Present: Marcia Childress, Houston Wood, Robert Davis, Deborah Johnson, Arlene Keeling, Daniel Hallahan, Stephen Wilson, Claire Cronmiller, Larry Bouchard, Gene Block, Frances Peyton

Marcia Childress, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. She offered welcoming remarks. Introductions were made.

Report by the Chair of the Faculty Senate - Marcia Childress

Ms. Childress distributed a copy of her remarks to the Educational Policy Committee of the Board of Visitors on September 18, 2004. The document cites some of the emerging developments at the University, most of which affect faculty in material ways:

• The possibility of a renegotiated relationship with the Commonwealth.
• New directions for academic programming, including significant advances in science and technology and the arts.
• Investments in keeping the University's strongest programs strong.
• Innovative interdisciplinary possibilities for research, teaching, and learning.
• The new Capital Campaign.

Ms. Childress reported on the Faculty Senate Retreat, which was held on September 10, 2004. The Senate's theme was "Enriching Faculty Life at UVA - Interdisciplinary Collaborations."

Ms. Childress also reported on upcoming Senate initiatives:

• Continuing Senate endorsement of undergraduate research through awarding ofHarrison Undergraduate Research Awards.
• Awarding dissertation fellowships to graduate students.
• Brokering a University-wide conversation about Honor.
• Looking at what some of our peer institutions offer in the way of faculty benefits.
• Participating in the Provost's review of promotion and tenure policies and in a new round of program reviews to be carried out by the Provost's office.
• Possibly, sponsoring a faculty working group on interdisciplinary collaboration around the theme of Science, Technology, and Society.

Ms. Childress reported on the Faculty Senate and General Faculty Council committee that was formed last year. This committee was formed to address joint concerns of the two groups. That group is in the process of scheduling its first meeting of the semester.

Other Senate initiatives that Ms. Childress mentioned:

• intercollegiate athletics - re: reforms regarding academic integrity, initiated by COIA, a national group seeking support from university faculty senates
• the Charter initiative and the information sessions being given by the University to inform everyone about the initiative
• the progress of the newly formed Faculty Senate Development Committee. The chair of this committee will begin serving in the spring semester. It was decided that this committee will not have the first meeting until after January 1, 2005.

Report on the Research and Scholarship Committee, Larry Bouchard, Chair

The main charge of the Committee this year is coordinating the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards Program. The Harrison Awards are being administered through the Center for Undergraduate Excellence, directed by Nicole Hurd. There have been improvements in the mechanisms by which Harrison Award funds are allocated to both students and their faculty mentors, Mr. Bouchard said. This year, the selection committee will be looking to see that students are aware, when appropriate, of institutional requirements for travel/study abroad as a UVA student and of approval processes for research involving human subjects or animals. Even as the committee cedes administrative responsibilities to the Center for Undergraduate Excellence, the Research and Scholarship Committee - and, thus, the Senate - will retain academic oversight responsibility for the Harrison Awards and be actively involved in the award process, Mr. Bouchard said. The Research and Scholarship Committee will work closely with the Center for Undergraduate Excellence on setting application standards, formulating selection criteria, reviewing proposals, and selecting awardees.

Report on the Academic Affairs Committee, Kenneth Schwartz, Chair

Marcia Childress reported on the work of the Academic Affairs Committee, in Kenneth Schwartz's absence. The Committee will continue the honor conversations that started last year. A subcommittee will be formed to look at Honor issues, and a member of the Board of Visitors will be asked to join this group.

The Academic Affairs Committee is also reviewing three degree program closures - two in Engineering and Applied Science and one in Medicine.

New Business

• Senate representation in academic program review - The program review process is owned by the deans, Gene Block, Vice President and Provost, said. Mr. Block requested Faculty Senate involvement in the program review process. It is an intense five-year review of programs, and the committee is made up of internal and external members. The program review process is required by SCVHEV.
• Senate representation in Provost's review of promotion and tenure - Mr. Block also requested Faculty Senate involvement in looking at the University's promotion and tenure review process, looking at what others are doing, determining what works and what is not working. Faculty need to take more of a leadership role in the promotion and tenure review process, Mr. Block said. Faculty also need to take responsibility in writing policies that will affect faculty.

Other Issues Discussed

• Looking at how the process of getting a faculty member on the Board of Visitors is moving along.
• Faculty Senate of Virginia meets on October 30, 2004. Houston Wood, Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate, will represent the University at the meeting.
• Reviewing issues regarding "sensitive" research. It was decided that the Executive Council will discuss whether the Senate should be involved in this endeavor and, if so, it will be given to the Research and Scholarship Committee to review.
• There will be a joint information session to review the Charter initiative in November.

Overview of UVA Health Plan for 2005, Thomas Gausvik, Chief Human Resource Officer, and Linda Way-Smith, Director of Employee Benefits

Thomas Gausvik and Linda Way-Smith attended the meeting to give the group an overview of changes to the University's Health Care Plan for 2005. The cost of providing health care to the University's employees continues to go up, and health care premiums also are continuing to go up, Mr. Gausvik said. Ms. Way-Smith distributed a handout that details what will stay the same and what will change in the University's health care plan. Mr. Gausvik and Ms. Way-Smith will attend the full Faculty Senate meeting on October 21st to inform the Senators about these changes.

The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Submitted by Deborah Johnson, Secretary of the Faculty Senate