The Faculty Senate of the University of Virginia

Robert E. Davis, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. Mr. Davis gave welcoming remarks. Mr. Davis announced the "Lighting of the Lawn" celebration, which was being held on Thursday night, December 4, at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Davis encouraged everyone to attend the event, hosted by The Class of 2004 Trustees. Mr. Davis also presented a brief overview of the meeting agenda. He read excerpts from the Alumni News magazine, which cited some of the University's priorities. Mr. Davis noted that the Senate is actively involved in many of these issues.

John T. Casteen, III, President

Mr. Casteen reported to the Senate on State budget reform, the University's changing relations with the State, and the U-21 collaboration.

State Budget Reform

· The budget has a projected shortfall of $1.2 billion, and more budget cuts are predicted.

· The Governor wants additional funds from revenue to be targeted toward enrollment growth & research.

· The current budget does not allow for adding any new programs.

· The Governor will disclose the new budget on December 17, 2003.

Mr. Casteen announced that there would be a session with State legislators in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom, on January 9, 2004. He encouraged everyone to attend.

The University's Changing Relations with the State

· Mr. Casteen commented that the University is not as dependent on the State as in the past.

· The University now has more autonomy regarding issues of governance.

U-21 Collaboration

· The University has equity in two companies dealing with on-line, or non-traditional education.

· Membership includes 14 international universities.

· The initiative is a collaborative effort, with faculty and student exchanges.

· The purpose of the organization is to create a major global consortium.

Gene D. Block, Vice President and Provost

Mr. Block gave the Senators an overview of the initiatives the administration is undertaking to advance the goals of the University.

· The Education Policy Committee of the Board of Visitors, at its last meeting, expressed interest in raising the quality of programs in science and technology at the University. Retention and recruitment were discussed, with a goal of recruiting two outstanding faculty members a year, over a 20-year program.

· The University's Performing Arts Center is being planned.

· Gene Block, Arthur Garson, and Ariel Gomez recently visited the Howard Hughes Institute to discuss a collaborative effort between the Institute and the University.

· Mr. Block announced that Leigh Grossman has been appointed vice provost for international affairs. Gertrude Fraser is the new vice provost for faculty advancement. William Harman has been appointed to explore ways to improve diversity in the University's graduate programs.

Committee Reports:

Richard Warner, Co-Chair, Academic Affairs Committee

· Mr. Warner reported on the 2004-2005 Dissertation-Year Fellowships. There will be up to five Fellowships awarded this year. Each Fellowship will be for approximately $20,000, to include tuition, fees, health insurance, and a stipend.

· The Committee is working with the Honor Committee to look at some of the issues involved with faculty participation in the Honor System. The Academic Affairs Committee has met with Carey Mignerey, chair of the Honor Committee, and others. Mr. Warner commented on some of the initiatives the Honor Committee is undertaking. The Academic Affairs Committee will produce a report to be presented to the full Senate.

· Degree proposal from the School of Medicine - Experimental Pathology. The Graduate Advisors Committee of the School of Medicine, the Academic Affairs Committee of the Faculty Senate, and the Executive Council of the Faculty Senate have approved the degree proposal.

Dennis Templeton, Chairman, Department of Pathology

Dr. Templeton gave an overview and rationale for the new degree proposal. A vote was taken from the floor for approval of the new degree proposal. The Senate approved the proposal unanimously on this date, December 4, 2003.

Robert Davis thanked Richard Warner for his work as Co-Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. Mr. Warner will be on leave for the spring semester.

Robert E. Davis (Reporting for Robert O'Connell, Chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee)

· Mr. Davis reported on this year's Faculty Senate David Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards. The Awards are being administered this year through the Arts and Sciences Office of Undergraduate Research, directed by Nicole Hurd. The Research and Scholarship Committee will be involved in reviewing the proposals and selecting the recipients of Awards. The Committee is also working on ways of improving the funding mechanism for administering these Awards.

· The Research and Scholarship Committee is working with the Development Office to identify ways that faculty might become more involved in University development initiatives.

· Mr. Davis announced that Robert Sweeney, Senior Vice President for Development and Public Affairs, has offered the Senate a direct communication line with the Development Office. He has also agreed to give the Senate occasional reports on the status of the upcoming Capital Campaign.

Robert Sweeney, Senior Vice President for Development and Public Affairs

Mr. Sweeney began his discussion by citing some figures:

$1.43 billion

$3 billion

$1,027,045

2,921

$370 million

These figures represent the $1.43 billion that the University raised in the last capital campaign, $3 billion is the goal for this capital campaign, $1,027,045 is the amount the University needs to raise each day, for 2,921 consecutive days to reach this goal. $370 million is the amount the University currently has raised. The Campaign will officially kick off on January 1, 2004, and run through December 31, 2011.

Mr. Sweeney said the mandate of the Capital Campaign is to create a new University of Virginia. The University should be obligated to provide access to the University, to those gifted students that do not have the financial resources to attend. He commented that the University has a strong leadership team, from the president, to the deans, and to the development officers. In order for the University to reach its goals and aspirations, there needs to be changing relations with State governance, a more market-driven tuition, and a private university philanthropy model. Priorities should be unit-based, with the deans discussing where the priorities are. These priorities will include graduate training and fellowships, advancements in science and technology, more commitment to faculty, more commitment to the arts, and junior faculty recruitment and retention.

Mr. Sweeney remarked that the Campaign would meet its goals by receiving big gifts. The faculty role in ensuring the University's success is to create links to those that have an interest in funding various initiatives. Faculty should identify crucial relations they have with potential donors. Faculty should also receive routine reports from the development officers in their schools. There should be many more faculty members out on the road, exploring ways to create the best alumni engagements. Mr. Sweeney's final remark was that the University will be successful with the help of its faculty! Robert Davis asked Mr. Sweeney what are the benefits to the faculty in being more actively involved in the Capital Campaign. Mr. Sweeney cited increased faculty chairs, loan lines, junior faculty awards, more current operating dollars, and an increase in unrestricted operating dollars. Mr. Sweeney took questions from the audience.

The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

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