September 15, 2020 Minutes

Council of Department Chairs

In attendance: Curtis Bennett, Barbara Taylor, Chris Brazier, Andreas Bill, Babette Benken, Christine Whitcraft, Dessie Underwood, Lisa Martin, Margaret Karteron, Rick Behl, Kris Slowinski, Will Murray, Henry Wu, Allie Puz.

NOTE: THESE MINUTES REFLECT DISCUSSIONS THAT HAPPENED ON THE DATE OF THESE MINUTES. DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION, THINGS ARE RAPIDLY CHANGING.  FOR OFFICIAL POLICY PLEASE WAIT FOR DOCUMENTS FROM THE APPROPRIATE OFFICES.

  1. Approve agenda (10:30)
  2. Approve minutes from Sept. 1; Approved as amended.
  3. Announcements
    1. Operations
      1. The “Pretty Darn Good Professor” award is accepting nominations; due October 1st.
      2. College Council is beginning the RSCA announcement
        1. Application process is September 21st to November 9th.
        2. College application will likely not be available until the 23rd or 25th.
    2. ASM Update
      1. All stipend payments must be signed off by the dean.
        1. Departments must send which faculty member has completed what for dean’s office review and approval.
        2. Get the newest version of spreadsheet from ATS.
          1. Incorporate a key for acronyms, if possible.
        3. All of the benefits that come from any of CARES payment will be on the college.
      2. TA/GA Sign in
        1. Make sure TA/GAs are signing in under the correct classification.
        2. If they don’t sign in, their pay might be affected.
    3. Development Update
      1. Chairs please ask faculty for photos of activities with students last AY pre-covid for annual video to alumni.
      2. I'd also like some current pictures from open labs with everyone in masks.
    4. Academic Senate Report
      1. Policy on hiring graduate students as TA/GA/ISA; sent out by Curt.
        1. Please review the policy you received via email. The senate will still be discussing this policy at their next meeting.
    5. Dean’s Report
      1. Future Meetings (10:30-12:30 some weeks).
      2. CARES money
        1. Another 3.1 million will be distributed.
        2. A committee is in charge of distribution.
        3. You may use your existing CARES money for the remainder of this academic year.
        4. Use of N funds.
          1. Cannot be used for salaries (excluding student salaries).
            1. If used for salaries, you are also responsible for benefits hence we recommend limiting to student salaries.
        5. You can apply to roll over your IRA funds.
        6. Submit which courses you don’t want to collect course fees to Henry for Spring; also submit courses where the fee should be refunded for Fall term.
      3. Enrollment
        1. We have some reports that it is up 20% more than last year.  We need to wait for census.
        2. WTU is up from 13 to 13.2
      4. Beach 2030
        1. The college will need to complete our BEACH 2030 proposal by spring.
      5. Spring 2021
        1. The university is looking at spring building openings.  We are hoping that more faculty will be allowed to teach from their offices in the spring but this is not ensured.
      6. Enrollment
        1. 20% more than last year
        2. WTU is up from 13 to 13.2
      7. Beach 2030
        1. We have more time to figure out our plans, given the current situation.
      8. Spring 2021
        1. As of today, and despite previous plans, we are unsure if faculty will be able to teach from their offices.
  4. Associate Deans
    1. Academic Programs
      1. Advising & Class Scheduling Updates
        1. Registration starts in November.
          1. Discussion: Is it possible to get estimated enrollment dates for each cohort?
            1. Will continue this conversation at the next CDC.
          2. Plan course caps carefully.
          3. Be mindful that we do not have artificial enrollment in labs that is only possible online; once we get back to campus enrollment will need to be sustainable.
        2. Schedule is live in the first week of October.
        3. We must complete freshmen and transfer advising by the end of October.
          1. Faculty advisors may hear about this in the next few days.
      2. Spring 21 Transfer Admissions
        1. CNSM transfer goal is 66.
    2. Research
      1. BBS Summer Project Request
        1. Write up and send projects that you’d like to be done in Summer 2021 that you can pay for.
      2. Internal Awards (ORSP)
        1. RSCA Assigned Time & Faculty Small Grants
          1. Tentative Deadlines right now; will share when they’re firm.
        2. Mini-Grants and Summer Stipends for Faculty
          1. No competition this year.
          2. No awards next year.
  5. Revised RS Fund Policy
    1. Barbara sent around yesterday; no changes from the version sent out.
      1. Discussion: send out an email with justification that we currently cannot subsidize due to budget cuts.
      2. The policy approved by a vote.
  6. Budget and Spring Scheduling
    1. We can think about increasing class sizes where it makes sense and is sustainable.
      1. 5 is a safe increase for smaller classes.
      2. Don’t increase labs too much.
  7. MICR Feasibility Study Meeting Prep
    1. Meeting with Campus Planning and consultant (from AC Martin) is Thursday, September 17 at 3:00 pm
    2. This is our one chance for space in the near future:
      1. This is a chance to find space efficiencies by moving spaces around.
      2. We should be thinking broadly and outside-the-box.
      3. What are you missing in terms of space resources?
      4. Is there some way it could be rolled into a student success center?
    3. Keep in mind that this is a feasibility study, not a renovation plan. A decision to renovate has not been made.
    4.  If this does not provide an overall better situation for the college, we will not pursue it.
    5. We don’t want to lose this opportunity and then possibly lose this space to someone else.
  8. Picture a Scientist Movie (Dates & Strategies)
    1. Possible screening for December 4th.
    2. Faculty are all invited.
    3. Discussion questions for after the movie.
    4. The content of the film is very sensitive.
      Do not just show the movie to students and not do a follow up with well thought out discussion questions.
    5. Potential Wednesday, Thursday, Friday window for viewing; with a college discussion session on Friday afternoon.
      1. If you’d prefer a departmental discussion, that’s fine too.
    6. Faculty view first followed directly by a discussion so that we can appropriately and thoughtfully present to the students.
      1. Potentially include a mental health professional as part of the discussion if it is presented to students.
  9. Other Business
  10. Adjourn

Upcoming Dates:

September 21 - Nominations for committee service due to College Council Rep or Margaret Karteron.


October 1 - PDGP Nominations Due.