September 23, 2003

Present: Richard Warner, Pamela Kulbok, Cedric Williams, Phillip Gates, David Cafiso, David Maloney, Stephen Macko, Nancy McDaniel, Larry Walker, Louis Bloomfield, Kenneth Schwartz

Richard Warner, Co-Chair of the Committee, called the meeting to order. Mr. Warner introduced Pamela Kulbok, his fellow Co-Chair. Mr. Warner thanked everyone for joining the Committee, and introductions were made around the table.

Mr. Warner gave an overview of the membership and function of the Committee, which is:

"Membership: twelve members with four appointed by the Executive Council each year. The committee shall consist of four members selected from the College of Arts and Sciences and one member selected from each other School of the University. At the time of his or her selection, each member shall be a regular member of the Faculty Senate who does not hold a position as a dean, associate dean or assistant dean in any school. The chair of the committee is an ex-officio member of the Executive Council."

Ex officio: Vice President and Provost, Vice President and Provost for Health Sciences

Term in office: staggered three-year terms

"Functions: At the beginning of each academic year, the committee will meet with the Provosts to review emerging academic issues, to discuss priorities for the agenda in the year ahead, and to plan for ad hoc assignments pertaining to academic affairs. The committee will be responsible for all issues pertaining to matters of curricular and academic program review and will be responsible for the Senate's role in the creation and elimination of academic programs. The committee will formulate policies affecting faculty in the performance of their duties; consider policies and offer advice pertaining to student admissions, graduation, and enrollment; and oversee work relating to student assessment and academic program evaluation. A member of the committee will be nominated to serve as the Senate representative on the University Teaching Award Committee. As necessary, the committee will ask the Executive Council to appoint ad hoc subcommittees to assist in the performance of its duties."

Mr. Warner announced that over the course of this academic year, the Committee would have degree programs to review and evaluate. He gave an overview of how this process works. Currently, the Committee has one program from the School of Medicine to be submitted for review.

Mr. Warner gave an overview of the Dissertation-Year Fellowships. He talked about the submission, review and selection process for the program. He also read several testimonials from the 2002-03 recipients of the Fellowships. There were 11 Fellowship recipients in 2002.

Robert Davis, Chair of the Faculty Senate, talked about the 2002-2003 Fellowship program. There were 11 - $20,000 Fellowships given that year. Funding for the Fellowships came from the Dean Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, the Office of the Provost, and the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. The Faculty Senate did not have a Dissertation-Year Fellowships program last year, due to lack of funding. Mr. Davis has been able to obtain some funding support for the program to go forward this year. He is still working on securing additional funding for the program. It is envisioned that in the future funding could be made as part of the development process, through endowments. Mr. Davis will let the Academic Affairs Committee know when/if sufficient funding is secured for the program this year.

The Committee had a discussion regarding the Honor System. Mr. Warner introduced Louis Bloomfield, professor of physics, to the group. Mr. Bloomfield reported on his past experience with the Honor System, which initiated 158 honor cases. Mr. Bloomfield was disappointed in the lack of institutional support he received during the process. He commented that the Honor jurors were excellent. Mr. Bloomfield said he sees the Honor System as a contract between the faculty and the students, but he does not believe the students view the system in this way. He feels that students want the respect conferred by the Honor System without the responsibility that goes with it. In Mr. Bloomfield's view, many faculty are poorly informed about the Honor System.

Bob Davis suggested that the Honor System should be discussed by the Academic Affairs Committee. The Committee will invite Carey Mignerey, Honor Committee Chair, to an upcoming meeting. Faculty Honor Committee advisors from various schools will also be invited to a future Committee meeting.

Possible meeting dates for the Committee were discussed. The next Academic Affairs Committee meeting will be held in October (date to be determined).

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.