University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
College of Letters & Sciences
Dean’s Advisory Council Meeting
MEETING MINUTES
December 8, 2014
5:00 P.M.
Laurentide Hall 4120
1.
2.
Call to Order
Roll Call
A. David Travis: Present
B.
Allison Andrew: Present
C.
Jeremy Buck: Present
D. Erin Everett: Present
E.
Ariana Hansen: Absent
F.
Zach Herriges: Present
G.
Tyler Holmes: Present
H. Elizabeth Jacobsen: Present
I.
Kiwane Kemp: Present
J.
Melissa Kennedy: Present
K.
Amanda Kuhn: Present
L.
Taylor Peltier: Present
M. Andrew Phillips: Present
N. Monica Ripp: Present
O. David Sackett: Present
P.
3.
4.
Cynthia Stevens: Present
Guests/Announcements
a. Curriculum Committee Meeting
i.
Biology interdisciplinary programs in the works.
ii.
Geography, Geology, and Environmental Science: name change.
iii.
Leadership minor now formally recognized in Letters & Sciences.
1. Several departments did not support that minor.
a. Due to faculty credentials, ROTC association, etc.
b. Faculty developed, approved since.
c. New version of original minor--still controversial, but approved.
2. Main arguments:
a. Academically liberal college--why not extend more to military?
b. Does this militarize the college?
b. Women’s Studies End of Semester Party
i.
Open to majors, minors, and receivers of diversity certificate recipients.
Round Robin
a. Last Meeting Homework Assignment
i.
Advising
1. Share 1 Positive Observation
a. James Winship--good advisor, helpful to transfers.
i.
Advising evaluations utilized for accreditation.
b. Good Women’s Studies advising experiences.
c. In Math department, even if individual’s advisor is not helpful, may
easily switch to another or seek help from Department Chair.
i.
Very open to helping with graduate, career, other help.
Computer science very helpful, overall good experiences.
i.
Very willing to work with individual cases, situations.
e. Good experience in Freshmen Advising when undeclared.
f. Good experience with Geography.
i.
Very open-door policy, help available, good communication.
ii.
Job postings, news up on ListServ very often.
iii.
Able to help in minor to major transition.
g. History Department Chair requires question when you meet.
h. Positive experiences in political science.
i. Only so much faculty can do, as students are all adults.
i.
No questions, then just get rid of the hold.
j. Foreign languages have good experience, relationships if prepared.
i.
Good study abroad awareness, encouragement, and help.
k. Professional Writing and Publishing--two faculty members, always
come to meetings prepared, never had an advising meeting less than an
hour because of help with graduate school, career advice, etc.
l. Chemistry faculty very helpful, honest, directive.
m. Physics advisors require spreadsheets and resumes for advising.
n. Portfolio building?
i.
Emphasized in many departments.
o. Biology system:
i.
Not prepared--one free pass, or switched out, meet at 6:00 AM.
Share 1 Negative Observation
a. Poor Political Science advising experiences.
i.
Advisor not open to drop-in appointments, extra help, waivers.
ii.
Poor transition into upper level classes from freshmen advising
into math advising.
b. Media Arts and Game Design had negative experience trying to secure
Japanese Studies minor--Letters & Sciences helped.
c. Psychology Department expresses need for advising-only faculty.
i.
Social Work advisors have as many as 70 advisees, versus the
typical 20-25 average in other departments, and 50 average in
Psychology.
1. Professional vs. faculty advisor?
a. Has experience (faculty)?
b. Has more time (professional)?
2. Combined? Academic advisor and career advisor?
a. Optional, no-hold, once a year?
b. Could align self with person who shares
interests without affecting advising quality?
ii.
Can advising become a nuisance with too many advisees?
1. Could advisors look at WINS shopping cart to see
courses for approval?
2. Many students not as proactive, energetic, or
enthusiastic about advising, future--professional
advisor would be ideal for these students.
d. Psychology student went to different faculty for advice, faculty advisor
had little to say on graduate school and career advice.
ADAs as advisors?
a. Can get into trouble with incorrect advice, nepotism, etc.
b. Training student advisors? Almost like a research assistant?
i.
Lots of training to combat risks?
ii.
Student advisors facing same problems as ADAs?
d.
2.
3.
1.
2.
ii.
5.
6.
7.
Students could have unique, valuable perspective
based on their experience?
Prep time with student advisor, official advising with
faculty to hasten, improve process?
Informal Complaints
1. Share Opinion
2. Share Why
iii.
Back to Campus Safety
1. Date Rape Drug Possession
2. Student Awareness and Precaution
New Business & Reports
Potential Assignments for Next Meeting
a. Late Drops
i.
Students realize they won’t pass a class; leads to late drops toward end of semester.
ii.
Creates awkwardness in approval process of late drop.
1. Cannot give a late drop if students will fail--no excuse.
b. Learning Communities
i.
Value of learning communities?
c. How do you communicate with faculty?
i.
Professor? Dr.? Mr./Mrs.? First name?
1. Particularly for female faculty--not referred to as Dr., etc.
d. Agenda Items Intended for Tonight:
i.
Informal Complaints
ii.
Campus Safety
Adjourn