Academic Leadership Council Minutes

9-5-2002

1. Retention:
Ron Koger reviewed retention statistics and proposed a plan to respond to the BoR's request for retention goals for the next five years. The ALC supported his approach.
 
2. Tracking Changes in Degree Majors:
Ron Koger led a discussion that focused on tracking when students change their majors. Several strategies were discussed.
 
3. Review of the Reorganization of Academic Affairs:
Pfeiffer's Introductory Comments: As agreed last year, we're reviewing the reorganization of Academic Affairs. Assumptions underlying the discussion are that (a) the five-dean model will remain, with schools as the major academic units, (b) the ATTIC, Center for Teaching Excellence, Library, Grant Development Center, and International Programs Office will stay in place, and (c) any changes will be either revenue neutral or modest enough in cost to be accommodated by the academic budget.

Consensus of the Group: We agreed that the following changes would strengthen Academic Affairs and thus would be desirable adjustments to the current structure:

  1. Change the designation of programs to departments
  2. Give program heads the title of department chair (or head)
  3. Place department chairs on 12-month contracts, with compensation adjustments
  4. Permit chairs to have budgetary authority and to conduct faculty performance evaluations, as recommendations to the deans
  5. Increase our efforts to provide students with the best possible service
Although the points above were viewed as the most important recommendations for further consideration, certainly other topics were discussed. For example, it was pointed out that cost and other factors might mean there's not a direct conversion from programs to departments--i.e., there may be a reduction in number.

Next Steps: The group agreed that any changes should include broad-based support and involve faculty to the greatest degree possible. Accordingly, (a) the program heads will talk with their faculty, (b) Pfeiffer will contact the moderator of the Faculty Senate to inquire how the Senate wants to proceed, and (c) Pfeiffer will discuss the recommendations with the Deans Council. Finally, Pfeiffer will meet with the president to seek her views on options available to Academic Affairs.