By Vincent DiFonzo, Editor-in-Chief
President Bob Iuliano opened Thursday’s faculty meeting sharing an update on the faculty group that has been meeting to discuss ways to improve the College in the future. The group has met three times and will meet again next week. Iuliano called their work “inspiring.”
“What’s next now is to take all of the ideas that emerged from the faculty group, that have emerged from consultation with employers, with parents, with students, with prospective students, bring them together and do the market testing,” he said. Iuliano also said the College has already hired a firm to help them with the market testing for implementing ideas.
Next, Iuliano congratulated chemistry professor Tim Funk, who recently secured a $350,000 National Institute of Health research grant.
He also congratulated Sunderman Conservatory professor Avner Dorman, who recently debuted a concerto he composed called “A Time to Mourn and a Time to Dance” in New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Iuliano, who was in attendance at the debut, called it “stunning,” adding that “the audience reaction was superb.”
Provost’s Remarks
Provost Jamila Bookwala first shared an update on the distribution of $500,000 in funds made available through the presidential investment fund, which is being used over two years “to support teaching and learning initiatives with high immediate impact on our students’ education.”
In the first round of funding, which distributed about $175,000, five departments received funding: art & art history, chemistry, economics, health sciences and physics. In the second round, $100,000 is expected to be given.
Additionally, Bookwala shared that the art & art history, biology, chemistry and psychology departments have “been approved to purchase equipment to strengthen teaching and learning.”
About $200,000 is expected to be distributed to departments in the upcoming 2025-26 academic year.
Next, Bookwala spoke on a new initiative in which the College will “sponsor a group of faculty, administrators and staff to participate in a year long online institute of AI pedagogy.” The group “will then share what they learn with our campus and help shape programming, ideas and initiatives related to AI for the College.”
Lastly, Bookwala shared that upon being promoted to associate professor, faculty will now receive a $4,000 salary increase, up from the previous $3,000 increase. Promotion to full professor will come with a $5,000 salary increase, up from $4,000 previously. The last time this increased was in 2004.
Department Mergers and Name Changes
The meeting’s main agenda item was faculty discussions and votes on four department mergers and name changes.
The first motion was to change the French department to the “Department of French and Italian.” The floor was opened for comments but no faculty spoke. The motion passed with 95 votes in favor, two abstentions, and no votes against.
The second motion was to merge the philosophy and religious studies departments into one department called the “Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.” The motion passed with 93 votes in favor and three against, with four abstentions.
The third motion was to rename the classics department to “Ancient Greek and Roman Studies.” The motion passed with 88 votes in favor and seven against.
The last motion was to rename the chemistry department to “Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.” The motion passed with 75 votes in favor, 15 against and 10 abstentions.
Discussion on Possible Policy on Tenured Faculty Changing Departments
Next, philosophy professor Gary Mullen and East Asian studies professor Eleanor Hogan spoke on the possibility of developing a policy on tenured faculty changing their academic department. Currently, the College has no formal policy on tenured professors changing their department.
Mullen and Hogan said they are looking for faculty feedback on whether or not the College should have a policy on this, and if so, what it should look like. They shared that faculty can share opinions over the summer before opening the floor for discussion. No other faculty spoke during this time.
Closing Announcement
Iuliano opened the floor for closing announcements. Professor César Leal invited the faculty to a Majestic Theater performance on Friday evening by the American Spiritual Ensemble (ASE) with the Gettysburg College choir and the U.S. Soldiers’ Chorus.
“I do not hesitate to say that [ASE] is perhaps one of the best choirs in the entire world,” said Leal.
Iuliano then concluded the meeting.
