Approval of minutes. The minutes for the meeting of March 3, 2004 were approved as amended. Remarks by the Chair. President Brody reported that the Middle States accreditation team indicated at the exit interview that they were favorably impressed by their visit. He said there were a number of things that the committee commented on, and one of the striking observations was the degree to which the students were happy with their experience at Hopkins. The evaluation team was impressed by the consonance between Hopkin's mission of education through discovery and the students' interests in being at Hopkins. President Brody thanked and congratulated the deans and the faculty, and added that Paula Burger and Pam Cranston deserve special thanks for their efforts.

The President said that one area recommended for improvement had to do with academic integrity, both from student and faculty perspectives. The evaluation team was concerned that our processes are not adequate to deal with issues of academic integrity. Diversity is another issue that was raised. The President commented that Dr. Ruth Simmons, President of Brown, was quite helpful and positive, and she volunteered to share ideas on how to address this issue.

Dean Weiss said that he agreed that on the whole the report was very positive. However, he expressed disappointment in that a couple of the criticisms raised, academic integrity and diversity, had been the subjects of considerable efforts over the past 3 years.

Discussion with President Brody regarding department reviews. Professor Ditz reported that the departmental review process was the topic at the evening meeting on March 9, and in particular the review system at Northwestern University was discussed. One of the Council's subcommittees is working on shorter term aspects that might be adopted before the next review cycle. One concrete suggestion was to have committees comprising one Academic Council member and two faculty members conduct the reviews so that Council is not over committed. Also this could foster better relations between faculty and Council.

A Council member commented that the current reviews spot problems, but are not good at coming up with evaluations such as where the department ranks with its peers. He noted that the charge to the review committees does not seem to contain specific instructions.

Dean Douglas reported Dr. Simmons's comment that regular reviews of academic units are not a substitute for systematic change. She had remarked that Hopkins is good at reviewing itself, but not good at implementing change as a result of its review. A Council member suggested asking departments what kinds of criteria might be applied to them, and commented that we tend to use national criteria rather than thinking about the standing of a department in international terms.

President Brody discussed his experiences serving in the MIT visiting committee system. He then invited the Deans to comment on the utility of our review system. Dean Weiss replied that our reviews help in making the easy decisions, but are of little help in making the hard decisions. Dean Douglas noted that every department in the Engineering School has a visiting committee, and the school as a whole has an advisory council. Each department suggests the members of their visiting committee, although they serve at the pleasure of the Dean. These committees have allegiance to the department, but they can be helpful. Dean Douglas agreed with Dean Weiss that the Deans need other help in making the hard decisions.

After further discussion, President Brody asked Council, the Deans, and the Provost to think about the departmental review system and how to set up a more effective review process for further discussion at a future date. Professor Ditz suggested that in addition to the question of Council representation issues and election procedures, the issue of the departmental review system should be considered in 2004/05.

President Brody left the meeting at 3:51 p.m. Dean Douglas assumed the chair.

The promotion of Dr. Daniel Deudney to the rank of Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science effective July 1, 2004 was approved.

Professor Das, liason to the Board of Review committee reported that the following appointment was approved by the committee: Dr. Randall Smith as Research Scientist in Physics & Astronomy for 3/16/04 - 3/15/05.

Professor Ditz reported for Professor Khan, Chair of the Appointments and Promotions subcommittee on appointments that have been approved by the committee: 1) Dr. Michelle Wagner as Lecturer in Applied Mathematics and Statistics for 7/1/04 - 6/30/05. 2) Dr. Erin Chung as Assistant Professor in Political Science effective 7/1/04. 3) Dr. Morris Low as Assistant Professor in History of Science and Technology effective 1/1/05.

Remarks by the Secretary. Professor Ditz reminded Council of the meeting on March 31 which will be devoted entirely to the issue of the tenure procedures. The possibility of handing the transition document to a subcommittee will also be discussed.

Remarks by the Deans. Dean Weiss commented that the reason there is a special Council meeting on March 31 is that the presentation to the Board of Trustees' Academic Affairs subcommittee went exceptionally well. The Board is ready for this to be brought to them this year.

The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

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Last updated 23Apr04 by dgips@jhu.edu