Minutes AY 2009/2010

The Arts & Sciences Council (ASC) meets regularly every academic year, including eight times during the 2009 to 2010 academic year. The notes from said meetings are found below:

April 15, 2010

The Arts and Sciences Council Faculty of Arts and Sciences Meeting Minutes

  • April 15, 2010
  • 3:30-5:00 Old Main Chapel

Members present: Albert Alhadeff, AAH; Lorraine Bayard DeVolo, WGST; Loriliai Biernacki, RLST; Andrew Cain, CLAS; John Cassano, ATOC; Charles deBartolomé, ECON; Damian Doyle, PWR; Valerio Ferme, FRIT; Robert Ferry, HIST; Phillip Gilley, SLHS; Thomas Hollweck, GLSS; Asunción Horno-Degado, SPAN; Henry Kapteyn, PHYS; Keith Kearnes, MATH; Daryl Maeda, ETHN; Andrew Martin, EBIO; Horst Mewes. PSCI; Martha Palmer, LING; Matthew Pranter, GEOL; Robert Rupert, PHIL; Cindy White, COMM; Travis Wilkerson

Members not present: Daniel Barth, PSYC; Deane Bowers, EBIO; Jack Burns, APS; Cynthia Carey, IPHY; Katherine Eggert, ENGL; David Ferris, CLHM; Daniel Jones, HONR; Keith Julien, APPM; Onye Ozuzu, THDN; Scott Parker, PHYS; Kevin Peters, CHEM; Robert Poyton, MCDB; Antje Richter, ALC; Payson Sheets, ANTH; Amy Wilkins, SOCY; Emily Yeh, GEOG

Also present:  Donald Cooper, PSYC

Robert Ferry called the meeting to order at 3:34 PM.

The minutes of the March 18, 2010 meeting were approved unanimously.

Chair’s Remarks, Robert Ferry

  • Professor Ferry asked the assembled representatives to e-mail him to give an opinion on the Associate Dean candidates who will speak at the end of the meeting. Todd Gleeson has asked for the Council’s feedback.
  • Professor Ferry reminded the representatives that their department may need a new ASC rep; the chairs will be receiving a note if the representative for their department’s term is expiring.

Dean’s Remarks, Todd Gleeson

  • The $2,000,000.00 budget cut was sustained and an article appeared in the Daily Camera outlining the areas where the cuts will be made.
  • Indonesian language study will be discontinued after next year; half of Hindi and Farsi will be funded by grant money.
  • Budget cuts for next academic year are being discussed.
  • The Associate Deans have been meeting with department chairs concerning student credit hour targets and reduced Leave and Replacement allocations. The response has been good; the departments are coming in with an understanding that the college has to do more with less.
  • There will be fewer last minute TA’s and GPTI’s hired, classes will be larger and there will be fewer lecturers.
  • Enrollment may be 200 to 400 students higher this year.
  • The Provost has been asked to supplement the college’s budget.
  • Six faculty members are considering the retirement incentive program.
  • There is a single finalist in the search for a new Provost; the search committee meets at the end of the day.
  • Dean Gleeson asked for feedback on the Associate Dean candidates as to who will work best for the Humanities and for the College. Both John Stevenson and David Boonin are strong candidates.
  • It is unlikely there will be merit increases this year. Promotion raises and probably retention cases will be covered by the Provost.
  • People in the PERA system will be taking a 2.5 percent pay decrease as they will be covering the University’s contribution to PERA.

Committee Reports

  • Budget Committee: The Committee has spend most of the year dealing with budget cuts. Professor Ferry suggested that appointing people with experience in the fiscal affairs of the college to the Budget Committee might make the ASC’s role in the committee more effective.
  • Curriculum Committee: Valerio Ferme reported that the Committee has been evaluating the Natural Sciences Core as part of the ongoing review of the Core Curriculum. The new Neuroscience major was approved along with major revisions to History, Theater and Philosophy. The Committee has also held discussions on the curriculum reduction that Dean Gleeson requested. Eleven departments may have honors students exempted from their 3rd year writing requirement; this is under consideration. The Committee approved a motion to reduce the number of credit hours required for a certificate. Most colleges have a 15 credit minimum, we have 24, would like to change to 18. Once the minutes from the Curriculum Committee are approved, the ASC will be asked to vote by e-mail.
  • Diversity Committee: Daryl Maeda reported for the Diversity Committee. The Committee sponsored a flag display showing the ethnic breakdown of the staff, faculty and students; sponsored Ƶ Calling, a faculty recruiting film which is now on the A&S website; provided input to the Regents on their revision to their diversity statement; reviewed diversity statements from Arts & Humanities, developed a list of best practices and rewarded a $1,500 fellowship to GSLL for their work. The Committee also met with representatives from pre-collegiate programs to get faculty involved in recruiting underrepresented students.
  • Grievance Committee: Loriliai Biernacki reported that the Committee completed one grievance during the AY and is currently working on three additional cases.
  • Personnel Committee: Henry Kapteyn reported that the Personnel Committee reviewed 69 cases, more Comprehensive Review cases than usual. The Committee did not recommend 2 out of 30 Comp Reviews, 1 out of 22 Promotion and Tenure cases and recommended all 12 Promotions to Full and 5 Hires with Tenure. The Committee has stressed in the Comprehensive Reviews that the departments need to make sure Assistant Professors are on the road to tenure. One tenure case was voted excellence in teaching as well as research.
  • Planning Committee: Cindy White reported that the Planning Committee was broadened as it was charged to develop a 10 year strategic plan to work with the master planning process currently underway on campus. Keith Maskus asked the Committee to clearly state what A&S needs in terms of space. The Committee reviewed PRP’s, consulted with the Associate Deans and developed a summary of needs and recommendations. There are unfortunately no good solutions on the horizon. Some people in the Biochem will move to the Systems Biotech building which will free up space in Chemistry. The University has acquired new property for East Campus. Millions of dollars of capital renewal is needed in Hellems and Ketchum but only plumbing and electrical will be renovated. There is no space in the Center for Community as it is not an academic building.

