Approval of minutes. The minutes for the meeting of February 18, 2004 were approved as amended.

Remarks by the Secretary. Professor Ditz reminded Council members that the departmental review process will be discussed at the evening meeting on Tuesday, March 9.

Open Discussion. A Council member asked for an update on the building for the Carnegie Institute and the Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute that is under construction on San Martin Drive. Provost Knapp responded that the Carnegie Institute portion is proceeding. The Space Telescope portion will be built out though not completed due to uncertainties surrounding the Hubble Telescope. He further noted that completing the shell is cost effective and that the lower half of the building will provide parking.

A Council member asked about prospects for Sellinger aid for next year. The Provost replied that Governor Ehrlich submitted the same, reduced amount as last year, but nothing is certain until the end of the legislative session. The Department of Legislative Services recommended making the reduction permanent, but there seemed to be little legislative sentiment to adopt this recommendation.

The appointment of Dr. Milton C. Cummings as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science effective July 1, 2004 was approved.

Professor Khan, Chair of the Appointments and Promotions subcommittee reported on appointments that have been approved by the committee: 1) Dr. Manisha Sengupta as Lecturer in the Program for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality for 2/1/04 - 5/31/04. 2) Dr. Yue-Hong Qian as Adjunct Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering for 2/1/04 - 1/31/05. 3) Dr. Marcia Kupfer as Adjunct Professor in History of Art for 3/1/04 - 12/31/04.

Professor Das, liaison to the Board of Review committee, reported on the following appointment approved by the committee: Dr. Vitalii Silin as Adjunct Research Scientist in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering for 2/1/04 - 1/31/05.

The Council turned to further consideration of the proposal for changes to the tenure policy and procedures for their implementation. Provost Knapp reported that the Academic Affairs subcommittee of the Board of Trustees would be meeting on Sunday, and that Deans Weiss, Douglas, Falk and Professor Lattman will attend to have a preliminary discussion about the proposed changes to the tenure policy. The plan is to discuss this with the full Board of Trustees in June.

Dean Falk pointed out the draft procedures document, including language on the referees' letters that had been approved. He asked Council to look at the language and decide whether it reflects its views. Dean Falk suggested that within the existing procedures there were four substantive issues: the Dean's provision of a written recommendation to Council, the procedures for waiving the hold over rule, the procedures for new appointments, and the size of the ad hoc committee. In further discussion, the following issues were also recognized as requiring attention: the departmental interim review, transparency of departmental review process, transition procedures, sample referees letter, and appeal procedure. A discussion ensued on a number of these issues, and will be continued at the next meeting.

Remarks by the Chair. The Provost said that there have been discussions on ways to make the Academic Council website more accessible.

Remarks by the Deans. Dean Falk reported that Dr. Stuphorn has accepted the appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences with a secondary appointment in the Mind/Brain Institute, effective July 1, 2004.

Dean Falk noted the handout on the table about the accreditation process. The Middle-States evaluation team will be meeting with faculty on Monday, March 22. Discussion will center on undergraduate education.

The meeting adjourned at 5:57 p.m.

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Last updated 31Mar04 by dgips@jhu.edu