FACULTY MEETING MINUTES

May 14, 2003
Gannett Auditorium

 

President Jamienne Studley called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m.

MOTION:

A motion approve the April 25, 2003 Faculty Meeting minutes was seconded and passed with all in favor.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Studley opened stating that as Skidmore approaches the close of the academic year, there are many things to celebrate with Commencement being the central focus. President Studley's favorite segments of Commencement are the beginning when the students applaud for the faculty and at the end when faculty members applaud for the students. She feels this symbolizes well the close connection between faculty and students.

Many have asked President Studley what her plans are after she leaves Skidmore. She has been invited to be a Scholarin-Residence at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in Menlo Park, California. Kate Berheide and Michael Marx both received fellowships from this same foundation. In addition, she will be working on other projects related to interests of hers such as Campus Compact (the leading group in the country dealing with student volunteerism and service learning), Women's College Coalition (rethinking the future of their organization), and a
group she helped found, Equal Justice Works, legal education's premier voice for public service opportunities. Home base for President Studley and Gary Smith will be San Francisco.

President Studley thanked everyone for their contributions to Skidmore. She stated it has been an honor and a privilege to be the ambassador for Skidmore and to work with faculty members. She stated she would be sending out a morecomprehensive letter addressing Skidmore’s accomplishments over the past years and some of the challenges Skidmore faces in the future.

DEAN OF THE FACULTY'S REPORT

Dean Joseph reminded everyone that the 92nd Commencement of Skidmore College would be held on Saturday, May 17, and he hoped to see everyone there at 10:30 a.m. for the procession formation. He also reminded everyone the Faculty Handbook, Section 6 (c), p. 111 states that faculty members are expected to attend commencement. He asked anyone unable to attend to notify his office.

Dean Joseph thanked everyone one final time for their hard work, their patience, and their fortitude during this challenging year. The Dean of Faculty's Office will have a lot of work to do this summer in preparation for the arrival of the new president. Dean Joseph stated that he will be around most of the summer but will try to take a week or two for vacation time in June. He is looking forward to reconnecting with the faculty over the summer at a more leisurelypace.

Academic Staff retreat was held last Friday where many leaders in administrative positions in Academic Affairs were recognized, including: Gary McClure,for leading International Affairs; Lisa Aronson for her directorship of Art History; PatyRubio for leading Women's Studies and becoming chair of the Foreign Languages and Literatures Department; and Leslie Mechem for chairing the Department of Classics. The Board of Trustees did approve the establishment of a separate Department of Physics and Dean Joseph announced its founding chair would be Bill Standish. He also recognized and gave his thanks to the Dean of Faculty Staff: Jon Ramsey, Ray Rodrigues, Ann Henderson, Bob DeSieno, Sarah Goodwin and John Brueggemann. They will be meeting frequently over the summer to hopefully pave the way for the new president.

Dean Joseph continued by announcing promotions that were recently approved by the Board of Trustees: Jim Tucci from the Department of Exercise Science, Dance and Athletics to Senior Teaching Associate; Ruth Copans from Scribner Library to Librarian; Ruth Andrea Levinson from the Department of Education to full professor; Denise Smith from the Department of Exercise Science, Dance and Athletics to full professor; and Joanne Devine from the Department of English to full professor.

Dean Joseph also recognized Joanne Devine for her work on Senior Week Symposium and to all of those who participated. He also announced the establishment of the Jamienne S. Studley Fund for Diversity and Understanding. The fund was created very recently by colleagues and friends in honor of President Studley's devoted service as president of Skidmore College, 1999-2003, and especially her active and consistent commitment to advancing diversity, communication, and understanding at Skidmore. This commitment reflects her lifelong efforts to promote equity and opportunity for people of color, gays and lesbians, people with disabilities, and women and to encourage constructive academic and community engagement with issues of diversity and understanding. The fund intends to link more closely Skidmore's academic mission and curriculum to the activities of the Intercultural Center and to student life experience generally and to engage both faculty and students in increasing awareness, scholarly attention, and ultimately understanding across differences. Specific details and goals will follow and an emerging priority may well be the funding of resources to underwrite a more direct faculty role in leading the Intercultural Center. The fund may also support other appropriate activities including student/faculty collaborative work, curriculum development, and student leadership initiatives. Funds will be allocated on the joint recommendation of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty and the Dean of Student Affairs.

