Student Life Committee Annual Report

The Committee

Katherine D. Bodenbender (Co-Chair), Ryan Dye (Co-Chair), Stan Kabat, Nancy Hayes, Ted Woodruff, Chad Gaul (student), Shawn Staples (student), Jennie Woodruff (graduate student).

Major Items of Discussion

1. New Faculty Handbook description. The description to be proposed to the Faculty Handbook Committee states:

The Student Life Committee receives information from students, faculty, and administration about student life matters, such as (but not limited to) academic standards, counseling, health, intramurals, residence life, security, and student activities. The committee reviews the information, addresses concerns, and proposes solutions in concert with the Dean of Students or the appropriate administrator, and makes periodic reports to the Faculty Assembly.

Membership includes the Dean of Students and a staff member appointed by the Dean of Students, and four faculty members: one each from the College of Human Services and the College of Business and two from the College of Arts and Sciences elected to two-year overlapping terms. Three students will be named by the Deans, one from each of the colleges, selected from students in good academic standing. One of these students should be a graduate student.

2. Increasing our ability to receive information more effectively and more efficiently.

--Plan to collaborate more closely with SGA and GSGA.

--Plan to develop a comprehensive Student Life Committee website that would include a Feedback Form that could be relayed to members of the committee.

3. University Parking

--The Ad Hoc Committee on parking was reconfigured. The committee includes Katherine Bodenbender, Shawn Staples and Jennie Willcox.

4. Security

--Discussed the cost of purchasing surveillance cameras for the campus. There is a commitment to do something, but implementation will wait until Don Challis’s replacement is hired.

Board of Studies

> 2002-2003 Annual Report

>

> Thus far the Board of Studies has done the following:

> 22 students reviewed for miscellaneous reasons

> 86 students reviewed at Big BOS

> Of that 86 - 49 were placed on probation

> Of that 49- 6 remained on probation from a previous term

> Of that 49- 7 were approved to be on probation after appealing dismissal decision

> Of that 86 - 22 were dismissed

> Of that 86 - 15 were removed from probation

>

> Our work will continue this May 19th with a second Big Board meeting. At this meeting we will review students who have been previously placed on probation as well as students with GPAs that have fallen below the University standards. Our work will conclude with an appeals meeting on May 29th.

> The chair wishes to thanks the committee for all its hard work.

> Members are:

>

> Brenda Boleyn

> Christina Anthony

> Kirk Kelley

> Joseph Kurth

> Lew Marx

> Sarah Walker

> Jim Van Speybroeck

> Dee Wellman

> Dan Zeimet

>

> Respectfully submitted:

> Kristin Quinn, chair

Yearly Report for Educational Policies

Members:

College of Arts and Sciences:

Mike Hustedde

Pam Long

Kris Eithreim

Nathan Schlueter

College of Human Services

Barb Wiese

Terry Schlabach

College of Business

Bonnie Leonhardt

Randy Richards

Also attending meetings are Rich Legg, Director of General Education, Lori Rodriques-Fisher, Dan Zeimet, and often the Deans.

Approvals:

Program in MOL

Curriculum changes for new gen ed. Requirements: B Applied Management, BES, BASS, BBS, BBA, IE

New Irish Studies Minor

New Interdisciplinary Minor in Pre-Law Studies

Numerous new courses (refer to minutes)

Renumbering in Sociology

Changes of requirements for General Science with a Concentration in Physics Teaching Major

Revision of requirements in MBA in Health Care

Approval of Eng 380 Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Name change of BASS to BSS

Delay of program reviews

Physics

Philosophy

Industrial Engineering

Denials:

Final forms of curriculum themes

Reviewed changes in assessment process

Discussion on admission standards policy

Brief discussion on proposed changes to academic structure

Changes in the Educational Leadership Program

Program reviews for Spring 2003:

Sociology, approved

Biology, approved

Theology, pending

BES, approved

DBA,approved

Managerial Studies, pending

Econ, pending

MSW, pending

Catholic Studies, pending

Academic Support Committee

Year end report: 2002-2003

Membership:

Tom Burns chair, bud grant recorder.

Student members: Sarah Ade, Ryanne Breckenridge, & Chris Eischen

Faculty/Staff: Dean Marple, John Pollitz, Craig Shoemaker, Dan Zeimetz

Frequent guests included many department chairs and the Academic Vice-President.

The committee meets monthly.

This year the committee invited, received, inquired of, and reported on the following areas within our perview:

• Instructional Technology
• Admissions
• Records & Registration
• Bookstore
• the Library

Topics that were considered included:

• A Title III grant for I.T. that is being worked on
• Students’ use of their e-mail accounts
• Faculty use of I.T. in the classroom
• The effect of the Patriot Act on library privacy issues
• Access to and advantage taken of the library by students
• The quality & kinds of services provided by the bookstore
• The IT consultants’ report
• Bee Line and many other O.R.R. related items

Minutes of all the meetings were provided to the faculty through the committee chair.

