College of Liberal & Applied Arts
Chair Council Minutes
November 3, 2008
The meeting began at 3:01 in the afternoon in room 273D of the Ferguson Building. The people in attendance included
the following:
Dr. Rick Abel (Government)
Dr. Freddie Avant (Social Work)
Dr. Mark Barringer (Associate Dean)
MAJ Bruce Daniels (Military Science)
Dr. Ray Darville (Communication)
Dr. Troy Davis (History)
Dr. Ann Doyle-Anderson (Modern Languages)
Ms. Dixie Groll (Dean’s Assistant)
Dr. Mark Ludorf (Psychology)
Mr. Perry Moon (College Council)
Dr. Brian Murphy (Dean)
Dr. Mark Sanders (English and Philosophy)
Dean Brian Murphy opened the meeting by introducing Ms. Carrie Brown, Director of the Office of Research and
Sponsored Programs (ORSP). Ms. Brown discussed ORSP‘s efforts to develop a strategic plan for the unit. Toward that
end, she solicited input from the chairs about how her office could better accommodate faculty needs and interests.
Dean Murphy reviewed several ongoing initiatives to keep the chairs informed of activities within the College and
University. These included updates on the following:
 Graduate program review
 Undergraduate curriculum review
 Program Learning Outcomes: Course Matrix
In light of the University’s new mission statement, the College is required to revise its own mission statement to ensure it
is in alignment. Dean Murphy distributed the draft of a new mission statement developed by the College Council. The
chairs recommended a few changes to the proposal. The amended version will be forwarded to the College Council for its
consideration.
As the College moves into a new tenure and promotion process, Dean Murphy inquired if any questions existed about the
procedures that are to be followed. None were raised. Dr. Jerry Williams distributed a committee report on a common
faculty evaluation instrument. The proposal outlined a set of evaluative criteria by which faculty in the College will be
uniformly assessed. Dean Murphy asked that the College Council review the proposal and provide feedback. The goal is
to provide an equitable playing field when faculty members are considered for tenure and promotion at the College level.
The proposal will be taken up again at the next meeting of the Chair Council and, if approved, it will take effect during Fall
Semester, 2009.
Drs. Freddie Avant and Troy Davis circulated the draft of an adjunct policy for the College. The purpose of the policy is to
convey a consistent set of expectations to part-time instructors. Since the Department of English is the heaviest employer
of adjuncts, Dr. Mark Davis will have the department’s Executive Committee look over the document for clarity and
comprehensiveness.
Dean Murphy presented a proposal from the College of Sciences and Mathematics to create bloc scheduling between the
two colleges for first-time freshmen. After much discussion, the chairs rejected the concept because they preferred to
meet individually with students during orientation sessions.
Dean Murphy distributed the draft of a survey prepared by the College’s Student Council. The survey is intended to obtain
feedback from among the majors in the College about issues of concern to them. After much debate about methodology,
the survey was revised. It will be handed out in the near future during class periods and the results will be made available
to the chairs.
Ms. Carol Antill, the College’s new Academic Advisor, asked whether any questions existed about the new Advising Office
and how it will handle students. No questions were posed, indicating perfect understanding by the chairs of everything
related to advising within the College.
Dean Murphy concluded with three announcements: (1) a showcase has been installed on the second floor of the
Ferguson Building to highlight faculty publications, with each department requested to submit one faculty member’s photo
and publication; (2) the University’s strategic plan calls for a 500% increase in online courses and programs by 2013 and
all departments will have to address the mandate formally; and (3) the Admissions Office will provide any department with
the names of high school students interested in their majors so long as the students will be contacted by more than an email message.
The meeting adjourned at 5:02.
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