Approval of the Minutes (A. Blair):

Dr. Blair asked for a motion to approve the October 12, 2007 meeting minutes. A motion was made and seconded, and the approved minutes will be posted to the ACIE website.

Dr. Blair announced that the RFP 2008 has been mailed out to all faculty on the five campuses, and the deadline for the receipt of proposals is January 31, 2008. He then noted that the purpose of this meeting is to hear the reports from the Chairs of the two standing committees’ recent meetings (Faculty Development and Best Practices).

Professor Albrecht reported that the Committee formally welcomed new members, reviewed the purposes of the Committee as agreed by Council last Spring, and discussed which previously funded instructional grant projects it would like to recommend for presentation by the project directors at future Council meetings (see October 12, 2007 Minutes). CIDDE provided a handout with five suggestions including project descriptions for the Committee’s and, subsequent, Council consideration. Dr. Davis noted that these are projects that could readily transfer to other disciplines. After some discussion, members present agreed that the following project directors would be asked to give their presentation to Council at future meetings: Web-based System for Reciprocal Evaluation of Student Paper Writing (2002; Schunn, Arts & Sciences/LRDC); Speaking Like a Biologist (2006; Curto and Bayer, Arts and Sciences); and Internationalizing the Undergraduate Curriculum (2006; Shuman, Rajgopal and Bidanda, Engineering).

The Committee also discussed topics for the 2008 Summer Instructional Development Institute, with a preference for focusing on undergraduate student research, which deals with teaching of a different kind and is a topic that is being discussed nationally. Further discussion of this item will continue within the Committee.

Another item on the Committee’s agenda was the Faculty Book Discussions. “Ethics within the Curriculum” was noted as a topic of interest. Dr. Blair reminded members that this needs to be agreed on by the next meeting for these sessions to be scheduled and offered during the Spring term 2008.

As part of the Committee’s agenda, Dr. Davis distributed the New Faculty Forums Report for Spring 2007. Dr. Blair explained for new members that this program is an outgrowth of New Faculty Orientation as a way to focus on concerns of new tenure-stream faculty during their first year at the University. It was agreed that “The Quick Starters” article will be used again as the basis for the discussion groups. Facilitators are needed, and Dr. Davis asked for Council members’ help in identifying faculty colleagues who would be willing to moderate a session. A preparatory session for facilitators will be provided by CIDDE. One of the sessions will be transmitted to the regional campuses via ITV.

Professor Singh reported on the two major topics for Committee discussion this coming year: (a) Another round of assessment of the Innovation in Education projects (Dr. Blair noted that there was a major review done in 2005 [available online, on the ACIE website], that program statistics are updated yearly, and that we would not want to replicate that effort.) This will be a topic for continuing discussion at the next Committee and Council meetings. (b) Review CIDDE Instructional Media Services and determine which component(s) could be improved. Two CIDDE staff members gave presentations on what is now provided. Dr. Davis indicated that this is an opportunity to use this Committee to help CIDDE in an important faculty support area.

Dr. Davis reported that although the formal evaluations on the Fair are not yet available, 96 people attended the Fair, the evaluations are positive, and the conversations on teaching sessions were well-attended. A full report will be given at the next Council meeting. Dr. Blair added that this is a high-quality activity that should attract greater faculty attendance. He noted that the event is well-publicized in the University media and through the CIDDE and ACIE websites, as well as by the CIDDE School Liaisons. Council members should continue to think of other ways to bolster attendance.

Adjournment:

With no further business, the Advisory Council adjourned at 4:05 pm. The next Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 10, 11:00 am, 826 CL.