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Minutes

Dean's Advisory Council

April 21, 2006

Call to Order: Doug Van Houweling

State of the College:
Dean Whiteford welcomed everyone and spoke briefly on the following points:

The promotion and tenure process occupied a major portion of the spring 2006 semester.

  • The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences had 32 tenure cases for review of promotion and tenure.
  • 22 (15 males, 7 females) faculty were up for promotion to Associate Professor. 10 were promoting from associate to full professor.

LAS has a target of 20 hires for the upcoming academic year.

  • LAS has been fortunate to be able to make some spectacular hires. These hires also further the goal to diversfy the faculty.
  • Chemistry has two female hires, which is significant for the sciences area.
  • A senior hire of a Director of African American Studies, Tunde Adeleke from the University of Montana was also made.

Curricular changes were also a part of the ongoing activities.

  • The English Department has a new Master of Fine Arts in the Environment has been added. This will emphasize the land-grant status of ISU.
  • English will also have a new PhD program in Applied Linguistics and Technology.
  • There is a new interdisciplinary undergraduate option in Criminal Justice Studies.
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures name change to "Department of World Languages and Cultures" has been approved.

There are also a number of proposed programs for Regents review.

  • Greenlee has a proposal for a PhD in Science and Risk Communication.
  • There is a dually developed and administered program proposal for software engineering, and a new undergraduate major in "Bioinformatics and Computational Biology" offered by computer science, math, statistics and computer engineering.

LAS has garnered its share, or more than its share, of awards for the year.
Impressive faculty awards:

  • Distinguished Professor of Physics - Costas Soukoulis wins the European Union's highest science prize - the Descartes Prize for Excellence in Scientific Collaborative Research
  • Ruslan Prozorov, an Assistant Professor of Physics, in his first year with us, received the prestigious Sloan Fellowship and the NSF Early Career Award
  • Andy Miner, an Assistant Professor in Computer Science, also received an NSF Early Career Award

University awards released the week of April 21:

  • Dawn Bratsch-Prince - Departmental Leadership
  • Lynn Clark - Outstanding Research
  • Laura Mielke - Early Teaching
  • James Andrews - Outstanding Teaching
  • Jill Pruetz - White Graduate Faculty Award
  • Mack Shelley - University Professor
  • Paul Canfield - Distinguished Professor

LAS Students doing well:

  • Sarah Thompson - music major - finished first in the National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions each of her four years ago ISU
  • Four of five recipients of ISU Alumni Association's Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Awards are LAS students.
  • Political science major Angela Groh named among Glamour magazine's top 10 college women for leadership

We are proud of our alumni, too. The following are being honored during the week of April 21.

  • Lauro Cavazos - former President of Texas A&M University, Secretary of Education under Presidents Reagan and Bush and currently professor of family medicine and community health at Tufts University
  • Luis Ernesto Derbez - 1980 Ph.D. Economics. Has held two Cabinet posts in administration of Mexican President Vincente Fox.

Other news:

  • U.S. News & World Report rankings:
    • Iowa State University's doctoral program in analytical chemistry 9th among all American universities and
    • Iowa State's statistics program 12th.

Finally, along these lines --- in addition to all of the basic research that takes place in our college, LAS had half of the research projects awarded from the Grow Iowa Values Fund. These included:

  • A project to increase the efficiency and enhance the profitability of the West Central Cooperative's soy biorefinery in Ralston;
  • a project that will establish proof that new digestion-resistant corn starches developed at Iowa State will combat type 2 diabetes and obesity while lowering the risk of colon cancer; and
  • a project that will enhance software developed to measure the quality of colonoscopy procedures.

First-year experience - how do we immediately engage students, make them feel part of an intellectual/academic community. How to counter the sense of being one of two gazillion entering new students….

