Council of Research Associate Deans Notes
Thursday, April 20th, 2006
Walter Library, Room 101 – 1:30-3:00 PM
Attendees: Kerri Barrett, Dianne Bartels, Donna Bliss, John Bryson, Marilyn DeLong,
Lettie Ebbert, Bruce Erickson, Judy Garrard, Peggy Johnson, Judy Kuechle, Frances
Lawrenz, Tim Mulcahy, Jim Parente, Abel Ponce de Leon, Win Ann Schumi, Rosalyn
Segal, Burt Stromberg, Peggy Sundermeyer, William Van Essendelft, Huber Warner, Ed
Wink
Guests: Connie Buechele, John Mehr, Tom Thao, Kathy Witherow
Announcements and updates
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Tim Mulcahy announced the formation of the new Scientific Equipment
Demonstration Center, Forum 360, in Atlanta, GA. Forum 360 will house
competing manufacturers of scientific/laboratory hardware and software systems,
along with their product demonstration specialists within their own respective
private demonstration suites. There is no charge for using the facilities. An email
from the center with more details is posted on the CRAD website.
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Status of election of chair – Judy Garrard was nominated to be CRAD chair and
has accepted the position. A unanimous vote in favor of the nomination was cast.
Faculty Performance Assessment Review -- Marilyn Delong, Kathy Witherow, and
Tom Thao
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Handout: Faculty Performance Assessment Report (FPAR) – posted on CRAD
website
A database was created in the College of Human Ecology that could store faculty
information permanently. Information includes SPA data, courses taught,
publications, and more. The database profiles could be updated year-round.
Difficulties working with the database were comparative based on your prior
experience with this kind of database entry, i.e., if this was the first time entering
information into a database, the task might seem onerous.
Many people gave input into the product development of the database’s design
including the dean of the college, an executive team, and faculty. Focus groups
worked with the system to test it usability. Development was completed over a
couple of years; focus is now on maintenance of the system.
Main contacts for the project are Marilyn Delong, Kathy Witherow, and Tom
Thao.
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Important that faculty take an active role in entering their own data and do not
rely on the assistance of an administrative aid because it would be easy to make
mistakes when entering information.
Database does affect P & T issues.
Some colleges have tried to implement similar systems but found they could not
get past the product development stage because there was too much dissention
concerning which categories to include. In cases like this, it was suggested that a
category could be created named “other” which could be monitored for frequently
included topics that could become their own category.
Faculty Activity Reporting Systems --- John Bryson, Connie Buechele, & John
Mehr
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The Humphrey Institute has created a similar database that employs on-line
submission. A summation of faculty events, courses, publications, etc., can be
accessed through the database’s reporting tool.
Development team worked with some of the most detailed oriented faculty to
construct a system that would be user-friendly.
System was used in the P & T process this year.
Project development time was originally underestimated.
Multiple forms of training should be offered: tutorials, group, one-on-one
training, etc.
Decision-making in the process is essential to keep the process moving.
First year using the system was the most difficult.
Expertise/Knowledge Tools -- Wendy Lougee
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Overhead presentation: Expertise/Knowledge Tools: Exploring Options -- posted
on CRAD website.
U Libraries have multiple data tools but many people do not know that they exist.
Opportunities for data collection include institutional repositories and storing
citations.
Development is based on the system created at Ohio State University.
Proposed changes to PRF -- Ed Wink
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Three broad questions were asked about the proposed level of approval on PRFs:
1. Does the associate dean need to see/review/approve each PRF?
2. Could review/approval be delegated to someone other than the associate
dean? (Only authority, not responsibility can be delegated)
3. What reports or information should OVPR furnish if every PRF is not
routed to deans’ staff? (Current report, Proposal & Award Activity Report
by Area or Area Class)
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Have received a lot of feedback concerning the above issues; CRAD members are
encouraged to respond to the survey which will be sent electronically
Next meeting: May 18th, 2006 – 1:30-3pm – Walter Library Rm 101