Minutes from the August 21, 1998, Faculty Conference were approved.

Dr. Moore noted that "A university is both an enterprise and an institution." The former is driven by markets and margins while the latter is based on a set of values. As changes happen, conflict arises due to different positions on the enterprise/institution continuum. In the "spirit of candor and integrity," Dr. Moore called for faculty input on the well-being of the university and the campus mood. "Virtually everyone on campus feels under-supported while also seeing other people’s projects as less important than their own," he said. To achieve a vital community of learners, open conversation is necessary to establish consensus on the values that we are all here to promote.

Dr. DiGiorgio was not in attendance.

Dr. Wilson noted the recent high scores on performance funding indicators and reviewed evaluative issues of particular concern to Winthrop. Performance-based funding places too much importance on improvements and is thus unfair to institutions such as Winthrop which already have high scores. Referring to Winthrop’s 97% passing rate on professional tests, Dr. Wilson said, "It’s absurd - when the overall average is in the 80s - for us to receive a lower than outstanding grade on that." Dr. Wilson also noted that institutional tests necessary for the review, financed by Winthrop, are very expensive, and he proposed administering these tests only every second or third years. The Vice President also pointed out the contradictions in some CHE recommendations, citing as an example the advice to increase SAT scores while limiting out-of-state enrollment. Dr. Wilson also commented that the nine other institutions, including The Citadel, in Winthrop’s sector are too different in student populations, missions, and other aspects to provide a fair comparison.

Dr. Wilson also called for an enthusiastic and interested response from faculty for the upcoming SAC’s review.

Revisions of chapter three of the Faculty Handbook, on "Faculty Employment," will be circulated for review, perhaps through e-mail. Describing this chapter as the "hard one," Dr. Wilson said, "we do need input on that one."

V. Committee Reports

A. Referring to a list of the Academic Council’s curricular action, chairperson Marsha Bollinger noted that the Department of Mass Communication had not changed its name. The faculty voted unanimously to allow electronic distribution of council minutes to eliminate paper documentation other than archival copies. Minutes will be distributed via e-mail as well as being published on a web page maintained in the Office of Records and Registration.

B. Dr. Betsy Brown reported a February deadline for post-tenure review policies. Drafts of policies and procedures were received by faculty in May and are also available on the Winthrop web site and at the library. Dean Brown said that October faculty assemblies would provide the committee with feedback for possible revisions. A response from CHE will also provide an index of consistency with best practices. A final draft probably will be available by the November 20 Faculty Conference meeting. Dean Brown said there likely will be a discussion meeting and then a separate voting meeting, probably a called meeting in December.

C. Professor Marilyn Sarow, chair of the General Education Committee, thanked the 110- 120 faculty who attended the four General Education sessions. A questionnaire, likely to be distributed in November, will provide faculty with further opportunity to comment. The committee expects to propose revisions of General Education goals by the end of the semester and to submit some possible finished general education plans by the middle of Spring semester.

D. Dr. Jennifer Solomon, chair of the Library Committee, requested input on whether the search to replace Dean Paul Dubois should be internal or external.

There was no old business.

There was no new business.

VIII. Announcements

There were no announcements.

The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.

Page Last Updated: February 8, 2000