Loyola University Chicago

Present:
Michael J. Garanzini, S.J. (Chair), Anthony Barbato, William Cannon, John Frendreis, Bill Laird, Ushma Lakhani, Kelly Shannon, Lorraine Snyder, Mary Theis, and Wayne Magdziarz

Absent:
Daniel Flynn, Jon Heintzelman, and Carol Roup

Guests:
Dean Abol Jalilvand (School of Business) and Dean David Yellen (School of Law)

• Father Garanzini opened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. He suggested that the members consider enlarging the UPC in order to have a more representative group, including increased faculty representation as well as possibly one or two permanent dean positions. The hope is to enhance the SPUPC's role as the main planning group for the university, and he asked members to consider what is needed in order to meet that need. Members agreed that some increase in the size of the UPC was necessary while maintaining its ability to be effective, and highlighted the need to connect academic units to the UPC so that the university community would gain a better understanding of how academic goals and objectives implement the university's strategic directions.
• Father Garanzini suggested that the SPUPC focus on the university's academic enterprise over the course of the 2005-2006 year, and host deans at each meeting who will share their visions and goals for their schools. The first deans to address the committee are Abol Jalilvand from the School of Business and David Yellen from the School of Law.
• Abol presented his academic vision for the School of Business. He noted that conditions were ripe for the School of Business to enhance its reputation and standing. Efforts at a comprehensive strategic plan for the school are underway and are expected to be finalized by early November. Goals include enhancing enrollments, image and rankings of the graduate and undergraduate programs; improving program excellence and curricula relevance; enhancing the quality of student experiences, specifically through internships; and improving relationships between and among relevant stakeholders.
• In response to questions regarding the interdisciplinary Centers of Excellence, Abol noted that the Centers would ideally be financed through a combination of university support and external funding. One such interdisciplinary Center for risk management and corporate governance is being explored by a joint School of Business-School of Law task force. Kelly Shannon asked what the biggest challenge was for the School of Business, and Abol said that the School wasn't functioning at its capacity. He said that some needed pairing down of academic specialties should help bring differentiated growth opportunities into focus. Abol also highlighted the need to assess the teaching load, which is higher than at comparable Schools of Business, since this has emerged as a significant issue.
• Father Garanzini noted that the Water Tower Campus culture will be impacted when the new residence hall is completed in Fall 2006. Wayne suggested that both Abol and David think about possible future use of the university's State Street property. Additionally, Father Garanzini suggested that a possible agenda for the November 4th leadership retreat be presentations by deans and other leaders from the three campuses on their strategic directions.
• David then presented his academic vision for the School of Law. He said that one of his main goals was to have the School move into the 1st ranking of law schools by U.S. News and World Report. David noted that Fordham University Law School is a model for our efforts here, since they have successfully moved up the rankings while retaining their distinctly Catholic, Jesuit character. Keys to David's efforts include enhanced scholarship assistance; increased scholarly production; the addition of at least four chaired "star" professorships; and the endowing of at least three additional chairs through the University's comprehensive campaign.
• In response to Father Garanzini's question regarding the teaching load at the School of Law, David noted that the load is average. He pointed to Chicago-Kent as an example of a school that has flexibility in their system while ensuring that sabbaticals are competitive and not automatic, and said that that model is helpful to us in considering leaves. He also noted that the School of Law was below average in the area of summer grants.
• The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m. The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 24 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Deans Jeff Rosen (SPS) and Bob Seal (Libraries) will present their strategic directions at that time.