October 18, 2000 (1:00-2:30 p.m.)

Newcomb Hall, Room 389

Present: Doris Glick, Kenneth Elzinga, Daphne Spain, Robert O'Connell, Robert Davis, Daniel Hallahan, Patricia Werhane

Doris Glick, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, called the meeting to order. The September 20, 2000, meeting minutes were reviewed and approved. Ms. Glick distributed a handout that detailed a presentation given by Karin Wittenborg, University Librarian, and Diane Parr Walker, Associate Librarian for User Services, at the last Academic Affairs Committee meeting. A discussion about the use of Electronic Journals began. The general feeling of the Committee is that more information is needed to effectively present a case for or against the issue. It was decided that Ms. Wittenborg should be invited to attend the upcoming Senate meeting on December 15, and offer background information, dealing with specific issues. Additionally, it was suggested that the Senate should draft a list of questions and/or issues that should be addressed by Ms. Wittenborg.

Ms. Glick distributed drafts of two Teaching Initiative evaluation reports, one to go to the 1998 and 1999 Teaching Initiative Grant recipients, and one to go to the 2000 Teaching Initiative Grant recipients. The reports were reviewed and discussed, and there were a few editorial changes suggested. These changes will be made, and the reports will be sent to all Grant recipients. A cover letter will accompany the reports, which requests specific information from the Grant recipients. The cover letter will come from Patricia Werhane, Chair of the Faculty Senate, and Peter Low, Vice President and Provost.

The reports are due in the Faculty Senate Office, either by e-mail or messenger mail, by November 15, 2000. The Committee reviewing these responses will compile the data and submit a report on the Teaching Initiative program to Peter Low, by January 1, 2001. Patricia Werhane gave an overview of the issue regarding the lack of University-provided health insurance for graduate students. Ms. Werhane reported that the University is not competitive in graduate student funding, and does not even fall within a benchmark.