April 1, 2020 Minutes

Council of Department Chairs

Attendees: Curt Bennett, Kris Slowinski, Barbara Taylor, Henry Wu, Margaret Karteron, Maryanne Horton, Babette Benken, Dessie Underwood, Rick Behl, Lisa Martin, Chris Brazier, Tangan Gao, Andreas Bill, Christine Whitcraft

  1. Approve agenda (1:30)
  2. Approve minutes M/S/P
  3. Announcements
    1. ASM
      1. Mail room closes at 3
      2. Staff on campus
        1. Staff should only be on campus when strictly necessary with Department Chair and/or Appropriate Administrator approval, and should telecommute if possible
        2. Non-represented Student employees (SA, work study) without work should be assigned 128 hours CPAL (COVID-19 Temporary Paid Administrative leave)
    2. Commencement
      1. Collecting names and thesis titles for master's graduates, there will be a ceremony at some point
      2. CNSM Scholarships – decouple from commencement, celebrate alongside Founder's Day celebration in fall
  4. Associate Deans
    1. Research
    2. Academic Programs
      1. Lecturer Evals
        1. Deadline for FA is now end of June including time for rebuttals, department level reviews to Kris by mid-May. Deliver physical files to Kris
      2. IT Resources, feedback for Sheryl, survey for students
        1. Feedback on faculty problems, students need remote desktop access to specialized software
        2. Student survey for technology issues, where students get online
      3. Summer Session discussion
        1. Still undecided, likely online but there may be some limited in-person lab activities particularly in second summer session
      4. SOAR
        1. Fully online
      5. CR/NC
        1. still under discussion, possible conversion of failing grades to NC after posting
        2. option for C grades to become CR
      6. Students who disappear
        1. assign WU grades, may be converted to W
  5. Dean's report (COVID-19 changes)
    1. Searches update – 4 contracts have been signed
      1. Still proceeding with offers and waiting for contracts to be sent.
    2. On campus Qualtrics form – Brief(!) visits aren't supposed to be there, but I'm concerned about someone who wants to come to campus to work unscheduled
      1. Brief visits for pick-up or drop-off are fine, no need to use Qualtrics
      2. All longer visits must be reported
      3. Have option on Qualtrics form to choose either recurring weekly or one time visits
    3. Position Requests – I have from Chemistry and Physics: Others? We have been asked to turn them in as we would.
      1. Still accepting requests, there may not be any searches but this shows the need
    4. Lab cleanings. Trouble with doors being left open - I alerted safety, they have said they will coordinate with us in the future, AD Barbara Taylor and Safety staff will handle coordination.
    5. Lecturer Range Elevations – I will be in tomorrow to pick up files. Please leave them in the conference room (or scan)
  6. SEF
    1. Discussed and prioritized items
  7. HVDI
    1. Approved
  8. Open Discussion
  9. Adjourn (4:10pm)

Submitted by Chris Brazier, Chair, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Meeting minutes APPROVED on April 8, 2020.

Upcoming Dates

  • Wednesday, April 1 – Initial SEF discussion
  • Tuesday, May 19 – Commencement - postponed