Saint Anselm College Faculty Senate Minutes
Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Present: Holder, McKeon, McKenna, Tobin, Weinreb, Wierda, Perrone, O’Reilly, Michael Smith, Mahoney, David George, Meoghan Cronin, Dubrulle, Latona, Schnick

I.  Discussion with the Father Jonathan DeFelice, O. S. B., President of the college.
 
President Weinreb welcomed Fr. Jonathan, O.S.B. to the Senate meeting and explained that he had been invited to speak about the monastic chapter's decision to defer further discussion of governance.
 
Fr. Jonathan began by thanking those faculty members who had helped with the N.H. Primary events on campus and he especially thanked Physical Plant and Dining Services.
 
He then addressed the issue of governance noting that the Monastic Chapter had decided to defer discussion about changes in governance for four years. He indicated that the study had begun with an inquiry into the possibility of separating the single corporation into two, an Abbey and a College corporation.  Once that decision had been made, the discussion moved to how to govern the College Corporation.  Periodic updates had followed until the final decision of the chapter.

In response to questions:

He indicated that the governance issues would clearly be a special focus and concern during the NEASC visit.  Concerns would not result in a loss of accreditation in his opinion.
 
He noted that there were perhaps fundraising implications.  Two members of the Board had left leadership positions and one had left the Board.  Some had indicated their intention to lower their level of support.
 
He noted that many of the senior administrators were disappointed but no one has indicated that they would leave over this issue.
 
He noted that the master plan still needed to go to the monastic chapter for approval.  He discussed the fact that after 80 years of service the Sisters of Joan of Arc would be leaving the campus.  The building that serves as the convent will be converted primarily to faculty offices.
 
He has forwarded a non-discrimination policy to governing board with the concerns that the Senate raised as well as examples from other colleges. Members of the Senate again raised their concern about the lack of “religion” as a protected category.  Fr. Jonathan again expressed his belief that the college is better protected if we don’t have it listed as an enumerated protected class but that the spirit and practice of the college would continue to be inclusive.  In any case, it is currently with the governing board and what they decide will become the college’s policy.
 
President Weinreb thanked Fr. Jonathan for coming to the Senate. 

(Fr. Jonathan left the meeting at 5:45 PM)

Break for dinner

II. Meeting with the Vice Presidents

1. Dr. Marie George, Executive Vice President

Executive Vice President Goals

1. Continue to develop and refine the Campus Master Plan; seek approval for future changes in circulation patterns and additional concept plans as identified. Begin the process of prioritizing short and long-range projects and determining the financial resources required. 
2. Document and report progress on Aspirations’ Indicators of Success.
3. Facilitate the completion of NEASC decennial self-study; provide support to the Steering committee chair and sub-committees. 
4. Actively support and participate in the College’s efforts to increase diversity and achieve inclusiveness goals.  Utilize the results of a campus assessment to identify action steps and resources needed.
5. Support the work of the NHIOP Interim Executive Director and assist in clarifying the Executive Director’s role in light of increased collaboration with College offices (e.g. Advancement, Communications, Government Relations) and alignment with the College’s systems (e.g. planning, grant-writing and budgeting). Assist the President in re-examining the governance structure of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics.

Campus Master Plan
Since 2005 and after an in-depth process of identifying needs a 15-20 year proposed campus master plan was shared with the monastic community in spring 2007, with faculty, staff and students in September 2007 and with the Trustees at their November 30th meeting.  The proposed concept plan received considerable support therefore a proposal for the overall concept and specific circulation plan will be presented to the Monastic Chapter in spring 2008. 

With the departure of the Joan of Arc sisters (after 80 years of exemplary service) renovation of their convent is in the early planning stages with an anticipated use for faculty offices and other needs yet to be identified.  In addition, due to continued student housing shortages, short and long-term student housing needs are being examined. 

Strategic Plan - Aspirations in Liberal Arts Education
The college continues to make great strides in achieving the goals and objectives of the strategic plan, Aspirations in Liberal Arts Education (2005-2009).   A forthcoming progress report will communicate achievements and continuing challenges.  The recently approved Academic Plan will be an important component to further achievement within Goal 1 of the strategic plan and greatly assist in developing the next iteration of our strategic plan. 

Action plans, submitted each fall, include many excellent proposals to advance Aspirations and for 2007-08, the following plans were approved.

IT-Tech Classrooms, submitted by Adam Albina
Technology enhance three (3) classrooms, each to include ceiling mounted LCD projector, podium with sound and video playback capability, an instructional computer and monitor, projection screen, wall mounted speakers, wireless keyboard and mouse, network connection and secondary laptop connection.

