SENATE EDUCATIONAL POLICIES COMMITTEE

Minutes

September 29, 1997

Attending: Sue Whitney, Chairperson; Jean Blachère; David M. Crossman; Richard Hanna; Kerry W. Holzworth; Leon Khaimovich; Tom Metzger; Susan Newman; Tony Silvestre; David Teeters

1. The minutes of the June 4, 1997 were approved.

2. Dr. Whitney introduced Dr. Holzworth who joined the Committee in June and Mr. Hanna who is newly appointed. Mr. Teeters, a new member was also introduced when he arrived. Dr. Whitney explained that Dr. Daniel and some other members had schedule conflicts and were not able to attend.

3. Dr. Whitney reviewed the Senate's action during the Summer on the Teaching Excellence Development Fund. The Committee's proposal to establish the fund was reviewed by the Faculty Assembly and the Senate Council. Both bodies soundly endorsed the proposal with no opposing votes. The proposal was supported by the Chancellor. The proposal calls for the allocation of $250,000 yearly in grants for supporting innovative teaching. Committee members expressed their satisfaction both of the proposal authored by Dr. Metzger and Mr. Khaimovich and with the action of the Senate.

4. Dr. Whitney asked the Committee to develop an agenda for 1997-1998. She noted that our by-laws describe two functions for the committee. The first is to review all University policies that affect the education of students and to initiate proposals and recommendations that will stimulate the development of excellence in teaching. The following issues were identified by the Committee for our 1997-98 agenda:

a. Founder's Day

The Committee discussed its role in organizing Founders Day and decided that it was not sufficiently related to the Committee's functions. Dr. Whitney will write to Dr. MacLeod asking that the activity be assigned to another committee or group.

b. Committee Membership

The Committee discussed pro tem membership. There was general agreement that no additional people needed to be invited to membership and that individuals would be invited to particular meetings as the need for them arose.

c. Teaching Excellence Development Fund

Dr. Crossman raised the issue of the Committee's future involvement in the design and implementation of the Fund's operation. Committee members were in agreement that such involvement would be appropriate in the coming year. Dr. Whitney will communicate with the Provost to check on the status of the Fund and to express the Committee's willingness to assist in its establishment.

d. Peer Evaluation of Teaching

Dr. Metzger suggested that the Committee needed a clearer assessment of the peer evaluation program throughout the University and that the Committee continue its work in this area. Mr. Teeters suggested that information about the results of evaluations be available to students. A great deal of discussion ensued. There was general agreement that evaluations are only valuable if they reliably and validly measure what they purport to measure. Some Universities publish the results of evaluations that are standardized across schools. Mr. Teeters agreed to bring in samples of such surveys for the Committee's review.

(Because of the need of some members to leave, the discussion was interrupted to deal with the election of a Committee Chair. Dr. Blachére nominated Dr. Susan Whitney for Chairperson. Dr. Metzger seconded the nomination. No other nominations were made and Dr. Whitney was elected by acclaim. After her election, the discussion of th 1997-98 agenda continued.)

e. Training of Chairs

There was general agreement that Department Chairs needed a package of information in order to properly supervise faculty as teachers. Information gathered by the Committee, thus far, suggests that there is a very wide range of information transmitted to Chairs at appointment and throughout their administration. The Committee agreed to continue its work in this area including the consideration of establishing a page on the web with all of the information that a Chair needs. Further discussion ensued about the establishment of a web page for the Committee and Dr. Whitney agreed to communicate with the Senate about the issue.

f. Changes in Course Requirements for FAS

Mr. Teeters raised concerns about proposed changes in the course requirements for FAS. There was general agreement that the issue fit into the Committee's area of concern and Mr. Teeters agreed to bring additional material to the next meeting.

5. The Committee discussed the draft policy on University Electronic Resources. Questions arose about its conformity with recent Supreme Court decisions, the timeline for approval of the policy, and the Committee from which it arose. Dr. Whitney will attempt to get clarification and report back to the Committee.

The next meeting of the Committee will be on October 27, 1997 from 12:30 till 2:00.

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted by A. J. Silvestre