Remarks by the Secretary. Professor Kingsland summarized the discussion from the evening meeting of May 13. The impact that the proposed changes in the tenure system might have on the Academic Council's work was considered. The proposed new system might mean that the Deans will play a larger role in promotions and appointments. Dean Weiss indicated that the plan might take a year to implement. The Council will need to make some adjustments during that year. Possibly procedures will have to change. It will be important to maintain high standards in evaluating the candidates and Council may need more time to make a thorough review and discuss the dossiers properly.

The evening meeting discussion ranged over a number of issues along these lines starting with who should be eligible to serve on Council, whether the sub-committees evaluating candidates should be smaller, the value of Council with respect to the service it provides to the University, and changes to promotion process. There was discussion about Council's various activities and some discussion about whether Council is trying to do too many things. This is the right time for Council to think hard about what it does. For next Fall the Council should take up these issues in earnest, before any change in tenure policy. There should be an evaluation with special attention to how Council might adapt to any new tenure regulations.

Professor Bryan added that how the changes in tenure might impact the involvement of Deans office was also discussed. She said it is important to be in open communication in both directions. The Academic Council has been a major part of this University for a long time. Dean Weiss said he agrees fully. Within the Deans offices they want to proceed very carefully in implementing change if it is agreed to move forward so that the fundamental integrity of the process is not disrupted. It was the intention of the Deans to present to the Council before the end of this academic year the recommendation that the Tenure Policy Committee be supported and that there be a vote to move to the next level of implementation planning, that would involve the Council, Deans Office and to some extent the Board of Trustees. Provost Knapp made the recommendation that a proposal be taken to the Academic Affairs committee of the Board of Trustees to get them involved in thinking about some of these issues. Then Council with the Deans would continue to work on implementation planning over the next year.

Professor Ball added that Departmental Reviews were discussed at the evening meeting. A number of possible models were discussed. One suggestion was to have the review committees include non-Council members, at least for the data collection. This might be a way to free up Council member's time. Internal and external committees were discussed. Dean Douglas added that CUE has asked the Council to be more vigilant about reviewing the undergraduate program. Professor Nirenberg said that the proposed new tenure system would require greater diligence since the risks are higher. If Council could focus on its core mission without surrendering Council's responsibility to oversee the end-result of the departmental reviews, this might be a way to re-structure Council to get wider participation. All of these things could be discussed and sorted through by Council next year.

Open Discussion. Professor Naiman said that he wanted to pass on that one of his colleagues is very upset about the parking situation. There are Security Vans taking up space behind the power plant. They know they are not supposed to park there, and yet they do. Dean Weiss suggested following up with Ron Mullen, Director of Security, Parking and Transportation Services.

The promotion of Dr. Douglas Barrick to Associate Professor in the Department of Biophysics effective July 1, 2003 was approved.

The promotion of Dr. Rochelle Tobias to Associate Professor in the Department of German effective July 1, 2003 was approved.

The promotion of Dr. A. Lynn Roberts to Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering effective July 1, 2003 was approved.

Professor Lattman, Chair of the Appointments and Promotions subcommittee reported that the following appointments were approved - David Gracias as Assistant Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering effective 9/1/03, Yoon-Soo Park as Adjunct Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering for 7/1/03 - 6/30/04, Patrick Fleming as Lecturer in Biophysics for 7/1/03 - 6/30/04, Mr. Hossein Hashemi as Assistant Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering effective 7/1/03.

Discussion of "Evaluation of Teaching: Summary of Concerns" and consideration of the recommendation that a select committee be established. Professor Kingsland said that she had distributed a summary from the April 8th evening meeting and additional comments from Professor Khan from the Appointments and Promotions committee. In the summary, it was suggested that a select committee be formed to look into the whole issue of teaching evaluation. If such a committee is formed, it was suggested that these comments be passed along. Dean Falk said that many important issues have been raised. He asked if it were primarily about appointments and promotions and the role that teaching plays there. Professor Kingsland said that it was partly that and partly to help the Council figure out how best to evaluate teaching. Broad issues include not just a better Merlin questionnaire, but also to think through how to most fairly evaluate teaching in its broadest sense including graduate supervision and undergraduate mentorship. The matter was tabled for further discussion at the next Council meeting.

The Deans suggestions for 2003/04 Academic Council subcommittees were approved as follows: 1) Appointment/Promotions: Professors M. Ali Khan (chair), Veena Das, Ed Lattman, Jack Rugh 2) Academic Affairs: Professors Michael Williams (chair), Greg Ball, Bill Leslie, Gerald Masson, Ben Hobbs 3) Administration and Budget: Professors Douglas Poland (chair), Toby Ditz, Paul Feldman, Jack Rugh, 4) Recorders: Professors Jack Rugh, Fall 2003 semester, Greg Ball, Spring 2004 semester, 5)Secretary Professors Ed Lattman, Fall 2003 semester, Toby Ditz, Spring 2004 semester, 6) Agenda Committee: Professors Ben Hobbs, Doug Poland, Ed Lattman and Toby Ditz.

Remarks by the Deans. Dean Busch-Vishniac reported that Dr. Laurent Younes accepted the appointment as Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences effective July 1, 2003 and Dr. Lian Shen has accepted the appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering. She also reported that The Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) will be closed on September 30, 2003 when its principal grant ends. She added that in The Whiting School centers are formed because a large grant has been received. They are interdisciplinary and highly focused. CNDE was the first center and it was formed nearly twenty years ago.

The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

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Last updated 03Oct03 by dgips@jhu.edu