This is Liberty, submitted by Professor Peter Josephson
A continuing series of faculty presentations are scheduled and called, “This is Liberty,” to provide a venue for short faculty statements (personal and professional) on the topic of liberty, followed by discussion and refreshments. The aim of the project is to encourage faculty to reflect on the meaning of liberty in their lives and work, and to develop an ongoing conversation about how lessons of liberty can be integrated throughout the College.

Bloomberg Machine, submitted by Professor John Romps
This plan allows for continued funding for the Bloomberg machine currently used by the students in Room 101A Gadbois. The information provided by the Bloomberg equipment increases students’ depth of knowledge in investments and familiarizes students with this essential piece of hardware and software in the Financial Services Industry.

Humanities Writing Assessment - Essay Scoring, submitted by Dr. Duane Bruce
This plan supports faculty stipends to score course-embedded essays as part of the Humanities Program Assessment project.

Classics – Excavation Site, submitted by Professor David George
The plan supports establishment of a long-term excavation controlled by Saint Anselm College in Italy near Orvieto. The proposal would result in a self-sustaining, self-funding annual excavation under the direction of the Classics Department of Saint Anselm College. It also would result in a fully integrated Archaeology program recognized nationally and internationally.

Residential Life Capital Improvement, submitted by Dr. Alicia Finn
This plan allows for the development of a Residential Master Plan in conjunction with the College’s master planning activities.  An in-depth process of data gathering and developing a concept plan for meeting future student housing needs will take place.

Undergraduate Research Scholar Program (URSP), submitted by Lori LaPlante
URSP is a competitive summer research program offered to juniors in any major.  There are two goals for the program, first to increase the number of successful graduate applicant and second to foster relations between Saint Anselm faculty and potential research collaborators outside the college.  URSP teams include the student and two faculty members, one from Saint Anselm College and the other from a university graduate program interested in supporting the student’s research.

Aspirations’ Indicators of Success:
Indicators of success, established in 2004, are listed below and reports will follow on progress made.

Goal I:

• Increase freshmen to sophomore retention rate to 90% by 2009
• Increase enrollment of United States minority students to 8%
• Reduce faculty teaching load to 3-3 by 2009
• Increase by 5 each semester the number of students who study abroad during the academic year
• Increase by 2 the number of departments that participate in service learning and by 10 the number of courses
• Increase participation in summer research programs by 5 students per summer

Goal II:

• Measure and monitor student engagement and satisfaction by their participation in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) during their freshman and senior years
• Measure and monitor alumni satisfaction with leadership preparation and identify alumni outcomes through on-going assessments
• Increase alumni involvement by 5% per year
• Establish campus standards for student living space and campus common space
• Track and, if indicated, reduce number of classes missed per athlete per team
• Assess students’ leadership skills and track their participation in leadership roles
• Measure the efficacy of transmission of Benedictine values in residence life staff training
• Reduce residence hall damage by 5% per year

Goal III:

• Increase employee racial and ethnic diversity to 4%
• Increase non-tuition funding by 4% via increases in annual fund, endowment, grants, and new revenue sources
• Decrease overall discount rate by 4% from FY05 level
• Increase overall endowment via fundraising by at least $2.5 million per year

New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
The College has been actively preparing our self-study report in anticipation of the 2009 NEASC re-accreditation site visit.  The NEASC team has not yet been announced but the dates of their visit have been scheduled, March 29, 2009 to April 1, 2009.  Led by Professor Wierda, the NEASC Steering Committee and sub-committees has been collecting data on each of the eleven standards as each relates to the College.  Writing of the report will commence during spring 2008 and widespread dissemination and review will occur in fall 2008.  Patricia O’Brien, NEASC Deputy Director, will be on campus Friday, January 25 to meet with Steering Committee.

President’s Advisory Council on Inclusiveness
The Presidential Advisory Council on Inclusiveness (PACI) has been meeting since May 2007.  The Council’s charge includes maintaining the institutional focus on inclusiveness as a high priority goal, coordinating campus climate assessment, regularly monitoring and reporting on institutional progress toward inclusiveness goals, planning and overseeing institution-wide education and training on inclusiveness, initiating specific proposals to the President, and assisting with college-wide communications. 

The Advisory Council on Inclusiveness has undertaken the following for the coming year:

1. Oversee planning for Martin Luther King Day commemorations on campus.
2. Work with Diversity Associates consultants to oversee a campus climate assessment for spring 2008.
3. Plan educational sessions, e.g. Dr. Damon Williams on November 13.
4. Provide the Dean and other administrators with concrete questions and criteria for searches and interviews.
5. Establish a website devoted to inclusiveness initiatives and achievements.
6. Provide the Dean of Students with feedback on plans to replace the Director, Multicultural Center.

