College Update

From: Sanford Shugart
To: All Faculty and Staff
Date: 2/17/2006 2:15:55 PM
Subject: College Update, 2-17-06

1. Sabbaticals - I'm pleased to announce that six colleagues have been approved for sabbaticals in the coming year. They are: Noelle Geiger, Celine Kavalec-Miller, Colin Archibald, Jolene Rhodes, Melissa Pedone, and Tim Grogan. I have asked the sabbatical committee to reopen the process in the fall to identify sabbatical recipients for a two year period beyond next year, intending that early notification will enable the faculty to seek study and research grants to underwrite their sabbatical experiences. I couldn't be more pleased for the faculty and staff who will enjoy this renewing experience and for what it will mean to our students when they return.

2. In a similar vein, a team of faculty have worked with the Foundation to redesign the Endowed Chairs process, streamlining the application, creating criteria for selection based on learning outcomes for the faculty and their students, simplifying the process of drawing down funds directly from the foundation, and providing feedback to grow donor support. These changes are being rolled out in campus meetings now. On February 27, from 4-6:30 PM at the Citrus Club, all faculty are invited to a reception to learn more about this and celebrate the impact of endowed chairs on the college.

3. Evaluation of Instruction - Amy Bosley recently shared plans for the new models of student evaluation of instruction to be piloted this spring. Shortly, faculty will have the choice of continuing to use the existing forms and processes, or trying out a new form developed over the past two years by a faculty team. The new form will be available both in a paper format and on-line using the "Flashlight" technology. We hope this work will provide more timely and useful feedback to faculty on the whole learning environment in their courses.

4. Politics - The Governor recently announced his budget proposal for next year. The news for us was very good - a substantial increase in operating funds and a modest increase in tuition. I have since discussed with his senior education advisor the possibility of adding yet more funding and reducing the tuition increase to an even lower level (under five percent.) There is good news in the capital budget, as well, that I won't detail here. Of course, the Governor's budget is really only advisory to the legislature, so much of my effort is focused on the budget leadership in the House and Senate. We'll get clear indications of their intentions toward us in about three to four weeks.

Assuming their budgets are reasonably in line with the Governor's, we will be ready to bring a general budget template, an overview of priorities in "big chunks," to the College Planning Council for discussion and then to the Board of trustees in March or April. It is my earnest desire to seek their commitment to completing the faculty compensation implementation in this budget and the next. If the budget numbers are good, I am convinced we can do this. This will also enable us to attend to some other priorities beginning next year - technology investments, some initiatives that are awaiting funds, other staff salaries and reclassifications, etc. I'll try to keep you informed as this unfolds. On the whole, there is good reason to be rather optimistic.

TOP