College of Education
Faculty Advisory Council
March 2, 2016
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Hill Hall 314
Dean Hough called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.
Attending: David Hough, Roberta Aram, Deanne Camp, Denise Cunningham, Kim Finch, Joe Hulgus, Jim Meyer, Becky Swearingen, Jennifer Grace
- Faculty Hiring Plan Revision Subcommittee Update
Becky reported that they met and made minor changes to the document including adding the word faculty to the title of the document. Jim is making a few other changes and anticipates being finished by the end of March. The dean asked if they were including submitting strategic hiring plans in August and that the wording “when needs arise” is still included. Jim replied that it was.
- COE Work Group Summaries Document
Regarding the document, Dean Hough said there are some things that could be done immediately while some need funding. He asked the group how to go about forming a committee that would work on this. After discussion it was decided that the dean will email the chairs of the work groups and pre-education task force and ask them to identify the name of one person each that would agree to be on the committee. The chair could be on the committee if they wanted to. This would give the committee five members. After the group is formed, the dean will meet with them to give them their charge.
- Request for Position
Denise Cunningham submitted a RFP for a CEFS, ECE Asst. Professor position. The person hired would teach early childhood methods courses and supervise practicum students. They could also teach CFD undergraduate and ECFD graduate courses. Denise explained that with student enrollment increasing there is a need for the position. She will be working on Special Professional Associations (SPA) next year which also increases the need for another faculty member. A discussion followed which included that it may be too late to advertise for next year, look at one or two instructor positions instead and advertise next year. The FAC agreed to approve the RFP and to move it to the top of list to be filled when funding is available.
- Faculty Class Sizes
FAC discussed that there may be a need to compare the number of students in COE classes and possibly combine some classes that have more than one section in to one. This would also save funds. The discussion continued with how to balance the number of students in classes. Some class sizes have to be limited. The departments should take a serious look at filling extra sessions; courses. Do all classes need so many sections? This happens with online courses. The dean will discuss per course numbers at the next Leadership Council meeting on March 17th.
- Hill Hall Renovation and Temporary Move Summer 2017
Dean Hough announced that Doug Sampson, Director of Planning, Design & Construction, will attend his next Leadership Council on March 17th to discuss Hill Hall renovations and our move to PCOB and Glenstone Avenue beginning in the summer 2017. Dean Hough encouraged the FAC to attend the LC meeting and to invite other interested faculty and staff, so their voices could be heard.
- Staff Advisory Council
The dean stated that the purpose of this council would be to review staff hiring proposals and attend monthly meetings so they are more informed of things going on in the college.
- Search Committee Protocol
Dean Hough reviewed the applicant flow system for searches and hiring proposals. Becky Swearingen noted that the system has a few glitches. Dean Hough noted that it is his understanding the Office of Human Resources continually works to make improvements, so he will forward suggestions to HR. FAC members stressed the need for department heads and search committee chairs to remind others that the job of search committee members is not determine whom to hire but to (1) develop a good pool of candidates, (2) agree to a group of finalists who would be acceptable hires, and (3) to provide input regarding strengths and weaknesses of candidates. The dean is the hiring authority and works closely with the Provost. The dean negotiates start-up supports, and the Provost makes the official offer. The dean’s practice is to meet with search committees prior to making recommendations to the Provost and negotiating with prospective new hires. The Dean explained how he offers the position verbally to the candidate prior to the electronic paperwork being submitted with the candidate’s name listed as the first choice. He further explained that while he keeps the search committee informed of his negotiations with candidates, no public announcement should be made until the Provost’s appointment letter has been signed and returned.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 a.m.
Submitted by Sharon Lopinot