Today I participated in the Stout Foundation Board meeting. Following is a summary of my comments to the board:
I highlighted some of the issues we still have on the agenda for the last meeting of the year including hearing a proposal from the Teaching and Learning Center for creation of the Center for Interdisciplinary Collaboration, requests for support for grant funding proposals from the Library Learning Center and for infusing diversity into the curriculum, and the recommendation from the Graduate Education Committee on laptops for grad students. I mentioned that academic staff members are serving on the dean searches. That we are holding our breath to see how the state budget repair bill will affect campus budgets and promised employee wage raises. And that we have finalized our bylaws changes and are holding elections for senators.
The Stout Foundation is a key partner to the university providing scholarships and additional funding for initiatives. Over the past 2 years I have seen them come together and really focus on how they can best make a difference for the campus. I always enjoy spending time with them and today was no exception!
Dennis Shaw, Chair
Senate of Academic Staff
