College of Education and Health Professions

College Council Minutes December 3, 2008

Present: Merry Moiseichik (Chair), Fran Hagstrom (Chair-Elect), William McComas (At-Large), John Pijanowski. (At-Large), Kit Kacirek (RHRC), Angie Smith-Nix (HPER), Gary Ritter (Ed Reform), Laura Kent (CIED)

Absent: Ellen Odell (NURS)

Administration Present: Dean Reed Greenwood; Assoc. Dean Barbara Hinton

  1. Merry called the meeting to order.
  2. Agenda approved.
  3. Minutes approved.
  4. Announcements
    1. The new holiday schedule is now available.
  5. Dean's Office
    1. The Dean has been working on the Council's requested raise report.
    2. Facilities - Dr. Gearhart has identified renovation several projects on campus. Peabody Hall and Ozark Hall may be two of those. He is presently looking at ways to finance these projects.
    3. Budget – Central administration has not yet given guidance to colleges on next year's budget. This will determine what the Dean can ask for.
    4. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education program productivity requirements are now in place. Programs must graduate at the following levels 2 Ph.D., 4 M.A./M.S., 6 undergraduates over a rolling 3 year average to be funded by Higher Education. Programs that do not meet these number requirements will not automatically be removed, but rather will not receive state funding. The purpose seems to be accountability at the 'end' of the educational sequence.
    5. Nancy Talburt stated she will be working with the bookstore for a better textbook system.
    6. Decision has been made that there will be no hard copies of the university catalogs. There will be some graduate catalogs for advising. The Walton College publishes a 'mini' catalog. There is some discussion about abstracting this out for COEHP.
  6. Report on Dean's Search — Merry and Gary
    1. Committee on Dean has now completed the position-description.
    2. The first meeting concerned what the job of the dean will be. There was discussion about the kind of person needed for the position. At the end, it was someone who is an academic, someone who understands promotion and tenure. The new dean must have a Ph.D. and qualify for full professor.
    3. Next meeting will be about advertising the position. Bill McComas asked that word get out that this is an exciting College and opportunity.
  7. Awards
    1. Six awards are made each year at the college level. Merry reviewed these awards and then read the description for the 'overall' award. Dean Greenwood stated that due to varying sizes of departments the language may need to be changed so large and small units can compete for College awards.
      1. Gary Ritter made the motion that all awards be opened up so the criteria are the same since historically open awards have worked. John Pijanowski seconded the motion and it was approved
      2. Untenured-tenure track 'quality' award. There was a good deal of discussion about this. Dean Greenwood made the point that it can help when individuals come up for tenure. Gary wondered just how many junior faculty feel comfortable applying for the awards and if they their applications are as strong as the applications of more senior faculty. Angie pointed out that junior faculty can be nominated and receive any of the awards as they now stand, and that a number of junior faculty in her department have received these. This item was tabled and a subcommittee (Gary and Angie) was formed to bring a description back to the next meeting.
      3. Teaching Award. It was proposed that rather than include teaching, research and service, that it be granted for innovation. This was tabled and a subcommittee established. Merry and Laura will function as this subcommittee.
      4. Research Award. The decision was made to leave this as stands.
      5. Advising Award. It was asked if this award should continue to be given. It does not cover thesis and dissertation work.
  8. College Council Meeting for Spring 2009
    1. Fran asked for reaffirmation of the spring schedule. There was discussion about meeting only one time per month, however, since several meeting will be working sessions (e.g., making award decisions) the council decided two meetings will be necessary to get business done. Meeting will remain on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday's of each month from 2:00-3:14 p.m.
    2. Angie asked if the Dean's Office wanted to come to all of the meetings, including those that will primarily be working sessions. Dean Greenwood and Assoc. Dean Hinton indicated that they will attend one meeting per month and other meetings at the request of the Council. Dr. Hinton asked Fran to send a schedule by the end of the term with dates so they can update their calendars.

Meeting ended at 3:14 p.m.