Denise T. Askin, Chair  (English) serves as chair of the Council with members including Loretta Brady (Psychology), Fr. Mathias Durette, O.S.B.  (Student Affairs), Susan Gabert (Campus Ministry), Pablo Garcia (Modern Languages), Ward Holder (Theology), Christine Kearney (Politics), Bindu Malieckal (English), Edward McGushin (Philosophy), Nancy Griffin  (Admission), Kathleen Parnell (Human Resources), Fr. William Sullivan, O.S.B. (History), and Susan Weintraub (Residence Life)

The New Hampshire Institute Of Politics (NHIOP)
The NHIOP at Saint Anselm College was established in 2001 to serve as a resource for students, scholars, politicians, and the general public. Founded on the premise that educated citizens are vital for a healthy democracy, the Institute conducts programs and research that are designed to enlighten and encourage people for a lifetime of civic participation.   

The long term sustainability plan for the Institute is progressing well.  The endowment continues to increase, fundraising is ongoing, the Board of Trustees and Academic Advisory Board are actively involved in supporting the work of the NHIOP.  Professor Paul Manuel took over the reigns of the NHIOP as Executive Director in June 2007 and has led a robust series of civic education programs, research presentations, and academic initiatives that are briefly outlined below as submitted by Professor Manuel.  

 I.  Civic Education
There have been three distinct civic education initiatives this fall: visits by Presidential candidates, our Speaker Series, and the newly launched Granite State Forum on Public Policy.

II. Research Initiatives
Our research initiatives this fall include the Distinguished Scholar Speaker Series, Issues Panels sponsored with other Institutions, the activities of the Research Center, the Faculty Research Support Program, the release of the NHIOP presidential poll, and the appointment of a Senior Research Fellow.

III. Academic Programs
These initiatives include the NHIOP-TV, Constitution week celebrations, a Fall Film series,
The Pizza and Politics program, the Student Ambassador program, Civic Leadership Academy, NEW Leadership Program and Art Exhibit (Interrupted Life) and Conference (The Incarceration Epidemic: Justice for Whom?) co-sponsored by the Consortium on Justice and Society.

Presidential Debates
The NHIOP programming worked seamlessly with the national exposure gained by the College during presidential candidate visits and debates, Fox’s return on the quad, and media requests for commentary from the NHIOP staff and faculty experts.  The College was fortunate to host the first and last debates, both republican and democratic, for the state of New Hampshire during this presidential election cycle.  The January debates were unique since they were scheduled back-to-back, on the same day.  Students were actively involved with ABC and Fox News with 80+ employed from January 2-8.  The extent to which we had national exposure, previously announced in Fr. Jonathan’s e-mail, was exceptional and more than anticipated, even by ABC, with well over 10 million viewing the Democratic debate and close to 8.5 million viewing the Republican debate.  As cited by ABC, these statistics combined with over 850 accredited press on site for the debates was more than any unilateral news event outside of the Olympics or political convention and represented the single biggest event ever staged by Saint Anselm College. 

Pat Shuster, Vice President, Administration, is currently on medical leave and sends her best regards.  Listed below are brief updates from her area.

Human Resources – Employee ethnicity data
Employee data indicate, as of January 2008, that among all faculty, staff and administrators there are 5.2% minority represented.  Among all faculty (full and part time) this percentage is 6.6% and among only full time faculty minority, representation increases to 7.7%.

Safety and Security – Emergency Response System
An emergency response system was recently approved comprised of a siren system and technological component (e-mail, text messaging, etc) the latter to be introduced shortly as opt-in sign up.  The college’s emergency response plan is also in the process of being updated.

Information Technology – Smart Classrooms
Dr. Rui Li, Instructional Technology Director, submitted the following update on smart classrooms:
Goulet 3100/3101 smart classroom installations are now complete.  Smart Board was not installed due to the need to build an extra wall to attach the board, which is scheduled during Spring Break.   This brings the total of smart classrooms to 27 out of 63 or 43% of all classrooms.
Alumni 7 is scheduled to be completed during the Spring Break.  Five new smart classrooms are scheduled to be done in summer 2008

Institutional Research – HEDS Consortium 
During fall 2007, Saint Anselm College was invited to join the Higher Education Data Sharing (HEDS) consortium – a data -sharing group comprised of elite liberal arts colleges including many of Saint Anselm College’s identified competitor and aspirant institutions.  The Planning and Budget committee recently approved our membership effective January 2008 and Dr. Hui-Ling Chen will serve as institutional liaison for the college.

