SKIDMORE COLLEGE

The Committee on Faculty Governance met 19 times and convened the Committee
of Committees twice during the academic year 2000-01.

CFG's accomplishments in 2000-01 have been significant. In addition to its
assigned routine business of proposing a new edition of the Faculty
Handbook to the faculty, conducting four rounds of elections, making
omnibus appointments, and designating sabbatical replacements for faculty
members of committees going on leaves of absence, CFG dealt with the
following:

- In accordance with the agenda set forth in its 1999-2000 Annual Report,
CFG revised its Operating Code and its "function" language in the Faculty
Handbook. This new language changes CFG into a committee that, in addition
to its former assignments, would represent faculty interests in governance
issues that were not heretofore formally addressed in our committee
structure, such as major administrative searches.

- Another major accomplishment has been the creation of an operating code
(by-laws) for faculty meetings. The by-laws clarify and make explicit the
principles and the procedures governing the faculty meetings. They are
derived from Robert's Rules of Order and our own past practices. The
by-laws include language on the eligibility to attend faculty meetings and
to vote, the presiding officer, the establishment of a quorum, and the
right to speak.

- Other changes to the Faculty Handbook initiated by the CFG throughout the
academic year were:

· The inclusion of the Director of Summer Sessions and Summer Special
Programs to the list of voting members at the faculty meetings.
· The recognition of the possibility that the Vice President for Academic
Affairs and the Dean of the Faculty be represented by his/her designee on
EMAC, ACC, and AC. The same possibility has also been recognized for the
Dean of Student Affairs on Athletic Council.
· Two minor editorial changes to the language of the Tenure Appeal
Committee and the Tenure Review Board.

The Committee of Committees' major concerns regarding faculty governance
were listed in its Annual Report read to the Faculty at its May meeting. It
is worth mentioning here once again that there is anxiety among faculty
leaders regarding the faculty's contribution to the decision making
process, especially on IPC and FPPC. CFG urges administrators and faculty
leaders to continue their dialog on improving communication in the decision
making process regarding major issues of concern to the faculty.

Regarding other matters on the agenda, CFG participated in the new faculty
orientation at the beginning of the academic year and held an informal
gathering later in the year to discuss issues of concern with the junior
faculty. CFG believes that these gatherings are important to introduce the
new faculty to our faculty governance system and to encourage them to
actively participate in it. CFG hopes that these opportunities will
continue to exist in the future as well.

Regarding Strategic Planning, CFG responded to the Distillation Report with
the following memo:

Suggestions to strengthen the faculty governance system:

· Strengthen the voice of the faculty and consequently its governance
system. Also, appointing academicians, in addition to Drs. Tidball and
Morris, onto the Board could strengthen the academic voice and
understanding of 'academics' on the Board of Trustees and contribute to
strengthening the position of the faculty.

· Reward and recognize faculty who do service by providing additional
travel stipend and/or research grant.

· Compensate service during summer and/or over the winter in a similar
fashion.

· Keep the number of task forces at a minimum, allowing larger number of
faculty to run for committees.

· Provide informal social gatherings with faculty (junior and senior) on
governance issues.

· Continue CFG's participation in the junior faculty orientation.

CFG also consulted with CAPT and CEPP on several issues concerning motions
they have brought to the faculty floor.

Agenda for 2001-02:

- Propose Faculty Handbook for the 2001-02 academic year;
- Conduct the four rounds of elections, make omnibus appointments, and fill
sabbatical vacancies;
- Review the function and membership of IPC and FPPC;
- Follow up the issues raised by the CFG response to the Distillation
Report;
- Design procedures for ad hoc committees and taskforces
- Discuss measures to improve and strengthen the faculty governance system.

CFG acknowledges the cooperation of faculty members, administrators,
support staff, and students who served on various committees in 2000-01. It
expresses special thanks to Susan Blair who has provided CFG with
invaluable administrative assistance throughout the year, to Chrisana
McGill who prepared the 2000-01 Faculty Handbook, and to Claire Demarest
who kept the minutes of Faculty Meetings.

Members 2000-2001

Tadahisa Kuroda, History, 2001
Mehmet Odekon, Economics, 2001, Chair
Jacqueline Azzarto, Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work, 2002
Richard Hihn, Music, 2002
Mark Huibregtse, Mathematics & Computer Science, 2003
Lary Opitz, Theater, 2003

Members 2001-2002:

Jacqueline Azzarto, Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work, 2002
Richard Hihn, Music, 2002
Mark Huibregtse, Mathematics & Computer Science, 2003, Chair
Lary Opitz, Theater, 2003
Gove Effinger, Mathematics & Computer Science, 2004
Kate Leavitt, Art & Art History, 2004