April 18, 2003

Present: Tom Gieryn (chair), Alex Dzierba, Roy Gardner, Kevin Hunt, Katy Fraser, Chuck Livingston, Ellen Dwyer (recorder)

1. The meeting began at 2:30 PM with the approval of the minutes of April 4, 2003.

2. The Committee again discussed the ramifications of the possible move of the Computer Science Department from the College of Arts and Sciences to the School of Informatics. Committee members remain concerned about the implications of such a move for departmental faculty, for students inside and outside of the Department, and for the intellectual life of faculty within the College.

3. Under the category of new business, Tom Gieryn announced that the Spanish Department had approved the recommendations of the Task Force on Spanish Language Instruction, including the establishment of a Center for introductory-level instruction. In addition to Associate Instructors, that Center will employ a number of non-tenure track faculty members.

4. After discussing additional faculty feedback, the Committee unanimously approved its new policy defining the expectations of faculty when on release time from teaching. It now will be posted on the Policy Committee's website.

5. Alex Dzierba announced the results of the latest Policy Committee election. Elected for three-year terms that begin in the fall of 2003 were Robert Shakespeare (Theatre, representing arts and humanities), Al Ruesink (Biology, representing natural sciences and mathematics), and Erik Bucy (Telecommunications, at-large). They will be invited to the remaining meetings for the spring of 2003, as non-voting participants.

6. The meeting ended at 4:00 PM.