Tulane University - Faculty Meeting, August 30, 2006

(object placeholder)

Faculty Meeting

School of Science and Engineering

201 Richardson Memorial Hall/600
Lindy Boggs Center
August 30, 2006
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Minutes

President Cowen

President Cowen briefed the faculty on the status of the University and plans for the future. He placed special emphasis on the importance of the strategic plan for the School of Science and Engineering and said that he was looking forward to receiving a first draft of that plan in December. The completed strategic plan is due in June 2007. President Cowen then addressed questions from the faculty on a broad range of issues.

Strategic Planning

Dean Altiero quoted the following excerpt from the Tulane Renewal Plan: “The University will begin a planning process ... to define a new vision for engineering within the context of the School of Science and Engineering and to also build a strong foundation from which Tulane can strategically grow its science and engineering presence in the future. The involvement of alumni in this process will be critical to its success.” He said that he plans to meet with the faculty of each of the divisions in the new School of Science and Engineering to specifically address questions relevant to those divisions and to answer any questions that the faculty may have about the strategic planning process or its objectives. Each division is expected to submit a first draft white paper by September 11. Dr. Michael Ginzberg, former Dean of Business at the University of Delaware, who will assist in the development of the strategic plan, will join us on September 13.

Constitution

Prior to the meeting, a draft Constitution for the new School of Science and Engineering had been distributed to the faculty and posted to the School of Science and Engineering web site. Dean Altiero asked that this be considered an interim Constitution until a final version is adopted by the faculty. There were no objections.

Any suggestions for changes to the draft Constitution can be sent directly to Dean Altiero. A second draft of the Constitution will be distributed prior to the next meeting of the faculty, scheduled for September 18. Barring any major issues, it is anticipated that a Constitution will be adopted at that meeting.

In the meantime, it is very important that representatives be appointed to the Graduate Studies Committee and the Undergraduate Studies Committee and elected to the Grievance
Committee and the Nominating Committee. Once a Nominating Committee is in place, School- wide elections can be held including the election of a Promotion and Tenure Committee.

Promotion and Tenure Policies and Procedures

Prior to the meeting, draft Promotion and Tenure Guidelines for the new School of Science and Engineering had been distributed to the faculty and posted to the School of Science and Engineering web site. Dean Altiero asked that thiese be considered interim Promotion and Tenure Guidelines until a final version is adopted by the faculty. There were no objections.
Any suggestions for changes to the draft Promotion and Tenure Guidelines can be sent directly to Dean Altiero. A second draft will be distributed prior to the next meeting of the faculty, scheduled for September 18. Barring any major issues, it is anticipated that Promotion and Tenure Guidelines will be adopted at that meeting.

Questions were raised about the “standard format” referred to in the description of The Dossier and Dean Altiero agreed to post a template to the web site (www.sse.tulane.edu/pages/sse_business.php).

Concern was raised about the secrecy of voting by the departmental P&T committees. It was agreed that voting shall be by secret ballot or by open ballot if no voting member objects. It was also agreed that the phrase “including the reasons for any negative vote(s)” would be removed from the first paragraph of section B.

Questions were raised about inclusion of teaching evaluations and participation in broader University-wide programs in The Dossier and Dean Altiero said that he would welcome suggestions on how the standard template can be improved to include this information.

After discussion of the proposed P&T timetable for 2006-2007, Dean Altiero agreed to the following

October 2 CV and 5 selected publications due (promotions only)
December 1 Entire dossier due (all actions)
February 2. School P&T Committee decisions due in the Deanʼs Office

And, for mid-year hires involving tenure decisions

January 17 CV and 5 selected publications due
March 13 Entire dossier due.
May 15 School P&T Committee decisions due in the Deanʼs Office.

[NOTE: After the meeting, the Office of the Provost established the following timetable for faculty actions which is consistent with the timetable discussed at the faculty meeting:

September 30 Requests for sabbaticals and leaves with/without pay
October 29 Review/renewal of second year appointments

January 19 Review/renewal of first year appointments.
February 16 Promotions only.
February 16 Results of third-year review.
February 16 Results of third-year review.
February 16 Negative recommendations for fourth and fifth-year appointments.
May 29 Penultimate probationary year for tenure review (mid-year hires).
April 27 Review/renewal of second year appointments (mid-year hires)
July 13 Review/renewal of first year appointments (mid-year hires)
August 17 Results of third-year review (mid-year hires)
August 17 Negative recommendations for fourth and fifth-year appointments (mid-

year hires).]

Hurricane Preparedness

Dean Altiero emphasized that the University, the School, and each of the departments and centers within the School now have hurricane emergency preparedness plans and that these plans are available in departmental offices. He urged all faculty, staff and students to become familiar with all applicable plans. Marc Czapla is the new Director of Emergency Preparedness and he can be reached at mczapla@tulane.edu or 504 862-8688.