The Emperor Has No Clothes?

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Maybe the reason many of us are pushing for experiential-based educational approaches replete with internships, service learning, community-based learning, mentoring, projects, etc. is what you hear when you watch the video below.

If education is the emperor (meaning the traditional route to increasing the standard of living, enlightening the unwashed masses, and preserving a democratic way of life), as those of us in education believe and insist upon (including me), then maybe we should pay attention to what many are discovering in the era of information, communication and technological transformation…that the emperor\ (traditional ‘banking education’ as described by Paulo Freire…*see below) has no clothes.

*Paulo Freire talks about the “banking concept of education”, explaining that students in this system are “ ‘receptacles’ ” that are to be “ ‘filled’ ” with the “content of the teachers narration”. These “receptacles” are expected to regurgitate information given in class, on tests, quizzes, and anything that requires an answer that is “word for word” what the teacher says. In a banking classroom, the teacher is the authority and the students are oppressed. Freire writes, “The more students work at storing deposits entrusted to them, the less they develop the critical consciousness which would result from their intervention in the world as transformers of that world.”

HSHE interim dean

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Bemidji State University
invites applications and nominations for the position of
Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Ecology (Interim)

Nominations and/or application materials are being accepted for Dean, College of Health Sciences and Human Ecology (Interim) at Bemidji State University. In order to submit application materials or a nomination, the candidate must be an exemplary faculty member who has successfully completed the tenure process at their university, have a minimum of 3 years of successful leadership experience as a chair, program coordinator, program director, or comparable, and be willing to serve for up to two years in this role.

Materials required include: cover letter explaining why you are interested in serving as an interim dean, qualifications and leadership experience relevant to the position, and a clear description of how your interest and qualifications align with position responsibilities; a current C.V.; and the names and contact information for three professional references. The nomination/application period closes on Friday, June 14 at 5:00 p.m. Submit materials electronically to mtadlock@bemidjistate.edu.

The interim appointment will begin on or about July 1, 2013 and will continue for 1-2 years as determined by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. A national search for the permanent Dean is anticipated to begin in late fall, 2014.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as the primary academic spokesperson and advocate for the college
• Work closely and collaboratively with department chairs, program coordinators, and faculty/staff to encourage innovation and creativity to accomplish goals and realize priorities
• Provide leadership centered around democratic principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and consensus
• Work collaboratively with members of the deans’ council and the academic affairs council to promote and support priorities within academic affairs and the university
• Provide strategic leadership and manage the college’s human, financial and physical resources/assets while being both invitational and decisive
• Reinforce and refine the college strategic plan to align with the University’s Master Academic Plan, the University Strategic Plan, and BSU’s strategic enrollment goals
• Lead the college through programmatic accreditations as appropriate
• Develop new, and reinforce existing, cooperative partnerships with public, private, non-profit, and corporate sectors
• Create and/or expand partnerships with other higher education institutions and providers
• Lead international initiatives within the college and support international initiatives within the university
• Lead college diversity and inclusivity initiatives, specifically in addressing the needs of underserved and underrepresented populations
• Lead college assessment efforts and curricular initiatives
• Administer collective bargaining agreements
• Lead the recruitment, evaluation, and retention of outstanding faculty and staff
• Engage in scholarly activity and continuing professional development
• Lead the college in initiating federal, state, and private foundation grant proposals and in development efforts that support the university campaign
• Support involvement with interdisciplinary teaching, distance learning delivery, and innovative program development
• Engage in activities which support Bemidji State University’s signature themes: environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and global and multicultural understanding
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

• Record as an exemplary faculty member who has successfully completed the tenure process at their current university
• A minimum of three years of successful leadership experience as a chair, program coordinator, program director, or comparable
• Evidence of outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Evidence of a strong commitment to the principles of interdisciplinary teaching and learning
• Evidence of valuing faculty and staff input/feedback in decision making
• Evidence of innovative and creative thinking/problem solving
• Evidence of ethical and professional behavior expected of anyone serving in the role of a college dean

Other Considerations:

• Appointment will be for 1-2 years
• Tenure is not awarded with the position unless already earned at Bemidji State University

