Proposed Change in College Chemistry Department Accreditation is Blocked

The American Chemical Society (ACS) recently weighed a proposal to change its standards for the accreditation of college and university chemistry departments. ACS had proposed to raise the required number of full-time faculty members to a minimum of five. Many CIC presidents objected to the proposals. In a letter as well as in an article (www.universitybusiness.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=732), CIC President Richard Ekman also strongly opposed the proposal. “This change defies common sense: some of the colleges with the best track records of graduating chemistry majors who earn Ph.D.s have done so with departments of four faculty members or fewer. Earlham College (IN) is a prime example. The ACS should look at results, not inputs. We need to increase, not constrict, the number of accredited institutions that have excellent track records of producing career scientists, even if they employ only four faculty members in chemistry.” The backlash to the ACS proposal was considerable, and the ACS has revised the proposal to allow the smaller faculty cohort.

CIC Makes the Case in the News

College presidents should and are speaking out about contentious higher education issues as well as larger societal challenges, writes Ekman in his most recent column for University Business magazine. “The Public Voices of Private College Presidents,” the fourth in a series of essays for the magazine, appeared in the August 2007 edition. Ekman also was interviewed by several higher education reporters, including David Wessell of the Wall Street Journal and Alan Finder of The New York Times, about the decision by scores of college presidents not to participate in the reputational portion of U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings survey. The flurry of stories nationwide on that issue began with a session at CIC’s 2007 Presidents Institute, “Ranksteering” by Lloyd Thacker of the Education Conservancy, who urged presidents to boycott the survey.

Ekman has been speaking out about a number of other higher education issues as well. In an interview with InsideHigherEd about the decision to close Antioch College (OH), he stressed the need to preserve diversity of mission among higher education institutions as well as institutional autonomy. And he argues in a letter to the editor of the Modern Language Association newsletter (published in its fall 2007 edition) that “undergraduate foreign language learning is in crisis, with too few students, too few languages, and inadequate linguistic and cultural competence.” The letter is in response to an essay in the summer edition of the newsletter by MLA Executive Council President Michael Holquist that criticized CIC’s Network for Effective Language Learning program. Ekman noted in his letter that the purpose of NELL is “to increase foreign language enrollments, not eliminate them,” as Holquist had inexplicably charged.

Marylouise Fennell Celebrates 50th Anniversary as a Sister of Mercy

CIC congratulates Senior Counsel Marylouise (Weezie) Fennell as she marked her 50th year as a member of the Sisters of Mercy on September 2. A celebration of the occasion was held at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and included many dignitaries from higher education, foundations, and the Pittsburgh community as well as many of the Sisters. “It’s been a terrific life for me—I’ve been honored to be a member of this wonderful group of women who do so much good around the world,” Weezie said. The Sisters of Mercy is an international community of more than 4,500 Catholic women who have vowed to serve people who suffer from poverty, sickness, and lack of education with a special concern for women and children. The Order sponsors 17 colleges and universities in the U.S., most of which are CIC members. In addition, it is one of the largest providers of health care in the nation, second only to the federal Veterans Administration.

Staff News and Notes

TThe most recent addition to CIC’s staff roster is Michelle Friedman, who was appointed conference coordinator in July. Previously, she was assistant secretary general for the U.S. chapter of the International Real Estate Federation, a global networking organization for international real estate professionals based in Paris, France. She received her undergraduate degree from George Washington University, graduating magna cum laude in American studies, with a minor in art history.

William Julian was appointed as CIC senior advisor to assist in planning the 2007 Institute for Chief Academic Officers and Chief Financial Officers. Julian has spoken frequently at the CAO Institute and contributes regularly to the CAO listserv. He retired in June 2007 as provost at Lindsey Wilson College (KY) where he served since 1997. Previously, he served as dean of the college at Monmouth College (IL). His career began at Central College (IA) where he taught political science and later served as associate academic dean.

Congratulations are due to several CIC staff members who were recently promoted. In recognition of the widening range of Hal Hartley’s responsibilities and the growing role of research and assessment activities both at CIC and in member colleges, he has been named vice president for research and evaluation. Tiwanda Washington-Settlers was promoted to development associate, reflecting the additional responsibilities that she has assumed for sponsorships and grant records. Leslie Rogers was named conference manager both to acknowledge the expansion of her responsibilities and to anticipate the continuing growth in conferences and workshops as a central element in CIC’s programs and services.

At the Campus Technology 2007 conference in Washington, DC, CIC President Richard Ekman moderated two panel discussions on August 1 on “Leading Organizational and Program Change to Foster 21st Century Digital Literacy” with Robert Johnson, chief information officer at Rhodes College (TN) and “Forget the Deep Pockets: Build a Successful Online Program Consortium” with Thomas Kennedy, president and executive director of New Ventures of Regis University (CO). Also this summer, Ekman was invited to join the newly created TIAA-CREF Direct Client Advisory Council. Other members of this 12-person group from the private higher education sector include Jeffrey Mudrak, human resources director at Transylvania University (KY); Ron Cattelino, executive vice president of Kansas City Art Institute (MO); and Joe Cortese, assistant director of human resources at the University of Scranton (PA). In addition, Ekman served as the keynote speaker at Immaculata University’s (PA) board of trustees retreat on September 18.

CIC’s Vice President for Advancement Barbara Hetrick gave the opening presentation at a faculty retreat at Franklin College (IN) on August 23. The address, “Teaching at Franklin: Engaging Students in Learning,” kicked-off a day of activities designed to help faculty members prepare for the academic year ahead.

Vice President for Programs Mary Ann Rehnke and Program Officer Sarah Stoycos served as judges for the 2007 CASE Professor of the Year awards.

Hal Hartley was recently named to a three-year term on the initial panel to review applications for the new AIR/NCES Graduate Fellowship for study in institutional research and was asked to serve for three years as a member of ACE’s Center for Policy Analysis advisory committee. In addition, Hartley served as a session facilitator at the annual AIR Forum, held June 3–6, 2007, in Kansas City, MO. Hartley also served as a reviewer for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education’s (U.S. Department of Education) Student Achievement and Institutional Performance program.

Congratulations also are extended to CIC’s resident artists. Stephen Gibson, director of projects, is the featured artist in a gallery show entitled “Plazas (Palaces)” in Durham, North Carolina, that will run from September 21 to October 31. The exhibit in the Bull City Arts Collaborative’s Upfront Gallery will feature a collection of Gibson’s recent gouache drawings and paintings as well as a large site-specific painting installation. August Adams, communications and web manager, will be the featured author in October at the Page & Palette bookstore in his hometown of Fairhope, Alabama. He will be reading from his new novel, National Darkroast Day (www.nationaldarkroastday.com).