2. GFC developed Northwestern’s position on a CIC (Big Ten) resolution in support of “deescalating” the role of intercollegiate athletics in undergraduate life, and reasserting the ideal of the scholar-athlete. The resolution had been drafted by heads of faculty from CIC institutions.

3. In coalition with other groups on campus, the GFC argued strongly that the lack of on-site childcare facilities was costly to the University in the recruitment and retention of faculty and graduate students. An interim arrangement was developed by the central administration for the Evanston campus consisting of allocated slots and some subsidy for child-care at the Evanston YMCA childcare facility. The goal is still on-site childcare on the Evanston campus, and on the downtown campus space is being explored in Abbott Hall.

4. With the central administrations support the GFC has moved to become more involved in the university budget process through the GFC Budget and Policy sub-Committee.

5. We established a Communications Committee, the chair of which will, among other duties, provide a column to the Observer on GFC matters.

6. We conducted an “electronic survey” of the entire faculty on their concerns and issues, and their degree of interest and willingness to become involved. Detailed analysis of the results will be forthcoming.

7. With respect to faculty benefits a major issue during the past year was the absence of an across the board provision of “birth control” in all the health plans offered by the University.

8. The GFC proposed to the central administration the establishment of a faculty center (faculty club) on the Evanston campus to promote interdepartmental and inter-school faculty contacts in the spirit of these initiatives elsewhere on campus (E.g. Domain Dinners, research and course grants, etc).

9. The GFC proposed to the central administration the establishment of a faculty center on the Evanston campus to promote interdepartmental and inter-school faculty contacts in the spirit of these initiatives elsewhere on campus (E.g. Domain Dinners, research and course grants, etc).

10. The GFC has explored a number of issues relating to the research mission of the University. Central among these has been the lack of sufficient infrastructure support for grants accounting and staffing, the need for better infrastructure support for IRB and animal care, and a clearer administrative accountability.