BSUFA meet and confer notes 5.8.2013

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BSUFA MEET AND CONFER AGENDA
May 8, 2013
4:00-5:15 PM – David Park House

OPENING QUERIES

Are you considering retrenchment? No
Are any faculty members currently under investigation? Nature of investigation (no name needed). Yes, 1B1 investigation
Have any investigations been completed? No Results? None

UPDATES

Enrollment update:
Mary Ward provided an enrollment update. Currently, NTC has 330 fte for fall split evenly between distance and campus – Tech is down approx.. 2-3% from last fall. BSU has a total Fall 2013 headcount of 3585 students (3483 undergraduate and 102 graduate students), enrolled for 47,474 credits (46,932 undergraduate and 543 graduate). Credits are down 2.5% from prior year point in time. We finished last fall with 61,162 credits enrolled, we are now 78% of that total. Approx. 620 freshman registered and 90 students signed up for June AAR.

Facilities update:
Bill Maki indicated BSU continues planning for Memorial and Decker renovation. It looks promising for legislative support for funding of the projects. The University will also be starting a project in the Chemistry area ($550,000) working around summer classes.

Positions update:
*Affirmative Action / EEO position – Sent PD down state for classification
*Professional Education MSUSAAF – Professional Teacher performance assessment position– responsible to assist with accreditation, assessment, TPA, program advising for students – used salary savings from two other positions through retirements in the Education dept to fund the position – (position will not be teaching any classes)
*Biology position – Patrick Guilfoile’s position will be advertised in the fall
*Music position and Mass Comm. have had recent resignations
*English position search not complete
Deans have been advised faculty will be compensated for summer searches –

Budget update / BSU/NTC:
Bill provided an update on the higher education legislative funding proposals in House, Senate, and Governor’s position. Apparently not much has changed at this point. Bill shared NTC budget information – met with NTC MSCF representatives about the proposed 1.2 million dollar budget adjustments in mid-April (handout summarized the 1.2 million deficit and the projected impact on the operating budget). The deficit will be accommodated through additional revenue and changes in allocation of revenue with reducing customized training appropriation, use of technology fee ($8.00 per credit) revenue to pay for Dist. MN Consortium services, grant or external funding for existing faculty position in the manufacturing area. In FY2015 NTC will begin 5 year payback of $120,000 per year on the BSU loan and will also use carry forward due to one-time savings. Plans for budget reductions include elimination of the Dean of Student Services position, one General Maintenance worker, and a counseling position in student services and the elimination of one support person in student services (possible BESI). Bill also noted the closing of the model making program for FY 2014-15 academic year.

Tom Fauchald asked about what happens if NTC declines in enrollment in Fall, 2013. Bill stated that programs are evaluated every year and that program evaluation will continue. Tom indicated the IFO Budget Committee reviewed IPEDS data for 2012. Bill indicated that instruction was approx. 35% of instructional costs. Tom will put together a report across all MnSCU campuses to see how other campuses are doing. Overall budget of University was approx. 69.6 million, down 5.1 million from previous year. Tom indicated that the cost center for athletics continues to go up and that support for athletics is currently at around 3.9 million and appears to be going up to 4.1 or 4.2 million at this time. Bill indicated that he has not heard when any back pay adjustments due to IFO contract changes will be made. He thinks MnSCU will try to get it out before the end of the fiscal year.

Athletics update:
President Hanson indicated that BSU has hired Tracy Dill as the new athletic director. He has served at St. Cloud State for the last 27 years. President Hanson indicated that there are high expectations for the position.

AGENDA ITEMS

1. CIO introduction & Windows 8:
Bob Griggs introduced the new BSU/NTC CIO Jim Pulliam. Jim has already met with the IFO Academic Computing Committee and Jim indicated he anticipates working closely with this group. Chris indicated concern with IT support of the new Windows 8 operating system. Chris indicated that both students and faculty are going to need support of the operating system and he understands need to maintain system stability and yet encourage innovation. Everyone recognizes that Windows 8 is not a stable environment, but need we need to move forward. Chris indicated he was awarded a grant for innovation to buy a new Surface Pro touch screen tablet and had issues with purchasing the item through the University. Jim indicated that he realizes students are coming to campus with new technology and that he would like to create a governance structure to create a new test environment for new evolving technologies and provide training on Windows 8. He indicated he would like to partner with faculty and make IT become more proactive instead of reactive. He is also sending staff to do training on Office 2013.