  • "Frontiers of the Discipline" - engaging students just before classes began
  • Linked/connected courses - "Learning Communities on steroids". Two classes (can be of any size) with 20 students in each that will have common "link" (one hour/week, taught by third faculty member).
    • Biology & Psychology
    • Chemistry & Philosophy
    • Sociology & Music
    • Geology & Journalism
    • Anthropology & Women's Studies
  • Another initiative - program called "Great Challenges" - series of one-hour/week seminars (20 students, 1 faculty member). Theme this fall "Scarce Resources"
  • Also trying to work on other components of first-year experience that we might influence
    • Large-introductory classes … common part of large state university. Issues: How do we engage electronically savvy, need-to-be entertained students
    • Put our best teaching faculty in those classrooms - priority for college
    • Work to make instructional environment as conducive to learning as possible
    • Reinstitute breakout sessions - budget cuts have decimated our capability to offer "discussion sections"
        • TAs victim of budget cuts - several million dollar issue….
  • Work to establish a contract with students.
    • Can't simply blow-off large classes
      • Play computer games
      • Engage in "instant messaging"
      • Get up and wander in and out of classroom
    • Situation must be fixed - it is a contract/partnership between students and faculty

Challenges for next year - budget

  • Been two years since last of series of budget cuts - no new resources, not enough time or flexibility to adequately recover
  • Last year considerable excitement about proposal from Board of Regents for a "Partnership for the Transformation of Excellence".
    • Partnership between Regents, Legislature and three state universities. Result in $40M being added to base budget each year for four consecutive years.
    • By end of last legislative session, clear contract had been broken. Cobbled together package one one-time monies and declared victory
    • This year some optimistic last fall. By January it was clear that there would be no major allocation. Right now it appears that there will either be no raises or we will be given less than one percent and mandated to internally adjust for raises that would average 3 percent. This is - in effect - a budget cut. Impact will be catastrophic on faculty morale and will lead to stream of our best faculty looking for jobs else. The trickle - this year - will be a sunami next year. This is a crisis.
    • Comes on top of two straight years of good economic growth in the state.

On a brighter note:

  • LAS truly is the "university's college".
    • At the undergraduate level LAS teaches approximately two-thirds of all the student credit hours …. 4.5 times more than the next college
    • Teach a wide swath of courses that make up the "humanities," "social sciences," "biological & life sciences," "physical sciences," and "mathematical and computational sciences".
    • Everyone takes at least a third of their courses with us.
    • Depend on us in other ways … teach a lot of the required courses in many other colleges
    • We have some outstanding graduate programs
    • Excellence is continually reaffirmed … as evidenced by some of the things already mentioned by accomplishments of our large family.

Discussion
There was discussion and questions regarding the Dean's address, particularly the Regents and Legislative issues relating to budget and how to be more effective in getting the university's budget constraints message across. It appears that the regents are not advocating as strongly as other constituents with the legislature. Many out of state alums contribute to maintain the welfare of ISU; shouldn't legislature do equally well at maintaining its universities in years of good economy?

International Experiences - theme of the council meeting
Council members and deans began the meeting with self introductions, each briefly sharing their first experience of travel abroad. There were a variety of experiences, but all agreed that the experience was broadening and an essential factor in their life education.

Steffen Schmidt, Director of LAS International Programs, was introduced and gave a comprehensive power point presentation on the importance of globalization in education (See the LAS website to view the presentation).

Some of those points:

  • 30% of hiring managers want/need bi-lingual candidates. Bi-lingual candidates are perceived as being more flexible, adaptable, and intelligent
  • Those who speak two or more languages are more employable and more likely to be employed
  • Adults have the advantage of understanding syntax and grammar when learning languages
  • 79% of Americans polled feel that students should have a university study abroad experience
  • 1% of students actually study abroad

The US has placed less focus and emphasis on geography in recent years. As a result students have little knowledge of world geography. A National Geographic global literary survey of students 18-24 found the following results:

  • 87% could not locate Iraq
  • 83% could not locate Afghanistan
  • 58% could not locate Japan
  • 11% could not locate the United States

Senate resolution # 308 designates 2006 as the Year of Study Abroad. This was a unanimous resolution (unfortunately there is no funding with the resolution). ISU has declared 2006-2007 as its year of study abroad.

