Faculty Meeting Minutes

 

President Philip A. Glotzbach called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

President Glotzbach asked if there were any corrections to, or comments regarding, the minutes of the Faculty Meeting held September 9, 2016.  Hearing none, he announced the minutes were approved.

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

President Glotzbach welcomed everyone and indicated that he hoped that the semester was going well for everyone.  He asked Joshua Woodfork, Vice President for Strategic Planning and Institutional Diversity, to provide an update on the search for a Title 9 Coordinator.  VP Woodfork reminded everyone that we currently have an interim Title IX Coordinator, Sarah Delaney Vero, and a new Title IX Deputy Coordinator in Student Affairs.  As VP Woodfork stated, we are currently in the midst of doing a search for a permanent Title IX Coordinator, with a target start date of January 1, 2017.  The search group, which includes Chris Kopec as the faculty representative, has narrowed down the pool.  There were 51 candidates and 5 have for video interviews, which will happen in the new couple of weeks; then, up to 3 finalists will be brought to campus for interviews at the end of October.  VP Woodfork concluded by noting open forums for the finalists will be held so that everyone will have an opportunity to meet the candidates.  He indicated that he hopes everyone will take the time participate and to encourage their students to engage in this process as well.

Thereafter, President Glotzbach reported on the most recent college ratings.  The most recent rating is from the Wall Street Journal and Times.  This ranked 1,061 colleges and universities together, and we came out at 138 -- in the top 13 percent nationally and just outside the top 10 percent when only considering liberal arts college.  They have a more complicated methodology than some of the others, factoring input information (nature of student body that arrives, endowment) and also output information (effects of college education, salary data and survey administered online to students).  

For US News, once again were ranked at 38, the same as last year.  Interestingly, US News also reports other categories.  In the high school guidance counselor ranking, which is the equivalent of a reputation survey we fill out every year for our peer institutions, we were ranked 29th, tried with Bryn Mawr, Grinnell,  Mt. Holyoke, Pitzer, Reed, Sarah Lawrence, and Sewanee University of the South.  We are also noted on the list of schools enrolling the highest percentages of international students and in another category called Programs to Look For, where they cite us for first year experience and study abroad.  And, finally, we are included in the list of what they call A+ schools for B students.   

In concluding his report, President Glotzbach reminded everyone that at the last faculty meeting, he announced that his office his office would be sponsoring some public events this year concerning diversity dialogue and divestment.  His office is still working on these, but it appears as though the divestment conversation will occur in late February in conjunction with the Board of Trustee meetings.  President Glotzbach will provide more updates as they become available.

DEAN OF THE FACULTY AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS' REPORT

Beau Breslin, Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, introduced Kelli Johnson, the new director of the Opportunity Program.  A round of applause was given to Ms. Johnson.

Thereafter, VP Breslin shared some data concerning faculty head count (currently at 382, equivalent to 317 full-time faculty) and faculty-student ratio (8-1).  He also noted that since 2011-12, we have increased the number of tenure lines by 18, for a total of 213 tenure lines.  We have completed 76 tenure line searches and will be conducting 12 more this year, adding a total of 88 new tenure line faculty members, 18 of which are in new tenure lines.  This is a testament to the great work of everyone, and a testament to the great fiscal responsibility of Mike West, Cabinet, IPPC, and the Board of Trustees.

As we are all in the business of helping our students and doing great work with our students, at each faculty meeting this year, we will focus on one office and highlight some of the great work that happens outside of the traditional classroom.  This month is the Office of Sustainability.  The Sustainability staff consists of Karen Kellogg, Director of Sustainability; Paul Lundberg, Assistant Director of Construction Services, Jennifer Natzyak, Sustainability Fellow; and Levi Rogers, Sustainability Coordinator.  Additionally, Dan Rodecker, Director of Facility Services, is also deeply involved in sustainability work.  VP Breslin directed everyone to the Sustainability website (https://www.skidmore.edu/sustainability/) and highlighted several initiative surrounding energy use (occupancy sensor initiative, campus building temperature initiative, Skidmore Unplugged, LED lighting initiative) as well food initiatives (local food surveys for farmers and distributors, Skidmore local food research, dining hall strategies.  VP Breslin also shared a summary of the ongoing work in the Sustainability Office that was shared with the Board of Trustees, including the installation of another geothermal project, which will bring us to over 50 percent of our square footage heated and cooled with geothermal energy; installation of our sixth solar thermal project, which was crowdfunded in a matter of days and provides over 1,000 gallons of hot water each day to the dining hall; implementation of larger-scale composting program; piloting a Sustainable Food day in the dining hall and becoming a Marine Stewardship Council Chain of Custody certified institution; adding more sustainability-related courses to our curriculum, including courses such as Energy Systems and Sustainable Solutions that are focused on our own campus projects.  Additionally, Skidmore was recently recognized as a sustainability Leader in the New York REV (Reforming the Energy Vision) Campus Challenge program and received a 94 out of 100 on our Green Rating for the Princeton Review. VP Breslin stated that great work is happening in the Sustainability office and he reminded everyone that sustainability is an issue our students care deeply about.

