Faculty Meeting
9/29/06
Present:
Ayres, Baxter, Biersack, Erlandson, Karim, Kennett, Lukacs, Moreno, Moss,
Scher, Silverman, Snodgrass, Stephen, Sugiyama, White, Wooten, Henderson
(Grad Rep).
Announcements:
1.
Josh Snodgrass was awarded an NSF grant (in collaboration with Susan Anton and
Tony DiFiore of NYU) to organize a workshop next March--"New Directions in Physical
Anthropology: Integrating Skeletal Morphology, Human Biology, and Primate Behavior".
Frances White will be one of the participants.
2.
Frances White was awarded an NSF grant for support of the project entitled "Lomako
Forest Pan Paniscus Project,".
3.
Reminder: Faculty Activity Reports are due to John Lukacs by Monday, October 16.
4.
Pat O’Grady successfully defended his dissertation, “Before Winter Comes:
Archaeological Investigations of Settlement and Subsistence in Harney Valley, Harney
County, Oregon” on Thursday, September 21, 2006. His committee members are Mel
Aikens (Chair), Doug Kennett, Dennis Jenkins, and Esther Jacobson.
5.
Joshua Fisher has been awarded the Sasakawa Award which is for $6,000 and intended
to go toward his dissertation research in Nicaragua concerning fair trade. The research
will be conducted in Nueva Vida, Nicaragua (at the 'Fair Trade Zone,' the world's first
worker-owned free trade zone) and in El Porvenir, Nicaragua (an organic, fair trade
coffee cooperative). His research will commence in the summer of 07, and he has
preliminarily titled the project "Religion, Revolution, Redemption: On the Moral Economy
of Fair Trade in Nicaragua."
6.
Dr. Anne Millhollen (Courtesy Appointment) has been awarded a National Geographic
Society's Committee for Research and Exploration grant in the amount of $18,450.00 in
support of her proposed project "Ring-tailed lemur territoriality and food resources at
Berenty Reserve, Madagascar."
7.
Student / Faculty Fall Reception. Friday, Sept. 29th, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Knight Browsing
Room.
8.
Reminder: October 2 is the deadline for submissions regarding CAS Curriculum
changes. Please submit any proposals to Phil Scher.
9.
Reminder: Rick West, founding director of the National Museum of the American Indian
(NMAI), will be visiting Anthropology on Monday, Oct. 2 at Noon in Condon 204. Lunch
will be served.
10.
Helen Vallianatos has published her dissertation, “Poor and Pregnant in New Delhi,
India”. The book is an exploration of how women interpreted the cultural dietary norms
for pregnancy based on their reproductive histories, socioeconomic status, and family
structure, and, in turn, how their food practices shaped their nutritional and health status.
Helen received her Ph.D. from our Dept. and is an Asst professor at University of
Alberta.
11.
Monday Oct 16 is World Food Day. In conjunction with the Food Policy Council and the
Lane Co Extension Geraldine Moreno has arranged for the UO to be a site for the World
Food Day Teleconference. It will happen from 9 am - 12 in Studio A.
12.
Geraldine Moreno has received approval for a third year of participation in the NIH grant
"Optimizing HIV-TB Management in HAART Era."
13.
The first meeting of the Institute of Cognitive and Decision Sciences Evolutionary Focus
Group is on Friday, October 6th, the speaker is Jon Erlandson. He will present some of
his work on the coastal migration theory. The Institute's outside speaker for fall '06 is Ian
Penton-Voak from the University of Bristol, who studies the perception of social
properties of faces, particularly attractiveness. He will be with us on campus on
October 19th and 20th, presenting his "formal" talk on Thursday the 19th at 4 PM and
meeting with our brown bag group on Friday the 20th at 1 PM. Please contact Frances
White if you are interested in meeting with him.
REPORTS:
1.
Lukacs announced he has learned that the funding support originally meant for the
Condon Expansion project from Dave Petrone has been diverted to support the Theatre
Arts Department. Apparently, Mr. Petrone wanted the contribution to go into effect
immediately rather than waiting for matching contributions to trickle in. Faculty
discussed the need to increase efforts to find outside donors and the need to make sure
the Condon project stays in the forefront of Development’s efforts when recruiting
donors.
Lukacs reminded faculty that General Equipment requests are due to CAS by 10/13/06.
He mentioned he sent out instructions and guidelines for these requests in an email
dated 9/27/06.
2.
Lukacs highlighted points from the Department Heads and CAS/Provosts retreats
which were held prior to the start of Fall term. One focus was on the College budget
deficit (1.5 million recurring) and how the current budget model is still in effect, but will
soon be changing. Currently, the budget model focuses on student credit hour
generation for calculating departmental budget allocations. A new model which will
focus on the number of majors in the department will soon be implemented. CAS also
indicated there will be a formal search for a new dean during this academic year to
replace Joe Stone.
Another point discussed at the retreats was the upcoming salary increases for
unclassified employees. Lukacs indicated even though the College is running the
recurring deficit, the faculty salary increases are scheduled to occur effective 1/1/07.
Lukacs said the breakdown for the salary increase will be 2.7% COLA and 4.3%
merit/equity, for a total of 7%. Lukacs reminded faculty once again that FARS (Faculty
Activity Reports) are due 10/16/06 and those will be used by the Executive Committee
to determine salary increases. Lukacs explained the FAR point system and how those
points will be tabulated to determine the salary increase levels with regard to
merit/equity.