ASC Chair Election

  • Nominee Horst Mewes spoke to the group and outlined his experience with colleges and administration. He has directed 12-15 academic conferences, initiated an international enterprise bringing together scholars on citizenship research, served on the ASC for 2 years as well as the Curriculum Committee. Through his work with the Curriculum Committee he gained an understanding of the teaching that goes on across campus. He feels strongly that with the pressures of the current economic situation the college needs to maintain our sense of excellence and fairness and to preserve humane values.
  • Horst Mewes was elected unanimously by acclamation.

Associate Dean for the Arts and Humanities Candidates

  • David Boonin spoke about his view of the Associate Deans role and how he makes decisions as chair of Philosophy. He also answered questions from the assembled representatives concerning working with Dean Gleeson and the other Associate Deans.
  • John Stevenson discussed his background and administrative experience and answered questions concerning his experience in Regent Hall, his experience with other universities with strong Humanities programs and the strengths and weaknesses in the Arts and Humanities.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:57.

The next ASC meeting will be Thursday, September 16, 2010 in UMC 415-417

Minutes submitted by Janice Jeffryes

March 18, 2010

Arts and Sciences Council Meeting

  • March 18, 2010
  • 3:30-5:00 UMC 415/417

Albert Alhadeff, AAH; Daniel Barth, PSYC; Loriliai Biernacki, RLST; Andrew Cain, CLAS; Charles de Bartolome, ECON; Katherine Eggert, ENGL; Valerio Ferme, FRIT; Robert Ferry, HIST; Phillip Gilley, SLHS; Asuncion Horno-Degado, SPAN; Daniel Jones, HONR; Henry Kapteyn, PHYS; Keith Kearnes, MATH; Andrew Martin, EBIO; Horst Mewes, PSCI; Martha Palmer, LING; Matthew Pranter, GEOL; Payson Sheets, ANTH; Cindy White, COMM; Amy Wilkins, SOCY

Lorraine Bayard DeVolo, WGST; Deane Bowers, EBIO; Jack Burns, APS; Cynthia Carey, IPHY; John Cassano, ATOC; Damian Doyle, PWR; David Ferris, CLHM; Thomas Hollweck, GLSS; Keith Julien, APPM; Scott Parker, PHYS; Daryl Maeda, ETHN; Onye Ozuzu, THDN; Kevin Peters, CHEM; Robert Poyton, MCDB; Antje Richter, ALC; Robert Rupert, PHIL; Travis Wilkerson, FILM; Emily Yeh, GEOG

Also Attending: Darna Dufour, Todd Gleeson, Rolf Norgaard

Robert Ferry called the meeting to order at 3:36 PM. The minutes of the February 18, 2010 meeting were approved unanimously.

Chair’s Remarks, Robert Ferry

  • Professor Ferry recognized Martha Palmer for winning a Boulder Faculty Alliance Award for Excellence in Research.

BFA Report on the Status of Instructors, Rolf Norgaard

  • The report came from an ongoing series of discussions concerning the status of instructors on campus. In spring 2009 a statement was suggested by the American Association of University Professors but not adopted by the BFA. The BFA formed a task force to study the status of instructors.
  • The report generated by the task force reflects a wide variety of views and contains 18 recommendations.
  • The report reflects the desire of instructors to have a rigorous and meaningful review process, the lack of which makes their employment feel vulnerable. Every recommendation speaks to the needs of the faculty.
  • In response to a question, Dr. Norgaard stated the 2 ways in which an instructor can become a tenure track faculty member: by responding to a national search or by the process of line conversion.
  • Dan Barth expressed concern that converting instructors to professors will lessen the University’s status as a research institution.
  • Dr. Norgaard asked that the ASC representatives make sure the BFA rep takes the department’s vote back to the next BFA meeting.

Deans Remarks, Darna Dufour Associate Dean for Faculty and Administrative Affairs

  • Some budget cuts have been announced. Among them, FTE Attrition, the lines of current retirements will be lost; this amounts to 13 lines.
  • Consolidation of programs, 1 to 3 units will be consolidated.
  • Humanities will be eliminated as a department but the college will continue to support the major.
  • Low enrollment languages will be eliminated.
  • Elimination of some of the 1K accounts; they will be continued for faculty who have no other source of funding. Faculty will have to apply for this account.
  • Core curriculum economizations.
  • Cuts in non-degree programs.
  • Courses will be targeted for cuts, not majors.

Curriculum Economizations, Valerio Ferme, Curriculum Committee Chair

  • Dean Gleeson asked the Curriculum Committee to help with 1.5 million dollar curriculum budget cuts.
  • Professor Ferme reported on curriculum cuts recommended by Dean Gleeson and the Curriculum Committee. The Committee wants to work quickly so some items can be implemented in the fall. The following is a preliminary list of ideas to explore further.
  • The committee will look at awarding exemptions from the current core and changes in class sizes to accommodate those exempted students.
  • To make department’s curricular offerings more efficient Dean Gleeson has proposed setting student credit hour targets for departments and letting the departments decide how to make those targets.
  • $1.4 million of the current cuts target tenure track faculty so the Curriculum Committee is trying not to include those faculty members in their cuts.
  • The Curriculum Committee will recommend exempting specific majors from the 3rd year writing requirement. Departments will have to apply for this exemption. This will likely affect 1,100 students per year and will reduce classes in PWR.
  • It was recommended that certain classes could adjust their curriculum to fulfill core requirements.
  • It was recommended that the Honors thesis be allowed to fulfill the 3rd year writing requirement.
  • Elimination of courses not necessary to the major was recommended. It was suggested that departments be given a target (i.e. 5%) for elimination.
  • Increased enrollments in core courses would put a burden on graduate students so course taught by those students wouldn’t be targeted for increased size.
  • The Curriculum Committee is against awarding credit to incoming students for completion of requirements that have not been substantiated by entry level placement exams. The committee’s suggestion is to retroactively award credit for entry level classes for those students who demonstrate proficiency in certain areas such as foreign languages by taking a more advanced course and passing with a “C” or better.

