February 28, 2002

Robert M. Grainger, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. Mr. Grainger introduced John T. Casteen, III, President.

PRESIDENT JOHN T. CASTEEN'S REPORT

1. Announcement of the beginning of a new capital campaign, to begin in about 18 months.

2. Overview of State budget cuts, and ways that the University can manage those budget cuts.

3. The administration is working on addressing faculty concerns, such as special University interests that require funding, recruiting and retention, and graduate student support.

4. An overview of budget issues, and a comparison of how the House and the Senate are addressing the budget issues during this legislative session.

5. Some of the budget shortfall will be offset by tuition increases.

6. Mr. Casteen thanked the Senators and said he would welcome advice on long-term issues facing the University.

COMMENTS BY ROBERT M. GRAINGER

1. The administration is listening to what the Faculty Senate has to say.

2. The Senate is grateful for Mr. Casteen's and other administrator's work on behalf of the faculty.

3. Thanks to the administrators for their hard work in Richmond on behalf of the University.

4. Announcement of the ongoing Science & Science Lecture Series, which is being jointly administered by the Faculty Senate and the Institute for Practical Ethics.

5. The Establishment of a new Office of Undergraduate Research, which will be directed by Nicole Hurd. Funding for the office will come from the Office of the President, the Arts and Sciences' Dean's Office, and the Office of the Provost.

Mr. Grainger gave a brief statement on the background for developing a policy to address faculty discipline procedures and for revisions to the Faculty Senate Faculty Grievance Policies and Procedures. Mr. Grainger introduced Michael Smith, Chair-Elect of the Senate, and a member of the subcommittee that worked with Gene Block, Vice President and Provost, and Paul Forch, University General Council, on writing the faculty discipline policy and procedures guidelines. Other members of the subcommittee are Robert Grainger, David Brautigan, Department of Medicine, and James Clawson, past chair of the Faculty Grievance Committee.

COMMENTS BY MICHAEL J. SMITH

1. The University needs a policy that will address administrative charges against faculty members.

2. The draft document aims to provide a formal document that details how administrative charges should be addressed so that due process of the law is followed.

3. The document is not a perfect one, and it will need some revisions in language, but it is a first step in addressing the need for a formal policy to be in place.

4. Request that the Senate vote to approve the document in principle, noting that the two basic notions that the Senate is being asked to approve is the need for written notice and the need for peer review.

The motion was made to approve the general principles of the document, with the Provost bringing the document back to the Senate after it is ratified. The approval also calls for the document to be given a formal title, such as "Faculty Discipline Policies and Procedures, Draft, March 1, 2002." The motion was seconded, and it passed unanimously.

Due to lack of time, the Senate tabled a discussion on revisions to the Faculty Senate Faculty Grievance Policies and Procedures. The issue will be addressed at the next meeting of the Faculty Senate. The next meeting is scheduled for April 23, 2002, in the Commonwealth Room at Newcomb Hall, from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Robert E. Davis, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee

1. Update on Faculty Senate Dissertation-Year Fellowship Activities

2. Fellowship Recipient's Banquet - May 1, 2002

3. Graduate Funding - Initiative is moving forward, with a preliminary draft of recommendations being written. A final report will be distributed to the Faculty Senate at the next meeting, on April 23, 2002.

4. Committee is also working on identifying appropriate space for graduate student networking/socializing.

Susan E. Perry, Chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee

1. Harrison Symposium, November 6, 2001

2. Harrison Awards Ceremony, February 14, 2002

3. Committee will be working with the new Office of Undergraduate Research, to promote undergraduate research.

4. Designing a brochure on undergraduate research at the University - Some committee members will work with Nicole Hurd to create the brochure.

5. Committee will work with a student group to establish a University-wide Faculty/Course Evaluations System.

6. Committee is writing a position statement in support of graduate student funding.

Gene Block gave a brief overview of a recent gift from John Kluge. The gift, Morven Farms, is 100 acres of farmland. The administration would like the faculty's input on how the University can best use the property.

Heather Craddock, UVA Foundation/Real Estate, gave a Power Point presentation of the land and buildings. In addition, E. Clorisa Phillips, Special Projects Director in the Office of the Vice President and Provost, offered some input on the property and took questions. Similar presentations regarding the gift and how best to use it are being given around Grounds, Ms. Phillips said. There will be a University-wide information session regarding the property on March 25, at 3:00.

Mr. Block offered closing remarks on the gift, and he invited ideas on how the property and land should be used.

Robert Grainger announced that Faculty Senate nominations for new officers and members to serve on the Executive Council would be made at the April 23rd meeting. Elections will be done by mail-in ballot. In closing, Mr. Grainger thanked everyone and adjourned the meeting.

Adjournment: 5:15 p.m.

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