September 10, 2019 Minutes

Council of Department Chairs

In Attendance: Rick Behl, Andreas Bill, Curtis Bennett, Chris Brazier, Tangan Gao, Laura Henriques, Maryanne Horton, Margaret Karteron, Ted Stankowich (for Dessie Underwood), Barbara Taylor, Christine Whitcraft.

  1. Approve agenda (10am).
    Approved
  2. Approve minutes.
    Approved the Minutes from June 25, 2019 and August 20, 2019 meetings
  3. Announcements
    1. Operations updates
      1. College Committees
        Nominations are needed for various College Committees. College Council reps will solicit nominations from their departments to the College’s Grade Appeal Committee, Elections Committee, and Scholarship Committee.
      2. RSCA
        College Council is discussing and finalizing the College's RSCA policy based on the University RSCA policy (Policy Number: 19-03). One of the major changes in the University RSCA policy is to allow up to 6 WTUs per academic year. The new college policy will be implemented in the spring 2020 application cycle.
    2. Dean updates
      1. Hiring:
        TT Search Committee members should attend one of university's training sessions on TT search policies and procedures.
        For TT positions in AY 2020-2021, Dean Bennett wants to know the rough estimate of positions needed from each department based on retirement before November 1st.
      2. Exit Interview Analysis
        Two tenure-track professors in their 3rd year appointment left the College this year, one in Biology and another in Geology. Both took positions outside the University. Dean Bennett conducted exit interviews with them in hope of improving the College's faculty retention in the future.
      3. Substitute for Lisa on Chair's Advisory Council
        Laura Henriques.
      4. Recruitment and RTP workshops
        RTP committee members should attend one of university's training sessions on RTP policies and procedures.
      5. Student Success Network meeting at Fullerton
        Friday, 10/25/2019.
        Main topics: Exploring Growth Mindset and Sense of Belonging in the CSU. Faculty wishing to attend should contact the Dean's Office. We have (limited) funding for mileage.
      6. Data Fellows
        The College is organizing one data fellow committee focusing on 2-year retention, 4-year graduation rate, and 6-year graduation rate for biology students. A proposed data fellow topic was also proposed by a physics faculty.
      7. Completion Rates
        We should target our class passing rate (W's are included) at 75% and above. We should seriously investigate courses with class passing rates below 75% and have plans to improve their passing rates. Each faculty should make every effort to adjust teaching styles to suit our students at different levels of classes, improve teaching effectiveness, and improve students' learning outcomes.
      8. Food Drive for ASI Pantry
        October is the month for our food drive. Please help our students in need.
  4. Associate Deans
    1. Research
      1. Faculty Affairs update
        1. Outside employment
          Every full-time faculty is required to report, every semester, outside employment above the thresholds specified in Article 35 of the CBA. We should expect an email from Faculty Affairs soon.
      2. CNSM Research Summit
        Friday, November 8th.
        There will be no ORSP university-wide mixer this fall (Mixers will begin a once-per-semester schedule in spring 2020), and thus, the College Office thinks a Summit is warranted this fall. Suggestions on format are invited and encouraged until the end of September. After that, efforts will shift to implementation.
      3. NCUR 2021 Noble Laureate Lecture
        ORSP has secured the NCUR 2021 to be held on our campus during 2021 spring break week.
        Discussed our student groups' involvement in NCUR 2021 and the possibility of the student-run Nobel Laureate Lecture being a plenary talk for NCUR 2021.
      4. Posters – women’s role in STEM
        Eight posters are available and need suggestions where to post them. Barbara Taylor can share electronic copies of the posters, send email to request
      5. Microbiology move
        Updated.
  5. Richard D. Green Science and Math Lectures
    Discussed and passed its policy (see below). Each department is welcome to invite one speaker for a talk in its regular colloquium series each year.
  6. RS policy discussion
    Discussed our College’s RS giveback policy in case the University limits our RS account carryovers.
    Discussed F&A on-campus rate versus off-campus rate (47.5% and 26%, respectively). On-campus rate should be used in new applications when allowed.
    Discussed the distributions of the F&A return among the college, the department, and PIs.
  7. BEACH2030 (postponed to next CDC meeting)
    1. Workload
    2. Inclusive Excellence
  8. Strategic Communications (postponed to next CDC meeting)
  9. Adjourn @12pm

Minutes submitted by Dr. Tangan Gao on 9/10/2019.

CDC Meeting Minutes were APPROVED on Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Upcoming Dates

  • Friday, September 13 – Abstract Deadline for Student Research Symposium
  • Thursday, September 19 – Department Chairs Workshop – 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Friday, September 20 – Student Research Symposium
  • Friday, October 4 – CSU Department Chairs Workshop – 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday, October 22 – ORSP Funding for OA Publishing Workshop – 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, October 25 – Department Chairs Workshop – 11:45 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, November 14 – Fellows' Colloquium
  • Friday, November 8 – CNSM Research Summit

Richard D. Green Science and Mathematics Lecturers

Supported by the Richard D. Green Dean's endowment, this new initiative seeks to fund visits by successful scholars from groups traditionally underrepresented in our disciplines. The distinguished scholars are asked to give both a research talk appropriate to our undergraduate students as well as to meet with our students and/or give a talk describing their unique professional journey discussing any hurdles they may have overcome to arrive at their current position. This series is modeled in part on the OCDS Lecture Series at UCLA.

Rationale

Unconscious biases lead us and our students to ascribe talent in our disciplines to those whom we see in those disciplines. Unfortunately, when the faculty is not particularly diverse, students develop unconscious biases that keep them from seeing themselves as future faculty. One method to combat this bias is to ensure that underrepresented distinguished lecturers are invited to campus. Moreover, having such scholars discuss how they overcame hurdles they faced helps all students overcome challenges they will face.

Support

Departments will receive $1,000 to be used to defray travel costs and/or for an honorarium for a speaker. In special cases, departments may receive additional funds.

Expectations

Each speaker will give a talk on their scientific research appropriate for senior undergraduate students in their discipline (typically in the departmental research seminar) and will additionally meet with students and/or give a talk discussing their own journey to the Ph.D. and beyond. Departments may receive funding for one speaker per academic year (if more funds become available during the year, the dean’s office will let departments know).

Application Process

Department Chairs submit to the dean's office their department requests, including:

  • speaker name,
  • speaker’s current position and institutional affiliation,
  • a description of how they are appropriate as a Green Lecturer,
  • expected budget, and
  • expected schedule for their day on campus.

Decision

A panel consisting of the Dean, Associate Dean for Research, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, and College Equity Advisor will review the requests.

Timeline

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis but must be submitted at least 2 months before the anticipated visit. Applicants will receive funding decision within 2 weeks of submitting their request.