Agenda Digest
Present: Richard DeMong, George Mentore, Reuben Rainey, Donald
Innes, George Cohen, Robert Davis, John Lyons, Daniel Hallahan, Doris
Glick, William Johnson, Ed Ayers, Barbara Nolan
Richard DeMong, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, called
the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Lower Level Conference Room
at Madison Hall.
Mr. DeMong introduced himself and gave an overview of the ongoing
work of the Academic Affairs Committee. He then had the Committee
members introduce themselves.
Ed Ayers, Chair of the Faculty Senate, gave the Committee their
charge for the year. That charge is to 1) draw upon the
Senate/student conversations to find initiatives to improve
faculty/student interaction, 2) respond to initiatives for new
degrees and programs, 3) explore the Honor System and its workings
over the course of the year, and 4) continue the Teaching Initiatives
program.
Mr. Ayers noted that all new programs at the University must come
to the Academic Affairs Committee for approval, including the Qatar
proposal.
Mr. DeMong said the role of the Committee is to anticipate
academic priorities and issues. Mr. DeMong and Mr. Ayers have met
with both Provosts in this regard. The Provosts offered their
support to the Committee and to the Senate.
Mr. DeMong gave an overview of the issues associated with the
Honor System, and the role the Senate might play, with a focus on
faculty relationship with the Honor System. He said he is open for
ideas on how the Committee can contribute to the Honor System. Two
suggestions made by members of the Committee were to check and see
what the faculty's policy is in regard to the Honor System, and to
get data on the number of offenses tried. The question, "Should the
role of the Committee be a "sounding board" for faculty concerns" was
asked. What should the role of the faculty be in the Honor System?
Should the Committee meet with faculty and/or students, Mr. DeMong
asked. Reuben Rainey responded that he feels this would be a good
idea. Mr. DeMong will also check on the status of issues raised last
year, such as rescinding of diplomas and too much time elapsing
before going to trial. George Cohen suggested that the Committee
compose a statement defining misconduct. George Mentore commented
that a debate with faculty would be useful in defining what
constitutes misconduct.
Mr. DeMong will get past studies from the Honor Committee for the
Committee's review at the next meeting. Mr. DeMong and other
Committee members will talk to colleagues regarding the honor code
and the definition of plagiarism and cheating. Ed Ayers told the
group that there will be a discussion sponsored by the Honor
Committee on October 22, and Mr. DeMong and he will attend. He
invited others to attend the meeting, which will be in the Old Cabell
Hall Auditorium, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Mr. Ayers suggested that
Cabell Vest, Chair of the Honor Committee, be invited to a future
Academic Affairs Committee meeting.
Information Technology and Communication is putting together a
committee to study the proposed desktop computer requirement. It
will be a short-term committee, and Mr. DeMong asked for volunteers
to serve on the committee. William Johnson and George Cohen
volunteered.
Mr. DeMong discussed last year's Teaching Initiative program and
what will be done this year in regarding to the initiative. He said
the Teaching Resource Center will conduct a forum in Newcomb Hall on
November 4, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Ed Ayers will kickoff the forum,
and Mr. DeMong will do the wrap-up. There will be a new call for
proposals in December, and finalists will be selected in February
1999, Mr. DeMong said.
In regard to new programs that will be coming before the
Committee, Mr. DeMong mentioned the new adult degree program, which
will be offered through the Division of Continuing Education. There
is strong interest in the adult degree program. It will be reviewed
by the Board of Visitors in November, and by the Faculty Senate at
the December 10th meeting.
Mr. DeMong talked about some of the concerns voiced by students at
the Retreat. He mentioned mismatched advising and a perception of a
too business-like atmosphere as two concerns voiced. He asked for
volunteers to serve on a subcommittee, with the charge of identifying
common themes. The subcommittee should look for two or three issues
and possible resolutions to those issues. The subcommittee should
also identify general issues the faculty could look at. John Lyons,
George Mentore, Daniel Hallahan, and Reuben Rainey volunteered to
serve on the subcommittee. Mr. DeMong asked the subcommittee to give
a report at the October 26th Academic Affairs Committee meeting.
Mr. DeMong asked if there were new issues or old business that
needed to be addressed. William Johnson asked about last year's
presentation on accommodations to persons with disabilities. The
issue will be addressed at a future meeting, Mr. DeMong said.
The Fall meeting schedule was set for the Committee.
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
