September 11, 2006

Present: Judith Anderson (Chair), Tom Busey, Simon Brassell, Sandra Dolby, Hal Evans, Roger Levesque (Recorder), Patrick McNaughton, and Pamela Walters

The meeting was convened at 4:16 pm. The minutes of our Sept 8th meeting were approved without revisions.

We have made contacts and expect to receive more information about recent requests from untenured assistant professors who take leaves without pay and request to stop their “tenure clocks.” We expect to evaluate the information to determine whether we should offer more guidance to faculty and administrators as requests are made. Past practice in permitting some faculty to stop their tenure clocks may be at odds with existing university policies. It appears worth addressing whether past practices are justified and whether modifications to policies should be made.

We have embarked on a mission to describe and communicate more effectively and specifically the core value of specific components of a liberal arts education. We expect this to be a recurring discussion as we develop statements we will ultimately share with faculty and administrators. For now, CPC members who represent the Arts and Humanities have undertaken to describe the value of their disciplines, with the understanding that the CPC will proceed to do the same for other groups [the Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Biological, Mathematical and Physical Sciences] if their CPC representatives think this useful.

David Zaret joined the meeting at 4:30. He noted his frustrations with misperceptions about the manner in which the College grants fee remissions. He emphasized that the college uses almost all its funds generated by graduate student tuition on graduate financial aid: nearly 80% of this income is spent on graduate financial aid, as fee remissions or fellowships. (This calculation excludes $16M in stipends for graduate students the College employs as AIs or GAs.) It was noted that there are two different issues involving the College and other schools on campus. One issue arises when College units hire students from other schools (such as to work as AIs) and another emerges when our students take courses at other schools. The Provost currently is addressing the issue involving cross-school appointments. For the second issue, College policy has not changed. The College does provide fee remissions for graduate students who take courses outside the college as long as the courses reasonably relate to their degree objectives. The College will not support fee remissions to pursue degree objectives in other schools, excepting formal joint-degree programs between the College and those schools.

The College transition continues quite smoothly. Our new Dean will formally assume his duties on Jan 1st; David will remain in the College through June.

We followed up on a matter involving potential staffing concerns in the Student Affairs’ office for Disability Services for Students. David reported that he thought that the matter had been resolved. He noted that he would double-check and send us an e-mail to confirm. [Friendly amendment: He did send an e-mail and the matter has been addressed appropriately; we consider the matter closed.]

In responding to questions regarding the use of LWOPs (leaves without pay) to stop time toward tenure, it was made quite clear by David that the clock should not stop unless absolutely necessary. The College seeks to comply with the “7 and out rule.” Absences due to family and medical leave, as well as factors beyond a tenure candidate’s control (e.g., a promised lab that is not provided), are two clear, justifiable, and important reasons to stop the clock. Reasons to stop the clock must be narrowly circumscribed, given the high need to maintain consistency and fairness.

David left the meeting at 5:04. At that point we were joined first by Al Ruesink who was later joined by Kevin Hunt, both of whom were later joined by Rob Shakespeare. All had graciously agreed to meet with us so that they could share their collective wisdom, as former CPC officers, developed from their experiences with the Policy on Suspension and Restoration of Faculty Governance in Departments. We enjoyed the discussion and found it most helpful as we revisit this policy. While it was recognized that Department Chairs serve at the pleasure of the Dean and are appointed by the Dean, Chairs still represent the faculty of the units they serve and are a manifestation of that faculty’s governance. We considered whether we should further develop a draft policy, offered by Kevin, that would detail the nature of faculty voice in the appointment and tenure of unit Chairs. We also carefully considered Rob’s insightful analysis that urged us to clarify more precisely what is meant by suspension of faculty governance (e.g., does a Dean’s removal of a Chair actually constitute suspension of faculty governance?) and what procedures and methods should be in place to restore Chairs and/or faculty governance. Al helped clarify the CPC’s role in the suspension and restoration of faculty governance; he appropriately reminded us that the Dean may have considerable power, but that power is best exercised in close consultation with those who may have relevant experience or will be most affected by the Dean’s decisions and power. Policies should reflect and encourage good practices.

Al, Kevin, and Rob left at 5:53. We then briefly discussed the need to move forward with developing and revisiting the Policy on Suspension and Restoration of Faculty Governance in Departments.

We concluded our meeting with a brief discussion of a few specific requirements being developed in the recently circulated General Education Requirements proposal. We expect to keep the proposal on our agenda so that we can monitor its development.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:03.

Roger Levesque, recorder

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