Theme 1: Meetings/Minutes

November 2, 2006

WASC Greater Expectations Action Team – notes for 11/2/06

  • Initial-draft outcomes: After some discussion and wordsmithing, we decided to forego further editing (the outcomes list being, after all, an initial draft to spark conversation among our colleagues) in order to focus on next steps.
  • Timeline: Though the timeline we were given calls for completing the campus-input phase by early December so that a draft of the outputs could be rolled out in a campus-wide event just before the beginning of spring semester, after much discussion we decided to extend the campus-input phase into early next semester. While this would compress the rest of the process, we agreed that gathering sufficient input from all constituencies is important enough to warrant this adjustment. A timeline revision will be developed soon.
  • Next steps: We discussed the process for engaging faculty, administration, students, professional directors, and staff, in light of our decision to work with existing groups as much as possible. We also came to the conclusion that we should plan 50-60 minutes for each group discussion.
  • Academic administration: the Provost’s council was discussed as an appropriate initial venue for gathering input from administrative and faculty leadership.
  • Faculty: begin the process with engaging each college’s Council of chairs, and follow up by soliciting invitations to talk with their departments at a regularly- or specially- scheduled department meeting. Faculty Senate would also be a good group to engage in the conversation.
  • Student Affairs, Administrative Affairs, Advancement professionals:begin with the Directors’ meetings, and solicit invitations to conduct sessions with their various units.
  • Students: begin by soliciting invitations by faculty to talk with students in their classes. Some Team members have volunteered to involve their won classes, beginning a few days before Thanksgiving break. Some clubs, residence hall gatherings, and AS committees may also be appropriate and accessible venues.
  • Staff: request a session with the Staff Council.
  • Session logistics
  • Whenever possible, two of us will collaborate in conducting each session, with an action team member representing a department or group pairing up with one from outside the group.
  • The format for each session will begin with a ‘visioning’ process, launched with some informal writing/thought gathering and proceeding to discussion of the draft outcomes.
  • We will update the WASC website and link it to the Humboldt homepage.