Instructional and Research Support Committee Meeting: 02/19/2009
Instructional and Research Support Committee Meeting
February 19, 2009
Present: Jim Miller, Chair, Kelvin Sung, Co-chair, Peter Littig
Ex Officio: Carolyn Brennan, Andreas Brockhaus and Sarah Leadley
Absent: Tony Smith
Adoption of Agenda - agenda adopted.
Review of IRSC minutes of January 29, 2009
The IRSC minutes of January 29, 2009 were approved.
Update on Undergraduate Collaborative Research Program grants - Subcommittee
Carolyn updated the IRSC on the Undergraduate Collaborative Research Program grants, the subcommittee met and approved the proposal. The committee opened discussion on support of research across programs at UWB.
IRSC discussion
- There are high expectations and standards for research at the UWB campus, equivalent to UWS although service loads are greater here.
- Institutional building has impacted research opportunities at UWB. The balance across programs at UWB in teaching, research and service may be different from an R1 institution; should we look at a different tenure approach?
- Research at UWB is all but invisible; we do not publish or promote faculty research. Most faculty are unaware of the research conducted here.
- Faculty can work to their strengths in teaching, research or service if we do not set expectations on tenure equally across all areas, programs could define the balance they think is important.
- Promoting research at UWB will benefit the campus and the community through attracting new students and the community to campus.
- One important way for this to happen is to re-establish a newsletter or in some way publicize faculty accomplishments through the web or in print. Information gathering from each program is needed to collect and disseminate this news across the campus.
Update on Program Policies and Procedures that Facilitate Research - Jim Miller
Jim updated the IRSC on the Program Policies and Procedures that Facilitate Research. Input from CSS has been added to the chart. Jim will continue to gather information from programs to better assess what infrastructure the institution needs to provide support for research and how to implement that support structure.
IRSC recommendation
The IRSC will make a recommendation to the GFO Executive Council that a new faculty job satisfaction survey be conducted.
Computer administrative permissions for faculty - Kelvin Sung
Kelvin brought the issue to the IRSC on administrative permissions for faculty at UWB. Research is put on hold until these permissions can be obtained. Andreas addressed this concern stating that faculty can obtain administrative permission through IT in two ways, requesting permission as an administrator or through a supplemental account. It was recommended that this policy be communicated to faculty. Andreas will act upon the recommendation.
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm.
Minutes submitted by Barbara Van Sant