October 5, 2001

Present: Robert Davis, Robert O'Connell, Richard Warner, Daniel Hallahan, Charles McCurdy, Laurence Pettit, Jr., Pamela Kulbok, Aaron Laushway, Robert Grainger

Robert Davis, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, called the meeting to order. Mr. Davis welcomed everyone, and introductions were made. Mr. Davis thanked everyone for agreeing to serve on the Committee, and he remarked that this year's group of members is excellent.

The July 31, 2001, minutes were reviewed. A motion was made to approve the minutes, it was seconded, and it passed unanimously.

The next two meeting dates were scheduled. The Committee will meet on Monday, November 12, from 3:30-5:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, December 5, 2001, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

To address this year's charges to the Committee, Mr. Davis announced the creation of three subcommittees, and each subcommittee's assignment.

1. Dissertation-Year Fellowships

Robert J. Davis, Chair

Adam Daniel, Arts & Sciences (Non-Senate member)

Kenneth Elzinga

Duane Osheim, Arts & Sciences (Non-Senate member)

Daniel Hallahan

Marva Barnett, Arts & Sciences (Non-Senate member)

Barbara Nolan (ex officio)

Kathryn Thornton, Engineering (Non-Senate member)

Byron Halsey, Alumnus (Non-Senate member)

The Faculty Senate and participating schools will award dissertation-year fellowships this year. The School of Engineering and Applied Science, Arts & Sciences, the Provost, and the Jefferson Scholars Program are contributing funds to the fellowships. There will be approximately 11 fellowships this year @$20,000 per fellowship, Mr. Davis said.

The Subcommittee will address such issues as timeline, criteria, selection of awardees, and naming the program.

2. Graduate Student Funding

Robert O'Connell, Co-Chair

Joshua Kempner, Student

Aaron Mills, Co-Chair

Adam Daniel, Arts & Sciences (Non-Senate member)

Elliott Weiss

Peter Baker, Arts & Sciences (Non-Senate member)

Pamela Kulbok

It was suggested that Adam Daniel, Assistant to the Dean of Arts & Sciences, and Peter Baker, Professor of English, should be asked serve on the Graduate Student Funding Subcommittee, and provide input on graduate funding issues. Another source of information is the Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies. Robert Grainger, Chair of the Faculty Senate, will check with the Office of the Provost and inquire about administrative support for this initiative.

A memorandum from Arts & Sciences Chairs was distributed. The memo addressed the problems associated with tuition differentials. The Committee discussed the document and possible ways to address the problems cited. Mr. Grainger suggested the Committee work with Yoke San Reynolds, Vice President for Finance, on TDF issues.

3. Non-Funding Graduate Student Issues Richard Warner, Chair

Laurence Pettit, Jr.

Charles McCurdy

Daphne Spain (spring)

Aaron Laushway

A comment was made that graduate students need a common space, and perhaps space can be assigned at the New Student Center that is to be constructed. Mr. Laushway said there have been discussions along this line, and he will follow up on those discussions.

The Non-Funding Graduate Student Issues Subcommittee will address ways that the University could centralize and coordinate graduate recruiting efforts, so that it is universal throughout the UVa. Mr. Warner commented that his subcommittee should identify what areas of discussion at the Faculty Senate Retreat table discussions can be addressed, and where progress can be made.

There should be graduate student representation on the Non-Funding Graduate Student Issues Subcommittee. Mr. Warner will ask Todd Price, Graduate Student Council, and Steven Reinemund, who is involved with work on the New Student Center, to serve on the Committee. The question was raised "how much of a graduate students' fees go to Newcomb Hall?" The issue will be addressed, and the information reported to the Committee.

The Academic Affairs Committee will prepare a document on the status of graduate education at the University, and it will be presented to the University community and the Board of Visitors by the end of the academic year. The report will be reviewed by the Executive Council and the Senate.

The meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.