by Carolyn Davids

Staff Writer

Scores of faculty members gathered last Monday evening in the Chapel Undercroft for their annual informational meeting. The meeting, chaired by President Gaylen Byker, served as a forum for concerns and sought to bring faculty up to date on developments in various faculty committees.

First on the agenda was discussion relating to the recently developed five-year strategic plan. Byker explained that in seeking to develop this new plan, the provost and the appropriate committee looked to the broader context of the previous strategic plan as well as the Calvin community now.

The plan consists of five primary goals: strengthening teaching and learning; scholarship; being effective agents in partnerships; a communal environment; and quality of services, affordability and reputation.

While questions and concerns were raised regarding emphasis on virtue in learning and the reformed tradition, the question on everyone's mind was asked by English Professor Chip Pollard, who expressed apprehension regarding faculty salary.

Calvin faculty is paid at a level slightly above average, Byker replied, and Calvin remains committed to retaining its yearly salary increase of the consumer price index (CPI) plus two. He added that the concerns of the faculty must be weighed against the concerns of the college, which would like to keep Calvin affordable.

After reports from the Multicultural Affairs Committee, Education Policy Committee, Teacher Education Committee and provost's office, each of which outlined its agendas or goals for the year, Vice President for External Relations Tom McWhertor addressed the audience on enrollment numbers and the new ``Minds in the Making'' campaign. Numbers are slightly down from last year, he said, but there were some good and some alarming trends. Positively, the number of AHANA and international students enrolled rose significantly. However, McWhertor highlighted a continuing negative trend. McWhertor drew attention to the percent of students associated with the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), which for the first time in Calvin history is below 50 percent. Perhaps this is reflective of erosion between the church and the college, he suggested.