The committee also discussed the nature and future of the ASC

• There is no consensus that ASC should add international students, retention, and study abroad to our jurisdiction, though the last would seem to be a most reasonable fit. All of the areas currently included should remain.

• There was consensus that the ASC should continue to exist as a committee of the Faculty Assembly while its identity does need to be made more clear. As a consulting body advocating for students and reporting to the faculty concerning a variety of areas of university life, the committee fills a very real need. Whether or not the committee has any authority, other than consultative, remains unclear.

The committee discussed a draft revision of a proposed change in mission for the Faculty Handbook. The draft follows:

Academic Support: Reviews policies affecting students and faculty developed by the following offices on campus: the Library, the Instructional Technology Office, the Student Success Center, the Financial Aid Office, the Admissions Office, the Retention Office, the Bookstore, the Career Development Office, the Office of Records and Registration, and the Student Accounts Office; Reviews and evaluates annual reports of these offices and meets with directors of these offices at least once every three years; The Committee addresses concerns about the policies and procedures of these departments raised by members of the campus community; The committee makes annual policy recommendations and prioritizes academic needs to the appropriate offices and directors.

2.2.7.1

Membership includes two administrators (ex officio) appointed by the Academic Vice-President; four faculty members: one each from the College of Human Services and the College of Business and two from the College of Arts and Sciences elected to three-year terms. The terms of the elected and appointed members are staggered so that two-thirds of the committee will continue to serve for each new academic year. In addition, three students will be named by the Deans, one from each of the colleges and including a graduate student when possible, selected from students in good academic standing.

N.B. any restructuring of the colleges will affect the membership of the committee in ways to be determined.

Annual Committee Report (2002-2003) from the

Advisory Committee of the Center for Teaching Excellence

Advisory committee meets about every two weeks throughout the semester

Weekly “News from the Center” sent on campus email

Subscriptions to 3 publications stocked in three wall pocket locations on campus

Sponsor and underwrite the cost of faculty using the IDEA Form for assessment of teaching in any one section of their courses—at the end of each semester (fall and spring)

Helped to plan and implement the fall faculty in-service program offered by Dr. Martha Casazza on student self-regulation

Co-sponsored with FDC the orientation for new faculty

The CTE has a web site maintained by Barbara Muenster

Organized and sponsored a development activity for the librarians who are teaching the information literacy course prior to the first offering of the course

Sponsored a forum on plagiarism in October and circulated copies of the handouts from the forum to 40 faculty

Sponsored a spring presentation by Greg Conderman (Education Department) on writing objective test items

Sponsored an April visit by Dr. Bill Timpson (University of Colorado) on creative alternatives to just “covering the material” and an evening presentation on teaching peace. Dr. Timpson will also visit several classes during his time on campus.

Sponsor and support three “teaching circles”—2 continuing from last year and one new circle (Organizers of the circles are: Carol Lyon, John Delaney, Christine Malaski, Terry Schlabach and Lew Sanborne

Maintain a series of “Teaching Tips” on the CTE web site

Planning for possible fall and spring presentations next year on: constructing and grading effective writing assignments, writing syllabi, writing letters of recommendation, and perhaps the writing and implementing of assessment plans

Members of the Advisory Committee of the Center for Teaching Excellence:

Keith Haan, Music Sarah Vordtriede

Christine Malaski, Occupational Therapy Paul Jacobson, Philosophy

Barbara Muenster, Mathematics

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Year-End Report Spring 2003

Members: Bea Jacobson , Paul Jacobson (Ex-Officio), Arun Pillutla, Carla Stevens, and Brenda Peters (Chair).

The committee began working early last summer in preparation for the New Faculty Orientation Program scheduled for the end of August. The New Faculty Orientation Program included an orientation packet, a bit of the history of St. Ambrose University, a tour of the library including a presentation by the librarians, and a formal dinner. Follow-up workshops on registration, the student success center, general education, and advising were also provided for the new faculty throughout the Fall semester. In addition, the committee sponsored a speaker, Dr. Martha Casazza, for the afternoon session of the Presidential Assembly. The title of her presentation was “Student Self-Regulation.”

During the Fall semester, the committee collaborated with the Center for Teaching Excellence to establish a faculty development workshop calendar. The committee also reviewed 18 grant applications from faculty for full grants worth up to $1500. Approximately $9000 was allocated for the purpose of supporting faculty grants.

During the Spring semester, the committee co-sponsored several workshops with the Center for Teaching Excellence. These workshops explored such topics as plagiarism, test writing, and changes in the general education requirements. In addition, the committee reviewed 29 mini-grant applications (the most we have ever seen) from faculty for grants up to $500. Approximately $8000 was allocated for the purpose of supporting these mini-grants. Currently, the committee is organizing a recognition reception for faculty and academic staff. Nominations are due by April 17^th. The event will take place on April 24^th at 2:30 p.m. in the private dining room.