2. Abeyance/Grievances & timeline:
Chris made formal motion and recommendation to hold all grievances in abeyance until next fall. Administration agreed with the request.

3. Timeline calendars for tenure/promotion:
Chris shared proposed meet and confer dates for next year. He noted that there is a conflict with CAS chair meetings being scheduled during meet and confers. Timeline calendars will be introduced to Senate next Fall.

4. NTC/BSU alignment update:
President Hanson indicated he would like to form a study group which will start meeting next Fall to make a recommendation on alignment. Chris indicated the IFO statewide is also meeting on this topic. Faculty Senate did vote affirmatively to participate in this process and identified two IFO representatives to be members of the study group.

5. MAP/UPC update:
President Hanson handed out both the Master Academic Plan (MAP) and a draft of the University Strategic Plan created by the University Planning Council. He asked for feedback from Senate as soon as possible on the University Strategic Plan. Chris indicated that the draft could go out for comment at the start up meetings in the Fall.

6. 80/20 Funding Model Question:
Tom Fauchald questioned whether under the 80/20 model the Deans are requiring departments to hire adjuncts as opposed to fix term positions. Bob Griggs indicated that under the 80/20 model funding is provided up front for fixed term positions. Academic departments need to work with administration to put forward a viable business plan. Tom indicated it is getting muddled with the adjunct piece. Provost Tadlock discussed the DLiTE model which was used to bring new full-time faculty positions to the University.

7. Overload exceptions:
Chris indicated that based on the IFO contract language, it is feasible for faculty to teach at least one additional course a year (max. of 5 credits). The idea of limiting overload to five credits was to make sure it is no more than one course. Chris indicated concern that the overload exceptions are going beyond what the contract allows. He stated that administration needs an individual MOA for any faculty member exceeding the 5 credit limit. Provost Tadlock indicated he knows of two requests in Business at this time for overload exceptions and he is comfortable with assigning up to 6 credits if there is an overload exception granted. Martin stated he would rather have our full-time faculty teaching these courses than using adjuncts. Tom indicated that the IFO wants to stop end of the year reporting of overload exceptions for faculty. This is needed so the IFO is more aware of proposed exceptions to allow for better monitoring. At the last state wide meet and confer the IFO provided data on the top ten highest paid faculty in the system. The information has been shared on campus. Tom indicated that BSU faculty have lower base pay salaries, which is also a contributing factor as to why BSU faculty appear on the list. Chris is concerned that uneven pay may cause equity issues. At the college level, some colleges tend to more frequently use overload or pay $65 per credit for additional course instruction.

8. Other – none

Democratic Practices and the Impact on Student Achievement Seminar

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Several years ago…well ok…about a decade ago…a few radical education oriented colleagues and I set out to revive the defunct Democratic Education Society. We met with small groups for about 3 summers, but were not able to get it off the ground as several people left for different positions and the core group frittered away. We did learn a lot, share a lot, and dream a lot.

Well, we are back…and looking to start up such an effort again. It is past time.

With all of the standardization efforts to deliver knowledge and call it education, the acceptance of packaged, programmed learning delivered online as ‘education’, and with all of the attempts to test and measure everything that moves in order to prescribe more standardized spoon feeding and static delivery of knowledge as education…with no evidence that any of it improves learning…well we find it uncacceptable.

We believe that there is high value in social interaction, dialogue, critique, and people gathering to address deep issues.

We believe assessment should be based upon improvement and progress, not on standardized comparisons.

We also believe that learning occurs when teachers and students work together to create curriculum that addresses the personal and social concerns that we all bring to the table in any learning situation.

We also believe that the voices of educators and students are not being heard in the current push to control and manage the curriculum and the delivery of that curriculum.

We believe that exclusionary practices of selecting and sorting (that seem to be more and more the norm in education) result in deterimental affects on creativity, innovation, and LEARNING.