Dean’s Remarks, Todd Gleeson

  • At a recent meeting the Provost let the Deans know that another $10 million in budget cuts is expected next year.
  • Dean Gleeson wanted the ASC to note that the BFA’s Report on the Status of Instructors includes a motion that opposes uncompensated workload increases for instructors. Next year, with tenure track faculty being asked to teach larger classes they are in fact being asked to shoulder an uncompensated workload increase.

Honors Seminars, Cindy White

  • A number of departments offer an Honors seminar to help students get through the honors process. 60 percent of honors degrees come from students who take those seminars. Many of these seminars have a small enrollment and if class size minimums are enforced, those courses will be in jeopardy.
  • It was suggested that cognate departments cross list classes
  • It was proposed that departments can make the decision to combine classes. Professor Ferry and Fred Anderson from Honors will write to the Dean asking that departments be allowed this flexibility.

Vote on Resolution Regarding Arts and Sciences Budget Decisions: Principles and Procedures

The meeting was adjourned at 4:57.

The next meeting will be a combined FAC/ACS meeting on Thursday, April 15, 3:30-5:00 in the Old Main Chapel.

Minutes submitted by Janice Jeffryes

Resolution Regarding Arts & Sciences Budget Decisions: Principles and Procedures

WHEREAS, the current shortfalls in state revenue and the resulting cuts in state funding to the University require drastic cuts in the University’s operating budget, which will have dire consequences for the College of Arts and Sciences, interfering with the faculty’s ability to make progress towards educational and research goals; and

WHEREAS, the faculty of the College believes that it has a primary responsibility, under all circumstances, to sustain the quality of undergraduate and graduate education;

WHEREAS, the first reference in the Colorado statutes to the mission of the Boulder campus emphasizes its unique role as a comprehensive university that emphasizes research, graduate education, and undergraduate education ([CRS 23-20-101 (I)(a)]: “The Boulder campus of the University of Colorado shall be a comprehensive graduate research university with selective admission standards.”)

THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED

THAT the Arts and Sciences Council, on behalf of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Colorado at Boulder, has a voice in determining the revenue-based reductions and cuts that will be made; and

THAT the ASC believes that the reductions and cuts should be those that have the least possible effect on the research and educational missions of the College; and

THAT both graduate and undergraduate education are foundational to the mission of the University, and that because of the mandate that the University of Colorado to be a comprehensive graduate research university, graduate programs and graduate students must be supported under even the most difficult financial circumstances; and

THAT tenure-granting departments provide graduate instruction and are therefore central to defining and upholding disciplinary standards of research and teaching and that the integrity of those departments must be protected; and

THAT the faculty is responsible for the College curriculum, and therefore changes that alter the curriculum must be done in agreement with the faculty according to established procedures; and

THAT the College should have as its priority reducing those services and activities that do not pertain directly to sustaining the research mission of the College or the curricular needs of graduate and undergraduate education.

February 18, 2010

Arts and Sciences Council Meeting

  • February 18, 2010
  • 3:30-5:00 UMC 415/417

Daniel Barth, PSYC; Lorraine Bayard DeVolo, WGST; Loriliai Biernacki, RLST; Andrew Cain, CLAS; John Cassano, ATOC; Damian Doyle, PWR; Katherine Eggert, ENGL; Valerio Ferme, FRIT; Robert Ferry, HIST; Phillip Gilley, SLHS; Thomas Hollweck, GLSS; Asuncion Horno-Degado, SPAN; Daniel Jones, HONR; Henry Kapteyn, PHYS; Keith Kearnes, MATH; Daryl Maeda, ETHN; Horst Mewes, PSCI; Onye Ozuzu, THDN; Martha Palmer, LING; Scott Parker, PHYS; Matthew Pranter, GEOL; Antje Richter, ALC; Payson Sheets, ANTH; Cindy White, COMM; Travis Wilkerson, FILM

Albert Alhadeff, AAH; Deane Bowers, EBIO; Jack Burns, APS; Cynthia Carey, IPHY; Charles de Bartolome, ECON; David Ferris, CLHM; Keith Julien, APPM; Andrew Martin, EBIO; Kevin Peters, CHEM; Robert Poyton, MCDB; Robert Rupert, PHIL; Amy Wilkins, SOCY; Emily Yeh, GEOG

Robert Ferry called the meeting to order at 3:35 PM. The minutes of the January 21, 2010 meeting were approved unanimously.

Chair’s Remarks, Robert Ferry

  • Professor Ferry is coming to the end of his 2nd term and asks the Council to consider a new chair for the next academic year. An Executive Committee member will be appointed to oversee the election process. The chair’s term is one year in length; the chair can serve 2 terms.
  • Todd Gleeson would like the names of several ASC representatives who are willing to serve on the Budget Committee Task Force which will meet February 19, at 2:30.
  • The Diversity Committee reviewed the diversity plans for Arts and Humanities. GSLL will be offered a fellowship for $1,500 for their plans; FILM will be an alternate. The committee felt GSLL had the best existing programs as well as plans to do more, with or without additional funding.

