Deans Council Minutes

March 23, 2005

 

Absent:  J. Diehr

 

Agenda

 

Evaluation of Deans

            The Faculty Senate Executive Committee has issued a request that faculty be involved in the evaluation of Deans.  President Hoppe has recommended that the Deans will be evaluated by faculty in their college using the “Supervisor Development Feedback” forms.  These completed forms will be sent to Academic Affairs where they will be included in the approved “Summary” form for the appropriate Dean.  This feedback will be used for personal development purposes.

            It has not been determined when the call would be made for these evaluations to be completed.  Academic Affairs will followup on that timeline.

            ACTION:  Beavers made a motion to support this activity.  Fetch seconded.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Candidate Transcripts

            APSU currently does not require candidates for faculty positions to include their transcripts at the point of application.  This creates problems in certain disciplines.

            ACTION:  Fetch made a motion that APSU request that a copy of the unofficial transcript from the candidate’s highest academic degree be included in the initial application materials.  Hunt seconded.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Upper Division Hours

            Bryant inquired about the University’s stance on upper division hour requirements.  When the upper division requirements went from 45 hours to 39 hours, it was thought that the Deans Council had said that there would be no waivers.  This was discussed and determined to be false.  The Deans will continue to evaluate these matters on a case-by-case basis and will only reduce hours due to mitigating circumstances.  This provided the Deans Council with a verification and reaffirmation of the currently approved procedures and policy.

 

Regents Academic Leadership Institute

            Only one application has been received in Academic Affairs.  The call was issued on March 9th.  The Deans will have until Thursday, March 24th to submit names to Academic Affairs.

 

Payment for Hybrid Course Development

            Groppel was not able to speak to this because the Online Review Committee was scheduled to meet at 1:00pm.  This matter will be discussed at that meeting.  Groppel will return to the next Deans Council meeting with a report and proposal.

 

APSU 1000 Instructors

            A total of 60 instructors are needed for the fall semester.  These are in addition to the 15 sections that will be taught by adjuncts and qualified APSU staff.  Speck discussed the importance of this initiative to the University and the need for our best faculty to teach the course.  There was a great deal of discussion by the Deans Council members about the problems with teaching the course.  There are concerns among faculty about the lack of flexibility in teaching the course (i.e. a very rigid syllabus).  There are also concerns about the time commitment required to teach the course.  Some faculty have expressed concerns that they spend as much time on the one-hour course as they do on their three-hour courses.  There are also concerns about the fact that staff are not compensated for their teaching but are forced to do it as part of their regular work day activities.

            The deans agreed to target their faculty in an attempt to find twenty willing faculty members from each of the colleges.  Speck and Davis will talk to Harriett McQueen about the perceptions and concerns about teaching the course.  The deans also agreed that we need to continue pursuing “discipline-specific” sections of APSU 1000.

 

Tenure Policy Changes

            The Deans Council had presented to it three new proposed changes to APSU Policy 5:060.  These proposals were as follows:

 

Section III.B.1c                    Add after the first sentence

                In order for an official vote to occur, a majority of the eligible committee members must be present.

 

Section III.B.2b                    Add after the first sentence

                In order for an official vote to occur, a majority of the eligible committee members must be present.

 

Section VII.G                                        Add item G to read as follows

                Any allegations regarding collegiality or impropriety included as a part of the department or college level review must provide specifics and documentation.

 

ACTION:  Davis made the motion that the Deans Council approve the first two of the items dealing with III.B.1c and III.B.2b.  Hunt seconded.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.  This item will move forward for consideration by the President’s Cabinet.

 

ACTION:  Hunt moved approval of the third item dealing with VII.G.  Gotcher seconded.  There was some discussion about how to accurately document problems with collegiality.  The group felt that this item was not appropriate as written.  The motion failed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Graduate Student Requirements

            The Graduate School is looking at issues surrounding graduate students participating in commencement without having passed comprehensive examinations and/or thesis requirements.

            ACTION:  Pinder made the motion that the Deans Council give support to the Graduate Council exploring the graduation requirements for graduate students.  This review would be for the 2005-06 academic year.  Hunt seconded the motion.  The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.

 

Discussion about Deans Council Minutes

            There was discussion about whether or not the Deans Council minutes were up-to-date on the Academic Affairs website.  The deans expressed that they would like to see minutes presented at the following Deans Council meeting.

 

APSU Policy 5:048 on Adjustments in Pay for Advanced Degrees

            The deans discussed the fact that prior action had been taken on including faculty in policy 5:048.

            ACTION:  Beavers made the motion that the policy be changed to read “Faculty/Staff” rather than just “Staff.”  Fetch seconded.  The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.  This item will go forward to the President’s Cabinet for further discussion.

 

Other Items and Announcements

 

Ø      There will be no Deans Council meeting on March 30th.

 

Ø      Speck mentioned that the titles of Director and Coordinator are being reviewed because of inconsistent use throughout the university.  This creates problems with reporting and communication.  More information will be provided at future Deans Council meetings.

 

Ø      Deans should remember that they need to award Peay Points.  This is an important incentive program for staff.

 

Ø      Please be reminded that the deans have until April 8th to provide Richard Jackson with any additional diversity initiatives for his reports.

 

Ø      Julia McGee will bring an “Evening and Weekend Classes” status report to the Deans Council on April 13th.

 

Ø      Please remind your chairs and faculty of the Academic Honors and Awards ceremony on April 27th.  Academic regalia will be worn.

 

Ø      Please also be reminded of the Retirement Dinner on April 28th.  Deans and chairs with retiring faculty members are expected to attend.