Approval of minutes. The minutes for the meeting of November 29, 2006 were approved as amended.

Remarks by the Secretary. Professor Ball thanked everyone who attended the dinner meeting on Tuesday, December 5. They met with Dr. Kelly Gebo, who directs the Public Health studies major, and Professor Steven David who directs the International Studies major. Professor Ball represented the Neuroscience major. Professor Ball commented that these large interdepartmental majors have become important to the educational mission of the Krieger School. A discussion ensued about a possible periodic review of interdepartmental programs and research centers. Council considered taking on the development of a conceptual model and the policies for reviewing centers.

Open discussion. The Council congratulated Provost Knapp on his appointment as President of George Washington University.

A Council member made suggestions about the conduct of departmental reviews.

The Council elected Dr. Frances Ferguson from the Department of English to serve in place of Dr. Bill Leslie while he is on leave in Spring for the period January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007.

The promotion of Dr. Jean-François Molinari to tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering effective January 1, 2007 was approved.

The appointment of Dr. Charles R. Westgate as Professor Emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering effective July 1, 2007 was approved.

It was reported that Dr. Vural Aksakali as Lecturer in Applied Mathematics & Statistics for 1/1/07 - 5/31/07 and Matthew Porterfield as Lecturer, part-time, and Artist in Residence in English for 1/1/07 - 5/31/07 were approved by the Appointments and Promotions subcommittee.

Professor Marshall, liaison to the Graduate Board, reported that the Graduate Board continues to discuss its role in the university.

A proposal from the Graduate Board, defining the format of theses containing unpublished material, was approved.

The Council approved a motion giving the Deans authority to make non-tenure track faculty appointments and tenure-track Assistant Professor appointments in exceptional circumstances between January 1 - January 23, 2007 (includes Intersession.)

Remarks by the Chair. Provost Knapp remarked on last week's announcement about the division of the current School of Professional Studies in Business and Education into two freestanding schools, one of which will be known as the School of Education, the other as the Carey Business School. Since its earliest days, Johns Hopkins University has offered part-time education as part of the original mission to provide educational opportunities to those in the surrounding region.

Provost Knapp said that a proposal to offer a full time MBA program to Johns Hopkins students after completion of a BA or BS has been developed. He added that there are no plans to create an undergraduate business major. The largest part of the Carey Business School will still be the part-time programs. This proposal will simultaneously create the School of Education. It is an accredited school of education located on the site of the former Seton High School. Ralph Fessler is the Dean, who is now serving as the Dean of the School of Professional Studies. There will be a national search for the founding Dean of the Business School. The proposal to divide the schools was proposed to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees last February, discussed by the Academic Affairs committee, and approved by the full Board of Trustees on December 3 - 4, 2006.

A Council member voiced concern that the faculty in the Krieger School had not been consulted about this program. A Council member expressed concern that this would lead to a shift in fundraising priorities. Provost Knapp said that the development experts do not project this. Over time, this program may enhance university resources by attracting new donors.

When Dean Spiegel asked about an interim provost, Provost Knapp said that he is slated to leave on August 1, 2007 and a national search for Provost will start soon.

Remarks by the Dean. Dean Falk reported that Nancy Forgione, a longstanding visiting professor in the Department of the History of Art, died of a sudden illness. Her remarkable memorial service was another reminder of the special people in the Hopkins community and the enormous contributions by non-tenure track faculty.

Dean Falk reminded Council that after two years of yeoman service as Acting Dean of Faculty, Dr. Gaby Spiegel will step down. She is the incoming President of the American Historical Association. This is an enormous honor both for Dr. Spiegel and for Hopkins. David Bell, Mellon Professor of the Humanities from the Department of History, will become the Dean of Faculty.

Provost Knapp encouraged Council to think about candidates for the Provost position. Provost Knapp said that this is his 13th year of coming to Council meetings and he is very impressed by the quality of the people serving on Council and by their dedication. He thanked Council for their dedication to University.

The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

© 2007 The Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore, Maryland. All rights reserved.
Last updated 24Mar07 by dgips@jhu.edu