Finally, we believe that there are research proven, historical evidence showing that a democratic approach to education where students and teachers work collaboratively to design learning experiences, participate in those experiences, assess those experiences, and then redesign those experiences results in deep transformative learning that is good for the individual and for the society in which that individual lives.

We belive the core of democracy is made up of those, and similar, understandings.

Therefore, we are going to organize a small group of educators from across the country to meet in the Twin Cities to plan a move to join with others in expanding democratic education efforts nationally, share research evidence of the value of democratic approaches to teaching/learning, and to create or join with an existing democracy in education group to push democratic principles in the educational arena.

Below is the rough draft of that planning session.

DRAFT

Agenda for Fall 2013: Democratic Practices and the Impact on Student Achievement Seminar

Friday, Sept. xxxx: Arrive and check into the Doubletree Hotel Downtown St. Paul
Rooms provided
6 p.m. meet in lobby for dinner (provided)
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Dinner, introductions, purposes for seminar, and discussion

Saturday, Sept. xxx: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Breakout presentations on papers in progress, presentation of evidence to support democratic practices in classrooms, examples of best practices, etc. Feedback/dialogue included. One hour for each presentation. Two sessions per hour means we can handle 14 total sessions this day.

Lunch provided.

6 p.m. Dinner in St. Paul (provided)

Sunday, Sept. xxx: 8 a.m. – noon Breakout sessions continued. One hour sessions as on Saturday means we can handle 6 total sessions.

Lunch provided

1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Whole group planning:

Identification of possible network members and organizations for collaboration

Publishing plan

Steering committee creation

Next steps, including 2013-2014 academic year meetings/plans and next summer

Summer retreat/conference planning for 2014

6 p.m. Dinner in St. Paul

Monday, Sept. xxx Depart St. Paul

Update on Internationalization

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Copy of Semester Abroad Grid update may 2013

Since I haven’t done this in a while, I thought it a good idea to update you on a few things regarding the international effort which is one of the 3 focuses of the Master Academic Plan:

1. We have the Global Learning Center videoconferencing classroom installed in Bridgeman. IT is working out a few bugs, but once they are ready, we will have a demo in late July open to all, then another in the fall. We were able to provide this at very low cost due to Bob’s contacts.

2. CIBT agreed to send us the equipment for a second room, to be installed in the AIRC, sometime this summer as well. The equipment is at their expense, not ours.

3. Our student music group is in Weifang and will be performing there and at two universities in Beijing before returning. They are hanging out with our 4 students who are working for CIBT, attending morning classes, and practicing in the afternoons with Weifang students.

4. Rose, our visiting professor from Weifang U, returns home end of the month. Dave Smith, her mentor last semester, goes over for two weeks in late July to visit in Weifang, meet with our students who are working for CIBT, and tour Beijing for a couple of days.

5. Our 4 professors who were awarded the CIEE summer research seminars have departed or are on their way very soon.

6. We will work on finalizing the semester abroad grid as soon as Sanjeev returns from his teaching and summer vacation time. We expect to have the grid ready by fall. For now, we have 12 semester abroad slots at Weifang in the fall (3 students going so far) along with several slots in Malaysia…they will likely go unfilled. We will likely drop a couple of places off the grid, but we look to add one more in China, one in Bali, and a couple in South America.

7. The Lucerne students are coming in the fall (two I believe) and we will be ready for our students to go over for a semester next spring. Lucerne also has a faculty member coming over this fall to spend a month with us to research and learn about the area.

8. We have 8 Chinese middle school students coming in late July for the first international summer camp at BSU, working with the local middle school to provide experiences for them. They will be accompanied by a couple of adults as well.

9. We have two visiting professors coming in the fall…one from Russia and one from Liaoning.

10. Tom Beech is finishing the draft international passport credential program and we should be ready to launch that in the fall.

11. We are talking with David An about providing a study tour in China for local community members and about providing a study abroad for high school juniors committed to attend BSU…both at very low cost.

We are working to clarify a few items on the semester abroad grid, which we want to standardize across all locations.

We are also planning a fall international day fair where our students working for CIBT, the music group students who went to WFU for a month, our CIEE faculty, our visiting professors, our semester abroad coordinators, and our participants in the Eurospring study abroad all offer multiple ‘sessions’ for students, faculty, and staff to learn about their experiences.

