The chair of the Committee on Educational Policy (CEP), Professor of Mathematics Dan Velleman, motioned to approve the 85 proposals for new courses for next year. After brief discussion, the faculty proceeded to pass the proposals unanimously.
During his remarks, President Anthony Marx mentioned that the Committee of Six has been discussing revitalizing the practice of bringing outside reviewers to the College for reviews of departments.
"[I]t's a complete waste of time," said Professor of English Barry O'Connell. He argued that departmental self-studies would be more useful, cost-effective, and time-efficient.
Professor of French and European Studies Ron Rosbottom disagreed. "I've not seen one outside study of a department that has not had enough information to make that department a better one," he said.
The faculty agreed to the reviews, understanding that interdisciplinary professors had to be reviewed in discipline or by someone who covered similar multiple disciplines as the professor in question.
Marx also announced that the College has reached its cap on full-time employees as designated by the Board of Trustees.
Professor of History and Women's and Gender Studies Martha Saxton presented a motion to amend the College catalog to broaden the definition of "colloquia" from courses taught by multiple instructors from different departments to "interdisciplinary courses not affiliated with a department" that may be taught by one professor.
Professor of Physics Arthur Zajonc supported the change. "I do think that it gives a range of options which will advance the goals of interdisciplinary courses that you [Marx] want to advance," said Zajonc. He had some reservations, however, about the administrative details which were shared by other professors.
Professor of English and Russian Dale Peterson wondered if the revised language, which no longer says that colloquia are "aimed chiefly at juniors and seniors," would open up colloquia to all students. Peterson argued that colloquia might not be as high in quality if the students do not all have a strong grounding in some of the material covered in the course.
Marx pointed out that even the new system would not create a free-for-all. "The faculty retain the right through the CEP, [and] through this body, to approve actual courses." The faculty passed the amendment.
Marx also announced that several interdisciplinary projects had been proposed and approved.
Professor of English Kim Townsend presented a motion drafted by the Committee of Six to amend the faculty handbook regarding the composition of the Committee on Athletics. The revised committee will include three faculty members rather than one and will no longer include the Director of Student Health Services, who has been a non-participant in recent years, according to Townsend. The faculty passed the amendment.
Marx also announced that Professor of English and Black Studies Rhonda Cobham-Sander has agreed to serve part-time as the special advisor to the president on diversity.