College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences

Minutes

Fall Assembly

College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences

Tuesday, 16 August 2016, 2 PM (refreshments 1:30 PM)

Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall

Called to order by Presiding Officer Al Adams (Physics) at 2:03 PM.

The first order of business:

The CALS web site was displayed in the concert hall. We were reminded to read the Mission.

Second order of business:

Minutes of May 3, 2016 assembly were distributed electronically Thursday, August 4. Hard copy minutes were available during the meeting of the August Assembly. A motion for acceptance of the minutes was made and seconded. No discussion followed.

Next:

Recent resignations, retirees, and new CALS faculty were announced in the various departments.

DepartmentChair

ArtCarey Roberson (for Mia Hall)

BiologyJohn Bush

ChemistryBrian Berry

EnglishAngela Hunter

HistoryJess Porter

World LanguagesAndrew Dieser (for Erin Finzer)

Math and StatisticsMinh Van Nuygen

MusicJeremy Lane Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies Michael Norton

Physics and AstronomyHaydar Al-Shukri

Theatre Arts and DanceYslan Hicks

Report from the Community Connections Center by Betsy Hart. She made announcements about the Food Pantry, and the Community Service Fair (Sept. 7). Also collaborating with ATLE about service learning.

Announcements

Lectures, Performances, Exhibitions and Special Events announcements were presented by the following assembly members:

Artspree – Jeremy Lane (Music). Performances will be in Stella Boyle. Fall programs sponsored by Artspree, including the Sangeet Millennium (Indo-Pacific Jazz Fusion), and the Brock McGuire Band, and the winner of the Guitar Foundation fo America competition. Student, faculty, and staff attendance is free. Full details on Artspree and other department concerts may be found on the department web site,

Theatre Department Events – Yslan Hicks (Theatre Arts & Dance) announced a schedule of theatre performances beginning with Moliere’s “The Learned Ladies” in October and Dance Harvest in November. Full details on the department web site .

Gallery Exhibitions – Brad Cushman, Curator of Galleries introduced the annual gallery schedule with specific references to the exhibitions currently in Gallery I, II, and III in the Fine Arts building. The galleries are open 7 days/week after Labor Day. Further information available here Reminder about the art loan program, if you’d like an art work for your office.

Cooper Lectures – Jeff Condran (English) announced the upcoming lectures.

History Institute – Jess Porter (History) defined the history institute role at UALR and announced six lectures. Faculty and students may attend for free. Further details at

World Languages--together with Collections and Archives, the Clinton School, the Central Arkansas Library System, and the Arkansas Arts Center--was awarded a grant by the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide community programming during the coming academic year on the culture, history and civil rights struggles of U.S. Latino communities.

Fribourgh Award Reception honoring Dr. Mary Good, set for Sept. 15. Fundraiser for CALS. See the CALS web site for further information.

6 x 6 Event – fundraiser for the Art Department in late Fall semester.

Elections (reminder of the May meeting results)

Committee Elections for CALS Committees

Coming up in each department

Comments by Interim Vice Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate School

Abhijit Bhattacharyya

Dean’s Report –Tom Clifton, interim dean

• Getting students involved in on-campus activities such as the Research Expo is incredibly important
• Restructuring has been difficult. We’re coming around the corner. Faculty are the architects of restructuring. We were given a directive from the provost, and we had input.
• Faculty responsibility. Every decision that you make should be student-centered. Ask yourself, when addressing issues in higher ed, “Is it about the betterment of the student?” How can we make UALR better for the students?

Comments from Tito Viswanathan, Associate Dean for graduate programs

Comments from Johanna Miller Lewis, Associate Dean for undergraduate programs

Personnel in the Dean’s Office

Communications Director, search in-progress

Continuing:

Mary Baxley, Assistant to dean

Carmen Robinson, Assistant Dean for Student Services

Angela Bell, Student Development Specialist for online programs

Michael Hale, Learning Technology Services Specialist

Alisha Harris, Education Counselor for Science Pre-Admits

Richard Wolford, Director of Finance

Jackie Willis, Administrative Assistant

Other Business

No additional business was introduced before the Assembly

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 2:57 pm

Minutes submitted by Linda Holzer