Faculty Meeting

The regular meeting of the faculty of the Department of Statistics was held on Zoom at 12:30pm, June 6, 2022. Abel Rodriguez, Department Chair, presided at the meeting. Kristine Chan was recording secretary. 

Chair Remarks 

Merit Increases: The Chair shared the link to the UW Seattle FY23 merit authorization letter. On May 31, 2022, the Executive office sent finalized FY2023 merit planning guidance on merit levels for non-represented academic personnel and non-represented professional staff to Deans, Chancellors, Vice Presidents, and Vice Provosts. In summary, meritorious faculty, academic staff, and professional staff eligible for 2022-2023 merit consideration will receive a 3.25% merit increase across the board, effective September 1, 2022.  

Committee Report 

BS Revamp Update: The Chair shared a two documents. A skills list and relationship with courses document and a document that showed two motions that was proposed to change for the undergraduate program based on previous discussions. One motion was to modify the Statistics B.S. Catalog description with wording of clarity, and the second motion was to establish a departmental honors program for Statistics B.S. (all tracks). A catalyst poll will be sent to faculty shortly after the meeting to vote on these motions. 

New Business 

Minutes from previous faculty meetings (4/11, 5/2, 5/9, and 5/16) were reviewed, voted on, and approved by the eligible voting faculty who were present. 

Center for Statistics and the Social Sciences (CS&SS) Ph.D. track changes: The Faculty Program Coordinator shared a document that laid out proposed changes to the track. The idea is to get students interested in working at the intersection of Statistics and the Social Sciences. This can help streamline advising and attract students interested in this area along with other reasons of signaling potential employees, giving students specific training that are linked to training grants, etc. A catalyst poll will be sent to faculty shortly after the meeting to vote on these motions. 

Seminars next year for 2022-2023: The Chair announced that E. Perkovic will be the faculty seminar coordinator for the next academic year. The plan is to sustain a hybrid format for future in-person seminars. As for changes, the faculty discussed the following: (1) For in-person/hybrid talks, we plan to have microphones readily available for those asking questions on via Zoom and in the room. (2) For the seminar room itself, we plan to find a slightly smaller room with AV equipment. (3) For student involvement, we plan to hold departmental sponsored lunch in the multi-purpose room (MPR) for graduate students to participate and have time with the guest speaker. (4) There is a possibility of scheduling the seminars every other week to invite quality guest speakers and perhaps to utilize the slot to hold general/final exam talks. If there are more suggestions regarding seminars, faculty can contact E. Perkovic at perkovic@uw.edu. 

Executive Session 

Review of Ph.D. student’s progress: The progress of the Ph.D. student was discussed.  

Adjournment 

There being no other items to discuss, the meeting was moved to an Executive Session at 1:54pm and then was adjourned at 2:00pm.