Finally, we are going to formalize the Internationalization Council as a university standing council. Doing this is a ‘best practice’ across the country for universities that are moving to organize and expand international opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.

Interim Dean of HSHE

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Bemidji State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Ecology (Interim)

Nominations and/or application materials are being accepted for Dean, College of Health Sciences and Human Ecology (Interim) at Bemidji State University. In order to submit application materials or a nomination, the candidate must be an exemplary faculty member who has successfully completed the tenure process at their university, have a minimum of 3 years of successful leadership experience as a chair, program coordinator, program director, or comparable, and be willing to serve for up to two years in this role.

Materials required include: cover letter explaining why you are interested in serving as an interim dean, qualifications and leadership experience relevant to the position, and a clear description of how your interest and qualifications align with position responsibilities; a current C.V.; and the names and contact information for three professional references. The nomination/application period closes on Friday, June 14 at 5:00 p.m. Submit materials electronically to mtadlock@bemidjistate.edu.

The interim appointment will begin on or about July 1, 2013 and will continue for 1-2 years as determined by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. A national search for the permanent Dean is anticipated to begin in late fall, 2014.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as the primary academic spokesperson and advocate for the college
• Work closely and collaboratively with department chairs, program coordinators, and faculty/staff to encourage innovation and creativity to accomplish goals and realize priorities
• Provide leadership centered around democratic principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and consensus
• Work collaboratively with members of the deans’ council and the academic affairs council to promote and support priorities within academic affairs and the university
• Provide strategic leadership and manage the college’s human, financial and physical resources/assets while being both invitational and decisive
• Reinforce and refine the college strategic plan to align with the University’s Master Academic Plan, the University Strategic Plan, and BSU’s strategic enrollment goals
• Lead the college through programmatic accreditations as appropriate
• Develop new, and reinforce existing, cooperative partnerships with public, private, non-profit, and corporate sectors
• Create and/or expand partnerships with other higher education institutions and providers
• Lead international initiatives within the college and support international initiatives within the university
• Lead college diversity and inclusivity initiatives, specifically in addressing the needs of underserved and underrepresented populations
• Lead college assessment efforts and curricular initiatives
• Administer collective bargaining agreements
• Lead the recruitment, evaluation, and retention of outstanding faculty and staff
• Engage in scholarly activity and continuing professional development
• Lead the college in initiating federal, state, and private foundation grant proposals and in development efforts that support the university campaign
• Support involvement with interdisciplinary teaching, distance learning delivery, and innovative program development
• Engage in activities which support Bemidji State University’s signature themes: environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and global and multicultural understanding
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:

• Record as an exemplary faculty member who has successfully completed the tenure process at their current university
• A minimum of three years of successful leadership experience as a chair, program coordinator, program director, or comparable
• Evidence of outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Evidence of a strong commitment to the principles of interdisciplinary teaching and learning
• Evidence of valuing faculty and staff input/feedback in decision making
• Evidence of innovative and creative thinking/problem solving
• Evidence of ethical and professional behavior expected of anyone serving in the role of a college dean

Other Considerations:

• Appointment will be for 1-2 years
• Tenure is not awarded with the position unless already earned at Bemidji State University

Time and process for international agreement reviews

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As we must submit new international agreements and contracts to the MnSCU Office of General Counsel for review, please be advised that the lead time for submitting such should be at least two months. That is the time needed from first submission through the BSU College/School to this office and to the OGC’s office.

Please PLAN AHEAD and give yourself the two month time period to insure that all involved are adequately covered for insurance/liability purposes, else you run the risk of being personally liable for anything that occurs during an international experience.

Also, as we need to all be on the ‘same page’ in our international related activities at BSU and not duplicate efforts please insure that all final requests for agreements/contracts come through the applicable college/unit, are copied to the International Program Center Director (Cherish Hagen-Swanson), are copied to our Director of University Relations (Sanjeev Phukan), and come to this office.

Those named will be glad to assist you in drafting the agreements/contracts or answer questions you may have.

The above applies to study abroad experiences, semester abroad experiences, exchange agreements, programmatic agreements, etc.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we pursue internationalization as a critical university priority.