May 18, 2021 Minutes

Council of Department Chairs

In attendance: Curtis Bennett, Barbara Taylor, Margaret Karteron, Henry Wu, Chris Brazier, Andreas Bill, Christine Whitcraft, Dessie Underwood, Rick Behl, Kris Slowinski, Will Murray, Babette Benken, Allie Puz, Lisa Martin, Vanessa Hernandez.

NOTE: THESE MINUTES REFLECT DISCUSSIONS THAT HAPPENED ON THE DATE OF THESE MINUTES.  DUE TO THE COVID-19 SITUATION, THINGS ARE RAPIDLY CHANGING.  FOR OFFICIAL POLICY PLEASE WAIT FOR DOCUMENTS FROM THE APPROPRIATE OFFICES.   

  1. Approve agenda (10:00)
  2. Approve minutes from April 27
  3. Announcements
    1. ASM
      1. Final proposal request submitted on 5/15; subsequent questions were answered by the Dean’s Office.
    2. Operations Update
      1. Commencement
        1. All graduates received an email with tickets on 5/17.
        2. Final script and slides were submitted.
        3. Regalia will soon be available for pick up; Lane will be sending out communication.
        4. Rehearsal and stadium walkthrough on 5/27.
        5. Credentials will be available next week.
        6. Graduates will be able to access their slides via the commencement website.
    3. Development Update
      1. Working with a land donation that will net about $180,000 toward annual scholarships at the college level.
    4. Dean’s Updates
      1. On 5/20 Cal OSHA will be voting on new requirements for businesses.
      2. New Director for Faculty Development title for Kelly Young.
  4. Associate Deans
    1. Academic Programs
      1. N/A
    2. Research
      1. N/A
    3. Graduate
      1. Awarded 2 GRFs to graduate students.
      2. Funded all 11 students between the two competitions.
  5. Scheduling Update (Time Certain: 10:30, Vanessa Hernandez)
    1. Anticipated changes in social distancing rules; we need to look at increasing in-person sections for Fall 2021.
      1. May need to switch the instruction mode, or offer an additional mode, for existing sections.
        1. How can we do this fairly and without conferring with students?
        2. Could affect room scheduling.
      2. May need to increase course capacity.
        1. There is no way to undo this in the event that the situation changes again.
      3. Please look to see what is possible in your departments:
        1. Discussion:
          1. Graduate courses in person.
          2. Increasing capacity.
      4. More communication and updates will follow pending Cal OSHA decision.
  6. New Business
    1. N/A

 

Upcoming Dates:

May 31 – Commencement in Regional Stadium

 

Meeting Minutes were APPROVED on Tuesday, June 29, 2021

*Note: This reflects discussion on the date of the CDC meeting about policies, not actual policy. Faculty and staff should wait for official communication on each subject before acting.