College of Liberal and Applied Arts
Chair Council Minutes
September 7, 2010
The meeting began at 2:30pm in room 273D of the Ferguson Building. The people in attendance included the following:
Dr. Rick Abel (Government)
Dr. Ron Anderson (Psychology)
Dr. Freddie Avant (Social Work)
Dr. John Dahmus (College Council)
Dr. Troy Davis (History)
Ms. Dixie Groll (Assistant to Dean)
Dr. John Hendricks (Communication)
Dr. Brian Murphy (Dean)
LTC Todd Reichert (Military Science)
Dr. Mark Sanders (English)
Dr. Jerry Williams (Sociology)
Dean Murphy opened the discussion by distributing revised tenure guidelines for the College. The guidelines were
updated by a faculty committee and reviewed at the chairs retreat over the summer. The current revision has been
updated to include proposed deadlines for the upcoming year. With one grammatical change, the guidelines were
approved as submitted. Dr. John Dahmus recommended that the College Council consider whether a minimum level of
performance should be expected across all departments in the College in order to provide a level playing field for faculty
applying for tenure and promotion.
Dean Murphy reminded the chairs that, at their last meeting, a decision was made for each department to consider
aligning with the Faculty Handbook’s recommended ten office hours per week. In the absence of a College policy, it was
agreed that each department should decide whether it wanted its own office hour policy.
Dean Murphy conveyed the Provost’s sentiment that second majors injured the University’s effort to promote academic
excellence. However, no department is required to abandon a second major if it elects otherwise. Dean Murphy further
stated that the status of double majors at the University is currently being reviewed.
Dean Murphy distributed the draft of a strategic plan that was formulated at the chair retreat. A request was made to
include a statement on incorporating the College’s research centers into the plan. Dr. Jerry Williams will develop language
for this purpose. Once the plan is approved by the chairs, it will be sent to the College Council for its input and suggested
revisions. A committee will then be appointed to move the plan into implementation.
Dean Murphy announced the re-introduction of Freshmen Interest Groups (FIGs) next academic year. FIGs are designed
as a mechanism to improve retention by keeping a group of freshmen together in two courses united around a theme. The
newly constituted FIGs will also incorporate an SFA 101 course in the mix.
Dean Murphy handed out the draft of a new faculty evaluation instrument that was approved by the chairs and College
Council last year. He requested both the chairs and Council to review the instrument one last time before it is used in the
upcoming year. The goal is to provide a uniform means of evaluation for faculty to ensure equal treatment by
tenure/promotion committees.
Dean Murphy brought up the utilization of HEAF Funds and opened the floor to a discussion whether the College should
establish priorities to make more efficient use of the monies. The chairs agreed the proposal was worth considering once
the HEAF budget was available for review. Dean Murphy next noted that the College is suffering from a space shortage
and that a thorough analysis will be conducted on how space can be better exploited to the benefit of all. He also asked
for input whether more uniform equipment purchases could be made to lower costs and to provide consistent set ups in
classrooms. The chairs agreed that it would be positive to contemplate such a step.
Dean Murphy handed out enrollment trends for undergraduate and graduate programs in the College. He noted that the
College as a whole experienced a 3.8% drop in Freshmen majors last year. The performance of programs varied among
departments as well as within majors in departments. Dean Murphy requested the chairs to discuss the trends with faculty
to identify any steps that could be taken to ensure more robust numbers in the future.
Dr. Williams reviewed two College initiatives: service learning and the faculty research lab. On the former, he indicated
that Dr. J.B. Watson is spearheading a committee that will have a fully operational service learning program in place for
next Fall Semester. Additionally, Dr. Williams reported that the College’s faculty research lab is available for immediate
use. Each department will have an access code for after hours use. The lab is equipped with the latest software and
hardware to conduct qualitative and quantitative research. A brown bag lunch session will be scheduled on a periodic
basis to facilitate research collaboration and an exchange of ideas.
Dean Murphy discussed a new study abroad initiative that will focus at core level courses. Faculty will be invited to
participate in the development of a plan for possible implementation next academic year. Dean Murphy reminded chairs of
the College’s attempt to make its website more useful. Toward that end, a calendar of events will be added, with
administrative assistants requested to supply information to Ms. Dixie Groll on a weekly basis. Chairs were requested to
review the College’s directory to ensure it is up to date. Finally, a faculty “expertise” directory will be uploaded as well.
Dean Murphy will forward a template to solicit the information.
The meeting adjourned at 4:01.
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