Deans Remarks, Darna Dufour Associate Dean for Faculty and Administrative Affairs

  • Currently, it appears the College of Arts and Sciences will have to cut about $2,000,000 from its budget; a smaller cut than was expected. Dean Gleeson won’t be making the final decision on these cuts but will negotiate with Regent Hall. The Regents have decided to release no statements to the press concerning the budget cuts until April 1.
  • Associate Dean Graham Oddie will be on sabbatical fall 2010 and will then return to the Philosophy Department. A search for a replacement is currently underway. Please contact Dean Oddie if you are interested in the position of Associate Dean for the Arts and Humanities or if you would like to suggest a candidate. Candidates must be full professors in the Arts and Humanities.
  • There is currently a discussion concerning the future of East Campus; whether it will be a research campus or a full service campus with classrooms and residence halls.
  • The University is in the process of developing a campus master plan. The task forces are: Transportation, Recreation, Open Spaces and Athletics, Living and Learning Environments, Academic Needs and Space Utilization, Community Partnerships, East Campus Vision, North of Boulder Creek and Sustainability.
  • The University is adding academic communities for incoming students and planning to expand some of these programs to multi-year programs. 30 RAPS are envisioned; there will be 9 by the end of the year. A Communications and Journalism RAP will start fall 2010. Williams Village will have two new RAPS opening fall 2011, one will be sustainable by design, led by Engineering. A proposal has been submitted for the second, Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability which will focus on the social science aspect of sustainability.

Planning Committee, Cindy White, Chair, Planning Committee

  • Professor White informed the Council that, at the request of Keith Maskus, the Committee is developing a 10 year space plan. Phil Gilley, Onye Ozuzu, Cindy Carey and Jack Burns have joined the Planning Committee. They are currently reviewing available PRP’s from the Arts and Humanities and beginning a space audit. The Committee invites input from the Natural and Social Sciences next and reminds the campus that if there is no response from the departments, their needs won’t be represented.

Professor Ferry introduces introduced new and returning representatives Onye Ozuzu, THDN; Martha Palmer, LING; Horst Mewes, PSCI and Antje Richter, ALC.

Vote on Resolution Regarding Arts and Sciences Budget Decisions: Principles and Procedures

There were mixed responses to the resolution from the departments. Along with positive feedback, the resolution was characterized as “disruptive and unrepresentative” and “sets departments against programs, tenure tract faculty against instructors and undergraduate education against graduate.” The research mandate of the University was discussed and the Council asked the Executive Committee to rework the resolution with an eye to being more inclusive. The resolution was tabled until the March meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:01.

The next meeting will be Thursday, March 18, 3:30-5:00 in UMC 415/417

Minutes submitted by Janice Jeffryes

January 21, 2010

Arts and Sciences Council Meeting

  • January 21, 2010
  • 3:30-5:00 UMC 215/217

Albert Alhadeff, AAH; Lorraine Bayard DeVolo, WGST; Jack Burns, APS; Andrew Cain, CLAS; Cynthia Carey, IPHY; Charles deBartolome, ECON; Damian Doyle, PWR; Katherine Eggert, ENGL; Valerio Ferme, FRIT; Robert Ferry, HIST; Phillip Gilley, SLHS; Daniel Jones, HONR; Keith Kearnes, MATH; Daryl Maeda, ETHN; Onye Ozuzu, THDN; Matthew Pranter, GEOL; Robert Rupert, PHIL; Cindy White, COMM; Travis Wilkerson, FILM; Amy Wilkins, SOCY; Emily Yeh, GEOG

Daniel Barth, PSYC; Loriliai Biernacki, RLST; Carew Boulding, PSCI; Deane Bowers, EBIO; Laura Brueck, ALC; John Cassano, ATOC; David Ferris, CLHM; Thomas Hollweck, GLSS; Asuncion Horno-Degado, SPAN; Keith Julien, APPM; Henry Kapteyn, PHYS; Andrew Martin, EBIO; Scott Parker, PHYS; Kevin Peters, CHEM; Robert Poyton, MCDB; Payson Sheets, ANTH

Robert Ferry called the meeting to order at 3:34 PM. The minutes of the December 10, 2009 meeting were approved unanimously.

Peter Simons, Director of the Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement

  • The purpose of this institute is to serve as a catalyst to make civic engagement a core part of the university’s education and mission.
  • The institute was formed in 2005 after visits to universities with successful programs and extensive research. It is a part of Academic Affairs under Michael Grant. It is the smallest institute on campus; 2/3 of its budget comes from outside sources, 1/3 from general funds.
  • The institute currently encompasses 10 programs, Teach for America, Access Colorado, Course Development, Education and Training, Model Projects, Serving Communities Award, Public Interest Internship Experience; Puksta Scholars, Buffalo Can Challenge and Peace Corps.
  • Currently, students involved in civic engagement are small in number and self-selected. The institute is working to involve all students by, among other activities, funding courses in ethics that include civic engagement, outreach programs, scholarship programs and model projects. Education and information for faculty is also available.
  • Service learning or scholarship of engagement shouldn’t be an add-on activity or not rigorous academically. When these programs are done well they are transformative for the participants.
  • In 2008, Ƶ Boulder was named one of the 3 best schools in the country in community engagement. Currently, Ƶ Boulder is also the second highest school in Peace Corps recruitment.

Chair’s Remarks, Robert Ferry

  • New members and returning ASC representatives were introduced, Onye Ozuzu, THDN; Katherine Eggert, ENGL; Travis Wilkerson; FILM
  • The UMC Advisory Board needs a new member from Arts and Sciences. This board will approve the upcoming renovations and also approves vendors and some hires. Please contact Todd Gleeson if you are interested.

Notice of Motion-Resolution Regarding Arts and Sciences Budget Decisions: Principles and Procedures

  • The Executive Committee drafted this resolution to attempt to give the ASC a formal expression of the role the Council feels it should have regarding budget decisions. The floor was opened for suggestions and questions.
  • The reason for this resolution was questioned. Its purpose is generally symbolic.
  • The exclusion of non-tenure granting departments was questioned.
  • It was noted that the some of the statements made it look as though something was already wrong or that the ASC feels its voice wasn’t heard in the past.
  • If the ASC has a voice, it is key to specify where and in what circumstances.
  • A value in this resolution is to avoid being reactionary.
  • The ultimate destination of this resolution was questioned.
  • The Executive Committee will rework this resolution and send to the departments. Send comments to Professor Ferry.

