Approval of minutes. The minutes for the meeting of November 19, 2003, were approved as amended.

Remarks by the Secretary. Professor Lattman reminded Council members of the evening meeting on Tuesday, December 9, at which the topic will be the tenure policy. He suggested that the departmental review reports be submitted to Sally Marcin by December 15 so that the departments will have ample time to respond.

The Council decided to send an email to the untenured faculty members as a follow-up to the lunch invitations.

Open Discussion. Professor Das commented that the issue of Homeland Security was discussed at the Faculty Assembly meeting on December 2. She suggested that it may be important to have an informed discussion on some of the issues that have been researched. Provost Knapp commented that most of his remarks at the Faculty Assembly were focused on the engagement of universities in research related to homeland security and on policies on classified research and the category of `sensitive but unclassified research'. He said that a multi-divisional faculty committee is being put together to look at our 1968 policy. He noted that the Trustees' Academic Affairs subcommittee also has discussed this topic.

The Provost reported that there was a site visit from government agencies two weeks ago on the matters of export controls and International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR). The government is developing a document concerning "deemed exports" that states that if you use certain materials in the presence of foreign nationals it is as if you exported the materials. A license might have to be obtained for certain kinds of equipment and materials. Dr. Poehler added that the list of deemed exports is 41 pages long, and includes items that would be found in almost any laboratory. He noted that Hopkins is very concerned about these potential regulations.

Provost Knapp said that the third area he talked about at the Faculty Assembly meeting was regulations by the new US Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS is the agency formerly known as INS). He spoke about efforts to get better policies and practices in place. For example, there is a need to have clearer guidelines for how interviews are conducted of students who are applying or have been accepted to a program so that the students do not inadvertently say things that are damaging to their applications. There also is a need to reduce waiting time for visa applications to be processed. Professor Das commented that it is one thing to say we should anticipate what the government thinks is sensitive, and another thing to generate critical discussion in the media and government. She said that being overly accommodating might be untrue to our vocation as intellectuals who hold questions of justice and security for future generations. Provost Knapp replied that he did not want to imply that trying to get some improvement in the government processes precludes advocacy efforts in which Hopkins is involved.

President Brody joined the meeting at 3:25 p.m. and assumed the Chair.

Remarks by the Chair. President Brody opened his remarks by saying that he was placing a higher priority on fundraising this year and has asked Provost Knapp to serve in his absence more than usual. He reported that financially the University is doing well. He attributed this to outstanding leadership by the Deans, and excellent work by Provost Knapp and Dr. McGill in putting together a five-year plan. The President added that the situation in regard to Sellinger aid is difficult, and that maintaining level funding would be a victory.

The President said that just prior to the meeting he was on his weekly conference call on NCAA issues relating to the Division III exception. He said that it is probably not in the best interest of Hopkins to move lacrosse out of Division I to Division III.

President Brody reported that by next week there will be a new General Counsel to replace Estelle Fishbein

President Brody left the meeting at 4:17 p.m. and Provost Knapp assumed the chair.

The Council then turned to consideration of the proposal for changes to the tenure policy and procedures for their implementation. Dean Falk reviewed the process leading to the proposed change in tenure policy, and noted that the implementation plan prepared by the tenure policy working group comprised three parts: the proposed Tenure Regulations, which reflect the changes when tenure is granted, the proposed Transition from old to new tenure system, which is necessary only if the policy is changed, and the proposed Appointment and Promotion Procedures. He noted that the proposal does not change the decision points in the process that currently exists, namely the departmental review and decision to send the case forward, the Dean's decision to form an ad hoc committee, the ad hoc committee report to the Academic Council, the vote by Council, and finally the vote by the Board of Trustees. Dean Falk further noted that the proposed document attempts to strengthen each phase of the review by making more and better information available, creating a better paper trail and more accountability, standardizing and strengthening the departmental review, clarifying, without enhancing or diminishing, the role of the Deans, making the ad hoc committee more independent, and clarifying the presentation of the case to Council.

A lengthy discussion of the draft documents ensued. Further discussion is planned for the meeting on December 17.

Professor Khan, Chair of the Appointments and Promotions subcommittee reported that the following appointments have been approved: 1)Dr. Monika Trumper as Visiting Assistant Professor in Classics for 7/1/04 - 6/30/05. 2) Dr. Isobel Armstrong as Hinkley Visiting Professor in English for 1/1/05 - 6/30/05. 3) Dr. Floyd Hayes as Senior Lecturer in Political Science for 7/1/04 - 6/30/05.

Remarks by the Deans. Dean Weiss reported that a committee to examine the academic schedule is being formed. It will examine the weekly class schedule and the length of the semester.

Dean Weiss reported that Hopkins undergraduates received several distinguished undergraduate fellowships this year - a Rhodes, two Marshalls and a Mitchell. He commented that given the size of Hopkins this is a breathtaking achievement and that with the leadership of Dean Bader students have received help going through the process to obtain these fellowships.

The meeting adjourned at 5:36 p.m.

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