I. Minutes

The minutes of August 20, 1999, Faculty Conference meeting were approved with one change. In Section IV. the last line of the second paragraph, Dean Mark Herring was introduced as the Dean of Library Sciences. The correct title is Dean of Library Services.

Dr. Chism announced that she was standing in for Dr Tom Moore who was out of town.

Dr. DiGiorgio introduced his new executive assistant, Mr. Brien Lewis, an attorney from North Carolina. This year’s enrollment is 5,800, a new Winthrop record. The faculty was thanked for accommodating the unexpected number of students. Our SAT scores are third or fourth highest in the state and our diversity levels are first to second in the state. The freshman class, larger than expected, included an additional 133 life scholars over last year. With moderate growth expected in the future, an additional 400-500 new beds will be built in apartment/condo cluster type housing. As the new housing is available for occupancy, older residences will be renovated. The Breazeale Building may be renovated into additional classroom space.

The General Assembly continues to be cultivated and educated as to Winthrop’s needs. The emphasis will be on increasing general support for higher education and our capital needs. An additional $2.5 million is needed for completing the Sims renovation and another $8.6 million for Peabody’s estimated $16 million renovation. Architectural studies are being made to determine the estimated cost of renovating the library. The cost of constructing a new library is also being evaluated. Emergency funding is being pursued to repair roof leaks.

As a result of service provided by faculty and staff last year, Winthrop received an additional $500,000 of funding. Performance funding criteria is presently being reevaluated. Criteria effective March 2000 may be revised.

As mentioned in his opening remarks, Dr. DiGiorgio will present Future Steps 2000 to the Board of Trustees at the November meeting. The program requires the Board to commit $500,000 and $1 million over the next four years for faculty development and salary increases, respectively. Most of the faculty development funds will be used for designing and implementing any new changes in the general education program. The Salary Committee continues the process of improving salary equity among faculty and staff within Winthrop. Individuals affected by salary equity adjustments will be notified individually in December. The adjustments will be included in the paychecks of January 4, 2000. Energy savings fund the $250,000 available for the 1999-2000 adjustments.

Dr. Wilson thanked the faculty for accommodating the unexpected number of new students. Faculty efforts have resulted in improved levels of student satisfaction, especially in the area of student advising. The improvements have resulted in increased funding under Performance Funding. Two major grants were awarded to the College of Education, validating our perception of providing quality education programs. College of Business Administration participated in a panel presentation for business schools either pursuing AACSB accreditation for the first time or had difficulty receiving accreditation. The General Education Task Force presented three models last spring and is asking for comments on a draft model today.

The Commission on Higher Education will be identifying peer institutions for each of the S.C. institutions. Because peer institutions may have impact on future funding levels, we are trying to identify our peers. Based on Carnegie ratings, quality, size, diversity, SAT scores, we do not have a peer institution in S.C. The schools most closely matching our characteristics have over 11,000 students. The search is now being expanded to the national level.

A search committee has been formed for the Dean of the College of Education and for Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The faculty was reminded of the memorial service for Stuart Hass after the Faculty Conference meeting.

A. Academic Council - Dr. Will Thacker

Dr. Thacker presented a proposal clarifying the existing policy for students repeating a course for which an N was assigned on a previous attempt. The earlier course will not use one of the three repeat exemptions students have available. The catalog will be revised from "Receiving a grade of N or U in a repeated course will not replace a previous attempt’s grade, but will utilize one of the repeat exemptions." The catalog will be revised with the following

"Receiving a grade of N or U in a course will not replace a previous attempt’s grade. A repeat exemption will not be utilized, however, if a student receives an N in a course being repeated."

B. General Education Task Force Update – Professor Marilyn Sarow

Professor Sarow summarized the draft model described in an attachment to the October 15, 1999 Faculty Conference Agenda. Faculty comments, concerns, and Task Force responses concerned primarily whether change is necessary, content of the draft model, and implementation issues.

Three years ago, the General Education Committee initiated a proposal to study the general education program. The Committee was concerned over the lack of depth and integration of course content. With students presently satisfied with the existing program, some faculty are concerned over whether or not there is still a need for a new model.

The content of the draft model was also an issue. Faculty and members of the task force agree that the competencies need continued work. The draft model is interdisciplinary in nature and may involve teaching teams. Faculty made suggestions for the faculty evaluation system to acknowledge and reward the design and implementation of innovative teaching that will be required by the draft model. Training, especially in the area of team teaching, is also desired.

Concern over implementation of the program was expressed. Faculty suggested a gradual introduction of the new courses without formal modification of the existing general education model. The committee envisioned a gradual phase-in of the modified program. Such a gradual introduction will permit time to evaluate student reactions and address any additional implementation problems.

There was not any old business.

There was not any new business.

Dr. Nick Ross provided an update on SACS accreditation efforts. A file for each of the 600 criteria has been created and is being maintained in 118 Tillman. The files will include documentation reflecting compliance with the criteria. Surveys still need to be designed and distributed to faculty, alumni, and students. Drafts of the report sections are expected to be ready late in November or early in December. Dr. Elda Franklin will consolidate the draft by August 2000. The final report will be submitted to SACS in December 2000. A visit by the accreditation team is expected sometime during the spring, 2001.

 The Graduate Faculty meeting will follow the Faculty Conference.

 The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Michele C. Henderson
Secretary

Page Last Updated: February 8, 2000