Faculty Council Minutes March 20, 2001

Announcements:

1.      Nominating Committee volunteers were Floyd Bullard, Leslie Brinson, and John Morrison

2.      Board Reports:  (Woodmansee) The EPPC suggested changes to the Code of Conduct.  They also spoke with the faculty about the resources available to teachers and teacher responsibilities.

Discussion Items:

Academic Integrity Committee (Woodmansee, Miller):

The committee suggested to the faculty that they consider initiating summer reading on ethics and study skills.  The committee thinks that the two selections (Study is Hard Work by William H. Armstrong and A Practical Companion to Ethics by Anthony Weston) will enable students to better meet ethical dilemmas they will face at NCSSM, as well as prepare incoming juniors for the rigors of the academic workload.  The summer reading could be incorporated into the fall’s orientation in addition to SLI 101 classes.  Both works are short and very readable, and the committee asked the faculty to consider reading the books in the near future in order to give additional feedback. This reading will possibly replace the Humanities summer reading and, the committee hopes, be a vital touchstone for teachers and their classes.  The faculty was very supportive of the committee’s work and reading suggestions.

Potential Motions: 

1.      That summer reading for NCSSM juniors, seniors, SLIs, faculty, and staff shall include two books, one each on ethics and study skills (likely titled (Study is Hard Work by William H. Armstrong and A Practical Companion to Ethics by Anthony Weston).

2.      That the above reading will be included in NCSSM’s orientation program.

3.      That each faculty member in his or her courses shall commit to discussing relevant material from each book.

Changes to the Student Code of Conduct:

Copies of the changed (indicated by underlines or cross outs) Code of Conduct were distributed.  Changes include:

            The number of faculty members from 2 to 3

            Cheating from a Level III to a Level II

The BOT will need to review any changes made in the Code of Conduct and may or may not incorporate the faculty’s suggestions in the Code.  A lively discussion of the school’s policy towards teaching ensued.  Some faculty felt that, on principle, cheating should remain a Level II as it is now because of the serious nature of the crime.  Cheating strikes at the very heart of the integrity of NCSSM as an institution, and categorizing cheating as Level II mitigates the seriousness of the offense.  Since students will no longer be expelled, there will be a list of cheaters, essentially, and it will be very difficult for them to obtain letters of recommendation and therefore gain admission to college.  On the other hand, the administration pointed out that because the punishment is so severe, most students are not ultimately found guilt.  Those that are found to be culpable of academic dishonesty appeal the decision of the hearing board, and avoid punishment because of successful appeals.  Reducing cheating to a Level II would actually result in a higher conviction rate for the guilty parties.  63-64% of NCSSM students admits to engaging in activity that their teachers would qualify as cheating; this change of Level would address the cheating issue more efficiently.  Regardless of a conviction for cheating, each faculty member ought to write or not write a letter of recommendation for a student after discussing issues of academic honesty.  The discussion concluded with a suggestion to rend a new proposal, and get better Faculty Council turnout (i.e. a quorum) for discussion and subsequent vote.

Meeting adjourned 5:00 p.m.