LA&S General Assembly Meeting
August 31, 2005
3:05PM
BL 189
Amy Sage Webb, Moderator of the Assembly called the meeting to order.
1) Minutes of the Spring 2005 Assembly were approved. (D. Zelmer moved, E. Hansen seconded motion.)
2) She urged faculty to visit the LA&S website frequently as much information relevant to the College is posted there.
3) She summarized the purpose of the LA&S Dean's Advisory Council and urged faculty to actively participate in LA&S matters. Individual members of the Council were introduced. Members include Amy Sage Webb (moderator), Gary Wyatt (secretary), Jorge Ballester, Martin Cuellar and Derek Zelmer (members at large), and Jim Roach (past moderator). First meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2005. Faculty members were urged to contact Council Members about matters of importance.
4) Dean's Advisory Council will work a) improving procedures listed on LA&S website, b) award procedures, c) mission creep.
5) Faculty were urged to attend at least 2 events this semester, one in their discipline that other outside their discipline.
W. called for Reports
• Vice President for Academic Affairs Advisory Council (Webb). Worked on the strategic plan. Made effort to ensure that every concern expressed to members by faculty was addressed.
• General Education Council (G. Bleeker) See attached document.
• Strategic Planning Committee (J. Yanik) Reported on the accomplishments of the Committee most notably completing the Strategic Plan. Expressed some concern that of the 27 members of the SPC only 6 were faculty consequently considerable effort was required to focus the Plan on academic issues. Y. mentioned that faculty forums on the Strategic Plan were held with input being provided by faculty. Two goals for the university emerged from these forums. The first, ESU should focus most of its resources on being a traditional university (face-to-face classroom instruction). Second, ESU should focus on being innovative. Other goals involved general education including smaller classes with some of our best faculty teaching them.
• Banner Steering Committee (Wyatt) Progress on implementing Banner (an integrated campus-wide network and information platform) continues to progress. Informational forums will be held informing faculty of the benefits and possibilities that Banner will provide to the university community. Care must be taken not to let technology drive university policy.
Dean's Remarks
Dean Sobieski welcomed the faculty. He then listed and discussed some of the practices that lead to increased student retention. These practices include:
1) sound advising; 2) mentoring; 3) creating student learning communities; 4) improving the academic experience of students; and 5) culture and relationship issues. All of these practices help students become successful and improve retention. S. mentioned that recently gathered data reveal surprises regarding students not retained. Seventy of the 186 who left ESU had high ACT scores. Perhaps academic engagement needs attention. S. praised the TRIO Programs noting that of 104 at risk students 88% were retained. He invited faculty to become involved in the University's newly organized student mentoring program directed by Stacey Braun. He also mentioned the convocation for new students, their friends and families, and he expressed his view that the event was a success.
S. then praised select faculty for their accomplishments including:
1) Judith Calhoun (Newman School of Nursing) for receiving the St. George National Medal of Honor from the American Cancer Society.
2) William Clamurro (Modern Languages) for being honored by Sigma Delta Phi
3) Betsy Yanik (Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics) National Science Foundation honor presented to her at the White House by President Bush.
4) Virginia Higgins (Gender/Ethnic Studies and Dept. of Communication and Theatre Arts) for long-term dedicated service to the campus and community including work with the Red Cross and for years of quality teaching.
Announcements:
Ellen Hansen--Disaster relief initiated by student to collect funds for hurricane victims. Faculty urged to contribute.
Jan Borst--United way campaign begins next week.
Virginia Higgins--Relay for life September 9 and 10. Volunteers called for.
B. Yanik and K. Reeves--ALS walk, 40+ people raised 2 grand.
Meeting adjourned 4:13 PM
Submitted by G. Wyatt (secretary)
Last Updated April 24, 2007