Skidmore College

The strategic plan focuses on four major goals: student engagement and academic excellence, intercultural and global understanding, informed and responsible citizenship, and independence and resources. It aims to challenge students to achieve academic excellence, develop intercultural understanding, and become informed, responsible citizens. The plan also focuses on developing the resources required to realize institutional aspirations and managing all resources efficiently.

The Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) discussed responding to feedback on its proposal regarding the faculty service cycle and whether to introduce a motion in the fall. The FEC also discussed the FAB handbook language motion. Nominations for the Space Planning Working Group were initiated, and the FEC discussed how to sort the nominees. The upcoming Committee of Committees meeting was addressed, with a reminder for chairs to update committee websites and operating codes.

The faculty meeting addressed the Huron consultancy's role in reviewing academic affairs proposals, emphasizing the importance of transparency and long-term effectiveness. Discussions covered the limitations of post-pandemic data, the need for cautious data interpretation, and the value of understanding resource flow and budget dynamics. Concerns were raised about the narrow definition of revenue generation, the transparency of data reporting, and the potential for tension during budget reallocation decisions. Faculty members sought clarification on various topics, including the meaning of "levers," decision-making power within the steering committee, and the evaluation of departmental value. The meeting also touched on the need for a robust data infrastructure, the role of department chairs in decision-making, and the inclusion of staff perspectives. The discussion also included the potential for combining departments or programs, the accuracy of data being used, and the cost differences associated with faculty employment types.

The meeting included a discussion with the Dean of Students and SGA President regarding the development of a campus-wide poster policy. The committee debriefed the recent faculty-only meeting and discussed drafting the meeting notes. They also addressed Space Planning Working Group staffing, planning to select members from the ad-hoc pool. Additionally, the committee planned to draft a motion to update the Faculty Handbook language related to FAB.

The committee discussed logistics for the faculty-only meeting, appointed a replacement on CAFR, and addressed staffing needs for the Space Planning Working Group, including its potential integration into the faculty governance system. A review of the last faculty meeting led to planning an informational session on parliamentary procedures. The committee also noted the need to revisit the agenda item regarding committee supply and demand at the next faculty meeting and the structure of IPPC needs to be reviewed and possibly reformed.