Agenda Digest
Benjamin Ray, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, called the
meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. In attendance were Jahan Ramazani,
George Mentore, Reuben Rainey, George Cohen, Milton Adams, Harold
Burbach, Marva Barnett, Richard DeMong, William Johnson, Barbara
Nolan (Vice Provost).
Mr. Ray reviewed the Fall meeting schedule, which was approved. He
then recognized Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Faculty Senate, and
asked him to address the Committee regarding the charge that was
given to them.
Mr. Ramazani congratulated the Committee on a job well done and
all the hard work, which has resulted in the awarding of the Teaching
Fund by the Provost, Peter Low. Mr. Ramazani reported on how the
Executive Council determined what the charges should be for the
Academic Affairs Committee and for the Committee on Research and
Scholarship, and he explained the relationship between the work of
the two committees.
Mr. Ray distributed the charge of the Committee for the group to
review, which was developed by Mr. Ramazani, in collaboration with
Mr. Ray. The charge was developed following the Senate's retreat on
September 5, 1997, based on issues addressed regarding the fostering
of intellectual community at the University. The issues that the
Academic Affairs Committee is charged with addressing are: 1) To
implement the Faculty Senate Initiative on the Promotion of
Excellence in Teaching; 2) To recommend measures that will enhance
junior faculty development and retention; and 3) To recommend
measures that will facilitate interdisciplinary teaching.
Regarding the development of the Teaching Fund, Mr. Ray said the
Committee needs to establish a timetable, establish a dissemination
method, and establish guidelines for the implementation of the
various stages of the Program. (The application form should be a
one-page form.)
The Committee brainstormed ideas for addressing the three elements
of the charge, i.e., strategies, plans of action, sources for
obtaining information. Mr. Ray appointed subcommittees for each of
the three elements of the charge. He will give a report to the Senate
on the Academic Affairs Committee's plan of action for addressing the
charge given to the Committee at the October 7 Senate meeting.
Mr. Ray reported that there are two items on the Academic Affairs
Committee's agenda that need to be addressed at a future meeting.
1. The Provost's "Program Review" document -- no action is needed
at this time, it may be addressed at a later date.
2. Awarding a degree to a student who is involved in an alleged
honor violation.
The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
