Minutes of the Meeting of the Deans Council
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 – 9 a.m.
Warner Conference Room
PRESENT: Finnie Murray, William Jurma, Kenya Taylor, Janet Wilke, Ed Scantling, Frank Harrold, Peter Longo, Bruce Forster
GUESTS: Kathy Livingston
- Grad Faculty Status Statement in offer letters: More discussion was held on placing the graduate faculty status statement in the new hire contract letters. Frank stated the four year requirement is fine with the College of Natural and Social Sciences. A motion was made by Frank and seconded by Bruce to put the graduate faculty status statement in the new hire contract letters and also include a statement that clearly establishes that the appointee will not be renewed in a tenure track position if he/she does not attain graduate faculty status within the allowed 4 year time period. The motion carried unanimously.
- 9-Hour Load: Kathy asked the Deans if they have a list of faculty members on 9-hour loads. Any faculty member on a 9-hour load does not qualify for an overload. Kathy requested a list to her by the beginning of Fall semester.
- Rank and Tenure Training: Kathy shared an email she had received from John Lakey regarding our liability insurance renewal. The following question was asked: “Does your institution conduct annual training on its tenure policies and procedures for all committees that make final tenure recommendations to the chief academic officer (such as promotion and tenure committee)?” John answered the question as follows: “No—he did not explain why we don’t provide annual training of committees but thought it should be addressed”. Kathy explained the composition of the various college rank and tenure committees varies only marginally each year, so most of the groups are experienced in the proper requirements and procedures needed to conduct the business of the committee. Those with experience share their expertise with new members. While formal training doesn’t take place, it is an incremental process in which members train their replacements. Discussion was held and there needs to be a discussion to verify our new Rank and Tenure guidelines follow the new university-wide Rank and Tenure guidelines. Also, the Deans need to communicate these expectations to the College Rank and Tenure committees. Departmental Rank and Tenure committees would not qualify under this plan since in certain departments there is not enough qualified faculty to complete the committee.
- Encouraging Faculty to offer courses for the Thompson Scholar Learning Community and Global Learning Community: Peter reminded the Deans he had sent them an email announcing the Thompson Scholar Learning Community has money to offer faculty to teach two sections per semester. He also announced he will continue to be the Director for this first year but will be advertising later for a new director for the 2009-10. Peter explained the Global Learning Community and how the process works. He shared that students must express an interest to live with a student from another country and when they express this interest they try to computer match them. This way they know the student is really interested in this process. There have been rooms reserved for this community.
- PoE Ideas: Discussion was held on the four proposals submitted for Programs of Excellence: 1) Initiative for the Recruitment & Retention of Outstanding Teachers for Rural Nebraska, 2) Center for Green & Renewable Energy Research, 3) Economic & Business Development in Rural Nebraska and 4) Center for International Undergraduate Education & Exchange.
- Announcements:
Frank shared the Academic Affairs pandemic department template and requested feedback regarding suggested changes.
Frank announced he would be resigning effective in July to take the position of Dean of Social Sciences at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Finnie thanked Peter for the great job he did as Interim Dean of Student Life for the past year and also let him know that he would be missed.
Finnie announced that Gail Zeller would be the new Interim Dean of Student Life effective July 1, 2008, pending Board of Regents approval.
Finnie gave updates on the SIS Steering committee and also discussed the Deans’ salary increases.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Deans will be on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 9 a.m., Warner Conference Room.