July 31, 2001

Present: Robert Davis, Robert Grainger, Robert O'Connell, Robert J. Davis, Richard Warner, Daniel Hallahan, Laurence Pettit, Aaron Laushway

Guests: Cindy Huddleston, Director of Graduate Marketing & Admissions Peter Todd, Faculty Member, McIntire School of Commerce

Robert Davis, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, called the meeting to order. Introductions were made.

Mr. Davis gave the Committee members an overview of the approval process for new degrees, elimination of degrees, and degree name changes. One of the steps in the approval process is approval by the Academic Affairs Committee, Mr. Davis said. The McIntire School of Commerce is requesting a degree name change - The School wishes to change the "Master of Science in Management Information Systems" degree name to "Master of Science in Management of Information Technology." Cindy Huddleston and Peter Todd, from the McIntire School of Commerce, attended the meeting to report on the rationale for the degree name change, and to answer questions. The curriculum, which has changed, is the motivating factor for the degree name change. The new name will more accurately describe the program, Mr. Todd said. Mr. Davis called for a vote for the name change, and the Committee unanimously approved the change. The request for the name change, and the Committee's vote of approval will go before the full Senate for consideration at the meeting on October 23.

Planning for the Faculty Senate Retreat, which is being held on Friday, September 14, began. The Retreat is from noon to 4:00, in the South meeting Room at Newcomb Hall. The focus of this year's Retreat is to address issues of graduate education, such as funding and health benefits. A committee, chaired by Aaron Mills, was formed last year to study these issues, Mr. Davis said. The report will be sent by messenger mail to the members of the Academic Affairs Committee.

Mr. Grainger added that the University is presently studying the possibility of the Faculty Senate and the Office of the Provost creating fellowship awards for the best scholar teachers at the University. These fellowships would be awarded in the graduate student's final year of study. There is already a commitment for support from Engineering and Arts & Sciences, Mr. Grainger said. Hopefully, other schools will offer their support.

Two possible topics to address at the Retreat are issues of graduate education and its value to the State, and funding to support graduate students. The Committee discussed ways of organizing the table discussions so that these discussions will have the best outcome. It was suggested that the table makeup should aim to have those Senators interested in specific areas of graduate support seated at a table that is addressing that particular area. There should also be at least one Committee member at each table to lead the discussions.

Mr. Davis asked for volunteers to work with him and Mr. Mills on the Retreat planning. Robert O'Connell and Richard Warner volunteered.

The meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m.