November 9, 2004
Biology: P. Crowell, Stocum, Allen,
Chernoff, Ulbright,
CIS: Chin,
Raje, Dai
Geology: None
FIS: Siegel
Math: Rigdon,
Watt, Burkinshaw, Boukin, Ernst
Physics: Rao,
Vemuri, Kemple, Kleinhans
Psychology: Fastenau,
Fetterman, Svanum, Devine, Hazer, Neal-Beliveau, J. Williams
Dean’s Office: Cowen,
Nguyen, Kuczkowski
Pamela Crowell called the meeting to order at 11:35 a.m.
I. Approval of Minutes
The minutes from March 24, 2004, were approved.
II. Dean’s Report
A. The computer problem that is interfering with students getting financial aid is a huge problem and will continue next semester.
B. Associate Dean searches are moving forward. Cowen expects to make appointments next semester.
C. Recruiting
There is a campus effort to recruit more international students. Schools will start to offer $1000 scholarships; the funds will come out the School budget with net gain in the increase in number of students.
Scholarships will be used to (1) recruit new good students and (2) to reward students who are doing well. Historically, the SOS has awarded scholarships in the Spring semester, but that is too late to be useful to recruitment. Cowen consulted others about using scholarships for recruitment, and he surmised that the scholarships need to be award earlier (Nov-Dec) and they need to be substantial ($2000 or more). Next year’s deadline will be 10/1 or 10/15 with a goal to get students to decide to come to IUPUI.
Cowen plans to expand undergraduate research, which should have an impact on recruitment. Prospective students should hear from current students about the expansive research opportunities. In addition, students who come to IUPUI for summer research programs will be more likely to apply here for graduate school.
Kim Nguyen attended a national meeting (SACNAS), which was attended by 2000 – 3000 people. We hope to recruit students from that meeting. She obtained 30 – 50 names of prospective students.
Cowen proposed to dedicate one of the vacant dorms for women in science as a means to recruit and encourage expansion of this subgroup on campus. As part of this plan, we could bring in tutors to help students succeed and bring in national speakers, successful women scientists who model success and can talk about how they overcame hurdles and barriers. This would also help to attracting donors to help fund this initiative.
D. Space
Cowen has identified some resources for space: LD 040 (formerly Printing Services), SL 070 (four computer labs), space by the Waterway, and other short-term options are being explored.
E. Faculty Searches
Cowen is committed to hiring excellent faculty, especially women and minority candidates. Some departments in the SOS have no women.
F. Visitation
Cowen has been visiting alumni and friends of the SOS to keep them interested in IUPUI, in hopes that they will contribute to our mission financially or help to put us in touch with other financial resources. Cowen asked faculty to provide names of individuals whom he should visit. His goal is to build a new building in 10 years, which means that we must start raising the money now.
III. SOS Steering Committee Report (Pamela Crowell, President of the Faculty)
A. Campus Visit by IU President Herbert
Herbert will visit in Spring. SC is preparing a PowerPoint presentation and a lengthy document that he and his staff/guests can take with them. They solicited input from departments and will integrate that information into the presentation/document. They will seek more input as needed. The PowerPoint presentation can then be used to showcase the School’s merits and accomplishments to other visitors (e.g., new State administration).
B. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
SC met with Kenny Crews and David Wong regarding a campuswide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Crowell explained that this document allows each faculty member to articulate arrangements with the university for any intellectual products that they develop. This can benefit both university and faculty. The university already owns rights to all products; this MOU creates an agreement that gives rights to the faculty.
C. Administrative Reviews
SC will review all department chairs and Assistant Dean Nguyen in the Spring.
D. Bylaw changes
1. Interdepartmental Programs
The Bylaws are not always clear about representation of interdepartmental programs on SOS committees. Crowell asked committees to review the Bylaws and provide feedback/input to the SC. It was proposed by one faculty member that we consider adding student representatives to some committees; student representation has been receiving increasing attention at the campus level.
2. Lecturer Roles
SC will continue to discuss Lecturer roles, including role in administrative reviews. In addition, roles of scientist rank faculty must be clarified in Bylaws.
E. Announcements
1. Each committee chair will be asked to prepare a brief written and oral report at the Spring Faculty Assembly meeting so that we can all be informed about all committee activities.
2. All grades must be entered online using Oncourse or Onestart, beginning this semester. This may be done by proxy, but the proxy cannot be a student and proxy use must be kept to a minimum. Do not put “W”s or leave blanks or else grades might not be accepted. Malik described an alternate method involving downloading the roster, adding grades, and uploading it back to Oncourse. Kleinhans suggested setting up a practice web site.
3. The IUPUI
Crowell adjourned the meeting at 12:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by P. Fastenau, November 9, 2004.
Approved by the SOS Faculty, April 27, 2005