Dean Joseph introduced Penny Jolly on behalf of CAPT (Committee on Appointments, Promotions and Tenure).  Penny called members of CFG (Committee on Faculty Governance), Gove Effinger and Katie Hauser, to help deliver a citation entitled, Citation for Jamienne S. Studley upon her leaving Skidmore College, May 2003. The Citation was read into the record. (See Attachment A.) Gove and Katie, as present and future chair of CFG and on behalf of the teaching faculty, presented President Studley with a gift.

REPORTS

TERRY DIGGORY – Presidential Search Committee Progress Report:

Terry stated that due to the sensitive nature of this step in the search, there really isn't much information that the Committee can provide. He reported that the Search Committee held a meeting to review the rich input received from the campus community regarding the two finalists. On the basis of that review of information, further questions were identified and the Committee is proceeding with further exploration of the candidates. The Committee is aware that a different time in the academic calendar is approaching. There is no intent to bring in a candidate over the summer. The search will not be concluded until the Committee is satisfied they have the best president for Skidmore. An announcement of a new president will happen through various means including e-mail. Terry thanked the entire community for their participation and for the depth of engagement and thought throughout the process. PresidentStudley also thanked the members of the Search Committee for their participation.

GOVE EFFINGER – Committee of Committees

Gove explained that the Faculty Handbook requires that CFG report to the faculty the main issues that were discussed during the academic year by the Committee of Committees. The Committee of Committees consists of faculty representatives from ACC (All College Council), CASA (Committee on Admissions and Student Aid), CAFR (Committee on Academic Freedom and Rights), CAPT (Committee on Appointments, Promotions and Tenure),CEPP (Committee on Educational Policies and Planning), Benefits Committee, Curriculum Committee, CFG (Committee on Faculty Governance), FDC (Faculty Development Committee), FPPC (Financial Policy and Planning Committee), IPC (Institutional Planning Committee), Faculty Observers, and for this spring the PSC (Presidential Search Committee). Gove read the charge of the committee into the record: "To assess the interactions among member committees and between them and the administration, and to discuss ongoing issues and any problems in committee operations." The Committee of Committees is required to meet at least twice a year. The Committee met three times this year: October 29, 2002, December 10, 2002, and May 1, 2003. The first meeting was six days after President Studley announced her resignation and at that meeting, two resolutions were formulated: one expressed appreciation for President Studley’s term at Skidmore, the other expressed support for Dean Joseph. The faculty passed those resolutions at the November Faculty Meeting. The December and May meetings were typical in that they consisted primarily of reports from member committees. At the December meeting some concerns were raised by CASA and one or two other committees about the "black hole" principle where a committee does its work, sends it off to an administrative office and then it gets lost. Gove stated that this is an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed. CFG is monitoring the issue. At the May meeting, most committees reported at least medium satisfaction with the interactions between other committees. However, members of the Benefits Committee and FPPC voiced general frustration regarding relationships with administration. CFG is attempting to mediate disputes regarding membership of the Benefits Committee as the Benefits Committee continues to work over the summer. With respect to FPPC, Jim Kennelly will be meeting with former chairs of FPPC in the hope that progress will be made toward solving current problems and issues.

