November 27, 2001

Present: Robert Grainger, Patricia Werhane, Kathryn Neeley, Robert O'Connell, Rebecca Kneedler, Houston Wood, III, George Cohen, Michael Levenson, David Brautigan, Susan Perry, Robert Davis, Gene Block

Guest: Robert Sweeney, Vice President for Development

Robert Grainger, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order.

1. Report by Robert Sweeney - University Fund Raising

Mr. Sweeney spoke about the success of the past Capital Campaign, which raised $1.43 billion. Mr. Sweeney said this was the eighth largest public campaign in the history of fundraising. The goal of the University is to be able to raise between $300 and $350 million a year through philanthropy. The University will undertake another capital campaign, which will begin in a "quiet" phase, beginning around January 1, 2004, and lasting through the fall of 2005. The public phase of the campaign will last through 2012. The University hopes to raise $3 billion. Faculty involvement is key to a successful campaign, and deans of the schools will be partners in fundraising, Mr. Sweeney said. Mr. Sweeney asked the Executive Council for help in identifying faculty that can help with finding prospects and cultivating philanthropists that might wish to support specific projects that need funding. Mr. Sweeney promised help from the Development Office on initiatives such as this. A University of Virginia Legislative Council is being formed to work with legislators on University-issues, Mr. Sweeney said. Mr. Sweeney took questions and observations from the Council members. In closing, Mr. Grianger thanked Mr. Sweeney and commented on the Harrison Awards, which is in need of permanent funding. Mr. Grianger said the Harrison Awards bring out the best in faculty and students.

2. Committee Reports

Research and Scholarship Committee, Susan Perry, Chair

· Committee members are needed to review Harrison applications. Ninety applications have been received from 35 departments. Mr. Grainger will work with Ms. Perry on identifying reviewers for the proposals.

Academic Affairs Committee, Robert Davis, Chair

· The Committee is charged with addressing graduate student support at the University. Progress is being made.

· Mr. Davis distributed two drafts - a) an announcement concerning the Faculty Senate Dissertation Year Fellowships for Excellence in Teaching and Research (Mr. Davis asked the Councilors to send him their comments on the draft.) and, b) a letter from the humanities departments to Gene Block, Vice President and Provost. This letter advises the Provost of departmental budget concerns and inadequate funding for graduate students.

· The Dissertation Year Fellowships Subcommittee still needs to decide on a permanent name for the program.

3. Student Council - Formalizing a Course Evaluation System

Mr. Grainger gave an overview of Student Council's desire to have a University-wide course evaluation system. Chris Husser will attend the Executive Council meeting at 3:00 p.m., to give an overview of the initiative. Abby Fifer and Chris Husser, from Student Council, met earlier with Provost Gene Block and Robert Grainger to address the issue.

Chris Husser addressed the Councilors and distributed a handout, "Course Evaluations at the University of Virginia." The handout addresses questions such as why course evaluations are needed, what the University has seen before, what the University is seeing now, why the University needs to standardize the system, what are the possible negative aspects of a standardized system, what are the possible positive aspects of a standardized system, and other factors that should be consider. Mr. Husser and the Councilors discussed the issue. The Executive Council voiced some concerns regarding a "standardized" course evaluation system.

The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

ubmitted by Kathryn A. Neeley, Secretary of the Faculty Senate