The Executive Council

November 15, 2005 - 11:00-12:30 p.m.

Newcomb Hall, Room 187

Present: Houston Wood, Kenneth Schwartz, Steve Nock, Ed Kitch, Alison Booth, Reg Garrett, Marcia Childress, Susan Kirk, Gene Block

Houston Wood, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order.

Faculty Senate Retreat - Discussion Topics

1. Faculty recruitment and benefits - A discussion of ways to improve hiring of quality new faculty members. Gertrude Fraser, Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, will be invited to the Retreat to provide input.

2. Accomplishments of the Faculty Senate - the most current accomplishments will be discussed by Marcia Childress, current past-chair of the Faculty Senate; past accomplishments will be discussed by Rebecca Kneedler, a past-chair of the Faculty Senate.

3. A review of the Faculty Senate body, and how Senators are chosen to represent their respective schools -- This presentation will be led by Executive Council members Alison Booth, Department of English, and Steve Nock, Department of Sociology.

4. Faculty Housing Issues

5. An outside facilitator will be hired to lead the meeting. Houston Wood will contact several facilitators and check their availability.

Gene D. Block, Vice President a Provost - Report on the Semester at Sea

Mr. Block said the Semester at Sea Program has been in existence for 25 years. Students that have attended the Program have been uniformly positive about the experience. Courses have improved, with a broad range of talent from both the faculty and the students. Courses must meet academic standards at the University of Virginia, Mr. Block said. The program offers a wonderful experience, commented Mr. Block, and it would fit nicely with the University's international activities. The Program would be an overall plus for the University. The University's proposed relationship is for a five-year contract, and we could discontinue participation in the Program with a two-year notice. The University could know within a few weeks whether our proposal has been accepted.

Leigh Grossman, Vice Provost for International Affairs, is on the agenda for the Senate meeting scheduled for December 9, she can provide additional information on the Semester at Sea.

Other Business

• Gene Block would like to have Faculty Senate participation in the UVA planning group for the University's 10-Year academic plan.
• Houston Wood discussed the Faculty Senate/General Faculty Council Joint Committee, and the agenda for the Committee. The central agenda is for the two groups to work together on University interests and initiatives that impact both groups, Mr. Wood said.
• The Arizona Large Binocular Telescope Initiative - At the request of Gene Block, an ad hoc committee has been formed to study the initiative and the relationship between all parties involved. The committee members are: Janet Herman, Chair, Robert J. Davis, Steve Majewski, Ellen L. Contini-Morave, and Houston Wood, ex officio.
• A Discussion on implementing 12-Month Pay for 9-Month Faculty - Gene Block suggested Melody Bianchetto, Director of Budget, and Anda Webb, Associate Provost for Management, as possible resources on this issue.
• BSA request for statement regarding the University's stance on Intolerance - Houston Wood has spoken with this group and suggested a statement on Intolerance at the University could be added to Toolkit.

The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.

Submitted by Teresa Culver, Secretary of the Faculty Senate