Guiding Principles, Regents Laws and Policies Committee Input

  • This document came to Professor Ferry from the chair of the BFA within the last few hours prior to the meeting. Student, staff and faculty governance groups were asked for comments.
  • It was noted that nothing specific to the humanities was mentioned.
  • The statement mentioning a focus on measurable results is understood to mean assessment. That issue should involve the Curriculum Committee.
  • The statement concerning providing a clear path for students to transfer from two-year colleges should specify two-year Colorado colleges.
  • The Diversity Committee will discuss the statement on diversity.

Dean’s Remarks

  • Dean Gleeson appointed a faculty committee to review Academic Advising. When the budget was being discussed, the opinions on Advising were diverse. The committee will address what Advising does well and what they are not doing well. If we have cut back financially, is there a part of Advising to cut? Dave Sherwood is chairing this committee. The Advising Department is doing a self study.
  • The entire campus will be a non-smoking campus in 3 years. There will be smoking sensation programs and some fines for violations but will rely heavily on social and peer pressure for enforcement.
  • Boulder is moving to ban vehicles brought to campus by freshmen by fall 2011. This is being done, not only in an effort for be more carbon neutral but because the campus is out of space.
  • Interest meetings are being scheduled for the Ƶ in Washington intern program that the college is trying to pilot this summer. Political Science is sponsoring these meetings; please notify any interested students.
  • The Personnel Committee has asked Dean Gleeson to speak to the chairs about the diminishing quality of preparation of reappointment, promotion and tenure dossiers. Better documentation of faculty accomplishments and teaching evaluation criteria is needed.
  • The budget reduction target still appears to be about $10,000,000. The College of Arts and Sciences will probably have to contribute $2 to 4,000,000.
  • There is a retirement program being discussed aimed at faculty who departments would like to turn over the faculty line for someone who is doing more contemporary scholarship or creative work. If this is enacted it will be a nomination process, not a self nomination process.
  • The 1K accounts will be modified from a faculty right to a safety net for those without funding which is being defined as less than $20,000 a year.
  • Dean Gleeson suspended the Critical Thinking core requirement starting next year. This needed to be done quickly as department chairs and directors are designing next year’s curriculum now and assigning teaching loads. This will allow flexibility and allow more people to be taught by fewer people. Students who intends on graduating after May won’t have to satisfy the requirement. It is a suspension, not an abandonment of the principles of critical thinking.
  • Course size minimums will be enforced more rigorously in the future.

Cindy White, Chair of the Planning Committee, asked for volunteers for the A&S Strategic Facilities and Space Use Committee

The meeting was adjourned at 5:04pm

The next ASC meeting will be Thursday, February 18, 3:30-5:00PM in UMC 415/417

December 10, 2009

Arts and Sciences Council Meeting

  • December 10, 2009
  • 3:30-5:00 Old Main Chapel

Daniel Barth, PSYC; Lorraine Bayard DeVolo, WGST; Loriliai Biernacki, RLST; Carew Boulding, PSCI; Laura Brueck, ALC; Andrew Cain, CLAS; John Cassano, ATOC; Charles deBartolome, ECON; Damian Doyle, PWR; Katherine Eggert, ENGL; Valerio Ferme, FRIT; Robert Ferry, HIST; Phillip Gilley, SLHS; Thomas Hollweck, GLSS; Asuncion Horno-Degado, SPAN; Daniel Jones, HONR; Henry Kapteyn, PHYS; Keith Kearnes, MATH; Daryl Maeda, ETHN; Andrew Martin, EBIO; Cecilia Pang, THDN; Robert Rupert, PHIL; Payson Sheets, ANTH; Cindy White, COMM;

Albert Alhadeff, AAH; Deane Bowers, EBIO; Jack Burns, APS; Cynthia Carey, IPHY; David Ferris, CLHM; Keith Julien, APPM; Scott Parker, PHYS; Kevin Peters, CHEM; Robert Poyton, MCDB; Matthew Pranter, GEOL; Amy Wilkins, SOCY; Emily Yeh, GEOG

Robert Ferry called the meeting to order at 3:35 PM.

The minutes of the November 19, 2009 meeting were approved unanimously.

Agenda Change

Peter Simons, Director of the Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement wasn’t able to attend; he will be presenting at the January meeting.

Vote-Proposed Change to Description of Contemporary Societies Core Area

There was no discussion. The proposed change was approved unanimously by a show of hands.

Vote-on Proposed Catalog Addition

This change was requested by the Advising Department. Students currently have no time limit to graduate and it is difficult for Advising to put together an appropriate curriculum when classes, and sometimes majors, that existed when the student began the degree, no longer exist. The Advising Department requested a 10-year limit for completing a degree with the original requirements.

A friendly amendment was made to remove the first sentence in the amendment “Students must complete a degree within ten years.” A short discussion on the length of time to give students to graduate on the same catalog was held. The representatives chose 10 years by a show of hands vote.

[Both changes follow the meeting notes]

Dean’s Remarks, Darna Dufour, Associate Dean for Faculty and Administrative Affairs

  • The campus is expected to take approximately a $12,000,000 budget reduction. It is not yet known how the cut will be made or how much the College of Arts and Sciences will absorb. Dean Gleeson has discussed possible ways to reduce the budget with the Regents.
  • Dean Gleeson feels the most likely budget cut will be to suspend the Critical Thinking requirement starting fall 2010. If that is decided, it will allow some departments to teach larger courses as Critical Thinking courses are capped at 25.
  • It is likely units will be closed or consolidated.
  • There has been no talk of raises.
  • The campus will have more specific information about budget cuts before April.

Chair’s Remarks, Robert Ferry

  • Professor Ferry thanked Charles de Bartolome for his excellent service as chair of the Curriculum Committee. Val Ferme will start as chair in the spring semester.
  • The ASC has been asked to be involved in the discussion on unit consolidation if the Regents decide to make budget cuts in that way.
  • The assembled representatives discussed the benefits and negative aspects of writing a statement expressing the College’s core beliefs or a response to the budget cuts.
  • The Executive Committee will work on a resolution to bring to the ASC in January outlining a statement.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:57.

