At today's meeting for the University Library Committee, we approved the minutes from the 2-5 meeting and heard the director's report as delivered by Ed Van Gemert.
We were also updated on College Library's services and initiatives by Carrie Kruse. You might have noticed new furniture in College that has built-in electrical outlets; as Carrie noted, this was a direct response to student needs and librarians at College are always looking at more ways to help serve students and comments and new input is always welcome.
Lastly, we heard a report on Special Purpose Libraries from Jean Phillips. UW-Madison has 45 libraries (45!) and many of these are smaller and more focused in scope and service area. Jean, who works at the Space Science and Engineering Center, reported on a survey done of several Special Purpose Libraries. While only 12 of the 30 or so libraries that fit this definition responded, a pretty good picture of budgeting, acquisitions, reference statistics and questions answered still emerged.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Memorial Library Committee
We had our first meeting for this year on Feb 29. After approving the meeting minutes of Dec. 10, 2007, the Chair and Director made few announces namely:
1. Libraries/DoIT to host May 2 symposium.
2. Resolution expressing faculty senate recognition and appreciation of UW-Madison Campus Libraries and Staff.
Our next agenda was faculty concerns.
1. Overlapping collections between libraries such as CIMC and Memorial Library on educational materials. And the Director reassured that it would not be a case since each library would collaborate before making new purchases.
2. Space issue as the increase in collections without building expansion. No definite answer to this, but the problem was mainly about budget constraint.
Student concerns.
1. Making services offered by library known to students especially the ones that we never expect such as poster printing, camera recorder, and so on. One suggestion was to create a list of 20 services that students may never know offered by library.
2. The sudden closure of library dues to severe weather. The question was how can students be better informed for such occasion. One proposal was to communicate through e-mail and the director would bring up the issue to Library Communication Department.
Before adjourned, the committee discussed the possibility to reschedule meeting time.
1. Libraries/DoIT to host May 2 symposium.
2. Resolution expressing faculty senate recognition and appreciation of UW-Madison Campus Libraries and Staff.
Our next agenda was faculty concerns.
1. Overlapping collections between libraries such as CIMC and Memorial Library on educational materials. And the Director reassured that it would not be a case since each library would collaborate before making new purchases.
2. Space issue as the increase in collections without building expansion. No definite answer to this, but the problem was mainly about budget constraint.
Student concerns.
1. Making services offered by library known to students especially the ones that we never expect such as poster printing, camera recorder, and so on. One suggestion was to create a list of 20 services that students may never know offered by library.
2. The sudden closure of library dues to severe weather. The question was how can students be better informed for such occasion. One proposal was to communicate through e-mail and the director would bring up the issue to Library Communication Department.
Before adjourned, the committee discussed the possibility to reschedule meeting time.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Programs Committee: School of Education
The Programs Committee met on the 15 of February. There were three main articles on the agenda. The first of which discussed was a proposal for Dance/Movement Therapy certificate. The program existed in the sixties, and was one of the most popular programs, though it died out when certain faculty left the school. A new, qualified professor, Rena Kornblum has been secured to forward the new program. Ms. Kornblum has thirty years of professional experience as a dance movement therapist. The courses will specialize on creative and expressive movement for the mental health profession. The committee approved the measure with great support and suggested that it would be a very popular program across majors.
The second course proposal was for the course EPS/IS 335 “Globalization and Education.” Its purpose is to examine the impact of globalization of education and compare how political and social aspects impact education between developed and developing country. The course was piloted in the previous semester, and was successful except for too much required readings. Appropriate changes were made and the course was approved by the committee with much excitement. The only debate centered around the ability of freshman to take the class. The course is listed in the 300 level, but will be available for every student especially for students who have not yet entered the education program but are interested in it. The department acknowledged that it will be certain to watch freshmen performance in the class, and make appropriate alterations.
The final article on the agenda was to discuss a School of Education assessment plan. The plan was last updated in June 2003. The committee hopes to increase awareness of the plan, and to increase frequency of updates. The discussion highlighted the need for an assessment plan, because lately there have been different mentions of standards for higher education. As educators are constantly checking what their students are learning, and their own performance, and by creating a public assessment, both students and the community will benefit. The mention of the plan was noted, and the department heads all agreed to take the project on. The meeting closed with a lot of excitement for the future programs and was dismissed.
