Faculty Meeting Minutes

President Glotzbach began by acknowledging today’s 14th anniversary of 9/11.  A moment of silence was observed in remembrance of that event. Thereupon, he introduced Mary Lou Bates, Dean of Admissions and Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid, who provided a report on this year’s incoming class.  Dean Bates reported that the Class of 2019 has arrived, having been selected from the second largest applicant pool in Skidmore’s history.  The Class totals 688, with 35 in London and 653 on campus, which is slightly over the targeted class range of 655-685.  Statistics on the Class of 2019 include:

• A record 3 percent are International hailing from 31 different countries; 
• 7 percent are dual citizens;
• 2 percent are permanent residents; 
• 23 percent self-identify as domestic students of color; 
• 14 percent are first generation college students; 
• 10 percent have former family ties to Skidmore; 
• 53 percent attended public or charter schools; 47 percent attended private or parochial schools; 
• 63 percent are women; 37 percent are men; and 
• 37 percent applied and enrolled early decision.

Our spring yield this year increased on students not applying for financial aid, which was a goal we had set.  At the same time, our yield dropped on those students receiving financial aid awards.  As a result we came in under budget on financial aid this year.  Last year, we came in over budget on financial aid.

Once again, the number of students in the class who have made a commitment to volunteerism and community service throughout high school, domestically and internationally, is extraordinary.  The class comes from culturally rich and diverse backgrounds.  This year 24 percent of the class speak a language other than English at home, have lived, traveled, and interned in 42 countries beyond North America, and one of them has attended school in Brazil, Malaysia, Guatemala, and Peru.  They have worked in a variety of jobs and professions, from a dog handler and trainer, a farm stand manager, a commissioned painter of pet portraits, and a professional model.  They have found and run their own businesses, have founded and led a variety of clubs, and have won all kinds of recognitions.  The Class of 2019 is a wonderfully talented, energetic, and diverse group and are excited to be at Skidmore!  A round of applause was given to Dean Bates.

Following Dean Bates’ report, President Glotzbach welcomed everyone back to the new academic year, and an especially warm welcome to our newest faculty who are joining us for the first time.  The semester is off to a good start, and we have a promising new class of students.  By all accounts, their arrival and move-in went very smoothly, and President Glotzbach thanked everyone who was involved – from Admissions, to Student Affairs, Financial Affairs, the office of the First Year Experience, members of the faculty, student peer mentors, and many other staff members who helped to make this process so successful.  It is enormously important that we do this well because it gives the parents a sense that we know what we are doing, and it really helps to get the students off to a good start.

President Glotzbach indicated that this year will be a very busy and productive year with a great deal of institutional work on our collective plate, including:

• The Middle States reaccreditation – special thanks to Beau Breslin and Sarah Goodwin for their leadership of this effort and to the many other people deeply involved.  Middle States is interested in seeing broad level of community involvement in this project, and there will be opportunities for participation throughout the year.  It is also important for students to have knowledge of this process as well and members of the faculty can help with that. More information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
• Strategic Planning – we hope to finalize a new Strategic Plan by the middle of this year.  Work on the new Plan began last year, and President’s Cabinet has been working on this all summer.  We are now coming back now to a more public phase of conversation, with some events starting this month.  President Glotzbach encouraged everyone to participate in these discussions, as everyone one’s thoughts and input will be very important.
• General Education curriculum review and revision – this project has been ongoing for the last few years under the leadership of the Committee on Educational Policies and Planning (CEPP).

Most schools do only one of those projects at a time; Skidmore is a little more ambitious, and there are a few advantages of the synergy of these three projects going on together.  There will be a lot to talk about this year and a lot to be involved in. At the same time, we are involved in the silent phase of a comprehensive fundraising campaign.  To date, we have exceeded over $91 million in funds and commitments.  The total for the Center for Integrated Sciences is approximately $39 million, and finding a lead gift for this project remains President Glotzbach’s highest fundraising priority. 

In addition, President Glotzbach reminded everyone that we are in the annual ratings-of-colleges-and-universities season.  While we don’t want to give too much attention to these ratings, they do represent sources of information that prospective parents and students consult as part of their search process.  Here are some highlights:

• Forbes Magazine has listed Skidmore as number 7 on their list of “most entrepreneurial schools.” 
• The one that most people pay attention to, U.S. News and World Report, has placed Skidmore 38th among the National Liberal Arts Colleges, tied with Union College. 
  • In their “High School Counselors’ Top Picks,” Skidmore was listed at 31st, tied with Grinnell, Kenyon, Mount Holyoke, and Sarah Lawrence.    
  • In addition, in a category entitled, “Strong Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching,” U.S. News has ranked Skidmore 12th, tied with Amherst, Beloit, Franklin & Marshall, Hamilton, Lawrence University, Middlebury, Sewanee, and ahead of Vassar, Wellesley, Bryn Mawr, Colgate, Mount Holyoke, Bowdoin, Colorado College, Kenyon, and Oberlin.  This ranking is based on the opinion survey of other college Presidents, Chief Academic Officers, and Dean’s of Admissions.

