COE Faculty Advisory Council
March 8, 2017
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Hill 314
Minutes
The meeting began at 9:00 a.m.
Attending: David Hough, Paul Ajuwon, Deanne Camp, Kim Finch, Joe Hulgus, Robin Koerber, Annice McLean, Debra Price, Melissa Schotthofer, Becky Swearingen
Budget cuts were discussed at the February FAC meeting. As part of their discussion, a recommendation was made to revise the COE Research Active Policy to make it more “ongoing” than “intermittent” in terms of meeting criteria. FAC revisions were based on conversations by the LC and FAC over the past several months. After reviewing and discussing the revised document, only one change was made. Becky made a motion to approve the document, seconded by Deanne. All voted in favor.
Discussion of biannual departmental – Provost Office reviews of promotion/tenure guidelines focused on ways to assess quality, rather than quantity. The group suggested providing a rubric for publications, which would include: 1) circulation, 2) acceptance rate, 3) turnaround time, 4) percent of contribution, and possibly, 5) whether or not the faculty member paid to have something published. It was agreed that if a person was invited to submit and publish rather than being a bona fide peer review process, the publication should NOT be weighted the same. It was noted by several FAC members that they are aware of instances where journal editors tell friends and colleagues to submit to them and they will publish their manuscript in an effort to help them have something to count for promotion and tenure. A similar rubric should also be available for presentations and be similar to the rubric for publications including acceptance rate and membership required. No unlike publications that might sometimes circumvent a genuine review process, some organizations’ presentation acceptance rates are also influenced by factors unrelated to the quality of the presentation. FAC members agreed to all of this.
FAC members discussed whether more value should be given to presentations that are developed into manuscripts that are submitted for consideration of publication. All agreed. The Budget Committee discussed not providing funds for presentations next year unless it will be submitted for publication or is already approved for publication. The presenter would need to provide documentation that this was done prior to being approved to attend another conference. The intent is to help faculty with tenure and/or promotion by supporting those scholarly endeavors that will help faculty. All FAC members agreed to this process. Dean Hough will inform Leadership Council of this at their next meeting.
FAC members turned their conversation to contributions faculty make to their students’ work. Often student work is submitted for publication and presentations. FAC members voiced concern with faculty who may take more credit for student work than is appropriate. Sometimes people affix their name to various student work when the amount of contribution is minimal. The FAC felt that this is not ethical and does not set a good example for students. Some FAC members viewed misconstruing one’s involvement in others’ scholarship / intellectual property as plagiarism and ethical dishonesty. FAC members discussed developing a College Code of Ethics as many institutions have. All members agreed to pursue this. Becky, Kim and Melissa volunteered to work on a draft document and bring it to the next meeting. Dean Hough advised to group to consider using proactive, positive language and let that speak for itself, rather than pointing out specific misconduct. The FAC agreed and will focus on the ethics of teaching, research, and service. The group began perusing other IHE and groups’ codes of ethics from which the FAC may draw to draft one for COE. Sharon asked the group to share any documents with the Dean’s Office, so she can email them to FAC members prior to the April meeting.
The dean asked the FAC how his office might better identify faculty and students who should be recognized for exemplary research, service, and teaching. He asked what would be an easy way to obtain this information rather than just emailing department heads periodically and pulling information from Digital Measures. Suggestions:
- Allow for time at the beginning or end of department faculty meetings for faculty to give updates on research, service, teaching
- Work with program coordinators
- Highlight a number of faculty at department meetings to inform the group what they are working on, etc.
- It was noted that service would include for the university and community
COE will host a College-wide meeting on August 18, 2017, but will not hold fall and spring college-wide faculty meetings due to budget cuts. Suggestions to welcome new faculty and have short updates on faculty with special projects or possibly highlight faculty/staff service projects.
The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.
Submitted by Sharon Lopinot