International Programs Information and sources

  • International Studies has seen an increase in the number of majors to 55
  • ISU has an articulation agreement with DMAAC for Arabic classes
  • International Business & Global Affairs Program
  • LAS, Business & Ag, Engineering, Human Sciences
    • LAS has a Career and Achievement Data Base with international options
    • Spring International Options fair
    • Spring Career Fair
    • International resource faculty list has been generated
    • LAS department liaisons
    • Service learning partner with IRIS
    • Initiated a student international award
    • Initiated an international advising award
    • Proposed a cross disciplinary PhD in International Affairs

Presentations were given by two student speakers and an advisor:

Basil Mahayni: Basil was a LAS Political Science graduate with a minor in Spanish and is currently a graduate student. Basil's parents are from Syria and Basil speaks some Arabic. Basil spoke about his 6 week international experience in Bolivia: - Footsteps of the Incas. Basil was convinced he had enough international experience without taking a study abroad course but instead discovered that he wished he had done this sooner. The course brought out his interest in the sustainable environment and molded his future studies. Basil is a strong advocate of study abroad with a service learning component to developing countries.

Jessica Maves: Jessica is a Political Science major and is active in music. Jessica participated in the summer three week Tones of Florence study abroad (and is planning to take the Belize study abroad course also). Jessica will also travel to Russia this summer with other ISU music participants and perform in several concerts. Jessica presented a slide show of the Florence trip. Jessica was an excellent ambassador for the program and advocates study abroad for students.

Dana Schumacher, advisor: Dana is an advisor for Political Science and International Studies. Dana gave a brief presentation and answered questions. In the year 2000, there were 949 students who participated in study abroad (30% were LAS); in 2005 1184 students participated (22% were LAS). A goal is to double the college's student participation in study abroad. In the 04-05 academic year, 3.6% of LAS students participated in a study abroad course. Course costs for students range from $3-4000 for a 3 -4 week course to $14,000. per semester with an affiliated university (ex: Ireland).

International studies began in the '70s as a secondary minor. It has expanded throughout the years and went through curricular revision in 2003. The number of student majors has doubled to 55 in the last three years. Most of the international studies students develop their program individually and work with Dana to ensure that the courses they are taking will meet ISU requirements. Most international studies majors are double majors. More information can be found on the International Studies Website on the LAS webpage.

Lunch break was with the Foundation Governors at the Gateway.

Ken Lucken prepared a short presentation on international perspectives. Kent is an international businessman, first as a U.S. diplomat for fourteen years and for the last seven years with CitiBank international. Kent was unable to give his presentation, but passed along the message that a focus of his presentation is that he believes the U.S. is poorly positioned to deal with the future world economy, and with China in particular. China will have an influence on the world that most do not yet anticipate. Grain is currently the number one import in China.

Dwight Ink spoke briefly about his tenure in China; he was in Beijing during the protest at Tiananmen Square. He commented that during that time, the Chinese considered Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Richard Nixon the three greatest Americans.
Discussion:

There was discussion and questions regarding LAS study abroad. LAS has a yearly study abroad scholarship fund of $10,000. This funds approximately 45-50 students a year at a very moderate award for each. Not all LAS study abroad students apply for scholarship funds. LAS would like to encourage more students to participate and find a way to increase funding for students. LAS would also like to find a way to support more faculty in preparing study abroad courses. The funds they receive do not begin to cover all aspects of prep time, books and assessment.

Discussion revolved around ideas to generate more money and interest in study abroad:

  • Alumni tours - ask alumni association to charge extra $100 per person to use for student study abroad funds
  • List and solicit for study abroad specifically on the LAS solicitations to alumni
  • Target private funding
  • LAS Deans Council could be advocates for study abroad funding/mailings
  • Focus on steering students to study abroad experiences
  • Add question to ISU application: "Where would you like to travel for a study abroad experience" and follow up over next 3 years with "where have you traveled globally" to encourage students to sign up
  • At orientation, focus on planning an international experience with students and parents
  • Market international experiences with a DVD to incoming students
    • (use the experiences of students currently enrolled, such as today's presentation)
    • showcase the Iowa/Garst/Kruschev experience: show Iowa as involved internationally; focus other international opportunities of Iowa businesses
    • Profile international careers of ISU alums: ex: Kent Lucken and others
    • Recruit with commercials for study abroad at athletic events

Recognition of Retiring members:
Dean Whiteford expressed thanks to all for joining the council and the value of the thoughts and time contributed to the council. Two years ago an official rotation system of service on the council was put into place.

