April 19, 2001 (3:00-5:00 p.m.)

Garden Room, Colonnade Club

Patricia Werhane, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. Ms. Werhane gave the opening remarks and welcomed the newly elected Senators. She then introduced John T. Casteen III, President of the University of Virginia. Mr. Casteen spoke to the group about some of the highlights of his "State of the University" address, which he had given on April 18, 2001. He remarked on the inability of the Virginia legislators to pass a balanced budget. Most of the proposals in the Senate's budget plan would be favorable to the University, Mr. Casteen said. Mr. Casteen said the legislators are working in good faith to decide the issues, and they want to do the right thing. Until the issues are resolved, many of the University's capital outlay projects are tied up.

Several leadership transitions are in process, or have already occurred, Mr. Casteen said. Among those cited are the appointment of Robert Reynolds, Vice President and CIO for Information Technology, the appointment of Yoke San Reynolds, Vice President for Finance, the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences search (selection in its final stage), and Vice President and Provost search (selection nearing an end). In addition, the new Chief of Police at the University will soon be announced, and there is also a search in process for the new CEO for the University Health Sciences System. Mr. Casteen also remarked that the search for the Chancellor of the University of Virginia College at Wise is moving forward.

Mr. Casteen spoke about structural changes that are in progress:

· Multi-year budgeting system for the schools

· 3 new bodies for collegiality of University government, especially across schools:

a. Continuing entity to focus on matching academic programs and raising money

b. Re-institute the practice of having a "Provost's Council"

c. Establish a University Planning Council

In closing, Mr. Casteen spoke about the newly designed University logo, and he gave background information on how it evolved. The University has had a good year for faculty honors and distinctions, Mr. Casteen said, and mentioned several recent faculty honors.

The chairs of the standing committees of the Faculty Senate gave their end-of-year reports:

· Doris Glick, Academic Affairs Committee - Among issues addressed this year are:

a. The approval of a two-year MA program in Digital Humanities

b. The Faculty Senate Teaching Initiative Evaluation

c. Determining the use of the remaining funds in the Teaching Initiative budget

d. Addressing with the University Librarian the spiraling costs of maintaining library resources

· Discussing the issue of the lack of University subsidized health coverage for graduate students

Ms. Glick thanked the Committee members and announced that Robert Davis, a Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, will chair the Committee next year.

· John Lyons, Faculty Grievance Committee - Mr. Lyons reported that one grievance has been brought forward this year. That grievance was reviewed by the Committee and found to be without merit. Mr. Lyons will continue to chair the Committee next year.

· William Kehoe, Research and Scholarship Committee - Mr. Kehoe recognized and thanked the Committee members. The Committee's primary activity this year has been the Faculty Senate David Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards. There were 43 awards funded, there was an Harrison Awards Ceremony in recognition of the award recipients, and the Committee will institute a annual Harrison Awards Symposium, which will showcase the previous year's projects. In closing, Mr. Kehoe thanked Patricia Werhane, Chair of the Faculty Senate, and Robert Grainger, Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate, for their support. Susan Perry, a Professor in the McIntire School of Commerce, will be next year's Committee Chair.

· William Kehoe (representing Houston Wood, Chair), ROTC Affairs Committee - The Committee met with ROTC units this year to review the University's program. There is a need for funding, and ROTC will begin to undertake fundraising initiatives, Mr. Kehoe said. One of the charges of the ROTC Committee is reviewing the credentials of incoming ROTC professors. In addition, the Committee was involved in the recent Army scholarship selection. Mr. Kehoe is the incoming Chair of the ROTC Affairs Committee.

Ms. Werhane spoke about the Garden Room and/or some form of University Community on-Grounds dining facility. Creative opportunities are being explored, Ms. Werhane said. Ms. Werhane introduced Steven Reinemund, a representative of the New Student Center Committee. Mr. Reinemund gave an overview of the work of the Committee. The project will cost approximately $15 million, and will include a student art center, a drama theatre, a dance facility, and dining space for faculty/student/guest interactions. According to the recently released faculty dining survey that was widely distributed, there is a need for this service, Mr. Reinemund said. Andrew Burdick, another member of the New Student Center Committee, addressed the group. Mr. Burdick presented an overview of the vision for the New Student Center. He said the Committee plans regarding the Center engage the student body in the process. Ms. Werhane expressed gratitude and said she is very impressed with the enthusiasm and work of these students.

Ms. Werhane introduced Ronnie Mayhew, of Student Council. Mr. Mayhew addressed the group regarding the high cost of textbooks and low prices offered by the Bookstore's buyback program. Mr. Mayhew gave a slide presentation on the issue and cited ways aimed at improving this situation:

· Better relation between the University Bookstore and University faculty

· The creation of "priority ordering" (May 1 and November 1 are deadlines for ordering books for the fall and spring semesters.)

Mr. Mayhew asked for faculty members' thoughts/suggestions on this issue. Some suggestions made were a) reminder e-mails with a list of the faculty member's last order, b) finding ways to facilitate the student evaluation of books, c) and, creating data regarding the costs incurred by students to take a faculty member's class. One faculty member asked if the students had thought about developing an entrepreneurial means to sell their books. A comment was made that some faculty may not offer the same course each semester, and a mechanism that will convey this information needs to be developed.

Otto Friesen, of the Research Computing Task Force, reported on the work of that group. Mr. Friesen distributed a handout, which is a shorter version of the full report, which can be found on the web. The charge of the Task Force was to review the status of the University's resources for information technology. There are unmet needs for technical support, network security concerns, and a lack of adequate research computers, Mr. Friesen said. Mr. Friesen urged everyone to contact Robert Reynolds, Vice President and CIO for Information Technology, with feedback regarding the report.

Ms. Werhane opened the floor for nominations for officers and members of the Executive Council. The new terms will begin on June 1.

There were two nominations for Chair-Elect: Houston G. Wood, III, Engineering, and Michael J. Smith, Arts & Sciences Department of Government & Foreign Affairs.

There was only one nomination for the position of Secretary of the Faculty Senate, Kathryn Neeley, from the School of Engineering.

The Executive Council needs two or three members (depending on the outcome of the Chair-Elect election), and the nominations for the positions are: · Stephen Wilson, School of Engineering · Gabriel Robins, School of Engineering · Robert O'Connell, A&S, Astronomy · Daphne Spain, School of Architecture · David Brautigan, School of Medicine · Nancy McDaniel, School of Medicine · Elene Contini Morava, A&S, Anthropologhy · Karen Ryan, A&S, Slavic Languages & Literatures

All current Senators are eligible to vote, and Frances Peyton, Administrative Assistant to the Senate, will send the Election Ballot to everyone.

Ms. Werhane thanked everyone who put forth nominations, as well as the nominees for their willingness to serve.

In conclusion, Ms. Werhane announced that the Senate has created an ad hoc committee to study graduate student funding.

Ms. Werhane extended thanks to President Casteen for his support of Senate initiatives. She especially wanted, as well, to thank and recognize the work of Peter Low, who is completing his term as Provost, for his continuing support of Senate initiatives.

Robert Grainger, the incoming Chair of the Senate, was recognized, and Ms. Werhane passed the Faculty Senate gavel along to him.

Chair-Elect Robert Grainger expressed his gratitude to Ms. Werhane for her service and generosity. All Senators joined Mr. Grainger in expressing thanks to Ms. Werhane with warm and sustained applause.

The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

Submitted by Michael J. Smith, Secretary of the Faculty Senate