COUNCIL OF DEANS

March 14, 2001

The Council of Deans met in regular session at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2001, in the Provost's Conference Room. John Mosbo presided, and the following council members were present: Sam Buchanan, Bob Everding, Neil Hattlestad, Joe Horton, Maurice Lee, Jane McHaney, Elaine McNiece, and Ron Toll. Pat Draves represented Sally Roden.

Mosbo updated the council on budget issues relative to salaries. He asked the deans to provide by April 4 their budgeting plans.

Mosbo discussed a recent meeting with an ad hoc advancement guidelines committee (Barbara Williams, Kathy McDaniel, and Debbie Barnes) regarding changes in the directions for advancement of lecturers/clinical instructors/ laboratory instructors. Mosbo indicated that changes in the policy will go before the Board of Trustees at the May meeting. Lee moved to endorse the recommended changes in the application directions for fall 2001. Hattlestad seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Mosbo opened discussion regarding the University College. McNiece will provide information to facilitate a continued discussion on March 28.

Mosbo: (1) reminded the deans of the retreat scheduled for May 24-25; (2) shared information about a recent leadership workshop facilitated by Bo Thomas and plans for faculty to "shadow" participating administrators; (3) informed the deans of work done by students in an organizational communication class taught by Amy Amy; (4) stated that he would be out Friday afternoon and all day Monday; (5) reported that Melissa Rust is reviewing many more contracts than in the past and considered it a good trend; (6) asked that deans remind those within their areas to cancel reserved space if meetings are cancelled.

Dean Reports

Horton shared printed announcements he had received and discussed the value of allocating funds to such materials.

Lee stated that he was recently interviewed for an upcoming Log Cabin Democrat article about Spanish language initiatives at UCA. Mosbo indicated that there were new reporters for both the local paper and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

McHaney distributed information regarding teacher education, and a unit assessment report that will be submitted to the Department of Education.

McNiece: (1) reported that the Public Service Committee will meet Friday and deans will receive copies of award letters; (2) stated that the graduate office completed a secretary training session that should help improve communication; (3) reported that the Sabbatical Leave Committee met yesterday and will submit recommendations to the provost; (4) stated that printing delays have hindered availability of the faculty resource booklet, but that the booklets will be distributed by the end of April; (5) graduate assistant applications will go to chairs next week. She encouraged departments to seek grants and other external support for graduate assistants.

Toll announced the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Math/Tech Building scheduled for 10:00 a.m., March 29. Mosbo expressed his appreciation to those department chairs who always make an effort to attend these types of ceremonies.

Draves indicated that 20 more faculty applicants will be selected to participate in the promotional grant on ubiquitous computing. Toll stated that he had received a call from Illinois from someone who had heard about the efforts being made at UCA. Draves indicated that plans were made to distribute applications for the participants during the Tech Fest scheduled for April 17.

The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.