COUNCIL OF DEANS

April 18, 2001

The Council of Deans met in regular session at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 18, 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, Sally Roden, and Ron Toll.

Peter Mehl, Director of General Education, was present to submit for the deans' consideration an economics course that had been recommended by the General Education Council. Pat Cantrell, Interim Associate Dean of the College of Business Administration, was present to address questions or concerns.

Peter Mehl presented the following course to be added to the general education program to fulfill requirements for social and behavioral sciences:

ECON Global Environment of Business

Horton moved to recommend the course. Roden seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Mehl and Cantrell departed after the economics course discussion.

Buchanan reported that a proposal was submitted to the Faculty Senate regarding faculty status for librarians. The proposal was distributed, and discussion followed.

Mosbo asked the deans for input regarding proposed revisions in the process for student evaluations of teaching. Discussion followed.

Mosbo led a discussion about possible topics for the May retreat.

Mosbo (1) reminded the deans of the IDC Brown Bag on Promotion and Tenure following the meeting; (2) distributed to each dean equity pay information prepared by Buchanan; (3) informed the deans that state funds can be used for promotional items as long as certain conditions are met; (4) distributed data prepared by Roger Lewis; (5) distributed a memorandum on safety concerns for 15 passenger vans; (6) distributed a flow chart prepared by the President's Office.

Dean Reports

Buchanan shared information about a May 15 reception in Little Rock honoring students receiving the Daisy Bates Scholarship. Mosbo urged participation. Buchanan reminded the deans to submit computer upgrade needs.

Horton shared information from a business journal.

McNiece (1) stated that Patty Phelps expressed her appreciation to the deans for their participation in TECHFEST; (2) asked about Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board meetings scheduled on campus Thursday and Friday; (3) applauded a planning event recently held in the College of Health and Applied Sciences and suggested that other colleges could benefit from similar programs.

Toll (1) reported that the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics hosted the Arkansas Academy of Science, which turned out to be one of the largest organizational meetings in recent history and was arranged by Paul Hamilton; (2) urged participation in the groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for May 4 at the site of the new math/tech building; (3) added his appreciation to those who supported TECHFEST and commented on the good turnout.

Roden (1) shared her view of the success of TECHFEST; (2) stated that the technology group is taking applications for additional faculty associates for 2001; (3) distributed a new brochure on Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs).

Following a motion by Horton and a second by Everding, the meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.