The Faculty Senate at the University of Virginia

November 29, 2006 - 3:00-5:00 pm

Harrison Institute Auditorium

Meeting Minutes

Kenneth Schwartz, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.

Chair's Report: Kenneth A. Schwartz

In addition to the work by our various committees, the following are issues the Faculty Senate is currently addressing:

• Dissertation-Year Fellowships
• Health Care " Parking
• The Quality Enhancement Plan
• The University Calendar

To view the full text of Kenneth Schwartz's remarks please go to the following URL: http://www.virginia.edu/facultysenate/chairsrptnov2906.html

Mr. Schwartz reminded everyone that President and Mrs. Casteen have graciously invited all Senators to a reception at Carr's Hill at 5:30 p.m., followed by a basketball game.

President's Report: John T. Casteen

• A search for a new dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is in its early stage. The search committee, currently co-chaired by the President and Provost, will be appointed by the middle of January. President Casteen gave the Senators an overview of the search and selection process. The search committee will be given a list of things the new dean should do in the first five years, and what should be the priorities of the new dean, including major issues to be addressed by the dean, and a ten-year horizon on these issues. The job description will be publicized widely. The committee will be comprised of 12-15 people, and the committee needs to have finished it work by April or early May.
• President Casteen gave the Senators an update on the Capital Campaign. He said a statement of broad themes is needed to present to donors. President Casteen welcomed input from the Senate. He reported that donor interests include globalization, culture and technology, and human diversity.
• President Casteen gave the Senators a progress report on the reaffirmation process (SACS Accreditation).
• The State of the University address will be given on February 7, 2007.

Diversity Report - Gertrude Fraser, Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement, and William Harvey, Vice President and Chief Officer for Diversity and Equity

1. Gertrude Fraser gave a PowerPoint presentation. The text of the presentation can be viewed at the following URL: http://www.virginia.edu/facultysenate/documents03.html (Click on "Faculty Demographics")
2. William Harvey praised Ms. Fraser for her work. Mr. Harvey gave the Senators an update on the work he has been doing, including outside interviews. He gave the group a report on some of those interviews. Mr. Harvey has also met with Darlene Scott-Scurry, Director of Equal Opportunity Programs.
3. There was an open discussion on diversity at the University. Ms. Fraser and Mr. Harvey took questions.

Library Report: Diane Parr Walker, Associate University Librarian

Diane Parr Walker reported on the Library's Capital Campaign goal of $100 million, and the progress made so far -- $20 million. Ms. Walker also spoke on the Library's initiatives and projects:

• The Library is now a partner with Google in digitized book projects.
• The Library Committee, chaired by David Brautigan, is an advisory group to the Library. