The Executive Council of the Faculty Senate

Present: Robert E. Davis, Marcia Childress, Michael Smith, Robert J. Davis, Pamela Kulbok, Daniel Hallahan, Stephen Wilson, Rebecca Kneedler, Claire Cronmiller, Richard Warner, Robert O'Connell

Guests: Milton Adams, Associate Provost for Academic Programs

Gene Block, Vice President and Provost

Carolyn Callahan, UVa Representative to the Atlantic Coast Conference

John Casteen, UVa President

Robert E. Davis, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. Mr. Davis welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The meeting began with a discussion of Division 1-A athletics reform and the "Framework for Comprehensive Athletics Reform" (COIA) document, which was created by the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics Steering Committee. Mr. Davis asked Carolyn Callahan to give the group background information and the Athletic Department's position on the document. Ms. Callahan said the ACC first saw a draft of the COIA document about one year ago. She noted that the ACC has not taken a position on the document. Ms. Callahan said she and Craig Littlepage, Director of Athletics, agree with the document in principle, but both feel parts of the document are unrealistic. She said the Athletics Department maintains its academic standards, and she stressed that the Department does not go in debt or use State funds for its operations. The document does not cause any worries for UVa, Ms. Callahan said. She stated that many other universities have chosen to deal internally with athletics reform. Ms. Kneedler stressed that communication is critical in regard to the University's athletics.

The Executive Council decided not to take a position on the COIA document at the present time. Mr. Davis will convey to the Athletics Reform Steering Committee that Council agrees with the document in principle.

John Casteen attended the Executive Council meeting to discuss a confidential issue, and to get the Council's input regarding the issue. Mr. Casteen thanked the Councilors for their thoughts.

Robert Davis discussed a proposed change in the Faculty Senate Constitution and By-Laws. The change involves the creation of a Nominating Committee. The language for the inclusion of a Nominating Committee had been sent to the Executive Council earlier. The Executive Council agreed with the language and the addition of a Nominating Committee to nominate Faculty Senate officers. It was brought to a vote, seconded, and it passed unanimously. The proposal will be given to the full Senate in advance of the October 7, 2003, meeting, and voted on at the meeting.

Mr. Davis told the group that he would be addressing the Board of Visitors at the upcoming meeting in October. He asked if anyone had any suggestions for topics that he should talk about. Mr. Davis will address the Board members regarding faculty salaries, science funding support, and graduate student funding. He will also talk about the Senate's ongoing activities.

The Council members had a brief discussion regarding the Senate retreat, which had to be cancelled due to Hurricane Isabel. The retreat will not be rescheduled, and the topics that were to be addressed at the retreat will be addressed at the upcoming Faculty Senate meetings, to be held on October 7, 2003, and December 4, 2003. Louis Bloomfield, Professor of Physics, will talk about Honor issues at the October 7 meeting, and Robert Sweeney, Senior Vice President for Development and Public Affairs, will talk about the University's planning strategies at the December 4 meeting.

Mr. Davis announced that the Executive Council will meet again in late October, after the October 7 Faculty Senate meeting. One of the topics of that meeting will be the Faculty Senate of Virginia. The Faculty Senate of Virginia wants to hire a lobbyist, and the Council needs to discuss this possibility and form an opinion on it.

Michael Smith, Co-Chair of the University's Commission on Diversity, will report to the Executive Council on the status of the work of the Commission. The Commission is Co-Chaired by Angela Davis, Associate Dean of Students.

The meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.

Submitted by Robert J. Davis, Secretary of the Faculty Senate