Robert E. Davis, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. Mr. Davis offered welcoming remarks. John Casteen was introduced.

Remarks by John T. Casteen, III, President

John Casteen gave the Faculty Senate an update on State budget issues. Here are some of the many legislative bills being presented:

· A re-examinition of the method used by the State to set the salaries.

· Caps on out-of-State enrollment

· Admissions policies

· Affirmative action issues

· Recording of closed meetings of public bodies, including boards of visitors

· Appointment of a faculty representative on boards of visitors

· A consolidated procurement bill

· Tax reform

Mr. Casteen said Leonard Sandridge, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, would take a proposal to the Board of Visitors that would offer full financial aid to qualified students wishing to attend the University of Virginia, but lacking the financial means to do so.

The legislative calendar is as follows: actions from both the House and the Senate must be completed by February 17; the House and the Senate must submit their reaction to the Governor's budget proposal by February 22; the legislative adjournment date is March 13; and the Governor has to sign or veto all legislation by April 12. Mr. Casteen took questions from the audience.

Robert Davis noted that Nancy Rivers is the liaison to the Faculty Senate on legislative matters. Mr. Davis receives regular updates from Ms. Rivers, and he will forward that information along to the Senators.

Report by Gene D. Block, Vice President and Provost

· Gene Block told the Senators that Gertrude Fraser, the Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, would be working on such issues as faculty development, faculty mentoring, and search committee training.

· Mr. Block told the group that the most important search that is currently being conducted is for a dean of Engineering and Applied Science.

· A committee has been appointed to work on a systematic means to conduct course reviews for undergraduates. Daniel Hallahan is chairing that committee.

· Mr. Block's Office is also working on issues related to the 2020 Commission, public service initiatives, the Arizona Telescope Project, international activities, and science and technology initiatives.

Committee Reports:

Research and Scholarship Committee - Robert O'Connell, Chair

Robert O'Connell reported that the Research and Scholarship Committee is currently working on the following initiatives:

· The Faculty Senate David Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards - this year's Awards will be open to first-year students. The Awards program will be administered this year through the Arts and Sciences Office for Undergraduate Excellence, directed by Nicole Hurd. Mr. O'Connell announced that Senate volunteers are needed to serve on the committee that will be reading and judging the Harrison Awards proposals. This review process will be done over Spring Break.

· The Research and Scholarship Committee is working with the University Development Office to identify ways that faculty might become more involved in University planning and fundraising. The Development Office has made a list of Pan-University initiatives. Mr. O'Connell remarked that the Development Office's goals are also the goals of the Faculty Senate.

Academic Affairs Committee - Pamela Kulbok, Co-Chair

Pamela Kulbok reported on the work of the Academic Affairs Committee:

· The Dissertation-Year Fellowships are being offered this year. The deadline for submitting applications to Frances Peyton is March 1, 2004. She asked her fellow Senators to please forward the Dissertation-Year Fellowships announcement to their constituents.

· The Academic Affairs Committee is looking at the University Honor System and the role of faculty in the Honor System. Ms. Kulbok said she would send an email to the Senate, and solicit opinions and thoughts regarding the current Honor System. The responses to the email will be compiled, and a report will be written and submitted to the Executive Council and then to the full Senate. The Honor System will present a forum on February 19, 2004, with Donald L. McCabe as guest Speaker. The event will be held in the Rotunda Dome Room, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

· Ms. Kulbok put forth a proposal for the merger of the existing graduate programs in Art History and Architectural History. The College of Arts and Sciences, the Dean of the School of Architecture, the Office of the Provost, the Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee, and the Faculty Senate Executive Council have approved the proposal. Ms. Kulbok introduced Larry Goedde, Chair of the Department of Art, who gave an overview and the rationale for the merger. There were some questions and discussion from the audience. Robert Davis called for a motion on the proposal to merger of the existing graduate programs in Art History and Architectural History. There was a motion from the floor, the motion was seconded, and it was past on January 20, 2004. Three people abstained from voting. Mr. Davis told the Senators that he is working with E. Clorisa Phillips, Associate Provost for Institutional Advancement, on developing procedures and guidelines for action on academic programs.

Academics and Athletics at the University of Virginia - Craig Littlepage, Director of Athletics

Robert Davis said that he has been in conversations with Craig Littlepage throughout the fall regarding athletics and Division 1-A athletics reform. Mr. Davis introduced Mr. Littlepage.

Mr. Littlepage said that the Athletics Department was involved in the review of athletics and the status of University athletes. This was part of the 2020 report. According to Athletic Department's strategic plan, the 10-year goals are:

· To graduate 100% of student athletes that complete eligibility

· To benchmark in competitive success

· To endow the Athletic Department

· To build the highest quality faculty

· To recruit the best student athletes

· To meet Title One compliance

The latest report shows the University has an 82% graduation rate. The national graduation rate is 63%. The average GPA for University student athletes is 2.81, as of June 2003. Two hundred and thirty of six hundred and fifty athletes achieved ACC honor role levels of 3.0 or better, within a distribution of majors. Mr. Littlepage said the graduation rate only reflects grant-in-aid students. Some of the others leave the University in good standing for other institutions or for professional reasons. Only about 1-to 2 percent of athletes leave the University not in good standing. Missed class time is being monitored by the Athletics Department. Athletes playing baseball, softball, and golf miss the most class time. In closing, Mr. Littlepage said the Athletics Department is working with Edward Ayers, Dean of Arts and Sciences, to create an athletic advising service for student athletes. The Athletics Department can bring diverse groups of people together, and athletics provide many opportunities for student athletes. The Athletics Department wants to be a partner, a colleague, and a contributing member of this institution. Mr. Littlepage took questions from the audience.

Library System Update - Karin Wittenborg, University Librarian and Diane Walker, Associate University Librarian for User Service

The Science and Engineering Library opened in the fall, and was an instant success, Ms. Wittenborg said. The Small Collections Library (Harrison Institute) will be operational this spring. The Library is receiving several endowments, with a great deal of monies coming from faculty members.

Diane Walker reported on special collections. She distributed a handout that contained two graphs - Monographs and Subscriptions Purchased from 1995-2003, and Collections Expenditures. Ms. Walker reported on funding issues, and she explained the data contained in the graphs. Ms. Wittenborg and Ms. Walker took questions from the audience.

Chairs Report - Robert E. Davis

Mr. Davis gave a brief report on the following Senate-related issues:

· Faculty Benefits - The Executive Council will meet with Yoke San Reynolds, Vice President for Finance, to discuss this issue.

· Development Issues - The Faculty Senate will form a development committee.

· The Faculty Senate has formed a Faculty Senate Nominating Committee to establish a list of nominees for Chair-Elect of the Senate, Secretary of the Senate, and members of the Executive Council.

· Mr. Davis encouraged responses to the Honor System email that will be sent to the Senate. He also encouraged Senators to attend the presentation by Donald McCabe.

· The next Faculty Senate meeting will be held on April 8, 2004, in the Rotunda Dome Room, from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

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