In concluding his report, VP Breslin provided an update on conversations that are occurring in the divisional roundtables.  One of the topics that has emerged, led by Associate Dean of the Faculty Crystal Moore, concerns the variations in peer teaching observation policies and personnel procedures among departments. At the next department chairs and program directors meeting, we will present a few ideas that would make peer visitation and department personnel procedures more consistent and clear, and we will be asking departments to think about ways they can implement those. There has been a long term call to bring some consistency across the board, and we are working closely with department chairs and program directors on these important initiatives.

OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business.

 

NEW BUSINESS

On behalf of the Faculty Executive Committee, Professor Denise Smith introduced the following Motion (see attached):

MOTION:  The Faculty Executive Committee moves that the 2016-2017 Faculty Handbook be adopted.  The following link takes you to the 2016-2017 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.
 

OTHER

Faculty Executive Committee

Professor Denise Smith shared a PowerPoint presentation on faculty governance reform.  She reminded everyone that the new faculty governance process does create obligations where senior tenure-track faculty are required to be available for service for a 3-year period between sabbaticals and to serve in the ad hoc pool for three years if not elected to a committee; tenure-track faculty are required to serve for one year in either the second or third year at the college in the ad hoc pool.  Most importantly, all faculty are included, welcomed, and needed to make the system work.  This year, we have 26 senior tenure-track faculty that will be required to serve, but yet the standing committees require 31 people to fill current vacancies.  Professor Smith reminded everyone that the goal of the new faculty governance structure is to ensure faculty have choice in who we are voting for to represent us on these committees, so additional volunteer service is absolutely necessary.  

Professor Smith went on to say that this year, faculty in Cohort F only have 3 years left before their next sabbatical and, thus, are required to serve at this point; faculty in Cohort F will be receiving an email asking them to complete a preference sheet.  Faculty in cohorts G, A and B will receive an email indicating that they may begin fulfilling their faculty governance obligation at this point, and all faculty will receive a note saying they are welcome for additional service.  Professor Smith concluded by reviewing the fall 2016 timeline and indicating an email will be sent shortly with upcoming deadlines.

Student Academic Affairs

President Glotzbach stated that one of the things we are concentrating on which has a high level of prominence in the new Strategic Plan is integrative learning, and one of the places where it is really most important is the connection between academic affairs and student affairs.  He thereafter introduced Cerri Banks, the new Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students.  VP Banks thanked everyone for welcoming her and indicated she has been having a lot of fun getting to know the Skidmore community and culture; her transition has been one of the smoothest and she credits that to her colleagues who are committed to their work.  VP Banks asked to spend time at faculty meetings so that, when appropriate, she could share information and answer any questions.  She indicated that she is truly committed to the relationship and the partnership between academic affairs and student affairs. She knows how important the academic mission is and believes that our students make decisions about what they do both academically and co-curricularly; often what happens in the other areas of their life infiltrate the classroom and there are times when faculty have gotten connected to students outside the classroom.  Continuing those connections are important but being really deliberate about it is what the goal around integrative learning is all about.  VP Banks stated that Student Affairs is diligently working on their own strategic planning to be deliberate in mapping their learning goals and desires for outcomes to the academic mission.  VP Banks reminded everyone that her office is another resource – a new organizational charge has been prepared so that everyone will know who to call for assistance (see attached) – and indicated she will be reaching out to departments toward the end of the semester and into the spring to meet with departments to hear any concerns and talk about what has worked in this partnership and what hasn’t.  She stated that her door is always open and is available to answer any questions or to discuss any concerns.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• On behalf of the Faculty Development Committee, Associate Professor Rachel Roe-Dale announced the deadline for nominations for the Edwin M. Moseley Faculty Lectureship is October 21, 2016.
• Assistant Professor Sarah Sweeney reminded everyone that the College received a 2-year planning grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation to pilot the IdeaLab.  The planning grant is intended to support faculty interested in breaking the mold of traditional course design.  She will send an email with further details.
• Associate Professor Paul Sattler invited everyone to the community reception at the Schick Art Gallery immediately following the faculty meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:09 p.m.

 

Debra L. Peterson
Executive Administrative Assistant