January 26, 2006

Present: Judith Anderson (chair), Bob Becker, Erik Bucy, Sandra Dolby, Roger Levesque, Rosemary Lloyd, and Rick Van Kooten (via speaker phone).

The meeting convened at 4:15 pm.

Minutes of the meeting of January 19 were approved following minor amending.

Bob reported on the talk presented by Pat Shoulders, one of the IU Trustees, at the AAUP reception. In his talk, Trustee Shoulders talked of the recent and ongoing reorganization of the University, covering at least ten significant points relevant to the College and the campus. One topic singled out was the growing interest in the “business model” for universities in the public sector and questions about the extent of that model's applicability in an institution of higher education. This sparked some discussion of the article on academic productivity by St. Louis FED President William Poole that Bob had sent out to the CPC earlier.

At 4:30 pm, Interim Provost Michael McRobbie joined us.

After some helpful opening comments about his own background and particularly his work as a professor of computer science, Provost McRobbie reviewed some of the work for IU he has found most gratifying, including especially the development of the New Frontiers in the Arts and Humanities grants program.

Judith offered him a copy of our “digest” of ten issues we hoped he would address if time permitted, and he moved quickly into the list. He spoke to all ten of our points, assuring us once again with regard to the Dean search that CPC would have a role in selecting and vetting the candidates.

Here are the questions that were considered:

1. The Search Committee has already been formed: what has the charge to it been? What kind of a search? Time frame and focus?

(Interim or “real” Dean? Preferences for kinds of candidates, such as insider or outsider? Role of head-hunters? Contingency plan in place if the search fails? CPC participation?)

2. If President Herbert is really the CEO for this campus, how much direct connection will the new College Dean likely have with him?

3. What are his criteria for the position of College Dean?

4. Will he wait for the naming of a Dean before looking for the Executive Associate Dean? (Other arrangements for appointing an Executive Associate Dean? Time frame?)

5. Has he candidates in mind for either position? What did he think of the candidates whose names we shared with him?

6. With reference to his interesting, constructive interview on NPR last Friday, what function and value does he see for the Humanities in the College and in society? What function and value for the Social Sciences? (He mentioned both areas but spoke warmly and in some detail about the Arts [performing, esp. Music, and studio, esp. visual] and mainly and enthusiastically about Informatics and Life Sciences).

7. The potential of the life science initiative is immensely exciting. In what ways does he plan to fund it? What do the prioritizing of this initiative and the shifting of more funds to the central administration mean for the College? What does it mean for RCM?

8. What sorts of excellence is he committed to in his vision for the College and the University? Is a student body of higher academic quality part of this vision? Gains and costs of the vision?

9. Will there be a Vice-President for research or a Vice-Provost for research in the new structure of the University?

10. Will there be a farewell/thank you occasion for Dean Swamy later in the spring? Could we help with it?

In responding to these questions, McRobbie noted that there is likely to be an interim transition team providing leadership for the College.

After speaking frankly to each of our points, he responded as well to questions about teaching, curriculum, and the tenure process. He willingly exchanged additional comments about the campus, including the issue of general education courses and the systemic problem of grade inflation.

At 5:55 Provost McRobbie left the meeting, and we adjourned at 6 pm.

Sandra Dolby, recorder pro tem

Questions or comments regarding the minutes and actions of the College Policy Committee may be addressed to co-chairs Judith Anderson (anders@indiana.edu --855-3845) and Bob Becker (becker@indiana.edu --855-3014). Past minutes and College Policy Statements can be found at the CPC web page: www.indiana.edu/~college/faculty/policy/policies.shtml.