WOU REPORT TO IFS,  DEC. 8, 2007

 

 

Greetings, fellow IFSers,

 

Things are generally very positive here, as evidenced by:

 

1) Faculty and staff searches in the works after a long freeze.

 

2) We’ve been asked to submit our justification for new faculty lines.

 

3) Word has it that the projections for next fall’s enrollment are very strong indeed.

 

4) Owing to item #3 above, there is talk of a new dormitory.

 

 

 

Some challenges include:

 

1) Work in progress on the Humanities and Social Science Building, which is one of

    our largest classroom and office facilities. It’s getting a seismic upgrade; classes

    are being held there in unheated classrooms, and faculty offices have been relocated,

    with all the fun and confusion that temporary quarters can entail.

 

2) The faculty union is has brought to our attention an apparently new ruling from the

     LAS Dean that 6 years must elapse between sabbaticals. Our union reps have

     pointed out that the contract permits 2 sabbaticals within 13 years, with no stipulation

     of a time interval. We’re being told by the union to apply according to the union

     contract, in part as a way of challenging this new directive.

 

 

Other than that, work continues apace. If Joel can think of anything more, helpfully he’ll write to you , too!

 

Again, we’re sorry that other obligations have taken us both away this weekend. I know you’ll have a great meeting and fellowship, as always.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Solveig Holmquist. Music

IFS for WOU