May 23, 2000

Present: David T. Gies, Patricia H. Werhane, Sharon W. Utz, Kathryn A. Neeley, Michael H. Levenson, Michael J. Smith, Robert M. Grainger, William R. Johnson, Robert E. Reynolds, Peter W. Low

Guests: Senator Emily Couric

Delegate Paul Harris

Delegate Mitchell Van Yahres

David T. Gies, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. While waiting for the legislators to arrive, the group discussed some areas of mutual interest that they would like to discuss with their legislators. The legislators arrived, and introductions were made. The group enjoyed a buffet lunch. Delegate Mitch Van Yahres spoke to the Executive Council regarding the State's new Classified Pay Plan. He asked for faculty and staff thoughts on the new plan. Mr. Van Yahres wondered if the State is moving too fast with this initiative. The issue was discussed, and Mr. Van Yahres said the goal of the new pay plan is to bring State employees in line with private sector pay. Delegate Paul Harris commented that the funding relationship between the State and the University will be performance based. The legislators and the Council members also discussed other issues that affect higher education, including the relationship between the percentage of in-State students and out-of-State students admitted to the University.

Mr. Gies distributed a document that outlines the work of the Senate for 1999/2000. Among the numerous activities and initiatives the Senate has developed or participated in over the year are:

· The Faculty Senate Undergraduate Research Awards

· The Forum for Contemporary Thought

· The Faculty Senate Forum on the Climate for Women at UVa

· The Garden Room

· The Alderman Café

· The three-year Innovative Teaching Awards Initiative

· The Faculty Speakers' Bureau

· Recommendations for enhanced faculty/student interaction In addition, the Faculty Senate was represented at numerous student-organized or student-focused events (as featured speaker or contributing member).

Mr. Gies and Ms. Werhane thanked Senator Couric, Delegate Harris and Delegate Van Yahres for meeting with the Executive Council and sharing their thoughts.

Mr. Gies recognized Patricia Werhane as the incoming Chair of the Faculty Senate, and he recognized the new Senator officers, Robert Grainger, Chair-Elect, and Michael Smith, Secretary. The new chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, Doris Glick, and the new chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee, William Kehoe, and George Cohen, a new member of the Executive Council, were also recognized.

Mr. Gies turned the floor over to Ms. Werhane. Ms. Werhane discussed her vision for the Senate for the upcoming year. Ms. Werhane had previously distributed to Council members, via e-mail, a document outlining the suggested "theme" for next year and the tentative agenda for the Faculty Senate Retreat, which is held in September. The suggested theme is "Leadership, Diversity and Excellence." Ms. Werhane encouraged suggestions/comments on the document. Planning for the Retreat is in its early stages, Ms. Werhane said.

It was suggested that the Senate work closely with the Women's Leadership Council over the year, possibly having a Senate liaison on the Women's Leadership Council. Another suggestion made was to create subcommittees, charged with specific tasks, in order to get more Senators actively involved in faculty governance.

The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.

Submitted by Sharon W. Utz, Secretary of the Faculty Senate