The second course proposal was for the course EPS/IS 335 “Globalization and Education.” Its purpose is to examine the impact of globalization of education and compare how political and social aspects impact education between developed and developing country. The course was piloted in the previous semester, and was successful except for too much required readings. Appropriate changes were made and the course was approved by the committee with much excitement. The only debate centered around the ability of freshman to take the class. The course is listed in the 300 level, but will be available for every student especially for students who have not yet entered the education program but are interested in it. The department acknowledged that it will be certain to watch freshmen performance in the class, and make appropriate alterations.
The final article on the agenda was to discuss a School of Education assessment plan. The plan was last updated in June 2003. The committee hopes to increase awareness of the plan, and to increase frequency of updates. The discussion highlighted the need for an assessment plan, because lately there have been different mentions of standards for higher education. As educators are constantly checking what their students are learning, and their own performance, and by creating a public assessment, both students and the community will benefit. The mention of the plan was noted, and the department heads all agreed to take the project on. The meeting closed with a lot of excitement for the future programs and was dismissed.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Dean of Students Advisory Board - 2/27/08
The DoS Advisory Board is a forum for student input and feedback on DoS ideas and programs.
Today's meeting featured Rebecca Martin, Senior VP of the UW System Office of Academic Affairs. She asked us questions along the line of What is it like to be a student at UW-Madison? What makes it different from other UW System schools? positives? negatives? What does the UW System need to improve/change in regards to student life and academics?
The discussion generated some interesting ideas: playing up the college campus atmosphere in Madison, investing in the Wisconsin Experience, integrating the campus with the community, retaining the Wisconsin culture while still being an elite institution, ensuring job opportunities after graduation, etc.
We also were presented a draft of changes to the UW System statues UWS 17 & 18 (the Misconduct Code). There will be a listening session within the next week and a half. The changes (I haven't read through them all yet) involve modifying the scope of jurisdiction and clarifying what misconduct is of "substantial interest" to the UW. These policy changes wouldn't go into effect until Fall of 2009 (tentatively), and there will be ample opportunity for students to be reviewing these amendments.
Those were the major topics of discussion at this afternoon's meeting. I have more information on additional agenda items as well.
Today's meeting featured Rebecca Martin, Senior VP of the UW System Office of Academic Affairs. She asked us questions along the line of What is it like to be a student at UW-Madison? What makes it different from other UW System schools? positives? negatives? What does the UW System need to improve/change in regards to student life and academics?
The discussion generated some interesting ideas: playing up the college campus atmosphere in Madison, investing in the Wisconsin Experience, integrating the campus with the community, retaining the Wisconsin culture while still being an elite institution, ensuring job opportunities after graduation, etc.
We also were presented a draft of changes to the UW System statues UWS 17 & 18 (the Misconduct Code). There will be a listening session within the next week and a half. The changes (I haven't read through them all yet) involve modifying the scope of jurisdiction and clarifying what misconduct is of "substantial interest" to the UW. These policy changes wouldn't go into effect until Fall of 2009 (tentatively), and there will be ample opportunity for students to be reviewing these amendments.
Those were the major topics of discussion at this afternoon's meeting. I have more information on additional agenda items as well.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Health Care Advisory Committee, 2/26/08
The HCAC advises University Health Services in budgetary and administrative areas.
The new University Tower at U-Square is coming along well, and UHS staff got to walk through the building in anticipation of the December move. We spent some time talking about parking issues and also handicapped accessibility. Parking, like everywhere else in Madison, will be tight but may be alleviated because most students will be walking to the new location.
The current satellite clinic in Sellery will be closing, and UHS had discussed moving it to Lakeshore but the Lakeshore redevelopment funds were not included in the latest state budget.
Question: Is U-Square too far for Lakeshore students to travel? Would a satellite clinic in the future in the Lakeshore neighborhood be adequately utilized? Part of the reason why the Sellery clinic was needed was because the University Avenue location was just so far away. Having U-Square in the center of campus will change traffic/usage patterns. Thoughts?
In other news, electronic health records are coming along well. There was discussion about integrating the publicizing and familiarization (and also taking health histories of incoming students) of the "new" UHS at SOAR.
Question: Would more information about the location/services/appointment processes of UHS have been helpful at SOAR?
The new University Tower at U-Square is coming along well, and UHS staff got to walk through the building in anticipation of the December move. We spent some time talking about parking issues and also handicapped accessibility. Parking, like everywhere else in Madison, will be tight but may be alleviated because most students will be walking to the new location.
The current satellite clinic in Sellery will be closing, and UHS had discussed moving it to Lakeshore but the Lakeshore redevelopment funds were not included in the latest state budget.