UNA BRAY – Faculty Observer to the Board of Trustees Report

Una advised that the minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting are online and which she also distributed via e-mail. She reported that the general thrust of the May meetings was the Trustees’ concerns regarding budget matters. Trustees reminded everyone that the budget needs to be kept under control and Skidmore needs to manage faculty and staff lines very carefully. Karl Broekhuizen reported that $60,000 had been allocated for a position control system. Karl stated at this meeting that it appears as though a system will be developed in house with the help of CITS and HR, and the cost will be between $10,000 and $20,000.

OLD BUSINESS

MOTION:

Penny Jolly, on behalf of CAPT, presented the motion for revision of a portion of the language in the Faculty Handbook in Section X, Part A, Subpart 2, Paragraph c on page 126 that was originally brought to the faculty at the April 25 Faculty Meeting. Penny explained and summarized the rationale. (See Attachment B.) The floor was opened for discussion. A question was raised as to whether a promotion to full professor becomes less a matter of a qualitative distinction as a quantitative distinction. It was felt the term concomitant was more of a quantitative term indicating the promotion would be more of an extension, more routine. CAPT felt that distinguished was a tough term to deal with and considered many other terms including the term outstanding. Concomitant was favored because of the teacher/scholar connection. The question was called. The motion was voted on and passed with all in favor.

MOTION:

Gove Effinger, on behalf of CFG, presented the motion for revision of a portion of the language in the Faculty Handbook in Section X, Part A, Subpart 2, Paragraph b on page 126 that was originally brought to the faculty at the April 25 Faculty Meeting. Gove explained and summarized the rationale. (See Attachment C.) There was no discussion. The question was called. The motion was voted onand passed with all in favor.

MOTION:

Gove Effinger, on behalf of CFG, presented the motion for language be added to the description of CAPT's membership on page 212 of the Faculty Handbook that was originally brought to the faculty at the April 25 Faculty Meeting. Gove explained and summarized the rationale. (See Attachment C.) There was no discussion. The question was called. The motion was voted on and passed with all in favor.

NEW BUSINESS

CONFERRAL OF DEGREES

President Studley introduced Ann Henderson, Registrar and Director of Institutional Research, and thanked her and her staff for all of her work throughout the year. Ann thanked everyone for his or her assistance and cooperation. She stated processing went very smoothly this year except for a small grading problem the previous Friday. She expressed her thanks to Judy Stephens who tracked and monitored the 544 students. Ann also thanked Marion Bradish who will be leaving the Registrar's Office in June.

Ann read the following four resolutions into the record:

RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Skidmore College recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Bachelor of Arts degree to 360 students of the Class of 2003 to be awarded on May 17, 2003.
RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Skidmore College recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Bachelor of Science degree to 140 students of the Class of 2003 to be awarded on May 17, 2003.
RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Skidmore College recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Bachelor of Arts degree to 28 students of the Class of 2003 upon satisfactory completion of the degree requirements by August 31, 2003.
RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Skidmore College recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Bachelor of Science degree to 16 students of the Class of 2003 upon satisfactory completion of the degree requirements by August 31, 2003.

A motion to accept the above resolutions was made and seconded. The floor was open for discussion.  A question was posed to Ann as to whether or not graduation statistics are changing. Ann answered that the graduation rate is gradually moving upward. Rates are calculated for six-year completion with the last rate being between 75 and 78 percent. In the next review Ann is hoping to see 80 percent.

There was no discussion. The motion was voted on and passed with all in favor.

Ann also reminded everyone that the All-College and Honors Lists everyone picked up on their way in to the meeting are confidential reports. Those who do not intend to keep them should drop their copy in the box provided on their way out.

President Studley introduced Pierre von Kaenel on behalf of the University Without Walls Committee who presented the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Skidmore College recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Bachelor of Arts degree to twenty-one students and the Bachelor of Science degree to seventeen students.

