AHC FCC

April 13, 2005

Minutes of the Meeting

These minutes reflect discussion and debate at a meeting of a committee of the University of Minnesota Senate or Twin Cities Campus Assembly; none of the comments, conclusions, or actions reported in these minutes represents the views of, nor are they binding on, the Senate or Assembly, the Administration, or the Board of Regents.

PRESENT: Kathie Krichbaum (chair), Lois Heller (via ITV), Peter Davies, and Brian Isetts

ABSENT: John Himes, Ed Combe, Michael Georgieff, and Marc Jenkins

In these minutes: [Discussion: Academy for Excellence awards; review of committee charge; elections to fill open positions on the AHC F&P; meeting schedule for 2005-06; AHC FCC chair election; role of various faculty governance committees; strategic positioning; teaching portfolios; committee workplan for 2005-06]

Professor Krichbaum called the meeting to order. As a first order of business, committee members briefly discussed the Academy for Excellence awards, and the planning of the awards event. This topic was added to the agenda for the AHC FCC’s meeting with Dr. Cerra.

Professor Krichbaum then directed committee members to review the committee charge, which will be submitted for Senate approval on April 28. Committee members made several small additions to clarify the committee’s duties and responsibilities; all changes were unanimously approved.

Next, Rebecca Wienbar, University Senate Office, gave an update on the elections for AHC FCC seats whose terms will expire on June 30, 2005. She has sent letters to each college’s faculty advisory or consultative committees; colleges will hold elections this spring, and will notify the University Senate of the results.

Committee members then discussed their meeting schedule for next year. Since faculty teaching schedules change every semester, and are difficult to work around, the committee determined that it is best to stay with set meeting dates. The committee decided to continue to meet on the second and third Wednesday of each month.

Next, committee members discussed the chair election. Professor Krichbaum stated that in her year as chair she has noted that a large time commitment is required to attend the various University, FCC, and Senate meetings. Because of scheduling conflicts, she can’t always make all of the meetings. This year, particularly with the strategic positioning, she feels it is very important for this committee to have a presence there. Because of this, she would like the committee to consider having a chair-elect; that way, between the chair and the chair-elect, the AHC FCC would be able to cover all the necessary meetings. This would give the committee, and AHC faculty, a greater presence. In addition, this would allow give the chair-elect a head start on learning all of the various roles of committees and in forming relationships with the people involved in faculty governance. The committee supported the idea of the chair elect; this idea will be explored and can be discussed at the next meeting.

As committee members discussed the various committees and governance bodies, there was confusion on the roles and structure of the various committees. The committee decided to ask the chair of the FCC to a future meeting, and to discuss and map out the various committees, their charges and roles, and their membership and representation. This will be a great way to clarify the role of AHC faculty in University governance, which should allow the committee to become more involved in faculty affairs.

Next, committee members had an off-the-record discussion on the strategic positioning report, the role of AHC faculty in the process, and the ways the report may impact various AHC programs. It was decided that the committee should ensure that AHC faculty are more engaged in the process, particularly with the University’s strategic positioning task forces that will be formed this summer. Committee members should also review the strategic positioning document together.

Professor Krichbaum then moved the discussion to teaching portfolios, which will be the committee’s main project next year. Professor Krichbaum suggested that the committee invite Dr. Barbara Brandt to an upcoming AHC FCC meeting. Dr. Brandt has put Academy for Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching in her compact for next year, so the money and structure are in place. Dr. Brandt has formally charged the committee to work on this project; in addition, Dr. Cerra is very supportive of this idea. Committee members decided to discuss a timeline for their work on teaching portfolios at the next meeting, and to develop a plan of action.

While currently, some faculty and departments may have teaching portfolios, there is no uniform format. The committee would like to have teaching portfolios be a part of the application process for teaching awards. The ultimate goal of the committee is to make this a requirement for all faculty. The portfolios could also be used for other reasons, such as P&T and post-tenure review.

The committee should work to pull together examples of teaching portfolios to develop a model. If the committee can pull together the format, structure, and criteria for the award and the portfolio this fall, then they can begin to solicit nominations in the spring. The committee should work to develop a proposal and a format to present to Dr. Brandt. Professor Krichbaum will speak with Dr. Brandt to learn what support this committee can receive from her office.

Hearing no further business, Professor Krichbaum adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

Rebecca Wienbar

University Senate Office