Absent: Joseph Brown, Brian Butler, Brad Colwell, Casey Deaton (GPSC), Patricia
McNeil, Reed Nelson, Angela Sellitto (GPSC), David Wilson, Jack Young (GPSC)
Professor Tyrrell called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. in the Mississippi Room
of the Student Center. He announced the following proxy: Amy Sileven for Elise
Shalda.
Professor Tyrrell welcomed Provost John Dunn on behalf of the Graduate Council
and stated that he looked forward to a very productive relationship with him.
- Consideration of the Minutes of the October 3, 2002 Graduate Council
meeting
Professor Tyrrell noted a correction on page 3: "John Dew's Social Vision" should
read: "John Dewey's Social Vision." Hearing no further revisions to the minutes,
they stood approved as corrected on a motion by Professor Muhlach, seconded by
Professor Steger. The motion was adopted unanimously.
- Remarks Chancellor Wendler, Provost Dunn
Chancellor Wendler
The chancellor stated that he echoed Prof. Tyrrell's welcoming comments to Provost
Dunn.
The Chancellor reported on the faculty negotiating process, noting that they were
going slower than any of us would like. He stated work was going on to structure
ideas and proposals, while keeping the best interests of the university in mind
throughout the process.
The Chancellor next discussed the progress of the Southern at 150 Report. He
expressed appreciation for the comments on the draft report received from the
Council and remarked that there were hundreds of comments received from across
campus. He said the overall tone of the comments was positive with concerns about
specific issues. He noted that working the comments into the document in an
integrated way has taken time, and that he hoped to get it back to the Council
next week. He remarked that many would see the impact that their comments had or
recognize the conflicting forces that made some changes not possible.
Provost Dunn
The Provost remarked that he was pleased to be here, that there were significant
challenges, many of them issues faced by universities throughout the country. He
stated that a new challenge was to predict what the future would hold in terms of
support for state universities and colleges. He pointed out that even leading
private universities were facing challenges. He commented that while SIUC's problems
generate attention within a 150 mile radius, the focus on SIUC from across the
country is on programs and that there is a national recognition of program quality.
He emphasized the role of faculty in that national reputation. He remarked that in
the few days he had been here he had already seen good news of achievements by the
faculty.
- Announcements-Vice Chancellor Koropchak and Associate Deans
Vice Chancellor Koropchak
Vice Chancellor Koropchak stated that the recent change of his office title has been
followed up with a consideration of title changes for some staff positions within
that office. He announced that approval has just been received to change Dr. Rice's
title from acting associate dean and director of ORDA to associate vice chancellor
and director of ORDA. Dr. Wilson's title has changed from Associate Dean to
Associate Dean and Director of the Graduate School. He noted that Dr. Rice's
position was still acting and would be filled on a permanent basis in the near
future via a search.
Vice Chancellor Koropchak reported that the Chancellor had committed $30,000 to
the Graduate School travel support program, which will allow an increase in the
graduate student support level to $150 per trip; up from $100.
Vice Chancellor Koropchak next reported that the Expanded Executive Committee had
asked that he provide further information about the strategic faculty hires
initiative. He began by summarizing the history of the initiative, recalling the
point at the beginning of the summer when Chancellor Wendler had received approval
for the tuition increase plan. The discussions at that point defined plans for
FY03 funds and broadly outlined plans for FY04. Vice Chancellor Koropchak continued
the summary by reading from the draft plan prepared by him and Interim Provost
Perkins. (See Appendix)
He pointed out that the senior hires described in the proposal were never referred
to as super faculty as had been sometimes described in the press. He stated that
they proposed $2 million, an amount thought to be sufficient to create approximately
30 faculty lines across campus. In late August the proposal was approved. This meant
that the hiring process for FY04 had to move very quickly, as there was a long
process to be accomplished before position ads could appear in journals. He noted
that at this point (August) feedback was requested from the deans, to be turned in
by August 30. The deadline was later extended to September 13 to allow time to
incorporate ideas from the draft Southern at 150 plan that became available in early
September. He noted that there were over 200 positions proposed, of which 28
positions were selected, or about 15 percent. Almost all of the allocated positions
were ones identified by the deans as the highest priorities. The deans were informed
by the provost of the decisions on September 25, and as of that point the process
has been managed by the provost's office.
He concluded that he hoped that his comments would address questions that the
council might have about the process.