The next ASC meeting will be Thursday, January 21, 2009, 3:30 in UMC 415-417

Minutes submitted by Janice Jeffryes

Proposed Catalog Addition

(added to page 66 in 09-10 catalog as last paragraph under the General Graduation Requirements before Core Curriculum)

If it has been more than ten years since matriculation into the College of Arts and Sciences and no degree has been completed, students may be subject to new curricula in place at time of reenrollment. Please see the Minimum Major Requirements section (page 74 in 09-10 catalog) for additional information on major requirements. Students may contact the Academic Advising Center for further assistance.

Internal Protocol

  • I. If a student is outside the ten year window, there are a number of factors that would be considered as to whether that student could complete their degree under old curricula. Students will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Appropriate Advisor*. The following are factors that would be considered:
    • a. 80% of degree requirements completed (similar to NCAA percent to degree requirements)
    • b. Area requirements and/or major requirements completed
    • c. If graduation paperwork is on file we will honor previous agreement, where coursework is available to do so.
  • If a student is deemed eligible to complete old curricula, the Advisor will petition to the Dean for final approval.
  • II. A student that does not meet the criteria above but has been in contact with the appropriate advisor within three years and has made progress toward the agreed upon academic plan may be eligible to complete the old curriculum plan.
  • III. If the student meets the above criteria but was not in a degree-granting program or their major no longer exists, they must declare and complete a new program of study. These students may be reviewed for alternate degree programs, such as Distributed Studies (requires Dean’s approval).
  • IV. If the student does not meet the above criteria they will be required to complete degree requirements in place at the time of readmission and may be assigned a departmental advisor.

*Appropriate Advisor may be a College List or a departmental advisor, depending on student’s date of matriculation

PROPOSED CHANGE TO DESCRIPTION OF CONTEMPORARY SOCIETIES CORE AREA

FROM:

All individuals function within social frameworks. Courses in contemporary societies introduce students to the study of social groups, including social institutions and processes, the values and beliefs shared by their members, and the forces that mold and shape social groups. They prepare students to approach social phenomena of all kinds in an informed and critical way, and to describe, analyze, compare and contrast them. Such study also provides students with new vantage points from which to view their own socio-cultural assumptions and traditions.

These courses, which treat societies of the 20th and 21st centuries, study an individual society or compare several societies. All explicitly attempt to deepen the students’ understanding of the cultural, political, economic, or social contexts that shape people’s lives. Their scope may be global or specific, but all courses that fulfill this requirement address social processes, institutions, values, forces and beliefs.

TO

All individuals function within social frameworks. Courses in contemporary societies introduce students to the study of social groups, including social institutions and processes, the values and beliefs shared by their members, and the forces that mold and shape social groups. They prepare students to approach social phenomena of all kinds in an informed and critical way, and to describe, analyze, compare and contrast them. Such study also provides students with new vantage points from which to view their own socio-cultural assumptions and traditions.

These courses, which treat contemporary societies, study an individual society or compare several societies. All explicitly attempt to deepen the students’ understanding of the cultural, political, economic, or social contexts that shape people’s lives. Their scope may be global or specific, but all courses that fulfill this requirement address social processes, institutions, values, forces and beliefs.

I.e. change underlined wording from “which treat societies of the 20th and 21st centuries” to “which treat contemporary societies”.

November 19, 2009

Arts and Sciences Council Meeting

  • November 19, 2009
  • 3:30-5:00 UMC 247

Members present: Daniel Barth, PSYC; Giulia Bernardini, CLHM (for David Ferris); Loriliai Biernacki, RLST; Carew Boulding, PSCI; Deane Bowers, EBIO; Cynthia Carey, IPHY; Charles deBartolome, ECON; Damian Doyle, PWR; Valerio Ferme, FRIT; Robert Ferry, HIST; Phillip Gilley, SLHS; Thomas Hollweck, GLSS; Daniel Jones, HONR; Henry Kapteyn, PHYS; Keith Kearnes, MATH; Daryl Maeda, ETHN; Cecilia Pang, THDN; Kevin Peters, CHEM; Scott Parker, PHYS; Matthew Pranter, GEOL; Robert Rupert, PHIL; Payson Sheets, ANTH; Cindy White, COMM;

Albert Alhadeff, AAH; Lorraine Bayard DeVolo, WGST; Deane Bowers, EBIO; Laura Brueck, ALC; Jack Burns, John Cassano, ATOC; APS; Andrew Cain, CLAS; Katherine Eggert, ENGL; Asuncion Horno-Degado, SPAN; Keith Julien, APPM; Andrew Martin, EBIO; Robert Poyton, MCDB; Amy Wilkins, SOCY; Emily Yeh, GEOG

Robert Ferry called the meeting to order at 3:33 PM. The minutes of the October 9, 2009 meeting were approved unanimously.

Proposed Change to Description of Contemporary Societies Core Area

Notice of Motion: Proposed Catalog Addition, Elizabeth Guertin Assistant Dean, Director A&S Advising Center

  • Currently there is no limit to the time a student can take to complete a degree at Ƶ. This is unusual among Ƶ’s peer institutions.
  • Currently there are approximately 100 students pursuing a degree who started their studies between 1950-1980; there are 10 in this year’s graduation pool.
  • It is difficult and expensive for the university to work with these students to complete degrees with classes and sometimes even majors that Ƶ no longer offers.
  • The Advising Center is proposing a change to the catalog specifying students must complete a degree within 10 years. Exceptions can be made if appropriate.
  • The ASC will vote on this change at the next meeting; 12-10-09.