Thereafter, President Glotzbach acknowledged Gail Cummings-Danson, who will be serving as Interim Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs, while a national search is being conducted this year for a new Dean.  He next introduced Debra Townsend, who will lead the newly-created Communications and Marketing division of the College this year.  Additionally, in response to a recommendation issued by the Committee on Intercultural and Global Understanding (CIGU) for the creation of a Chief Diversity Officer to provide additional administrative capacity to help Skidmore think more intelligently in relation to diversity and inclusion, and after discussing the matter with President’s Cabinet, President Glotzbach announced that he has augmented the responsibilities of Joshua Woodfork, formerly Executive Director of the Office of the President and Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives.  Woodfork’s new title will be Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity.  (He also will retain the responsibilities of Executive Director of the Office of the President.)  President Glotzbach expressed his strong belief that, based upon his professional expertise and demonstrated ability to work with people, Joshua Woodwork will help us think more intelligently about issues of diversity and inclusion and help us move the college to a new place with regard to these issues.

In concluding his report, President Glotzbach stated that he had the opportunity to meet with Associate Professor Pat Oles’ FYE class.  He commented that, if this group of students is at all representative of our entering class, we are going to be in great shape.  It is both fun and encouraging to see what they brought to this community.

Following his report, President Glotzbach opened the floor for questions.  A question arose as to whether the report by CIGU that led to the decision to create a new position was available for review.  President Glotzbach stated that it will be available for review on the CIGU website.

MOTION:  The Faculty Executive Committee moves that the 2015-2016 Faculty Handbook be adopted.  The following link takes you to the 2015-2016 Faculty Handbook (showing tracked changes) as well as handbooks from previous years: https://www.skidmore.edu/dof-vpaa/faculty-handbooks.php

There was no discussion; the Motion will lie over until the next meeting. 

• President Glotzbach congratulated Professor Penny Jolly for her work in The New Yorker.
• On behalf of Classics, Associate Professor Dan Curley announced the fall Classic’s event, Veteran’s Voices, to be held on November 12. A troop of local vets will offer a staged reading of excerpts from the Sophocles’ Ajax, followed by a lively town meeting and discussion and reception.  An email will be sent with further details.
• Ian Berry, Dayton Director of the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, introduced Jenna Postler, as the new publications assistant, and Jean Egger, as the new designer at the Tang.  He also reminded everyone that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the Tang. An anniversary reception will be held following next month’s faculty meeting honoring the Tang’s 15th year anniversary and Salmagundi’s 50th year anniversary and a public reception will be held on October 17.  Thereafter, Director Berry announced upcoming exhibits at the Tang: Affinity Atlas, Dismantling the House, and Machine Project.
• Associate Professor Mimi Hellman announced this year’s Tang Mellon Faculty Seminar, the central goal of which is to explore the cultural significance and pedagogical potential of museums across the disciplines.  The Seminar will begin with four-day group trip in January to the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas and six campus sessions over the course of the spring semester.   Associate Professor Hellman requested that anyone interested should be in touch with her by September 21.  Further details will be sent via email shortly.
• Professor Jeff Segrave announced the programming for the second year of Project VIS along with upcoming workshops and events sponsored by the Project Vis initiative.
• Bill Tomlinson, Director of Sponsored Research and Animal Research Facilities, introduced Mary Hoehn, as the new Assistant Director of Sponsored Research and Chair of the Institutional Review Board. 
• Charles Tetelman ’16, President of the Student Government Association (SGA), introduced himself and Megan Schachter ’17, Vice President for Academic Affairs.  He indicated the SGA is looking forward to working with the faculty this year and will be extending invitations to their events this year.
• Professor Pushi Prasad announced the fall’s Skidmore Research Colloquium scheduled for October 1, 2015.  This fall’s speaker will be Associate Professor Mimi Hellman, who will present “Making Coffee: Episodes in the Cultural History of Design.”   Professor Prasad encouraged anyone interested in attending to RSVP to her as soon as possible.
• On behalf of he and Marie, President Glotzbach invited everyone to the President’s Reception being held today at Scribner House immediately following the faculty meeting.