Faculty Advisory Council
November 6, 2019
8:00 – 9:00 am
Hill 339
Minutes

Attendees: David Hough, Bill Agnew, Leslie Anderson, Jamie Atkinson, Sarah Baker, Megan Boyle, Kayla Lewis, Sarah Nixon, Kim Roam, Jennice Wright, Barri Tinkler, Sharon Lopinot

Dean Hough handed out the list of the COE projects and funding priorities ranked by FAC after their meeting. Everyone agreed on 1, 2, and 3. Numbers 5 (A Bear in Every Building) and 6 (Bear Partnership) could be bundled with number 2 (Recruitment and Retention Initiatives). Leadership Council members recommended that number 13 (Research Center or Institute), be pursued. This was also discussed at the last faculty promotion/tenure meeting where participants thought it would be advantageous to have. This could also be bundled under number 2. The item was discussed and FAC members were very supportive. This would provide numerous opportunities for faculty. It would be good for the community, collaboration, active research, and increase our reputation with other institutions. The Dean read through a draft document from Denise Cunningham pertaining to establishing a Research Center. FAC members were in favor of pursuing this.

The next item discussed was also addressed by the Budget Committee, i.e., to pursue more funding for faculty to attend the AERA conferences. Contingent on available of funding next year, faculty would be able to request up to $1,000.00 each to go toward their travel expenses. If fifteen or more faculty were presenting at AERA, it would be advantageous for COE to consider hosting a reception.

Discussion:

• When Barri was at the University of Vermont it was an expectation for faculty to present at AERA.
• Members noted that not all programs are at AERA, such as Autism, Special Education and Early Childhood.
• Some faculty have other organizations that are the top ones for their programs, so these would be their priority. So even if they went to their main conference and were allotted $1000, they would still be out of pocket.

Dean Hough stated that, given the conversations, he would recommend the College consider a broader approach rather than focusing solely on AERA. However, he also noted that more discussion is needed before any type of policy could be drafted.

The CAEP site team visit is over. The chair told Provost Einhellig and others that we will receive our official report in seven days. Dean Hough stated that he didn’t trust this to be accurate, given past CAEP communication issues. He said he wouldn’t be surprised to hear from CAEP that the process would take longer. Stay tuned. . . .

Dean Hough and Associate Dean Tinkler explained that had it not been for confusion surrounding advanced programs, the MSU EPPU would have no AFIs, meaning we would be fully accredited as “Exemplary.” However, because the CAEP site team changed their minds on the first day of their site visit as to what they constituted to be advanced programs, they recommended two AFIs and a Stipulation. Dean Hough told the site team their review and recommendation were not acceptable. He and Dr. Tinkler will recommend that MSU withdraw from CAEP regardless of the final decision by the Accreditation Council, which neither Dr. Hough nor Dr. Tinkler trust. The Accreditation Council is scheduled to meet in April 2020 to make a final decision. Again, neither Dean Hough nor Associate Dean Tinkler believe CAEP to be a credible organization, again, despite any potential decision whether it is positive or not.

A number of concerns regarding CAEP’s function were broached by the FAC. We need to think about the resources spent and time spent on it. It was suggested that we could decide together how to keep ourselves accountable without national accreditation. Dean Hough was asked if we need accreditation. He replied that the decision is determined by others outside COE. The Dean noted that we will wait for CAEP’s site team report, and then determine next steps.

The meeting adjourned at 8:57 a.m.

Submitted by Sharon Lopinot, Executive Assistant II