College of Arts and Sciences
Council of Chairs Meeting
April 21, 2004
2:30 P.M.- 4:00 P.M.
AS 122
PRESENT: E. Acosta-Belen, S. Alam, J. Altarriba, I. Berger, J. Carson, S. Chaiken, K. Doolen, P. Ferlo,
S. Fessler, E. Gaffney, T. Gage, S. Galime, G. Griffiths, T. Harrison, R. Hoyt, V. Idone, J. Mainwaring (for
T. Lance), M. Messitt, A. Millis, C. Murray, N. Murray, D. Parker, M. Pryse, M. Raider, M. Sattinger (for
B. Daniel), L. Schell, L. Slade, C. Smith (for J. Pipkin), B. Steinbock, G. Stevens, R. Ward, J. Welch, J.
Wick-Pelletier, D. Wills, E. Wulfert
Recorder: R. Greenhouse
MINUTES:
Dean Wick-Pelletier called for comments or corrections to the minutes of March 17, 2004. A motion to
accept was made by Leonard Slade, seconded by Russell Ward, and passed unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Thank you to all who participated in the Open House on April 17 th.
Authors and Artists Reception will take place on April 29, 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
Faculty Activity Reports are due June 1st--Evaluations should be on file for all courses taught for future
discretionary consideration. Chairs should remind faculty to have evaluations on file. Teaching
evaluations are not just used for discretionary review. Evaluations are consulted regarding part timers
continuing, distinguished professorship nominations and other awards. It was noted that Faculty Council
states that the department interprets evaluations and that departments can adopt additional or alternative
methods of evaluating teaching.
There was a brief discussion regarding the UUP contract. A flyer went to all members highlighting
changes, and details are at the UUP website.
CAS Release Time Competition–program allows faculty working in the humanities and fine arts to get one
course off in Spring 2005. The release time would be used to complete a project that has been funded or to
propose a project for funding. The applicant must have his/her chair’s endorsement. This announcement
has been sent to all chairs, research liaisons, and faculty.
Kevin Doolen announced the Theatre department’s plan for a Fall 2005 liberal arts semester based on
Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Nights Dream. Participation from all departments is welcome as this is an
interdisciplinary initiative. Kevin will send an email to chairs with this description and request.
DEANS AND CABINET MEETINGS:
John Ryan spoke at the Cabinet meeting and stated that the next 2 years will be difficult for all, but he
wants to move ahead on priorities, including hires. The University deficit has gone up. Nothing definite
was mentioned on how it will be handled. Scenarios: 2.75% cut – by June 2005; 2.75% by June 2006.
There was no discussion on the possible implementation. At the Dean’s Council the Mission MOU was
discussed. The first draft is being reviewed by College office staff; subsequent more complete drafts will
be given to chairs for review.
When planning for these expected budget cuts, be aware of where you are assigning visiting professors—
these appointments are paid from permanent funds. Again, rethink courses and assignments: offer large
classes; teaching schedules should be more flexible. If you have thoughts about future planning and ways
to possibly cut, please share the ideas for discussion. The strategic plan has some positive new ways of
looking at methods to save money and move forward. Some courses could be taken off the book, so they
do not have to be offered. The answer to the college’s problems is really not to cut, but to have more money
coming into the college.
The Dean was asked whether or not an incentive based budget will be in place as this will influence
whether or not departments work toward starting professional masters programs. We were counting on
this income being included in our budget. At this point full incentive based budgeting is off the books, at
least until new provost is hired.
HIRING:
Because of the expected budget cut, Dean Wick-Pelletier will be very cautious about hiring. Please send
the Dean your thoughts about hiring for next fall – please be extremely realistic. Don’t send a request to
hire if you’ve been able to hire in recent years. Several suggestions were made: do not make
counteroffers; think about possible TOP candidates--someone who is good in your field, in a needed area;
IT Commons-- this saves the College 50% of the salary (Peter Bloniarz is in the process of planning next
year’s budget and expects to continue with the IT hires). If at all possible a hiring freeze should be
avoided (it’s not a permanent solution and causes hardship to those departments who have retirements and
resignations.)
STRATEGIC PLAN: If any departments have revised their strategic plans please forward to the Dean.
RENEWALS: Thank you for submitting faculty renewals - most were in on time. The Dean noticed that
different departments have different views on term renewals. Departments should be very careful at
renewal time to not renew those who are not making progress toward tenure. It is better in the long run.
Many are not very critical – research and funding is expected – this must be brought up and documented to
candidates. One chair suggests the process is a “mentoring” process – and makes certain weaknesses are
communicated. There was discussion regarding length of term renewal. While some thought the College
should have a consistent process (3-2-2) others think flexibility should remain an option. It depends on the
department – the variable system is generally preferred. Generally, chairs meet, mentor, review and offer
feedback in order to assist candidates with knowing what is expected and to make sure that junior faculty
remain on track. One point of putting weaknesses in writing is that in the future, if a candidate is denied
tenure, it will be on record.
TENURE AND PROMOTION:
Though most cases were well prepared, some were not received on time. It is very important that tenure
files be submitted in the correct order. Dona Parker reminded Chairs who have mandatory cases to begin
the process right now – the deadline is November 1. Please do so in order for reviews to happen in a timely
way. It is best to begin in the spring (May) in order to give evaluators all summer to write the evaluation.
TIMELINE TO TENURE: Exceptions will be rare--not being ready is not a good reason. (If the time to
tenure is too short, perhaps it should be changed to a longer period of time.) A sentence to clarify the
extension of term after a stop of the clock should be made. The policy of the College is that if tenure is
denied, the department automatically gets to hire. Reasonable demands on publication should be made.
Adjourn: 4:15 p.m.