Attending: Susan Coultrap-McQuin, presiding; Michael Ameigh, recording. Mary Beth Bell, Lanny Karns, Rhonda Mandel, Linda Rae Markert, Yvonne Petrella, Sara Varhus. Guest: President Deborah Stanley.

President Deborah Stanley greeted the Council and invited updates on activities in the various units.  Discussed were office moves underway as part of the campus construction and renovation project.  Dean Lanny Karns reminded us that the School of Business will begin requiring students to have laptop computers in two courses for the first time this spring.

The President indicated that she is preparing a letter to the campus community outlining a process for college-wide planning into the future.  She asked the Council to provide input and to contemplate what would be right for the institution as well as for discrete academic programs and initiatives. President Stanley mentioned the ongoing capital campaign.  She also invited the Council to attend the President's Holiday Breakfast for faculty and staff scheduled for Wednesday, December 14th at 7:30AM in the Hewitt Ballroom.

Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CASTL):

Sara Varhus, Dean of Arts and Sciences, presented a call for proposals from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to participate in its 'Leadership Clusters' initiative.  The Council discussed how such an undertaking might benefit the college.  A number of suggestions were offered. Several council members expressed interest and support in moving forward with the initiative.

Distance Learning:

Susan asked the Council to resume its discussion of distance learning at SUNY Oswego.  We discussed degree completion programs, hybrid program options for transfer students, and potential new graduate programs.  Distance learning courses are well subscribed in the summer.

Yvonne Petrella presented an overview of developments regarding the SUNY Learning Network (SLN) which recently announced a preliminary effort toward a major restructuring of its course management system. She also discussed logistical and financial implications for the campus of some options under consideration.