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Minutes October 6, 1999 Call to order, 3:30 PM Approval of Minutes : December 2, 1998; March 3, 17, 31; April 14, 21, 29, 1999 President's Report Arlene and Harold Schnitzer and 175 friends will be on campus today to inaugurate the John Buck sculptures at the Gallery for Contemporary Art. The sculptures received a favorable review by the Oregonian. All are invited to drop by and comment. No Lewis and Clark money is being spent for the sculptures' acquisition, installation, or insurance; they are funded by a $200,000 gift from the Schnitzers. Regarding the recent Board of Trustees retreat at Black Butte: Accountability function will be carried out by the Executive Committee The full Board will focus on 7 short and long-term tasks:
Regarding US News and World Report ranking: The recent issue dropped Lewis and Clark by a full tier, to third tier. Our raw score ranks us 81 of 162 schools; by this measure we should be second tier. US News only publishes numerical rankings for the first tier; schools in other tiers are listed without specific rank. Ranking criteria include reputation (among presidents, deans of colleges, deans of admissions); selectivity; institutional resources; instructional resources; financial resources; retention/graduation/post-graduation performance; alumni contributions. Changes have been made in the weights assigned to these criteria, and these have worked against us. Criteria that hurt our rating most were retention/graduation/post-graduation performance, and alumni contributions. Questions and Answers: 64% of our students graduate within six years; an improvement over past figures. Lyell Asher suggested that faculty may have ideas about retention, which could be useful as this issue is considered. Dean's Report Two footnotes to US News discussion: our student SAT scores rank 40th of 162, and we score well in a senior survey that asks "would you come here again." At Dean Atkinson's request, Katie Thomas provided information on the SAAB tutoring program. A review of overseas and off-campus programs will be conducted this year; review committee will include Professors Engelhardt, Lochner, Mandel, Reiness, and Rohrbaugh. Thanks to Professors Buettner, Hart-Landsberg, Schmidt, Villalobos, Wheeler for their service on ISCC so far. Regarding assessment: A draft program review process has gone to department chairs. Dean Atkinson is talking with deans at six colleges in the Willamette valley regarding a Murdock Trust request for proposals. Upcoming events and announcements:
Reports of Standing Committees Educational Technology Committee (Harry Schleef): Director of Media Services search closes October 15, faculty input is welcome, candidates' presentations will be announced. Library Committee (Jim Grant): Focusing on instructional copyright issues this Fall. Curriculum Committee (Jack Hart): A memo on proposed principles for the academic calendar, and a six-year summary of key dates, were presented. Discussion ensued: Academic years 2000-2001 and 2006-2007 begin as early as August 28. Starting those years after Labor Day would result in an ending date close to Christmas. Starting on a Monday simplifies scheduling, in particular for lab courses. The proposal balances many competing interests: faculty, students, admissions, athletics, staff with children in Portland schools. Extending Spring semester end date could impinge on time for faculty scholarship activities. Prospective students visit late in April, when our classes are currently over. Paulette Bierzychudek proposed an amendment moving Fall break to a Monday-Tuesday, to better equalize number of class sessions meeting on various days of the week. Amendment accepted as friendly. Later it was suggested that the break remain on Thursday and Friday to coincide with the public school holiday, but that Thursday-Friday class schedules be implemented on the following Monday and Tuesday. This friendly amendment superseded the previous one. Curtis Johnson pointed out that changing the calendar principles could have unforseen consequences on other operations; we should examine this possibility before making changes. Roger Nelson pointed out that some schools interpret the mandated 68 class days as an average figure rather than an annual requirement, suggested we consider this approach. In discussion, amendment revised to "adjust the schedule to balance the number of M-T-W-Th-F meetings." Revised amendment accepted as friendly. Discussion continued regarding pros and cons of interpreting 68 days as an average requirement. Tom Olsen moved to replace the existing language on the commencement date with "the first Sunday in May." Motion seconded. Discussion about effects on faculty research time, possible domino effect on other schedule issues, multiple interests needing balance. Debate closed by voice vote, motion failed by voice vote. Discussion of amended proposal resumed. Question called. Voice vote on amended proposal:
Motion passed by voice vote. Adjourned at 5:06 PM. Respectfully submitted, Bill Kinsella, CAS Faculty Secretary |
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Updated: 28-OCT-99 |