SOS Steering Committee Meeting 9/15/00

Minutes

Attending: Kathy Johnson (chair), Pam Crowell (Biology), Dennis Devine (Psychology), Paul Dubin (Chemistry), Gabe Filippelli (Geology), Jon Luke (Mathematics), Mihran Tuceryan (Computer Science), Steve Wassall (Physics), David Stocum (Dean), Gordon Fricke (Associate Dean).

Kathy Johnson called the meeting to order and introduced new members.

KJ announced that the secretary cannot serve more than two terms, so PD cannot be secretary. She called for nominations (preferably people who have been on this committee before) - these should be sent to her by email this week.

9/21/00 UPDATE: Fritz Kleinhans (Physics) has agreed to serve in this capacity.

The bylaws were further reviewed in regard to the role of this committee. PD stated that the bylaws give very broad authority to the faculty but do not specify procedures for implementation. KJ said we should attempt to make faculty more active. KJ stated that this is an "off-year" so that no administrative evaluations are due, and asked about other activities we can define. She said the committee should have a more coherent and relevant role.

DS stated that the committee is supposed to act as a budgetary advisory committee for the School, and we decided to make the next meeting one in which we examine the SOS budget. It was proposed that at its October meeting this committee should work together on a School budget using the model of consensus; the Chairs are involved in a similar exercise, although each Chair has been asked to independently develop his/her budget.

Other tasks for the committee for this year that were suggested:

1. Providing feedback on the School Strategic Plan and the IUPUI Portfolio project.

2. Interacting with Dean’s Advisory council and Alumni Assoc. Board on strategic planning.

3. Help expand annual career day (Spring event, sponsored by Biology, Chemistry, Psychology): include other departments, improve job placement. KJ will contact people currently involved, before next meeting.

DS was asked about the fate of the post-tenure review document, and replied that it was sent on.

DS discussed the Campaign for IUPUI and stated that we were halfway to the School's goal of $3MM, but that we lack faculty support. He stated that he would like in his last three years as Dean, to focus on the visibility, external image, and local funding support of the school.

DS stated that the SOS-SC could be involved in curriculum reform.

PD suggested that this committee consider the school-wide policy on advising, and said that advising policies were highly fragmented within the school because the disappearance of mandatory advising that came with "touch-tone" registration in the 80's left advising unregulated at the University level. It was agreed that advising and the lack thereof have impacts on grades and retention.

KJ asked for a volunteer to attend the Chairs’ council (meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, although Faculty Assembly representative attends only on the first Tuesday of each month). Gabe F agreed to attend these meetings during the Fall, 2000 semester.

KJ presented a draft of a Faculty Assembly homepage, which can be used by the faculty to submit agenda items to SOS-SC, and disseminate SOS-SC minutes to faculty. No objections, so website will be established before next meeting.

The Fall 2000 Faculty Assembly meeting was set for Monday, Nov. 13, 3-5 PM, LD 010.

Next Steering Committee meeting: Friday, October 6, 10 AM, LD 124