SENATE EDUCATIONAL POLICIES COMMITTEE
Minutes
December 1, 1997
Attending: Sue Whitney, Chairperson; David M. Crossman; Barbara Fredette;
Richard Hanna; Kerry Holzworth; Leon Khaimovich; Gordon MacLeod; Tom Metzger;
Sue Neuman; Tony Silvestre and guest, Beverly Harris-Schenz
1. The October 27, 1997 minutes were accepted by the Committee.
2. Training of Department Chairs: Dr. Beverly Harris-Schenz, Provost s Office
Dr. Harris-Schenz presented information related to the training of department
chair people and described her program s goals, activities, and future direction.
Approximately 32 chairs have been filled since 1995. Sixty-five percent
of those have attended the orientation program developed by Dr. Harris-Schenz.
(A list of the departments where appointments have been made and materials
and evaluations of the 1996 and 1997 sessions are attached.) It was noted
that the programs were developed with input from existing chairs. Participants
indicated a need for additional training and effective communication was
identified as the most important issue facing new department heads. Programs
at two other universities were described. (Information is attached.)
Committee members asked a number of questions that reflect the Committee's
concern. The issues raised are summarized below:
a. Attendance is not required. Serving chairs are not reached although Deans
can organize their own training program with the assistance of the Provost
s Office. The Provost invites newly-appointed chairs and Deans are asked
to encourage attendance. Chairs who do not attend are sent the material
that had been distributed. The sessions are restricted to new chairs but
Dr. Harris-Schenz suggested that topic-centered sessions in the planning
stage might be open to newly appointed chairs and chairs who have already
been appointed.
b. Assisting chairs deal with problems of their faculty members Teaching
was identified as a major issue of concern by the Committee. Dr. Harris-Schenz
stated that the issue has been included in the past and that a case-study
approach which emphasized the University's legal obligation might be used
in the future. Further, difficulties with developing leadership in areas
of teaching were acknowledged.
c. Regional campus participation in the orientations seemed lower than at
the main campus. It was suggested that the training be brought to the campuses.
It was suggested that the relationship between teaching and mentoring and
departmental and school budgets be raised at the orientations.
On a related topic, Dr. Whitney announced that Dr. Sorcinelli, an Associate
Provost responsible for faculty development from Massachusetts will be on
campus on December 9, 1997. Committee members have been invited to meet
with her.
3. Update on the Teaching Excellence Fund:
Dr. Whitney reported that the Provost responded to her sending a package
of information about teaching excellence awards with a thank you and assurance
that he would share the material with those working to secure funds for
the 1999 budget.
4. The Committee s Web Page:
Dr. Crossman reported that most Senate Committee Web pages are inactive.
A student has been assigned to work on the Senate page. Dr. Crossman stated
that he is planning to put agendas for the upcoming meetings, the most recently
approved minutes (perhaps adding minutes from the previous six months or
year), the Committee mission statement, a list of current issues, a list
of members and links to relevant sites such as CIDDE. Dr. Crossman asked
that Committee members contact him with ideas.
5. Proposed Policy on Electronic Resources:
Dr. Whitney reported that the Provost said that he would forward Committee
comments to the ViceÍ Provost.
6. Founder s Day:
Dr. MacLeod reported that he accepted the Committee s request that responsibility
for Founder s Day be shifted elsewhere. He has asked those responsible for
choosing speakers for convocation and other events to accept responsibility.
7. FAS Core Curriculum Report:
Mr. Teeters was not present but Dr. Metzger shared information about the
process. He reported that the FAS faculty met three weeks ago and Dr. Kohler
reported that a committee would be formed to make recommendations. The Committee
would use information gathered from lunches with more than 150 faculty members.
The Committee will ask for additional information before a final recommendation
is made. Mr. Hanna reported that some students are especially concerned
about changes in foreign language requirements. Dr. Whitney will ask the
FAS committee to meet with members of the Educational Policy Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by A. J. Silvestre