Attending: Susan Coultrap-McQuin (presiding); Michael Ameigh (recording). Mary Loe (for Mary Beth Bell), Rhonda Mandel, Linda Rae Markert, Yvonne Petrella, Sara Varhus.

Announcements and Updates:

1) Summer Projects:

The group suggested several projects including reviewing retention strategies, Provost's Memo and campus meetings, search preparation, and assessment.

2) Funding Issues:

The Provost asked the Council to identify some specific needs and opportunities within the division that are not currently budgeted.  She indicated all such suggestions should be considered as part of a division-wide discussion of priorities and potential reallocations.  This discussion will be placed on the agenda for a future meeting of the Council.

 3) Honors Week:

The Council reviewed various events that altogether comprised Honors Week, April 18-22nd.  These included QUEST, held Wednesday, April 19th, and the Honors ceremony held in Hewitt Union on Friday, April 21st.  A number of suggestions were offered to streamline some events and lend additional significance to others.  The Provost indicated that efforts are underway to enhance coordination among various groups that sponsor Honors Week activities to make the entire week as meaningful as possible for all students, faculty, staff, and families.  The Provost's Office will organize a meeting of constituents to discuss.

4) Requests for faculty searches for 2006-2007:

The Council discussed requests for searches to fill academic positions that would be conducted in the coming year.  Deans presented rationales for mounting searches in each of their respective units.  The Provost and deans will attend the Priorities and Planning Council meeting on May 5th to present search priorities for discussion.  We will seek to make final decisions on tenure track searches by the beginning of October.

-Adjourned