some of the areas are extremely difficult to repair
and discussed whether further restrictions should be
imposed.
- The Dean also noted that there are dogs being brought
to campus by employees. The unfortunate result of this
act is that not only is the College in violation of the
Multnomah County Animal Control codes, but there are
liability issues raised with regard to dog bites and
issues of responsible stewardship of our new academic
buildings. The divisional deans will speak to individuals
who have brought their dogs to campus from time to time
and relay the message that we all love animals, but their
pets should stay home.
- Committee on Admissions, Awards and Academic
Standing. Concerns were raised about the operations of
the AAAS committee. There are just four faculty members
(some are junior faculty) serving on the committee,
accompanied by a cadre of administrators as ex officio
members. There is also a perception of overlap with the
responsibilities of the Committee on the Curriculum. This
could be a bylaws issue. More discussion next week.
- Gernot's proposal. The Council approved a $500
stipend from their concerts and lectures fund to Gernot
Blume, to assist with the production of a new compact
disc by Gernot and Julie Blume.
|
|