Finally, the Faculty Development Committee is currently surveying the new faculty and established faculty who participated in the mentoring program this past academic year. We are interested in suggestions for the program. The goal of the mentoring program is intended to ensure a successful transition for new faculty members by introducing them to the culture of St. Ambrose University, and encouraging them to make connections with colleagues. This mentoring program should help supplement the guidance and assistance provided to the new faculty member by the Department Chair. The committee will be sending out an e-mail in the near future asking for volunteers to serve as mentors for the fall semester.

The Faculty Development Committee meets about every other Monday at 12 p.m. throughout the semester. I would like to thank all of the committee members for their hard work and dedication this year as well as all of the presenters and participants who helped make our faculty development workshops successful. If anyone has any suggestions for future faculty development events, please contact me.

Respectfully Submitted,

Brenda J. Peters

Faculty Finance Committee – Annual Report, 2002-2003

The Faculty Finance Committee (FFC) met regularly throughout this academic year. Committee members were Bob Banash, John Barr, Rob Faulkner and Arvella Lensing. Lori Rodrigues-Fischer, Vice-president for Academic Affairs attended several meetings ex-officio. FFC representatives also participated in SAU planning, met with the Vice-president for Finance concerning health/dental insurance plans, and met with President Rogalski concerning salary increases, retirement options, and closing the Athletic Training Program.

In October, FFC solicited faculty comments related to the committee’s work, including participation in the SAU planning process. Faculty feedback focused on:

1. Compensation: a salary increase should be more than a COLA.

2. Benefits: a “cafeteria plan” should be developed to allow customizing of benefits and the more equitable use of benefits across employees.

3. Controlling health care costs: by supporting development of an SAU “prevention / wellness” center to improve employee health on the long term.

4. SAU budget: the status of income from SAU summer courses remains unclear; the Handbook Committee approached the FFC about an expanded role in monitoring the budget and expenditures.

Addressing its charge to review salary levels and prepare a salary report, FFC initiated a salary study, and monitored the CPI and SSA’s COLA (1.4%). FFC proposed a 3% faculty salary increase, which was reduced to 2.75% during planning. FFC’s review of fringe benefits focused on health insurance costs and potential plan revisions that the university is considering to control escalating costs. Our main objective was to maintain options that provide good coverage at an affordable price. The university has been able to hold off increasing premiums until July 1, 2003.

Based on prior work done by the FFC and input from legal counsel, the committee redrafted the Retirement Incentive Proposals. The proposals are awaiting final review from the Vice-president for Finance. They are to be discussed further by FFC and President Rogalski before being presented for consideration by the faculty.

On 1/23/03, FFC met with President Rogalski, Lori Rodrigues-Fisher and Ed Henkhaus to discuss the decision to close the Athletic Training Program. Since the university lacks a formal written policy and related guidelines to determine the fiscal viability of academic programs, FFC offered to meet with the appropriate administrators in order to draft such a policy and guidelines. This would include recommendations on how fiscal viability is to be balanced with other institutional and community needs.

In early March, FFC met to initiate policy / guideline development for closing of academic programs. Potential criteria for closing a program (quality, centrality and fiscal viability), as developed by the Council of Independent Colleges, and the determination of both direct and indirect costs were discussed. Rob Faulkner solicited information from Iowa Council of Independent Colleges concerning determination of indirect program costs. FFC will continue to focus on factors related to program fiscal viability, providing input to the ad hoc committee currently being formed to address this subject.

Submitted by John O. Barr, PT, PhD

Chair, Faculty Finance Committee

PTS Annual Report

April 2003

Although not yet finished, the PTS committee is progressing through the agenda shared with the faculty in the fall. By the end of the academic year, the committee will have met in at least 33 sessions averaging one and one half hours each.

Specifically the committee has:

interviewed 9 – 1^st-year faculty and considered 8 for contract renewal. One individual resigned before being considered.

Considered 15 - 2^nd-year faculty contract renewals.

Considered 11 of 12 faculty contract renewals for tenure-track individuals between the 2^nd & tenure year. One resigned before being considered.

Considered the tenure of 10 of 11 candidates. One resigned before being considered.

Conducted 20 5-year reviews of tenured faculty.

Considered 5 sabbatical requests

Accepted 5 sabbatical reports.

Considered 6 requests for promotion.

Considered other issues of standards, previously deferred decisions, and procedures that were brought forward by faculty in- and outside the committee.

The chair would like to recognize the committee members for their extraordinary service this academic year: Allison Ambrose, Sandy Cassady, Jim Cook, Rick Jerz, Cory Johnson (secretary), Marcia Less, Lori Rodrigues-Fisher, and Katie Trujillo.