Dean's Council Minutes, August 14

A Meeting of the Dean’s Council was held on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Dean’s Conference Room.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mara Saule, Marianne Burke, Paul Philbin, Birdie MacLennan, Keith Gresham, Peter Blackmer, Jeff Marshall and Nancy Bercaw.

ABSENT: Selene Colburn

I. General

Mara opened the meeting by recognizing the fact that the Honors College Faculty Seminar was being held during the first part of the week in Bailey/Howe with 15-20 faculty from across disciplines participating. Trina Magi coordinated the event and libraries’ faculty (including Keith Gresham, Scott Schaffer, Laurie Kutner, Donna O’Malley and Jeff Marshall) participated. Mara also acknowledged Jeff’s and Marianne’s participation in the recent Harvard Leadership Institute. Both reported that they greatly enjoyed and appreciated the experience.

II. Libraries Planning Retreat Review

Mara reiterated that the call for additional comments is open until the end of the week, at which time all collected notes will be posted on the Dean’s List Blog for review. Work groups will be formed shortly thereafter. The general response to the retreat was favorable, despite the heat. The irony of leaving the (newly working) air system in B/H in favor of a fresh location (where an air system wasn’t present) was also noted.

III. Academic Year 07/08 Reappointment and Promotion

Peter Blackmer reminded Council Members to survey faculty about promotions this fall. Those interested in putting together a promotional dossier must make their intentions known by late September. Sabbatical applications also need to be put forth as well. Reappointments have more time, but a schedule of candidates will be out soon. Birdie MacLennan is the representative to University Professional Standards Committee.

IV. Communication Issues

The continued need for more transparent communication to and from the Dean’s Council, and the libraries in general, was discussed. There will be an ongoing effort to create and maintain multiple ways of communicating. Input from libraries employees are encouraged and welcome. Send to Nancy.Bercaw@uvm.edu.

V. Williston Project

Birdie reported that the Williston move is coming along very well and the marking project, spearheaded by Peter Spitzform, should be complete by the end of the week. Movers are coming on Monday to remove approximately 30,000 volumes. Volunteers are still welcome and needed for the rest of this week. Scott Miller will oversee the deposit of the books into the space. Some chaos is to be expected during the moving process. Birdie will coordinate a field trip to see the Williston facility for interested parties after the move is completed.

VI. UVM Accreditation

Mara will serve as co-chair of the University’s Accreditation Process with Jill Tarule. Nancy will function as project manager and the project will be managed from both the Libraries’ Office of the Dean as well as the Provost’s Office. The University will be evaluated against 11 Standards. One Standard (7) is devoted specifically to Library & Other Resources. Seven committees have been formed to review the 11 Standards. Some libraries faculty members have been invited by the President and Provost to sit on some of those committees, although there will be ample opportunity for all libraries faculty and staff to participate.

VII. B/H Liaison Program

Keith presented an overview of the newly created and soon-to-be implemented Bailey/Howe Library Liaison Program, which Info & Instruction has been working on for the past year. It remains a work in progress and will continue to be refined and reported on. Keith explained that the program was built in a way to work along side the existing program at Dana, with both programs now able to inform one another. Marianne commented on the potential for “cross-liaisoning.”