Vice Chancellor Koropchak added that there were some misconceptions about the
hiring process in general that he would like to clarify: the assertion that the
28 searches are the only ones ongoing on campus is untrue, in fact there were over
20 searches approved before the strategic hires initiative was approved in August;
there is more than one source of funds for new hires, including RAMP and attrition.
He concluded that there are more hires than the strategic faculty hires taking
place, and more possible.
Prof. Hatziadoniu asked where would the strategic faculty lines reside.
Prof. Tyrrell responded that the lines reside in the college, the approval to
search is made by the Provost.
Prof. Dettmar asked Vice Chancellor Koropchak to describe how the decisions were
made on positions that did not come from the deans' priorities.
Vice Chancellor Koropchak gave the example of physics where the Council had approved
a request for an applied Physics PhD last year. This was identified as an opportunity
to help with the IBHE approval of that program.
Prof. Felleman asked how many non-strategic hire positions had been approved since
the initiative was approved.
Provost Dunn said he did not know the number, but with the budget in a state of
flux and the deans still working on the five and ten percent reduction plans the
number of hires remained an unknown.
Vice Chancellor Koropchak added that he had collected data on annual hires over the
past ten years. The range of hires varied widely from 15 to 80. In poor fiscal periods
the number was low: 15 in 1992, 19 in 1996. He added that, hopefully, with the
strategic hires we would be well above those low years.
Provost Dunn noted that hiring the very best faculty under the strategic hires
initiative may take more than one year so the FY 04 numbers may not show the full
benefit of the initiative.
Dean Scott pointed out that in her college there are positions that require very
long lead-times for advertisement, therefore some positions were out in ads early,
with hopes that funding would be available. She noted it was difficult to pin down
numbers until the hiring process is completed.
Prof. Crelling asked for clarification about whether the strategic hires were new
positions, or were to be used to fill existing vacancies.
Prof. Vaux commented that while there could have been better and earlier communication
on the initiative, there has been real achievement that should be recognized.
Prof. Tyrrell pointed out that without the strategic hires, the level of hiring this
year would be typical of a normal rescission year. This initiative has allowed the
campus to bring the hiring level up to a more typical budget year.
Mr. Gray asked if this was really an initiative to add to the normal hiring process,
not an augment for a poor budget year.
Chancellor Wendler said in response to Professor Crelling and Mr. Gray that this
is an effort to place $2 million new resources in FY04 tuition funds in selected
faculty positions based on strategic decisions. The question of new hires versus
filling vacancies may be academic because there are not enough resources to fill
all positions right now due to state-wide fiscal conditions.
Dean Rice
Noted that while she usually did not give monthly research figures, she wanted to
point out that last months totals (monthly and year-to-date) were almost double last
year's amounts. She also pointed out her article in Research Matters about indirect
costs.
Dean Mead
Distributed membership and e-mail lists of Graduate Council members (correction noted
for Mr. Gray's e-mail).
- Announcements-Professor Tyrrell
Prof. Tyrrell reported on the October 10 Board of Trustees meeting, noting the release
of two reports: one on Carbondale-Edwardsville campus interactions and the other on
health education and related health matters.
Prof. Tyrrell next commented on the strategic hires initiative. He pointed out that
for the initiative to be successful it cannot be a one time process. Secondly the use
of the term super faculty is incorrect, the objective is to hire the best possible
faculty to join outstanding faculty already here. Finally, there is a need for up
front communication with the faculty when decisions are made. When a major initiative
is announced it should be accompanied by a clear cut written description of the
process and the criteria to be used. In the absence of such a document the discussion
is often controlled by rumors and misleading statements.
Prof. Tyrrell then turned to budget planning. He stated that the Chancellor had asked
faculty and all units to re-examine what they do and how they do it, not just to find
money for budget cuts. Professor Tyrrell commented that such a re-examination is
difficult for universities to do, but is an important process. He pointed out the
importance of units looking at how they interrelate with others on campus, too often
there are barriers and a cottage industry mentality. He added that interaction
strengthens research and teaching possibilities.
- Committee Nominations-Professor McDermott
Prof. McDermott reported that Prof. David Dillala from Psychology will represent
the council on an advisory board that will oversee the allocation of technology
surcharge funds generated by graduate and professional student fees.
- Southern at 150 Draft Report-Resolution Introduced by the Expanded Executive
Committee
ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESOLUTION
RATIONALE: Whereas, it is essential for the Southern Illinois University
Carbondale campus to have a clear set of planning and priority guidelines for its
continued development.
Whereas, the Southern at 150 Initiative brought together administrators, faculty,
staff, students, alumni and friends of the University to develop such guidelines.
