Present: Fred Yen (chair), Sue Barrett, Theresa Hammond, Ellen Winner, Larry Ludlow,William Petri, Mary Joe HughesThis was the first meeting for the ‘03’04 academic year. Our basic objective was to set an agenda for this year. AVP Jack Neuhauser attended and offered his perspective on items that we might address. These items included: 1. Renewal of “Andover Weekends” with a faculty teaching emphasis.· In the past they served an important function in introducing faculty to the university.· We could host a couple this year.· They should be focused on specific topics (e.g. approaches to teaching)· We would want new/newer faculty and experienced faculty to participate.While this idea was only briefly discussed, it did receive strong support, particularly by those ofus who had attended one of these. 2. Reconsideration of the University Core.· Is it currently providing the best educational experience that it was designed for? There was not much discussion about how to tackle this topic.3. Posttenure seminar experience· Newly tenured faculty could receive one semester freed from teaching to attend and participate in a “Great Books”like seminar. This would not be required of anyone but would be available as an option for those seeking to expand their liberal education and teaching opportunities.This did not receive much attention but it was thought of as an interesting and attractive idea.4. Review and revamping of the faculty course evaluation system (mentioned in our April 16 minutes as a topic to be continued for discussion).· Can it be turned into a webbased system?· It was stated that the current system seems to be understood by most faculty (but not everyone agrees with this perception)There was not much interest expressed to take on this obviously complex topic. It is considered,however, an important topic to some. 5. Consideration of how to “assess educational outcomes”.· Pressure is building from federal agencies to develop measures and conduct analyses to ensure “how do you know students are learning what you think they are learning.”· Something within the next three years will likely have to address this issue because ofaccreditation accountability requirements.· Existing metrics are apparently inadequate and there is no clear consensus for how or what to develop to meet this issue. There was no committee discussion about this topic.