Discussion:   What has become of the work of the committee Always our Brothers and Sisters.  That has been taken up by the committee charged with diversity climate assessment (i.e. The Presidential Advisory Committee on Inclusiveness).

2. Mr. Jim Flanagan, Vice President for Advancement

Opening Remarks:  Advancement had a productive year last year…..fundraising – Gifts to the Saint Anselm Fund totaled $2.3 million, overall gifts totaled $4.8 million.  Gifts, pledges and estate commitments totaled $6.5 million.  As part of the Aspirations goals, Advancement continues to make significant progress in increasing overall endowment via fundraising by $2.5 million per year.  The Alumni Association, under the leadership of Tricia Guanci Therrien, seated a new alumni council this past Saturday.  The stated goal for the council, in concert with Aspirations, is to increase overall alumni engagement through expanding chapter support and outreach, assessing all current programs and events and launching e-alumni communities.

1. What impact has the announcement regarding governance had on giving?
 
The governance decision was given to the Board of Trustees at the meeting on November 30, 2007.  Approximately 10 days later, the decision was announced to the Saint Anselm College community through a letter by Fr. Jonathan.  Having been just over six weeks, it is unclear how the decision will impact overall giving to the college.  However, I can say that I have been informed by a few of our trustees that they will not be donating to the Saint Anselm Fund this year (Six Figure Donors).  Furthermore, it is unknown to what extent other alumni and donors know about or are concerned by the decision.

2. What is the current status of a capital campaign?  When can we expect a capital campaign to be announced?

Over the next year, College Advancement Staff, Fr. Jonathan, and Marie George will be working with the College Advancement Committee and Campaign Counsel to assess the goal for our next campaign.  Furthermore, it could be 12-18 months before any announcement is made.  In the meantime, preparations in the form of prospect research, surveys, and planning with the Campaign Counsel are occurring.

3. Please address the status of the Stahl fund.
 
Currently, the Stahl Endowed Fund, which was begun on February 18, 2004, has $447,347.31, with $43,470.50 in outstanding pledges, for a total of $490,817.81.  The goal of the Fund is to establish a $1 million endowed professorship.  To date, the top gift was made by Dr. David Stahl, who gave $100,000.  In addition, the college made a generous gift of $50,000.  After a comprehensive fundraising effort with numerous appeals and personal requests over a two-year period, a draft case statement was developed in the fall of 2006. 

In order to advance the status of the Fund, the College offered to David Stahl that it would commit significant additional dollars if David agreed to raise significant monies from his sources.  He declined the offer.  The College remains committed to the Fund and the entire effort and is exploring ways to proceed.

a. Could undesignated gifts be added to move it along more quickly?

The College has other priorities for undesignated gifts, and its top priority for undesignated gifts is the Saint Anselm Fund.  As such, these gifts will not be designated to the Stahl Fund.

Discussion: A question was asked about whether there was a United Way campaign this year.  No there was not.

3. Rev. Mark Cooper, O.S.B., Treasure of the College

i. Goal three of the strategic plan is to fully fund depreciation within our operating budget up to the appropriate level as determined by our auditors. Given the number, age, and condition of our buildings the current figure for depreciation, as determined by our auditors, should be $3,800,000. In fiscal 2008-2009 we will be at $2,600,000. We hope to be fully funded in another three to four years.

ii. We have had two excellent years financially and this allowed us to purchase two separate parcels of land to the south of our campus with surpluses from fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007.

iii. Faculty development funds - we are engaged in gathering and reviewing budget data about our sources and uses of faculty development funds within our operating budget to ensure that we are meeting this need at an appropriate level.

iv. One of our goals under the strategic plan was to have in place  a campus-wide Request for Proposal process for use in purchasing, and in establishing contracts with outside vendors. That system is now in place. Because the process is fairly labor intensive it is currently not used in all purchasing relationships, but only those with large dollar volume relationships. 

4. Ms. Nanci Tessier, Vice President for College Marketing and Enrollment Management

In the fall semester, much of the attention of the Office of College Communications and Marketing was directed towards the New Hampshire primary. In the coming semester, the office will focus its energy on the creation of an integrated marketing plan. That plan will be communicated to the Saint Anselm community by the end of the spring semester.

The Office of Admission is experiencing another increase in the number of freshman applications. As of January 11, applications were 15% ahead of the previous year and 25% ahead of two years ago. We expect that we will conclude the year having surpassed last year’s record-breaking applicant pool of over 3,500. Due to the large applicant pool and a desire for a smaller freshman class, we expect to realize gains in the quality of the enrolling class. For fall 2007, six percent of first-year students were students of color. Our intention is to increase that group by 1% for the fall of 2008 and an additional 1% for fall of 2009. Ms. Tessier mentioned that she is greatly concerned about the change in demographics, particularly in the New England states, which will experience a decline of 12% in the number of high school graduates by 2015.

