THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Council of Deans

Meeting Minutes – October 25, 2005

Members Present: Auburn, Baker, Barnett, Johnson, Katz (for D. Mugler), Kelley, Kern-Simirenko, Kinion (for

Capers), Kristofco, Levant, K. Mugler, Nelson, Newkome, Reilly (for Aynes), Sheffer (for Haritos),

Silverman, Stroble

Members Absent with Notice: Midha, Stokes

Chair: Stroble

Recorder: C. Herold

TOPIC / DISCUSSION / ACTION
Minutes / No discussion / Approved as written
Announcements / K. Mugler reported that October 29 will be “Make a Difference Day.” She asked for student volunteers for participation. Faculty service learning grant application deadline is November 15 (check for a link on the University Website).
Baker: Follow up on Plagiarism discussions. Have set up website covering plagiarism issues/rules on the Library website.
Nelson: The campus will participate with Akron International Friends, etc. to host a summit on citizen diplomacy on November 14. Educators Dinner will be November __. The speaker will be from Batelle for Kids.
She will also represent the state at a States Institute in Washington.
Reilly reported that the dedication of the Goldberg Seminar room would take place this afternoon
Levant: Will be hosting an Evening with the APA President on November 15. Also announced he was in Guantanamo as President of APA and will attend a meeting at the White House Council on Aging.
Johnson announced Homecoming weekend was a success. Forming a parents and family association. Trying to communicate as much as possible with parents.
Barnett announced that Richard Smucker will be at the College of Business to talk about “Preserving Values.” / Encourage faculty to review site.
Nelson will send flyers to the Deans.
College Participation in Commencement / Stroble asked Deans to encourage faculty participation. If any problems with numbers, please work with Sharon Johnson’s office.
Membership on the International Program Advisory Committee / Nelson: We have created an advisory committee. Thinking about the structure for the campus. There is representation from all of the Colleges as well as International Programs (David Ayers). Looking at how to involve faculty and students with recruiting, etc.
Adult Learner Enrollment / Debbie Gwin is in charge of Adult Focus. Looks at the responsibilities of adult learners and opportunities for study, etc. at the university (handout).
There has been a decline in overall offerings and overall enrollment. New adult students entering this year were down this fall.
Need to look at the trends of individual programs at the University.
Every college needs to look at their class offerings and what happened to their adult learners. Need to look at scheduling patterns. / Will have an adult recruiter in Admissions soon.
Need to look at the weekend and evening offerings, web-based and distant learning opportunities as well.
Next Steps in the Academic Plan / Revised new document will be available early next week. Created a “Next Steps” document that was submitted to Faculty Senate Executive Committee. They decided to take to floor of Faculty Senate and prepare a resolution for a vote on the floor. They feel Faculty Senate should have a voting opportunity on the plan. / Provost supports the vote as a means validating the engagement of the campus. Will finish plan before we do anything else. Will go back to Faculty Senate for vote in December.
Strategies for Focusing on the Positive / In these fiscal times, focusing on the positive is challenging.
Ideas: We should use positive psychology. Focus on optimism…(glass half full, not half empty).
Need to help our colleagues cope with adversity.
Need to find ways to cultivate engaging the community.
Appreciative Inquiry: Look at what we have and see what we can do with what we have. Opportunities happen.
Need to put forward the positive things that are happening in the colleges.
Really need to encourage socialization of the campus community. (Look at the idea of the University Club that existed in the past, other social opportunities for collegiality).
The current faculty dining room in the Student Union is an embarrassment. Really need to make it more appealing (pictures, etc.) Much to stark…and cold!
A deeper problem is polarization. What can we do to get the good word out about people on campus? We need to acknowledge good things.
Everyone should be part of the decisions that are made. We need conversations now. Communication is necessary at all levels.
Discussion at Chairs/Dean meeting. The chairs need to discuss the chair selection policy. Would like to have had an opportunity for input in the Chair selection process.
Need opportunities for information exchange. Would clear up some misinformation. Chairs group needs to have a key person (administrator) attend meetings for clarification purposes. / Will continue to use Provost’s Perspective to spread the good word.
Deans could donate funds to improve faculty dining room
Provost’s office is looking at a Mardi Gras type of activity in February. Not only will this be a fun event but will also be geared to good works…Katrina relief, etc.
Initial Appointment of Chairs and Deans / (handout..will also be emailed to deans and dept. chairs) Will be doing searches for deans and department chairs.
. / Provost has scheduled meetings with each of the colleges who will be searching for new deans. One meeting will be with administrators and one will be with faculty, staff and CPs without administrators.
Next Meeting / November 10 (Thursday) 9:00 – 11:00