| Present: | E. Aberle, S. Bertics, C. Dillhunt, L. Heideman, B. Holden, B. Jensen, F. Kooistra, P. Leeds, J. Mather, E. Maurer, W. Ross, C. Staber, M. Westler, and B. Wilson. |
Meeting began at 8:40 a.m.
Dean Aberle met with the committee. It has been a good first year for this group. P. Ludden responded to the recommendations regarding representation of academic staff on various College committees. Some recommendations have been implemented, some are under consideration, and others have been denied. Academic staff awards is an area that is needed. Dean Aberle thanked everyone for taking on the assignment and improving communication with academic staff.
Dean Aberle said the biggest issue for the College is the budget. The $400,000 deficit is less than 1% of the total budget. His goal is to "0" that account. The large startup packages eliminate the Collegeās flexibility. Employees that have been here for at least 25 years can cash in on 40 hours of vacation. This is not in the budget and could more than double the vacation payouts.
The second challenge is facilities. This will be a very busy time for the College. Major projects the College is currently involved in are the Soil and Plant Analysis Lab, Integrated Dairy Facilities, Biostar, Microbial Sciences, Biochemistry, Phase II, Walnut Street Greenhouses, and the Muscle Biology/Meats Lab. The Dean feels it is key to keep the Walnut Street Greenhouse on campus as well as find plot space to replace what is being lost to the co-generation heating plant.
Fee remissions has become a problem with the number of graduate students. Last year the cost for fee remissions was $7M greater than anticipated. Six hundred additional graduate students received remissions. The cost is being charged back to campus units.
Question was asked whether off-campus sites were being used for non-classroom activities. They are to a small extent; but no one likes the inconvenience of that arrangement. Campus Planning Committee has not addressed locating labs off-campus.
Of the new buildings going up, what percentage is for instruction? One-fourth to one-third is dedicated to teaching. Microbial Sciences will be teaching more than 500 undergraduates. Bacteriology and Biochemistry have more labs than other departments. The Biotech. addition will have classroom space.
F. Kooistra introduced the new members to the Committee: Milo Westler, Ward I; Cliff Dillhunt, Ward VI; and Linda Heideman, Director of Human Resources, ex-officio.
Academic Staff Performance Evaluations- Status: pending with the committee. A questionnaire was developed and sent to academic staff, chairs, and center directors. The committee is comparing academic staff's with chairs' perceptions of performance evaluations. They are on the verge of finalizing the report.
Long-term Appointments- They have filed the final report and are waiting for a report back from the Dean's Office. L. Heideman put together a set of procedures for the Executive Committee to review. She will report back with procedural changes at the next meeting.
Communications- Status: pending with the committee. No report has been filed. They are waiting for the results of the Climate Committee.
Awards- They have filed the final report and are waiting for a report back from the Dean's Office. They recommended 6 to 7 awards of $1,000 each. Linda Heideman and Frank Kooistra will look at a compromise in numbers and dollars.
Professional Development- Their questions were included in the climate survey. The committee will be meeting soon to go over the results.
Governance- This committee did not get off the ground.
Climate Survey- The survey went out in June and the committee is still working on the data.
Representation on CALS Committees- The committee reviewed the academic representation on the college-wide committees and the charge to the committees. Paul Ludden's response to the committee was passed out and will be discussed at the next meeting.
Cliff Dillhunt: Long-term Appointments and Governance committees.
Milo Westler: Communications and Climate committees.
Six hundred surveys were sent out in June and one-third were returned. The response rate for fixed-term appointments was 10-15% and for indefinite appointments 90%. Further analysis will be done by appointment title and gender. The survey results were generally positive. An email will be sent to all academic staff with the results of the survey.
E. Maurer said it would be helpful to have a list of all surveys, agencies, dates, and a summary of the results.
Defer to next meeting
Defer to next meeting.
Agenda items for the next meeting (November 3): Climate Survey, Performance Evaluations, and Dean's response to academic staff representation.
Meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
Submitted 10/19/00
J. Simons