Dr. Counts, who is also director of the Harlequin Theatre, will use is leave to examine recent developments in film and the theatre. A Lyon faculty member since 1992, Dr. Counts has applied for a Fulbright grant to teach at the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria. If he does not receive the grant, he will spend the leave in Los Angles, Calif., exploring film and television opportunities.
Dr. John Peek, vice president for academic services and dean of the faculty, said in his letter supporting Counts’ sabbatical that “Dr. Counts’ work on current trends in the arts is expected to expand the coverage of existing theatre courses, facilitate the development of new courses in theatre, and result in peer-reviewed creative activities and/or publications.”
Dr. Roulier, a Lyon faculty member since 2000, will use his sabbatical to conduct research on “green” political theory. This area of study complements Dr. Roulier’s growing interest in environmental politics.
Dr. Peek’s letter of recommendation said, “Dr. Roulier’s work on sustainability is expected to result in the development of a course on environmental politics, professional presentations on sustainable economic and political communities, and publications on the impact of Western political thought on our understanding of the meaning and prospect of sustainable societies.”
In other matters, the Lyon trustees dealt with several routine business matters, including:
• Approved the Resource Management and Allocation Guidelines that will be used to guide the budgeting process for the next two years;
• Accepted the audit for 2004-05 by Williams Keepers, L.L.C., certified public accountants of Columbia, Mo. The audit was described as “clean” and the work of the auditors was praised. The trustees selected Williams Keepers to conduct the audit for 2005-06.
• Heard reports from the Honor Council, presented by student John O’Connor; and the Social Council, presented by student Eric Wilson; and the Student Government Association report by Josh Manning, president of SGA.
• Heard a report from the Regional Advisory Board by its chair, Carma Osborne of Batesville. Ms. Osborne said the next scheduled meeting of the board is Jan. 24. She said the group had discussed meeting more frequently than three times, and that more discussions will be held in the coming weeks.