May 23, 2005, 1:00 pm., UW2 327
Present: Andrea Kovalesky, Kevin Laverty, Jim Miller, Clark Olson, Bill Seaburg, Jane Van Galen and Linda Watts
Guest: Tom Bellamy
Office of Research Support
Kevin initiated the discussion on EC endorsement of the proposal for an Office of Research Support. Tom Bellamy addressed the changes made to the proposal based on the EC recommendations:
The EC raised the issue of disproportionate buyouts within programs at UWB.
Supporting research and building a research culture
In terms of broadly building a research culture at UWB, the EC talked about mechanisms that would generate ways for faculty to conduct research. Some concrete proposals include scheduling mechanisms - stacking quarters or pause quarters. Tom raised the alternative of 2 credit classes. Also discussed was more support from the Rose and Worthington endowments with longer proposal cycles and using the funds from these endowments for start-up funding.
Dual enrollment: Memorandum of Understanding and Advising material for dual-enrollment
The EC reached consensus on endorsing the Memorandum of Understanding Dual-Enrollment Partnership.
Campus Master Planning
The EC reviewed the Campus Master Planning Focus Group questions and determined that an EC meeting to address issues significant to faculty governance and voice may be required. Kevin asked that EC reps talk with their programs regarding this issue and bring feedback to the EC.
Planning for GFO committees for 2005-2006
The EC considered critical faculty activities and deliberated on which GFO committees (standing or otherwise) will be responsible for these activities. Kevin proposed that we [a] avoid establishing any more ad hoc task forces separate from GFO committees (this practice further stretches faculty and increases service loads), and [b] do not ask faculty to serve on any GFO committee for which there is not a clear role and purpose for the year.
Proposal that for 2005-2006 we charge GFO committees as follows:
Curriculum Committee - Course review and approval (there will be a lot because of lower division as well as upper division expansion). This committee also is responsible for the Tri-Campus Curriculum review.
Academic Affairs Committee - Planning for lower division; planning for cross-program initiatives; Teaching and Learning Center
Instructional and Research Support Committee - Research support and building a research culture; oversight of a potential Office of Research Support; representative to Technology Policy Advisory Group
Create a Campus Master Planning Committee - on an ad hoc basis - the "GFO Design, Sustainability, and Environment Committee" for next year.
Faculty Council on Promotion and Tenure – in addition to the charge of promotion and tenure determination, this council could provide faculty personnel advice to the Chancellor and VCAA.
New GFO committees or changes to the charge of any GFO committee will be implemented for one year and after review the GFO by-laws can be amended to incorporate any changes.
Continue discussion of 2005-2007 budget
The joint Executive Council/Academic Council meeting on Thursday will be an opportunity for the EC to articulating our budget priorities for the coming biennium. Kevin expressed concern that faculty voice be heard in the budget process if it continues into the summer (i.e., while most faculty are not on contract). Tom outlined four categories that he sees for the budget process:
The EC ranked their budget priorities and reiterated that the 5-for-5 initiatives are top priorities but that current proposals may not fulfill the intent of the implementation of 5-for-5.
Highest support for permanent funding of the current level of service provided from:
Support of Education Program Graduate Advisor
Support for Undergraduate Research
The EC does not support these proposals:
No consensus was reached on the Office of Research Support and Institute for Collaborative Research
Minutes submitted by Barbara Van Sant