Noteworthy News

  • This will be a new agenda item at ASC meetings. Representatives are asked to report on or important or innovative department activities.
  • Daryl Maeda of Ethnic Studies let the assembled representatives know that the Ethnic Studies Department has a new Graduate Certificate in Ethnic Studies. The purpose of the Certificate is to provide specialized training in race/ethnicity studies. The GCCES is an interdisciplinary course of study designed to complement the M.A. or Ph.D. curriculum required by a student’s home department. A total of 12 hours of graduate-level coursework is required.
  • Completion of the GCCES will appear on the student’s transcript.

Chair’s Remarks

  • Professor Ferry has been asked to serve on the Provost Search Committee; Todd Gleeson is the chair. The position will be advertised for 3 months, ending in February 2010. Initial interviews will take place in March then in April the candidates will be announced to the public. The projected start date of the position is July 1, 2010. ASC representatives are asked to contact Dean Gleeson or Professor Ferry if they have a candidate recommendation.
  • Professor Ferry thanked the representatives for attending the budget forum in October. ASC hopes to be able to respond after the final cuts are announced.

Dean’s Remarks

  • There have been many questions concerning a raise in tuition to cover the reduction in funding. Dean Gleeson suggested that the University would have to make a large cut to get political support for any raise in tuition.
  • Governor Bill Ritter has said he will support a 9 percent tuition increase.
  • Faculty and Administration both expressed the desire to protect the basic fabric of the campus.
  • The Budget Committee has met and looked at all the budget cut ideas presented during the forum and decided what was off the table. Administration has already suggested lower salaries, furloughs and graduate stipends won’t be considered.
  • The general lack of enthusiasm for aspects of the Core Curriculum suggest it is time for a review.
  • The College is working on an internship program in Washington, D.C. Students would seek internships not only in government offices but think tanks, museums and other non-profits. The College would like a year round presence; it would be invaluable for the state and the University to build networks. Dean Gleeson is currently using gift money to get the program started and is fundraising to endow this effort. Janet Donavan of Political Sciences is coordination the project. Dean Gleeson asked the representatives to consider how they can promote this project in their departments.
  • Dean Gleeson spoke on grade inflation and brought figures to the meeting that were obtained from the PBA website.
  • Dean Gleeson would like to revitalize The Colorado Challenge which, in part, addressed grade inflation.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:57 PM.

The next meeting will be a combined meeting with the Faulty of Arts and Sciences, Thursday, December 10, 2009, 3:30 PM in the Old Main Chapel.

October 9, 2009

Arts and Sciences Council Meeting

  • October 9, 2009
  • 3:30-5:00 Old Main Chapel

Members present: Daniel Barth, PSYC; Lorraine Bayard DeVolo, WGST; Carew Boulding, PSCI; Laura Brueck, ALC; John Cassano, ATOC; Charles deBartolome, ECON; Damian Doyle, PWR; Robert Ferry, HIST; Phillip Gilley, SLHS; Thomas Hollweck, GLSS; Asuncion Horno-Degado, SPAN; Daniel Jones, HONR; Henry Kapteyn, PHYS; Keith Kearnes, MATH; Daryl Maeda, ETHN; Andrew Martin, EBIO; Cecilia Pang, THDN; Kevin Peters, CHEM; Matthew Pranter, GEOL; Robert Rupert, PHIL; Payson Sheets, ANTH; Cindy White, COMM; Emily Yeh, GEOG

Members not present: Albert Alhadeff, AAH; Loriliai Biernacki, RLST; Deane Bowers, EBIO; Jack Burns, APS; Andrew Cain, CLAS; Cynthia Carey, IPHY; Valerio Ferme, FRIT; David Ferris, CLHM; Keith Julien, APPM; Scott Parker, PHYS; Robert Poyton, MCDB; Amy Wilkins, SOCY

Robert Ferry called the meeting to order at 3:34 PM. New members who were attending their first meeting were welcomed and introduced

The minutes of the September 17, 2009 meeting were approved unanimously.

Chair’s Report

Arts and Sciences Magazine recently published an article about the Diversity Committee’s flag display currently at the Norlin Quad. This display shows the ethnic breakdown of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Diversity Committee was thanked for its work in creating this display.

Professor Ferry asked if the Council is interested in having a reporter from the University of Colorado Faculty and Staff Newsletter attend meetings. It was decided to forward minutes to the editor.

Phil diStefano recently appointed Anne Heinz the Vice Chancellor of Outreach and Engagement showing a renewed focus in these areas. Peter Simons, director of the Institute for Ethical and Civic engagement will be attending a future ASC meeting to see where the Council can become more involved in outreach.

Dean’s Report

  • Each Dean of the University has been asked to assemble a list of budget reductions that will amount to 10 percent of the total budget in continuing dollars.
  • Tuition dollars are healthy but state support is down to approximately 4.5 percent of the University’s total budget. The worst of the budget cuts will be felt in fiscal year 2011.
  • Budget cuts of this magnitude will involve personnel.
  • The Chancellor will be making the final decisions concerning budget cuts.
  • Dean Gleeson will be involving the ASC, chairs and directors and the ASC budget committee in the conversation on the budget reductions.

Budget Discussion

To start the discussion, three ways of dealing with budget deficits were suggested: Reducing salaries; increasing teaching loads; eliminating faculty, programs and/or units. Points made during the ensuing discussion are made below.

