The Faculty Senate of the University of Virginia
May 2, 2007 – 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Commonwealth Room, Newcomb Hall
Meeting Minutes
Kenneth Schwartz, Chair of the Faculty Senate, Called the meeting to order. Mr. Schwartz gave welcoming remarks. Mr. Schwartz thanked the Senators for their work this year. Mr. Schwartz gave an overview of the work that the Senate has participated in this year. He also gave an overview of the work of the Senate’s standing committees.
Mr. Schwartz talked about the Senate’s work on the Provost Search Committee. Dr. Arthur Garson, Dean of the School of Medicine, was introduced as the University’s new Provost as of July, 2007. The Senate, through the Executive Council, has enjoyed the benefits of excellent relations and interaction with the Provost, President Casteen, and other administrators.
In closing, Mr. Schwartz reviewed other initiatives of the Senate, such as the establishment of a new school at the University, The Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, and working with the Rector on the possibility of appointing a faculty member on the Board of Visitors.
John T. Casteen, President of the University
In his opening remarks, President Casteen thanked the Faculty Senate and said that the Senate has had a long series of excellent chairs. He said Gene Block’s relationships with faculty, schools, and departments are extraordinary.
President Casteen also spoke about the tragedy at Virginia Tech. He said that he has much respect for Virginia Tech for the way their administration handled the tragedy. The University of Virginia is looking at ways to improve emergency preparedness, and he offered extensive remarks on this topic.
President Casteen recognized Dr. Arthur Garson, whose official title will be Executive Vice President and Provost. The duties of the position have been expanded, and “Executive” was added to the title to reflect the expansion, Mr. Casteen said.
Robert Pianta has been appointed as the new Dean of the Curry School of Education.
Additional new appointments are in the works, including a new dean of Arts and Sciences, a new dean of Nursing, and an interim dean of Medicine. In addition, two more vice president positions may be proposed to the Board of Visitors, President Casteen said.
President Casteen talked about the creation of a new school at UVA, The Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. He presented an overview of models of how the undergraduate and graduate schools will be developed. The proposal for the new school is being reviewed by the Faculty Senate, who will make recommendations, President Casteen said.
The $3 billion Capital Campaign is approaching the halfway mark. President Casteen gave an overview of the ongoing work of the Development Office and other faculty members and administrators in advancing of the Campaign’s goals.
President Casteen updated the Senators on the Commission on the Future of the University, being chaired by Dr. Arthur Garson. It is a 10-year visionary plan. The Commission has several subcommittees to address various issues/areas of the Commission’s work. The subcommittees are on schedule with their work, President Casteen said. The Commission will reconvene in the fall. The subcommittees will submit their final reports in November. President Casteen remarked that the Commission is working on a number of themes (the role of diversity, identifying and protecting the core funding, development of the sciences). One suggestion made was the development of an undergraduate sciences center. The University is looking at its mission, goals, and initiatives, President Casteen said.
In closing, President Casteen recognized and thanked Vice President and Provost Gene Block for his extraordinary work over the years on behalf of the University.
Gene D. Block, Vice President and Provost
Gene Block talked about the following topics:
Kenneth Schwartz thanked Gene Block for his work with the Senate and his service to the University. Mr. Schwartz put forth a call for a motion to adopt the following resolution in Mr. Block’s honor. The motion was made for the Faculty Senate to adopt the resolution, it was seconded, and it passed unanimously.
Faculty Senate Resolution Commemorating Gene Block, Vice President & Provost:
"Whereas Gene D. Block will leave the University of Virginia this summer to assume the position of Chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles;
and Whereas Gene D. Block joined the faculty of the University of Virginia as an Assistant Professor of Biology in 1978 and has served the University since as Professor, Alumni Council Thomas Jefferson Professor of Biology, Vice President for Research and Public Service, and Vice President and Provost;
The Faculty Senate of the University of Virginia hereby expresses deep thanks to Gene Block. As a colleague, leader, scholar, and friend, Gene has given the Senate and the University wise counsel and has shown patience, persistence, and good cheer in the face of challenges and opportunities alike. The Senate and the faculty of the University offer him best wishes for success with the new responsibilities that await him in California."
Adopted by the Faculty Senate of Virginia, May 2, 2007
Committee Reports: Click on the links
Chair’s Report, Kenneth Schwartz
Chair-Elect’s Report, Ricardo Padron
Academic Affairs, Reginald Garrett, Chair
Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Welfare, Jennifer Harvey, Chair
Faculty Grievance, Mildred Robinson, Chair
Nominating, Houston Wood, Chair
Planning & Development Committee, Marcia Day Childress, Chair
Research & Scholarship, Amy Bouton, Chair
ROTC Affairs, William Kehoe, Chair
Because of security issues this reported will not be posted on the web. A hard copy can be obtained by contacting Frances Peyton (434) 924-7643.
Kenneth Schwartz, outgoing Chair of the Faculty Senate, conducted the official “Passing of the Gavel” to Ricardo Padron, incoming Chair of the Faculty Senate (June 1, 2007)
The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Submitted by Harold J. Burbach, Secretary of the Faculty Senate
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faculty Senate Meeting – May 2, 2007
Attendance
Kenneth Schwartz, Architecture
Ricardo Padron, Spanish
Daniel Lefkowitz, Arts & Sciences
Robert Bloodgood, Medicine
Jennefer Harvey, Medicine
Sarah Corse, Arts & Sciences
Diane Walker, Alderman Library
Carol Mershon, Arts & Sciences
Mildred Robinson, Law
Brie Gertler, Arts & Sciences
Pamela Norris, Engineering
Jack Brown, Engineering
Stephen Macko, Arts & Sciences
Fred Damon, Arts & Sciences
Amy Bouton, Medicine
Daniel Willingham, Arts & Sciences
William Keene, Arts & Sciences
Reginald Garrett, Arts & Sciences
David Mick, Commerce
Ricardo Padron, Spanish
Kevin Lee, Medicine
Alfred Weaver, Engineering
Gweneth West, Arts & Sciences
Marcia Childress, Medicine
Teresa Culver, Engineering
William Kehoe, Commerce
Robert Rood, Arts & Sciences
Brian Pusser, Education
Pamela Tucker, Education
Houston Wood, Engineering
Howard Goodkin, Medicine
Robert Kemp, Commerce
Richard Steeves, Nursing
Robert Davis, Engineering
Elizabeth Powell, Darden
Lynda Phillip’s Madson, Continuing & Professional Studies
Peter Norton, Engineering
Martha Snell, Education
Thomas Guterbock, Arts & Sciences
Deborah Johnson, Engineering
Herbert Tucker, Arts & Sciences
Travis Blalock, Engineering
Jon Mikalson, Arts & Sciences
Janet Herman, Arts & Sciences
Ann Hamric, Nursing
Susan McKinnon, Arts & Sciences
Daniel Bluestone, Architecture
Erika James, Darden
Alison Booth, Arts & Sciences
Melvin Butler, Arts & Sciences