September 20, 2001

Present: Robert M. Grainger, Michael J. Smith, Patricia H. Werhane, Robert W. O'Connell, Houston G. Wood, III, George M. Cohen, Michael H. Levenson, David L. Brautigan, Susan E. Perry, Robert E. Davis, Gene D. Block

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

Mr. Grainger talked about the Faculty Senate Retreat, and the Senate's work to improve graduate education at the University. It was noted that tuition differential is a problem, and it must not be allowed to increase in future years. Gene Block, Vice President and Provost, agreed to look into the legal status and/or changes in the in-state tuition policy. Mr. Grainger announced that the Graduate Teacher/Scholar Fellowships Program has been funded. There are funding commitments from Arts and Sciences, Engineering, the Jefferson Scholars Program and the Provost. There is approximately $200,000 committed for the 2001/02 year, Mr. Grainger said. A steering committee will oversee the program, and the Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee will administer the program. Those serving on the steering committee include Adam Daniel, Duane Osheim, Kathryn Thornton, Brian Halsey, and Marva Barnett. The Program will include a dinner to honor the fellows, with Board of Visitors members, student advisers, and others invited. Mr. Grainger asked Robert Davis, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, to work with the Committee on establishing a name for the program.

This year's charges to the Academic Affairs Committee and the Committee on Research and Scholarship were discussed. The Academic Affairs Committee will administer the Graduate Teacher/Scholar Fellowships Program, and the Committee will follow up on the Faculty Senate Retreat by addressing key issues identified in the discussion on graduate student support. The report on graduate student support at UVa. will be strengthened to reflect the value of graduate students. Mr. Grainger asked the Executive Council members to send him their comments on the report and to evaluate the information the report contains.

The Research and Scholarship Committee will administer the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards Program and organize the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards Symposium. The Committee plans to design a brochure to advertise the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards, and begin planning for this year's call for proposals and a ceremony honoring Award recipients. The Committee will also form a subcommittee to work on the Science & Society outreach initiative. In addition, the Committee will evaluate the three-year Teaching Initiative Awards Program and create a white paper. The Committee will look at Harrison Awards reports from past year's Award recipients and select one or two to be showcased at the upcoming Board of Visitors meeting in October. Mr. Grainger said the Senate would continue to work with Robert Sweeney, Vice President for University Development, to establish permanent funding for the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards.

Mr. Grainger talked about the University's 2020 Report and the planning process for implementing the initiatives addressed in the Report. A planning committee is being formed to devise a template for schools to use in the planning process, known as "Envision Virginia." This process involves interschool activities and having administrators meet with every school to get their vision of what that school's future should look like. Faculty input is needed in devising a template. Some issues Council members feel need to be addressed are faculty retention, spousal/partner issues, diversity, getting the tuition to market level, academic excellence, and graduate student support. Mr. Block said he intends to mold the University's three-year plan with each school's vision for the future, in planning and setting goals for the University.

Mr. Grainger announced that David Brautigan has been appointed to represent the Faculty Senate on the University Planning Committee. This Committee advises the President on all University planning issues.

The Committee discussed funding options for the Faculty Senate and suggested that perhaps the Senate could get some additional funding support from the schools. Mr. Grainger said he would follow up on this suggestion.

Mr. Grainger said the Senate should identify four or five key issues from the Retreat table discussions for further study. In addition, it was suggested that the University should have a centralized means for schools to recruit graduate students. University officials should be more visible at area recruiting functions to show and describe what the University has to offer students that come to UVa for their graduate studies. Bob Davis will contact Joel Hockensmith, Assistant Dean for Graduate Research and Training, for additional information on the University's graduate recruiting methods.

It was also decided that Yoke San Reynolds, Vice President for Finance, should be invited to the next Executive Council meeting to discuss graduate funding, and TDF's in particular.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

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