Question: Is U-Square too far for Lakeshore students to travel? Would a satellite clinic in the future in the Lakeshore neighborhood be adequately utilized? Part of the reason why the Sellery clinic was needed was because the University Avenue location was just so far away. Having U-Square in the center of campus will change traffic/usage patterns. Thoughts?
In other news, electronic health records are coming along well. There was discussion about integrating the publicizing and familiarization (and also taking health histories of incoming students) of the "new" UHS at SOAR.
Question: Would more information about the location/services/appointment processes of UHS have been helpful at SOAR?
University Honors Committee - February Meeting
Director of Admissions Rob Seltzer gave the committee an Admissions Update. By last Thursday afternoon the University received 24, 766 applications and expects to have a total over 25,000 - meaning about 500 more applications received than last year. UW has had a steady increase in applications over the past few years. This year, the Admissions office is under strict orders to keep the 5,700 cap for students in the freshman class. As a result, less postponed applicants will be admitted.
Jeff Shokler of L&S Honors reported that they have made a few changes. In previous years, L&S Honors sent applications to select incoming L&S freshman who met quantitative requirement. Their post-graduate survey found that most students were part of L&S Honors only for credentials. In an attempt to focus on improving knowledge rather than students' resumes, starting this year, L&S Honors sent applications to all incoming L&S freshman. The new invitation details the goals of L&S Honors (which can also be found at http://www.honors.ls.wisc.edu/SiteContent.aspx?id=269). The new first-year student application to L&S Honors does not ask for GPA, class rank, or ACT/SAT scores but has more short-answer essay questions and space to list activities in which the student participated.
Undergraduate Symposium - The committee encourages all students to consider participating and sends a reminder that the online applications are due this Thursday, February 28.
Jeff Shokler of L&S Honors reported that they have made a few changes. In previous years, L&S Honors sent applications to select incoming L&S freshman who met quantitative requirement. Their post-graduate survey found that most students were part of L&S Honors only for credentials. In an attempt to focus on improving knowledge rather than students' resumes, starting this year, L&S Honors sent applications to all incoming L&S freshman. The new invitation details the goals of L&S Honors (which can also be found at http://www.honors.ls.wisc.edu/SiteContent.aspx?id=269). The new first-year student application to L&S Honors does not ask for GPA, class rank, or ACT/SAT scores but has more short-answer essay questions and space to list activities in which the student participated.
Undergraduate Symposium - The committee encourages all students to consider participating and sends a reminder that the online applications are due this Thursday, February 28.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Office of Equity and Diversity Oversight Committee February 20, 2008
The Office of Equity and Diversity Oversight Committee met primarily to make final edits to the 2003-2006 report. This report was compiled by Jeffrey Lewis from an open ended survey that was filled out by the learning communities around campus. We discussed problems with the survey method and ideas for the next survey. We also decided that a forum will be held and the report will be used to generate discussion.
Office of Equity and Diversity Meeting (20 February 2008)
Rachel Witt
1. Auditing Budget
a. currently Jeffrey Lewis is finalizing edits to 2003-2006 OED report
b. questionnaires were too vague and provided data that didn’t have quantifiable parameters
c. free choice in questionnaire did not give full report of activities in learning communities
d. auditing budget has been cut—Office of State Employment Relations only has three auditors and auditors often do not even visit site
2. Review of OED Report
a. primarily edited for presentation corrections
b. decided that report would serve exploratory function to determine areas that need to be evaluated and to generate a more useful questionnaire in the future
c. survey lacked direction for responses
d. forum or session planned for learning groups to come together and discuss results of questionnaire—report will serve to initiate conversation
e. report condensed to themes for discussion
3. Next meeting (6 March 2008)
a. review final copy of report
b. establish date for discussion forum
Office of Equity and Diversity Meeting (20 February 2008)
Rachel Witt
1. Auditing Budget
a. currently Jeffrey Lewis is finalizing edits to 2003-2006 OED report
b. questionnaires were too vague and provided data that didn’t have quantifiable parameters
c. free choice in questionnaire did not give full report of activities in learning communities
d. auditing budget has been cut—Office of State Employment Relations only has three auditors and auditors often do not even visit site
2. Review of OED Report
a. primarily edited for presentation corrections
b. decided that report would serve exploratory function to determine areas that need to be evaluated and to generate a more useful questionnaire in the future
c. survey lacked direction for responses
d. forum or session planned for learning groups to come together and discuss results of questionnaire—report will serve to initiate conversation
e. report condensed to themes for discussion
3. Next meeting (6 March 2008)
a. review final copy of report
b. establish date for discussion forum
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