Faculty discussed the salary increase percentages and how those
allocations could be split up. CAS will be distributing a salary increase schedule for
departments in the next week or so, but the increases will definitely go into effect on
1/1/07.
Lukacs mentioned the diversity letter which Provost Linda Brady sent out via email.
Lukacs reminded faculty he had previously forwarded on the email from Brady which
contained the diversity letter. Faculty were asked to review the diversity letter and
provide feedback to the departmental diversity committee (Silverman, chair). The
department’s diversity committee will then draft a two page summary on past
accomplishments and goals for the future with regard to diversity issues and submit it
to CAS by 11/30/06.
The provost’s retreat also discussed an “Excellence/Quality Theme” which focuses on
improving aspects related to faculty promotion/tenure, teaching and service, among
other areas. The idea is to focus on doing more with less funding and the provost is
trying to come up with ways to reward faculty, which was referred to as the “Excellence
Fund”. More information will be available as the provost moves forward with this plan.
Lukacs said the he had received the external reviewers report with regard to the
program review during the summer. According to the Graduate School, the
Memorandum of Understanding will be distributed to our department by mid-October.
Lukacs encouraged faculty to read the program review reports and bring
ideas/thoughts to the faculty meeting scheduled for 10/13/06. He reminded faculty to
keep in mind that the Memorandum of Understanding is a negotiating document which
can be used as a tool to help the department. Moss mentioned the external review
included information regarding the Condon Expansion project and now that project has
changed significantly.
She suggested included this new information in the
Memorandum of Understanding to clarify the situation.
Lukacs circulated the updated faculty committee list for the 06-07 academic year and
faculty reviewed the list.
DISCUSSION:
1. Reminders from the Office Staff. Dutton mentioned there were a few reminders
from the office staff to start off the new academic year. First, Dutton reminded
faculty to use the travel forms which are housed on the departmental Blackboard
site. These forms facilitate the travel approval/reimbursement process significantly
and allow us to conform to audit rules. Secondly, Dutton encouraged faculty to use
Blackboard to post course syllabi to help defray copying costs. Next, Dutton
announced faculty will need to begin reporting their sick leave once a month to
comply with Human Resources rules. Dutton will send an email to faculty once a
month and faculty will need to reply with the number of sick leave hours they used
for the previous month. Even if zero hours were used, faculty will still need to reply
with zero hours reported. Lastly, Dutton reminded faculty of the office staff’s
schedules. Tiffany works 8:00-5:00, Stephanie works 8:00-3:00 and Brenda works
8:00-2:00. Tiffany and Stephanie both take lunch breaks from 12:00–1:00 and the
departmental office is closed during this time. A gentle reminder was issued not to
bother Tiffany and Stephanie between 12:00 and 1:00 since they are not being
paid to work during the lunch hour.
2. Budget Summary. Dutton circulated an updated budget summary and Lukacs
indicated CAS continues to be concerned about the departmental budget deficit.
Faculty asked questions concerning specific items listed on the summary and
Dutton answered as needed. Lukacs said faculty will be updated on the budget as
necessary.
3. Ian Edwards Advancement to PhD Candidacy. Wooten reported the committee
has determined Ian Edwards has unanimously passed both comprehensive exams
(Social Theory (6/05) and Political Ecology and Conservation in Africa (3/06). Ian
also successfully completed his prospectus titled "Negotiated Wildlife: Local Logics
and Global Forces in Mali, West Africa" and he defended it successfully in June
2006. His committee consisted of Wooten, Chair; Biersack and Sugiyama.
Edwards has now been advanced to PhD Candidacy.
4. Museum of Natural and Cultural History Update. Erlandson reported the Aikens’
Fund for Field Studies for undergraduate students has met the $25,000 goal.
Erlandson mentioned he is working on a vision statement for the MNCH for the
next 10 years. Erlandson updated faculty on several items which occurred during
the last few months. The MNCH hired Sarah McClure at .25 FTE as the Assistant
Director of Public Programs, effective July 1, 2006. The UO Apps series is now
being managed by the MNCH. All volumes in the UO Apps series are now being
sold through the MNCH store. Any inquires regarding the series should be
directed to Judi Pruitt, who is handling the day-to-day operations of UO Apps.
Erlandson said one of his focuses as the director of the MNCH is working to build
connections between the MNCH and students/faculty. He would like to create
awareness and increase visibility on campus as well as strengthen links to other
departments. Erlandson mentioned the MNCH is working with architects to get
plans together regarding a project to build/expand a new exhibit hall and curation
facility through a Federal grant which has been received. The work must be
completed within 5 years or the funding will disappear.
McClure reported the PLE Program has been completely revamped to include
more structure and consist of two terms rather than one. Moss suggested having
the PLE Program information updated on the departmental website. McClure
reminded faculty to encourage graduate students to participate in the PLE Program
as well as in MNCH conferences and activities.
5. Graduate Student Travel Budget. Sugiyama announced the Graduate Committee
would like to make a motion to allocate $2000 from the departmental budget for
graduate student travel awards for the 06-07 academic year.
A vote is taken: 14 Yes, 0 No, 0 Abstain.
Meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.