April 20, 1999

Present: Edward Ayers, David Gies, Jahan Ramazani, Marva Barnett, Kathryn Neeley, Rebecca Kneedler, Miles Townsend, Michael Williams, Robert Grainger, Janet Horne, Patricia Werhane, Richard DeMong, Louis Bloomfield, John Portmann

Edward Ayers, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 12:00 in Newcomb Hall, Room 389. Mr. Ayers welcomed everyone. Mr. Ayers reported on the Faculty Presidents' Advisory Committee to SCHEV meeting, which he attended. Mr. Ayers also attended the Faculty Senate of Virginia meeting, which was on Saturday, April 17. The Faculty Senate of Virginia gave its first annual award to Higher Education in Virginia to Til Hazel, Mr. Ayers said. Richard DeMong suggested a follow-up meeting with Senator Couric, Delegate Van Yahres and Delegate Harris to discuss what the University is doing, the University's current accomplishments and where the University is going. These representatives should be made aware of the current assessment that is being done on Grounds, it was suggested. The Council agreed to plan for such a meeting to take place in May, with the focus of the meeting being on the SCHEV report and the Blue Ribbon Commission. Further conversations with Til Hazel were also suggested.

Council members discussed the feasibility of having a General Faculty Council representative on the Executive Council. It was suggested that someone from the teaching faculty could serve on the Academic Affairs Committee of the Senate and someone from the research faculty could serve on the Research and Scholarship Committee of the Faculty Senate. Mr. Ayers agreed to ask Joyce Green Pastors for suggestions for these two committees.

Richard DeMong, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on the activities of that committee. The subcommittee on the University Teaching Initiative will finish their work this week and their report will go to the Provost. Recipients of UTI grants should be named in about two weeks. The Award recipients' names and departments will appear in the fall in the Cavalier Daily, Mr. DeMong said. The Faculty/Student Interaction Subcommittee has made 10 suggestions, and the Subcommittee will now develop an action plan. This work will carry over into the fall.

Louis Bloomfield, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, reported that the Committee is working on the Speakers Bureau web site with Laura Hawthorne, in Gene Block's office.

Frances Peyton reported on the work on the Harrison Awards. Janet Horne is chairing that subcommittee. There were 249 nominations for 102 faculty members, Ms. Peyton said. That list is being narrowed down to the top 40 candidates. The subcommittee will meet on April 22 to discuss the nominations and work on identifying the Award recipients. There will be a full-page ad in the Cavalier Daily, announcing the recipients. In addition, the recipients will be invited to Final Exercises, with special seating. President Casteen will acknowledge the recipients during Final Exercises, and certificates will be given out immediately following the Graduation ceremony, Mr. Ayers reported.

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

Submitted by Marva A. Barnett, Secretary of the Faculty Senate