FACULTY MEETING

November 12, 2004 (replaced canceled 11/05/04 meeting)
Gannett Auditorium

MINUTES

President Philip A. Glotzbach was unable to chair this meeting due to travel commitments. Dean Charles M. Joseph, as chair, called the meeting to order at 3:38 p.m.  Dean Joseph asked if there were any objections to the approval of the October 1, 2004 Faculty Meeting minutes; hearing no objections, the minutes were approved.

DEAN OF FACULTY’S REPORT

Dean Joseph opened his report by speaking about the Community Meeting President Glotzbach held the previous Friday to report on the state of the College. Faculty members had been advised that the information shared at that meeting would be repeated at the faculty meeting; however, due to a power outage on campus beginning in the early afternoon, the faculty meeting had to be canceled and that information was not shared with most faculty members. President Glotzbach asked Dean Joseph to update faculty members regarding the highlights of that meeting, including
the state of the comprehensive campaign. The campaign has already raised half as much as the Journey campaign, the Case Statement is continuing to be refined to include support for the First-Year Experience and the addition of faculty lines, development and support for the sciences, an endowment endeavor for both the Tang and Special Programs, an increase in support of $50 million for scholarships, a music building with a projected cost of $28.5 million (this figure includes a $4.5 million endowment to offset cost of operation), and to add to the institution’s endowment. Dean Joseph then turned the report over to Michael T. Casey, Vice President for Advancement, to provide further details.

Mr. Casey reported that President Glotzbach has been on the road fund raising and has been successful. Forty million dollars has been raised since the beginning of the campaign five months ago; the majority coming from Trustees. Skidmore received its single-largest gift in its history. There are nine commitments to date of a million dollars or more. Commitments are usually paid over a five-year period with a cumulative effect reached at approximately six years. Payments on pledges will begin this year. There are four chairs: Billie Tisch, Sue Williamson, Sara Schupf, and John Howley. The Trustees are stepping forward, and Advancement is about one-third of the way through asking them for their commitments. The achievements of the first year will predict the ultimate success of the campaign. Goals may also include additional endowed chairs. Department chairs should begin drafting proposals for endowed chairs within their departments which should be vetted through Dean Joseph. There will be a formal celebration at the mid-point of the campaign.

Dean Joseph announced recent personnel appointments: John Weber, Dayton Director of the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery; Michael (Mike) West, Vice President for Finance and Administration; Associate Professor Michael Arnush, as Director of the First Year Experience program; and Chris McGill as administrative support for that program. Although a search has not been launched, discussions continue regarding the Dean of Studies position. Once the position has been defined, Dean Joseph will report the description and responsibilities of the
position to the Committee on Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure (CAPT). Dean Joseph also announced that this academic year will be Dean John Brueggemann’s last year as associate dean in the Dean of Faculty’s Office. Dean Brueggemann plans to take a well-deserved sabbatical and thereafter return to the department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work.

OLD BUSINESS

MOTION:

Associate Professor Michael Arnush, on behalf of the Committee on Educational Policies and Planning (CEPP) opened the floor for discussion of a motion (see Attachment A) to create a separate dance department; the motion having been introduced at the last meeting. Discussion proceeded; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.

MOTIONS:

Professor John Anzalone, for the Committee on Faculty Governance on behalf of the Committee on Appointments, Promotions and Tenure, opened the floor for discussion of three motions (see Attachment B) to amend the Faculty Handbook; the motion having been introduced at the last meeting.

MOTION 1: There was no discussion; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.
MOTION 2: There was no discussion; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.
MOTION 3: There was no discussion; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.

MOTIONS:

Professor John Anzalone, on behalf of the Committee on Faculty Governance, opened the floor for discussion of eight motions (see Attachment C) presented for the purpose of reorganizing Skidmore’s governance system; the motion having been introduced at the last meeting.

MOTION 1 plus ancillary included motion: Discussion proceeded; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.
MOTION 2 plus ancillary included motion: Discussion proceeded; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.
MOTON 3: Discussion proceeded. CFG acknowledged that this motion needs clarification and development; therefore, a motion was made to recommit this motion to CFG for further work and then present it at the next faculty meeting. The motion to recommit was seconded and passed by majority.
MOTION 4: There was no discussion; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.
MOTION 5: There was no discussion; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.
MOTION 6: There was no discussion; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.
MOTION 7: There was no discussion; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.
MOTION 8: There was no discussion; the motion was put to a vote and passed with all in favor.

NEW BUSINESS

MOTION:

Associate Professor Michael Arnush, on behalf of the Committee on Educational Policies and Planning (CEPP) introduced the following motion: CEPP moves that the faculty terminate the
affiliation with Regent's College in London for the First-Year Experience. Rationale: This motion comes to CEPP from Cori Filson, Director of International Programs. (See Attachment D.) Coming from the Committee, the motion required no second and will lie over until the next meeting.

MOTION:

Associate Professor Michael Arnush, on behalf of the Committee on Educational Policies and Planning (CEPP) introduced the following motion: CEPP moves that the faculty establish an
affiliation with the Institute for the International Education of Studies (IES) in London for the FirstYear Experience. Rationale: This motion comes to CEPP from Cori Filson, Director of International Programs. (See Attachment E.) Coming from the Committee, the motion required no second and will lie over until the next meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

Susan Van Hook discussed a recent email exchange involving a student and use of the faculty-list. She acknowledged that the student’s use of the faculty-list was inappropriate for the purpose of soliciting support for and signatures on a national petition among students on all college campuses to advocate the use of clean energy. The student was made aware and understands that the use was inappropriate. However, Ms. Van Hook wished to remind everyone that there is person on the other side of email, and the response of some faculty members devastated this student. She suggested that perhaps in the future, such responses to students should be handled one-on-one instead of by responding to a large email list. She quoted Penn State Professor Christopher F. Uhl, Professor of Biology, who spoke at Skidmore a few years back, “It’s okay to be hard on the problem, just be soft on the person.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

James Chansky, Director of Summer Sessions & Summer Special Programs, gave a brief overview of the past week’s visit of Sari Nusseibeh, Professor of Islamic Philosophy and President of al Quds University in East Jerusalem, who spoke about "Palestinian and Israeli Grass-roots Peace Initiatives" through the Jacob Perlow Middle Eastern Scholar-inResidence Program, sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Special Programs. Professor Nusseibeh had to leave the United States earlier than anticipated due to Yassar Arafat’s death. The coordination of Professor Nusseibeh’s visit was assisted through Dror Ze'evi, the Jacob Perlow Scholar-in-Residence this fall. Jim also gave an update of the upcoming events the Special Programs will be sponsoring. Pat Oles, on behalf of the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, invited everyone to attend the Faculty Reception at the Faculty/Staff club.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

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