In advance of the meeting, Ms. Tessier provided the Faculty Senate with information regarding the College’s Discount Rate. Recently, a decision was made to extend the goal of lowering the College’s Discount Rate as articulated in Aspirations to FY10. We expect to meet this year’s and next year’s goal. In addition, one of the areas that Ms. Tessier is particularly aware of is that of loan indebtedness of Saint Anselm graduates.

5. Dr. Joseph Horton, Vice President for Student Services

• Residential Life:
  This is our second academic year working with a first- year hall structure.  Under this model all first year students live in the same residential areas (men/Dominic Hall and women/ Joan of Arc Hall).  The philosophy driving this change addresses the unique needs of first year students and intentionally develops and implements programs to address those needs (i.e., time management, study skills, coping with transition, etc.).  Our measures over a limited period of time indicate high levels of satisfaction with residential life for freshmen and this is supported by a significant improvement in retention from the freshman to the sophomore year.  Students have indicated high levels of satisfaction despite the perennial problem of tripling. This crowding presents a number of hurdles in offering the best living situation possible.  Several steps are currently underway to address the short-term and long- term impact of tripling.
  
  The practical result of the first-year hall model has also created sophomore halls.  Significant research has illuminated the importance of the sophomore year as a pivotal one in the undergraduate experience and we are currently in the process of developing a residential life program aimed at addressing the unique needs of sophomores.
  
  Brady Hall, comprised primarily of sophomores has become a successful coeducational residence hall.
  
  The Office of Residential Life is currently working on implementation of living/learning centers.  This effort follows submission of an action item during the last fiscal year.  While this was not funded, planning has continued and implementation on some level is planned for September 2008.  There has also been interest on the part of the faculty on this project.
  
• Athletics:  The match between the college’s athletic philosophy and that of other NE-10 members has become less satisfactory for Saint Anselm.  The college continues to explore options that will more satisfactorily serve Saint Anselm’s needs in the future.
• Service Learning:  The fall semester saw a large increase in the number of service learners (n=280) including 22 majors, 36 community sites and 14 members of the faculty involved.  Twenty members of the faculty will be involved in a service learning course during the current semester.  This increased interest in service learning has caused me to support a proposal for a Service Learning Coordinator and to evaluate the ways that we deliver service learning as a growing academic offering.  I am sure that you will be hearing more about this as we move forward.
• Dana Center:  Bob Shea, in cooperation with the Office of Residential Life, has developed two artist in residence programs.  The first involved Robin Spielberg, a concert pianist and national spokesperson in the area of music therapy, who performed for the residents of Joan of Arc Hall.  The second group artists in residence will be “Daniel Bernard Roumain & the Mission,” a violin and string quartet providing different genres of music representing musical portraits of the American Civil Rights Movement.  The quartet will perform in Hilary Hall.

6. The Rev. Augustine Kelly, O.S.B., Dean of the College and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Fr. Augustine noted that he had already spoken to the Senate at the beginning of the academic year and so would be brief.  He addressed the question of the number of courses required by the Neuroscience Certificate program, a concern voiced at the last Senate meeting.  He observed that by their nature some certificate programs would not be accessible to a large number of students, but that this should not be a
reason not to have this valuable educational experience available to those students whose curriculum will allow it.

He discussed the issue of the teaching load reduction originally scheduled for 2009. Although he is committed to moving to a 3/3 teaching load he wants to do it at the appropriate time. He will be working with departments to think of creative ways that have to do with departmental course offerings and adjunct hiring to achieve this by 2010.

The academic plan is with Fr. Jonathan for his review.  Implementation of the plan will be similar to that of the strategic plan with faculty submitting action items which will be reviewed by a group of faculty before being sent to the Planning and Budget Committee for their review.

He commented on the governance issue noting that while he was in favor of governance change he understood the community's need to pause for more time to develop consensus. 

There will be a General Faculty meeting on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 2:30 pm to seek comments on the Faculty Handbook. 

II. Approval of minutes of December 11, 2007 moved by Sen. Holder, seconded by Sen. Wierda, unanimous.

III. Committee Reports
No report

IV. Old Business
Deferred to February Meeting

V. New Business
None

VI. Adjournment
Moved by Sen. Holder, seconded by Sen. Wierda Unanimous. 

Adjourned at 8:15 PM