Minutes

LA&S Assembly

September 20, 2006 3:30 p.m.

PH408

 

I.         Call to order 3:30 p.m.

II.         Approval of minutes from 5/10/06

III.        Introduction of Yanik introduced the members of the Advisory Committee and explained that the purpose of the group was to act as another connection between the college and the dean. Members for the 2006-2007 academic term are as follows:

            1.  Joe Yanik (Math and Computer Science) Moderator

            2.. Christina Myers (Sociology and Anthropology) Secretary

     Members-at-Large:

            1. Marcia Schulmeister (Physical Science)

            2. Alfredo Montalvo (Sociology and Anthropology)

            3. Gary Holcomb (English)

Amy Sage Webb serves as Past Moderator, representing her area of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The group welcomes faculty to approach them with concerns, comments, and questions.

IV.       Election of VPAA Advisory Committee members
Nominees from Communication/Theatre & the Arts: Jeff Hodapp, Nancy Pontius, and Monica Kjellman-Chapin. Monica Kjellman-Chapin was elected.

Nominees from Natural Sciences and Nursing: Mike Keck, Sarah Tidwell, and Marvin Harrell. Mike Keck was elected.

According to LA&S bylaws, Sage Webb serves as Past Moderator, representing her area of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

V.        Election of Dean’s Search Committee members
Dean’s search committee will include one member elected from the three college areas:
Nominees from Communication/Theatre & the Arts: Myrna Cornett-DeVito, Martin Cuellar, Dan Kirchhefer. Cornett-DeVito elected to serve.

Nominees from Natural Sciences and Nursing Dwight Moore Ron Keith, Linda Adams-Wendling, and Betsy Yanik. Yanik elected to serve.

Nominees from Humanities and Social Sciences: Gary Wyatt and Christina Baker Myers. Wyatt elected to serve.

VI.     Moderator's words

                Announced the Regent’s decision for New ESU president, Michael Lane

                Press conference Friday, Sept. 22 at 10 am and reception at 2 pm Plumb Hall.

VII.      Dean’s remarks

Dean Sobieski spoke of a Time of Transitions: new President, new dean, and other changes in administration. Higher Education itself is in transition both in Kansas and nationally. The changes have direct bearing on ESU and the college of LA&S.

1. Funding of Higher education has changed. The trend of reduced state funding continues; ESU is down 10-12% from 5 years ago:

Change in funding                  1995                Today              2010

State Support                         40%                 29%                 24%

These figures and more information on this issue can be found in the Board of Regent’s report:

http://www.kansasregents.org/download/news/091906 - Press Release - State Support.pdf

The university is moving from a “state supported school” to a “state located school” as it looks more to tuition dollars to support its mission.

At the Federal level, the belief that an education is a social good has changed to a belief that it is a personal goal. This resulted in reduced support for Pell grants and other federally funded aid for our students.

2. ESU Successes

Highest graduate enrollments in the state (30-32% of our total enrollment). This is not reflected in LA&S graduate enrollments.

3. Declining by Degrees
Recommended the documentary Declining by Degrees; the film illustrates theses changes and other issues facing higher education today. Dean hopes to make it the focus of further discussion.

4. Student Engagement
ESU has experienced inertia regarding addressing the changes occurring within higher education and among our own students. Enrollments have remained fairly static, but as the institution relies on student dollars more, the students themselves are the key to the viability of the university. This places more emphasis on student experiences. Finding ways to engage students, encourage them to ask questions, do work, be enthusiastic is paramount.

Previously, ESU has tried various programs to foster student engagement and that needs to continue. As we revisit learning communities, small classes, etc. and experiment to discover what works with our students we must assess the results, be unafraid to admit mistakes, and try something different as needed.

5. General education
Endeavors to promote student engagement is important to LA&S, which is a service college: 90% of all general education classes are within LA&S. This makes revision of the General Education curriculum particularly salient.

An accelerated timeline is no longer essential, so the departments should revisit their general education curricula and determine how we can teach what we teach so that it will excite students.

6. Finally, the Dean asked that we consider how we might be an active part of the changes that are happening at ESU. In particular:

What would it take in our department and between departments to create this excitement and engagement? It must be more than a change in titles and we must remember that transplanting general education plans whole cloth from other institutions will not work. Do we need smaller classes? Can we share courses? Is release time needed to help departments manage working together? 

The dean has committed to lobby for what it takes to see the changes happen.

VIII.     For the good of the assembly

1. Marjorie Agosin:  Arpilleras (Folk Tapestries) 9/25 – 10/6 Gilson Room Gallery, King Hall  9:00 a.m.-4: p.m.
Reception for Dr Agosin (10/4 5:30 p.m). Gilson gallery, King Hall.
Dr. Agosin will be speaking on campus on (10/4, 7:00 p.m) telling the story of the arpilleristas. Colonial Ballroom.
2. Katrina Relief activities will entail a week of activities including a Beignet- Café Au Lait sale.
Katrina Photography Exhibition (10/23-11/3 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) Plumb Hall Rotunda 8:00 a.m.
Katrina Photographer’s Reception (11/1 5:30 p.m.)  Plumb Hall Rotunda

IX.      Adjourn: 4:30 p.m.

 

Last Updated November 29, 2007