May 17, 2007

Department Heads’ Meeting Minutes

May 17, 2007 – 11:00 a.m.

Michael Sheng (HST),  Brendan McKiernan (MIL), Pam Sailors (PHI/ECO), Beat Kernen (PLS), Jim Moyer (REL), Karl Kunkel (SOC/ANT/CRM), Lorene Stone and Victor Matthews.

 Announcements

• Upcoming Deadlines/Important Dates

May 18            CHPA Graduate Reception/MSU Commencements

May 21            AAA (PSU 400, 3:00-4:30)   CANCELLED

May 30            Naming of Roy Blunt Jordan Valley Innovation Center (9:00 a.m.)

July 9-10         CHPA Department Heads’ Retreat, Branson, MO

• Dean Stone will be on vacation from May 23-29; Dr. Matthews will handle any College emergencies.

• There will NOT be a Department Heads’ Meeting on May 24.

• Computers have been ordered and should be in within the next two weeks.  The Provost has asked for a 4-year computer rotation instead of every 3 years.  Department Heads were asked to keep in mind that CHPA can always use the replaced computers as emergency backups.
•  Estimates on carry-forward are due tomorrow, May 18, to the Dean’s office.
• Applications for Provost Fellows (International Affairs, Arts, and Diversity) should be submitted directly to the Provost.  Announcements of the Fellows will be made by June 1.  All Provost Fellows receive course reassignment and a stipend.
• Dean Stone asked the Department Heads to include her either in their departmental August retreats or first department meetings of the Fall semester.
• Dean Stone stated that each College will need to assemble a panel in support of the Public Affairs Conference in Spring 2008.

Discussion

• Dean Stone announced a new University policy of Second Level Appeals for Admission whereby a student turned down at a first appeal may, IF supported by a faculty or staff member, make a second appeal.
• Summer enrollment was discussed, specifically small classes and the point at which to cancel classes if necessary.  Several Department Heads gave permission to cancel some classes in question.
• Compensation Plan updates included information on the Joint Committee Meeting and the necessity that weights accurately reflect assignments.  Instructors need to be separated and not ranked with ranked faculty, with one-time replacements called visiting instructors.  The model may change in 2008.

• The transition of Continuing Education continues.  The Provost expects cost centers to be accountable, as well as to increase accessibility.  Dean Stone stressed the need for strategic planning to avoid too many intersession courses that compete for students.
•  Dean Stone needs the following information by June 1:
  1. Plans/schedule for on-line course development and offering
  2. Justifications for reassigned time for scholarship
     
     

Future discussions will include the development of summer teaching policy and requests to the Provost for one-time money.