SENATE EDUCATIONAL POLICIES COMMITTEE

Minutes

June 4, 1997

Attending: Sue Whitney, Chairperson; Jean Blachère; Barbara Fredette; Kerry Holzworth; Leon Khaimovich; Tom Metzger; Tony Silvestre

Dr. Kerry Holzworth from the Greensburg campus was introduced and warmly welcomed as a new committee member. Contacting information about Dr. Holzworth is attached.

CORRECTION TO MINUTES OF APRIL 30, 1997: On page 2, paragraph 2, dealing with Dr. Whitney's request for a "volunteer" to review existing guidelines about small grants for research in order to identify what could be recommenced for a similar program directed to teaching, the name of Dr. Metzger should be inserted and that of Dr. Cain removed.

1. Dr. Whitney reported that she sent this committee's annual report to the Senate. (Attached) The report is attached. She also reported that she sent a memo as agreed on at the April meeting to CIDDE asking them to offer their seminar on innovative ways of teaching twice a year rather than just once. (Attached.)

2. Dr. Metzger and Mr. Khaimovich presented their draft of the committee's proposal to establish a Teaching Excellence Development Fund (TEDF). Dr. Metzger explained that the proposal is similar to one at Pitt for research and that funds would be used for innovative programs and not to be used for items or things already provided for by other funds. In order to promote the dissemination of the results of these funds, the proposal will require that a report be sent to the Provost's office for possible action. Most of the committee members' comments were in praise of the draft. Some changes in wording were suggested and Dr. Metzger will incorporate them in a final draft. Dr. Whitney will call the Senate President to inform him about our proposal and to confirm the process for sending it to the Provost. The Chair warmly thanked Dr. Metzger and Mr. Khaimovich for their work.

3. Dr. Whitney presented her draft of the report to Dean's and Campus Presidents on the responses received related to the training of Department Chairs. The committee discussed the need to provide department chairs with information and training related to resources, policies, major initiatives and other matters especially as they pertain to enhancing teaching. The discussion about the draft document resulted in some changes that Dr. Whitney will incorporate in the final version. A number of suggestions of people and offices to receive copies of the memo were made and accepted.

4. Dr. Whitney led a discussion about the need of organizing a complete list of all resources available for enhancing teaching. The committee discussed methods to gather information abut such programs but were not able to identify the most efficient and effective one. Since in a prior discussion, Dr. Daniel noted that many unit's have developed internal resources and programs, the committee asked Dr. Whitney to ask him for suggestions.

5. Dr. Whitney announced that the Faculty Assembly is organizing a web site and offering this committee a home page. The committee agreed to accept the offer.

6. Dr. Metzger requested that the topic of faculty, TA, and TF mentoring be put on the agenda for the next meeting (September). The Chair indicated that she would do so.

7. The Committee decided to meet in September. Dr. Whitney indicated that she would send out a memo to elicit information about possible dates prior to the September meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by A. J. Silvestre

attachments: Annual Report to the Senate

Memo to CIDDE about additional teaching seminar

Summary of responses about enhancing teaching recorded at April 30, 1997 meeting

Revised mailing list of Committee Members