September 5, 2002 - 4:00-5:00 p.m.-- Board Room, Newcomb Hall

Present: Michael Smith, Robert Davis, Robert Grainger, Ellen Contini-Morava, Robert O'Connell, Marcia Childress, Pamela Kulbok, Daniel Hallahan, Stephen Wilson, Julian Connolly

Michael J. Smith, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order.

Faculty Senate Retreat - September 13, 2002

The group discussed the agenda for the Retreat. The general topic for this year's Retreat is "The Challenges to Public Education." There will be several speakers. John T. Casteen, III, President of the University, will address the Senate. Robert M. Grainger, Past Chair of the Faculty Senate and Professor of Biology, will speak about the sciences. Michael H. Levenson, Professor of English Language and Literature, will speak about the humanities, and Michael J. Smith, Chair of the Faculty Senate and Professor of Government and Foreign Affairs, will speak about the social sciences. Edward L. Ayers, Dean of Arts and Sciences, will give the closing speech. After the speakers have addressed the Senate, they will present questions for discussion at the tables. Each table will be asked to come up with three or four comments or answers for their questions. It was pointed out that the lack of funds should be recognized, and the participants should focus on what can be done, given the lack of money. Each table will be asked to create a list of "actions."

Faculty Senate of Virginia - Michael Smith reported that the Faculty Senate of Virginia is asking that every senator formally request faculty representation on his/her Boards of Visitors. The members of the Executive Council discussed the pros and cons of having a faculty member on the Board of Visitors. They also discussed what criteria should be used when naming that faculty member. Michael Smith agreed to draft a letter in support of a faculty representative on the BOV, and the letter will be circulated to the Council members for comment.

Other Faculty Senate of Virginia News: · The Faculty Senate of Virginia will write a letter to the press regarding Virginia's current budget situation, and how it is affecting Higher Education. · The University of Virginia will host the upcoming Faculty Senate of Virginia meeting on November 9, 2002.

New Engineering Degree - Computer Engineering Kathryn Thornton, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs in the School of Engineering, and Clorisa Phillips, Special Projects Director in the Office of the Vice President and Provost, have contacted the Faculty Senate to ask for review and approval for a new computer science degree program. Steve Wilson, a member of the Executive Council and a professor in the School of Engineering, presented background information on the program. There were questions regarding the new program and its timetable for approvals. Michael Smith agreed to contact Ms. Thornton and ask that she write up the steps the proposal have already gone through to formalize the new degree program, and she will be asked to write a proposal. The Academic Affairs Committee will convene and discuss the proposal sometime over the next two weeks.

Graduate Funding Report The Council members discussed the Graduate Funding Report, which was released last year. It was decided that the topic should remain a priority. The Report should be sent out again to the Senate and to all graduate studies areas and other departments. Additionally, the Senate will continue to work with the administration, Robert Sweeney, Vice President for Development, and the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, to identify ways to support graduate students.

Faculty Senate David A. Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards The Research and Scholarship Committee, chaired by Marcia Childress, will report on the status of the Harrison Awards. The Committee will also check on the progress and specifics of the On-Line Student Evaluations.

Forum for Contemporary Thought Someone has been identified to coordinate the Forum activities this year. The director of the Forum needs a staff person, and funding is unclear at this time, due to current State budget constraints.

Other Business · Budget Meetings - the administration wants to avoid cutes in terms of layoffs and cutting of programs. · Telescope Committee - The Committee has been meeting regularly over the summer and is ready to make recommendations to Gene Block, Vice President and Provost. · Colonnade Club/Eating Space - Michael Smith and Julian Connolly have been meeting with Colonnade Club representatives over the summer. The Club wants to completely remodel, with input from the Budget Office and the University Currator.

The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Submitted by Ellen Contini-Morava, Secretary of the Faculty Senate