BACHELOR OF ARTS
Bonnie Baldwin
Donna E. Grande*
Pamela R. Baltuskonis*
Ruby L. Grande
Tish Bastian
Brian D. Heyler
Jill Boone
Johanna Hill
Virginia Lynne Bouchard
Sarah Joan Koonce

BACHELOR OF ARTS
William Whitehead Calfee
Patrick Edward Kurp
Deborah Anne Capezzuti
Amber Joy Love
Joaquin Mauricio Chavez Aguilar
Diahanne Marie Lucas*
Jeanne O’Farrell Eddy
Katherine Marie Marfione*
Jude Mooney Fricano
Darlene A. Morehouse
Christine J. Swartzbaugh

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Anthony V. Angelo, Jr.*
Roberta Loverna
Aaron Henry*
Mary Ellen Armstrong
Judith Esther Hughes*
Robert Frederick Brenner
Kathleen M. Lortie
Deborah Bukolt
Kelly Jean Lynch
Di-Anne Charles-Christopher*
Mary Ann H. Mans
Kimberly Daignault
Allison Staley Martin
Lois Arlene Drew*
Jay Edward Schleifer
Sandy P. George
Joan Elise Watts
Olivia Jane LaBarre Greer

*Expected to complete requirements before the beginning of the 2003-04 academic year.

A motion to accept the resolution was made; a second was not required. There was no discussion.

The motion was voted on and passed with all in favor.

President Studley thanked all of the UWW Committee members, staff and faculty. She then introduced Hedi Jaouad on behalf of the External Master of Arts Committee who presented the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Faculty of Skidmore College recommend to the Trustees the granting of the Master of Arts degree to seven students. Of these, three students receiving the Master of Arts degree will do so contingent upon completion of all degree requirements by August 31, 2003.

MASTER OF ARTS
Andrew Shawn Andermatt*
Karen Katherine Lawson*
Susan C. Anthony
Jesse Byron Markay*
Gary L. Golden
Martha Graham Wiseman
Miki Huber

*Expected to complete requirements before the beginning of the 2003-04 academic year.

A motion to accept the resolution was made; a second was not required. There was no discussion.

The motion was voted on and passed with all in favor.

President Studley introduced Jon Ramsey to announce the All-College and Departmental Honors. Dean Ramsey asked if there were any questions or changes that needed to be made regarding the list of departmental honors candidates. Discussion ensued resulting in one revision from the Department of Philosophy.

Dean Ramsey read the following two resolutions:

RESOLVED, that the faculty of Skidmore College approve Departmental Honors for two students from the Class of 2002 and 136 students from the Class of 2003 as presented at the May 14, 2003 Faculty Meeting. (See Attachment D.)

A motion to accept the resolution was made and seconded. There was no discussion. The motion was voted on and passed with all in favor.

RESOLVED, that the faculty of Skidmore college approve two students from the Class of 2002 and 115 students from the Class of 2003 for cum laude distinction; for magna cum laude distinction, one student from the Class of 2002 and 55 students from the Class of 2003; and for summa cum laude distinction 28 students from the Class of 2003 as presented at the May 14, 2003 Faculty Meeting. (See Attachment E.)

A motion to accept the resolution was made and seconded. There was no discussion. The motion was voted on and passed with all in favor.

OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DON McCORMACK:

• The Summer Arts Schedule was provided at the beginning of the meeting. Each summer there are about 10,000 people attending the various events. Most are residents of the local ommunity or students enrolled in the programs, and Don encouraged faculty and staff to take advantage of the many activities offered. Modifications to the schedule will most
  likely be addition of events. Don thanked his staff and hoped everyone would participate and take advantage of the richness the summerschedule offers.

ALICE DEAN:

• Alice announced that as outgoing chair of the Faculty Development Committee she was proud to announce the last round of Faculty Development Grant Recipients. Next year, Peter Stake will be chair of the committee. She encouraged everyone to participate since various opportunities were not used to their full potential. Alice read the names of the recipients. (See Attachment F.)

President Studley again thanked everyone for her gift and the experience of being at Skidmore. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Colleen M. Kelly
Executive Secretary
Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
and Dean of the Faculty