This year the following rotate off of the council:
Dwight Ink,
Lou Thompson
Donna Wolf
James Young
Doug Van Houweling (will rotate back on as past president and chair)

We thank them for the years of service and loyalty to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ISU. Dean Whiteford distributed small items to those retiring to express the thanks of the college.

Elections
Carol Elliott is the chair elect from the last meeting and will take over the duties of president and chair. Mark Fleming was nominated and elected as the chair elect for the following term.

Future Council meetings
Dave Gieseke reminded the council of future 2006-2007 meeting dates: October 5-6, 2006 (Order of the Knoll) and April 19-20, 2007 (Veisha). Dave also indicated that there is a form for the Gateway to fill out and return to the Gateway for reservations asap for those planning to stay there. Rooms are limited and booked far in advance for that weekend so please act on this quickly.

Future Events
July 14 - Reception and viewing of the play "Little Women" produced by ISU alum, Randall Wreghitt, in Washington, D.C. Pre-show reception will be hosted by alum, Rebecca Klemm. Contact Dave for details.

Greenlee School has formed a group (currently 78 in Des Moines area) termed the Greenlee Society of Alumni and Friends. They will also be in Washington at that time and plan to hold a reception on July 13.

If other LAS groups would like to form specific alumni groups (ex:, choral society, marching band, Veisha committee), please contact Dave Gieseke for assistance/advice in planning events.

November Colorado/ISU game: Contact Greenlee's if you plan to attend. Plans are to host a get together of some sort. Details to come.

Foundation Report - Alsatia Mellecker
Alsatia began by thanking the council for two days of powerful interaction. ISU, the alumni and student loyalty is remarkable and a pleasure to be a part of. Alsatia announced the resignation of Sherry McKinstrey who left for a position with the Make a Wish foundation in December. Sherry did an outstanding job for ISU and will be missed. There are currently several candidates being considered for that position and a new colleague should be in place soon.

Last year's goal was 7 million with productivity of 7.8 million. The goal for this year is 10 million. Currently the LAS foundation has gifts of 4 million, with several gifts being considered that will be a part of this or next fiscal year, depending upon when the details are concluded. It looks to be an impressive year.

Campaign activity: Two feasibility studies have been completed and the reports presented to President Geoffroy for a Chemistry Building project and Snedecor Hall remodeling. Nothing firm has been decided. President Geoffroy, University leaders and department chairs received campaign training this winter and are participating in the campaign process. Numerous receptions for friends and alumni of ISU have been held around the country this year, with more to come. It is hoped that members of the LAS Dean's Council will become involved in the campaign by

  • considering a campaign commitment that is tailored to your own circumstances,
  • serving as a strong advocate for the university, the college and your own discipline
  • identify individuals and companies who might contribute a leadership gift
  • help the college host regional campaign events
  • be motivational leaders for the campaign
  • assist the dean and development officers with solicitations

Past minutes were approved without additions or corrections.

Comments on the day
Items that went well

  • Own experiences was ok in last two meetings, provided information about each other
    Student presentations were excellent
  • Discussion as a group went well.
  • Steffen Schmidt presentation and overview was very good
  • It was interesting to join the foundation governors group for lunch, provided more interaction with others
  • Enjoyed the awards ceremony
  • Each meeting is informative and exciting.
  • Enjoy seeing Ames again
  • Prefer format like this agenda

Items to Improve

  • Could break down agenda into more points of discussion
  • Prior agendas, with break out sessions were more restrictive and less productive than large group interaction
  • Prefer to not have breakout sessions.
  • Would like more advance notice of topics for Council meeting
  • Would like feedback - email or note a couple of weeks after meeting detailing how suggestions were received, possible action on suggestions/discussion
  • Would like information (follow-up) at next council meeting on items from previous council meeting (follow through and continuity)
  • Would like more interaction throughout the day - less listening and more discussion and reactions
  • Some would like more time with departments, faculty and students - contact departments and arrive early for more interaction day before council meeting
  • Would like the archeology tour