forum_200505

PROVOST'S CHAT
MAY 17th , 2005

This chat (having perhaps 35 people present) was "led" by Associate Provost Jan Garfield. She stated that this would be the last "chat" for this academic year and that, in the future, the "chats" would be shared between the Provost and Associate Provost.

Jan began her presentation by noting the valedictorian and salutatorian for the class of 2005. She then noted that there were 27 faculty development grant proposals for the Summer 2005 term asking for a total of $118,000. There was only $40,000 originally allotted for these grants but the Provost's office added more to the total. The contributions of the Charles Cannon [committee chair] and David Krause [administrative officer] were noted. Jan also made clear that it is important for faculty who apply for these grants to read the guidelines. She also said that these grants do not pay for faculty time and that it is important to be careful and specific on the grant budget. Faculty should think "big" and what will be the final product of their work. Think creatively, collaboratively, with efficiency and productivity; consider the goals of 2010 in putting together your work were additional statements made by Jan.

In addition, Jan noted that for those considering writing faculty development grants in the next academic year that they should try to: expand/strengthen inter-disciplinary collaboration; expand the range of student experiences and co-curricular initiatives and expand/strengthen faculty research work. She also asked faculty who received grants for the summer to allow their full proposal to be "listed" as a template for the benefit of their colleagues.

The recently named Technology Fellows at the college were noted. "Camp Oasis" will be held this summer through the efforts of Rebecca Courington. A new Jenzabar product will be available college-wide in the fall and its effectiveness will be assessed. Through the efforts of Lee Gerstein there will be soon a faculty database that will have available, by each individual faculty, teaching load information, tenure and sabbatical "status" and college service record. This information, on a read only basis, will be able to be viewed through the offices of the Deans. Academic Advising Guidelines will be posted on-line. Jan anticipates that all of these initiatives will receive a "boost" from the recently obtained Title III grant. In addition, the college's web site is seeing steady progress in its needed update and more will change in the next year (this "update" is being co-ordinated by Mark Lloyd and involves faculty assistance).

The new faculty center (which will be completed in the near future and will include a coffee "bar") will be on the 8 th floor of the Alexandroff Center. PFAC negotiations will begin next week and they will include Annice Kelly, the Provost and Associate Provost and Margaret Sullivan. Mary Louise Hadad and Allen Turner will represent the Board of Trustees in these negotiations. PFAC is very concerned about evaluation and how this will come up in the new negotiations.

The 2005-2007 Undergraduate Catalog will be available in early July.

The possibility of streamlining the tenure process is being investigated in an effort to reduce faculty workload. I here asked if this is allowed given that Section XV of our tenure document may only allow "discussing" the tenure document every five years. Jan answered that this investigation would look at the process and not policy.

On workload, Jan will, with the Deans, begin looking this week at the possibility of standardization of release time and stipends. This investigation might lead to job descriptions being drafted for co-ordinators and directors

[DO WE NOT ALREADY HAVE THESE EXPRESSED IN THE FACULTY HANDBOOK? IF YOU CHANGE THESE DECRIPTIONS, WOULD YOU NOT NEED APPROVAL?].

The Provost's office feels that Academic Staff might be able to help perform some of these functions. A question was raised if release time data could be provided to enhance discussion on this sensitive issue. Jan answered by noting that release time varies from school to school so this release would not carry much meaning.

Frank Bianco, an AIR from the Television Department, asked where is equality and fairness with respect to AIR's at the college. He noted his responsibilities, which sound extensive, and inquired why the college does not provide equal pay for equal work. I noted that CCFO expressed to the President and Provost that AIR's should be able to be included in our TIAA-CREF pension plan, if they wish, after having "served" at the college for more than six years.

Dave Gerding asked if payroll and HR could be physically located next near each other. Mike DeSalle, according to Jan, is considering changing the college's fiscal year to better coincide with the new academic year.


Notes submitted by
Keith Kostecka
CCFO President