Reducing salaries
  • Some support for furloughs was expressed. Dean Gleeson noted furloughs are not continuing dollars. Taking furloughs during teaching time could have the negative effects of harming students and angering parents.
  • Reducing appointments was given some positive feedback as it was seen as something the faculty controls and could be reversed.
  • Pay cuts could be taken in several ways, across the entire faculty and staff, by rank or by salary level. The discrepancy in pay levels in different departments was noted.
Increasing teaching levels
  • Teaching levels can be increased by increasing teaching load or by increasing class size.
  • Prospective faculty are interested in teaching load; not class size.
  • The average tenure track faculty member teaches 400 student credit hours a year; the range is 130-1300 hours. A possible scenario could be to look at departments where tenure track faculty have lower rates of student contact.
  • Increasing class sizes will mean more evening and Saturday classes as larger classrooms fill.
  • Increased class size may cause some disciplines to change teaching/grading methods such as going from essays to multiple choice to lessen the burden of evaluation.
  • Podcasting and delivering content electronically was suggested to deal with larger classes. Although there is nothing specific preventing electronic classrooms, it was noted there might be political backlash.
Eliminating faculty, programs or units
  • It is difficult to eliminate tenured faculty unless an entire unit is eliminated or two units are combined.
  • The number of tenure track faculty on campus can be lowered by attrition.
  • Cutting instructors will mean tenure track faculty will be teaching more.
  • Fewer people available to teach may mean fewer classes offered and graduation requirements changed.
  • The elimination of units should be looked at as an opportunity to remove units that have done poorly and not be used only to cut costs.
  • Consolidating or suspending parts of the core curriculum was discussed. An example was given to of giving credit similar to AP classes for 3 years of high school language.
  • Eliminating the critical thinking requirement was discussed. It was noted that in some majors it’s the only place students get close contact with faculty on key issues. It could be eliminated from the core with departments able to add it as necessary.
  • The 2 semester writing requirement was discussed. Classes could be made larger, the upper division class requirement removed or department faculty could pick up the requirement rather than having PWR handle the majority of the classes.
Revenue generation
  • The pressure to keep tuition down will come from regents who feel as elected representatives they need to advocate for affordable tuition.
  • There is currently a push to no longer count international students as non-residents which would allow 1200 additional non-residents to be admitted.
  • Additional revenue will not solve the problem, only lessen it.

Dean Gleeson noted that what happens in response to this budget crisis will have a significant, permanent effect. ASC representatives were asked to send ideas and opinions to the Budget Committee, the Associate Deans or Professor Ferry.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:02 PM

The next meeting will be Thursday, November 19, 2009 in UMC 247.

Minutes submitted by Janice Jeffryes

September 17, 2009

Arts and Sciences Council Meeting

  • September 17, 2009
  • 3:30-5:00 Old Main Chapel

Members present: Daniel Barth; Lorraine Bayard DeVolo; Loriliai Biernacki; Carew Boulding; Laura Brueck; Charles deBartolome; Damian Doyle; Barbara Fox; Robert Ferry; Phillip Gilley; Thomas Hollweck; Asuncion Horno-Degado; Daniel Jones; Henry Kapteyn; Keith Kearnes; Daryl Maeda; Andrew Martin; Cecilia Pang; Kevin Peters; Matthew Pranter; Robert Rupert; Payson Sheets; Cindy White; Emily Yeh Members not present: Albert Alhadeff; Deane Bowers; Jack Burns; Andrew Cain; Cynthia Carey; John Cassano;Valerio Ferme; David Ferris; Keith Julien; Scott Parker; Robert Poyton; Amy Wilkins

Robert Ferry called the meeting to order at 3:34 PM. The new members were welcomed and introduced

The minutes of the April 23, 2009 meeting were approved unanimously.

Chair’s Report

Professor Ferry explained the role of the Council and its Standing Committees. The monthly ASC meetings offer an opportunity to hear from the Dean and exchange views on matters pertaining to the college. The work of the Council is accomplished in the Standing Committees: Budget, Diversity, Planning, Grievance, Curriculum and Personnel. The Chairs of these committees, Robert Ferry (interim), Cecilia Pang, Cindy White, Loriliai Biernacki, Charles deBartolome and Henry Kapteyn gave short presentations on the work of the committees.

Dean’s Report

  • The Chancellor will announce a national search for provost early next month. The search committee will be headed by a campus dean. Stein Sture will be the interim provost.
  • The deans were asked to provide members for a new task force to review a proposal for a new School of Information. The School of Information White Paper was created by members of ATLAS to consider creating a school around ATLAS, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Computer Sciences and possibly other entities, such as the libraries. Faculty in the Arts and Humanities should be especially interested in the future of ATLAS and its Art Media emphasis. Brian Taylor of Communications has agreed to serve; Dean Gleeson will appoint another member.
  • There is a proposal to bring together a task force to look at a Geo-Science initiative which grew out of a proposal for a building which will house INSAR, USGS, ENV and possible other institutes or departments.
  • Next week the chancellor is calling together the chairs and co-chairs of Flagship 2030 to decide which areas the campus should focus on in the next few years. One proposal involves significant restructuring of undergraduate curriculum by integrating experiential learning. Dean Gleeson will direct these discussions to the departments.
  • The campus will soon begin a master planning exercise which typically occurs every 10 years to define the physical needs of the campus. This will involve the future of the east campus as well as other areas. 8-10 subcommittees will be needed; contact Dean Keith Maskus if you are interested.
  • Another budget reduction exercise is probable this year. Last year’s budget reduction affected this year’s budget. All budget reductions are continuing dollars, tuition derived dollars. Last year 40 percent of the reduction was in across the board cuts; 60 percent were targeted cuts or cuts to specific programs.
  • The number of students drives expenses in the campus budget. The Governor has announced additional cuts in higher education will be made. The campus budget is healthy; student demand for seats, including non-residents, is very high. The University’s dependence on the state’s budget allows less flexibility on tuition rates. Legislative proposals are pending that may allow the campus change the way international students are counted which could result in higher revenues.
  • Dean Gleeson will be discussing possible budget cuts with the Budget Committee this year in anticipation of future cuts in state funding. He discussed possible budget scenarios in general terms and took questions from the assembled representatives.

ASC Task Force

Last year, a group of ASC reps looked at the library, its renovations and developed a report with recommendations. This year the Executive Committee would like to appoint members to a task force to handle any issues which might come to the Council’s attention. Looking at experiential education was suggested. If ASC members have yet to be asked to join a committee, they may be asked to join this task force.

A parliamentarian is needed for the ASC; a volunteer is requested.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:59 PM

The next meeting will be Thursday, October 8.

Minutes submitted by Janice Jeffryes