Whereas, the Southern at 150 Report articulates a series of commitments and actions
that will place us among the top 75 research universities in the United States by
the year 2019, including the growing importance of graduate education and scholarship.
Whereas, the faculty at SIUC welcome continued opportunities to shape the design and
implementation of the Southern at 150 initiatives.
RESOLUTION: Be it resolved that the Graduate Council supports this Report
in broad outline and looks forward to active involvement in shaping and implementing
the specific initiatives necessary to achieve the goals outlined in the Report.
Prof. Tyrrell stated that at the time this agenda item was prepared it was anticipated
that the report of the Southern at 150 initiative would be in hand. In discussion
Professor Preece recommended that the announcement could be made at the present
meeting and the resolution taken up at the December meeting.
Prof. Lieberman asked how the Expanded Executive Committee members addressed the
matter of making an endorsement of a document that had not been seen.
Prof. Steger said that the committee assumed that there would not be major changes
in the report, only changes in the details.
Prof. Tyrrell added that the resolution supports the broad intentions of the report.
Chancellor Wendler suggested that the phrase: "top 75 research universities" be
changed to "top 75 public research universities."
Prof. Tyrrell said that would be accepted as a friendly amendment.
- Report of New Programs Committee-Professor Muhlach
ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESOLUTIONS
RATIONALE: The College of Education and Human Services has submitted an
RME proposing the addition of a Certificate in Conflict Resolution. This program
will facilitate the development of skills necessary to work effectively with
children, youth, and other individuals related to violence prevention, crisis
intervention, and conflict mediation/resolution. In addition, it will provide a
framework for a coordinated, integrated, interdisciplinary approach to addressing
school safety and interpersonal conflict in educational settings.
RESOLUTION: Be it resolved that the Graduate Council approves the RME from
the College of Education and Human Services for a Certificate in Conflict Resolution.
RATIONALE: The College of Education and Human Services has submitted an RME
proposing the addition of a Certificate in Couple and Family Counseling. This
certificate program will allow individuals who already have master's degrees in
counseling or related mental health fields to get specialized training in counseling
for couples and families.
RESOLUTION: Be it resolved that the Graduate Council approves the RME from
the College of Education and Human Services for a Certificate in Couple and Family
Counseling.
RATIONALE: The Department of Workforce Education, College of Education and
Human Services, has submitted an RME proposing the addition of a non-thesis option
for the Master of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development. This
proposal is in line with national trends within the discipline. Of the 18 institutions
that make up the University Council for Workforce and Human Resources Education,
16 offer non-thesis master's degrees. This non-thesis master's option will be
designated as a "terminal" professional degree.
RESOLUTION: Be it resolved that the Graduate Council approves the RME from
the Department of Workforce Education for a non-thesis (coursework only) option for
the Master of Science in Education in Workforce Education and Development.
Prof. Hatziadoniu suggested that the parenthetical after non-thesis be dropped
from the third resolution.
Prof. Moe asked if these program changes would involve new faculty lines. Professor
Muhlach responded that they would not.
Prof. Vaux commented that one of the programs is being reviewed this year. He asked
if it was appropriate to wait until the review is completed. Professor Muhlach
responded that the committee's practice was to look at the requests based on their
own merit based on academic rigor and need. He felt this was adequate without the
additional program review results.
- Report of Ed. Policies Committee-Professor Pineau
Prof. Pineau reported that the committee was continuing to work on the graduate
teaching center. A survey developed to get information about T.A.s was sent out
on October 21st to 56 units. 36 have been returned so far-a good rate. By the
next meeting she hoped that the committee could report on the survey results.
She thanked everyone who participated in the effort, especially in such busy times.
She said the survey and cover letter is available on the Graduate Council site
within the Graduate School website. She added that thanks to the work of Amy
Sullivan, a web board, which would allow a full range of communication for T.A.s
as well as departments, was in development.
- Report of Program Review Committee-Professor Vaux
Prof. Vaux reported that things were going well: two reports are in, six reports
are in draft and two reviews have been slowed, but are underway. He concluded that
the process is a couple of months ahead of the normal schedule.
- Report of Research Committee-Professor Steger
Prof. Steger said the committee was very pleased with the emphasis on research,
scholarship and creative activity given in the Southern at 150 draft report. There
was some concern about the definition of excellence in the report and a committee
discussion of this topic has been initiated.
- Old Business
There was no old business.
- New Business
There was no new business.
There being no further business to bring before the Council, the meeting adjourned
at 9:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John S. Mead
Associate Dean
