The content of the Minutes was mainly comprised of the Committee's discussion regarding several upcoming deadlines, such as the deadline for academic intern proposals. The Committee also raised the issue of hiring, having gathered statistics on the size of the faculty. Currently, there are 38 members on leave, 163 members with tenure or on tenure track, 34 visiting professors and lecturers and three professors on phased retirement.
Following the minutes and remarks from the President and the Dean of the Faculty, the Faculty moved to discuss a Faculty Resolution proposed by the Committee of Six regarding the implementation of proposals to increase the size of the Faculty by 18 and to increase the size of the student body by 80 students starting from 2010. The resolution proposed that the increase in the size of the student body be distributed over the next six to eight years (approximately 10 students per year) and that the additional slots be filled with international students with financial need and "vibrant" academic twos.
Academic twos are students who fall short of the test scores to qualify for a reader rating of one, but nonetheless are judged promising on the basis of their essays, letters of recommendation and personal histories. The resolution stated that the increases in faculty size should at least increase in proportion to the increase in size of the student body as the plan progresses.
Several concerns regarding the resolution were raised by faculty members. They brought into question the potential strain on resources that an increase in international students and academic twos might bring about. Questions were raised about the possibility of an increased need for ESL services on campus as well as writing help for students in general. Concerns about the possibility of increased strain on advisors were also raised.
Several amendments to the resolution were proposed. Faculty members asked whether or not it would be possible or advisable to delay the increases in the student body until 2012 in order to give departments time to hire additional faculty to prepare for the need presented by additional students. Ultimately, the resolution was passed without any major changes.
Among other items discussed at the meeting were a Charge to the Ad Hoc Committee on Promotion, "to explore and recommend whether the College should adopt more thorough and comprehensive procedures for promotion to full professor."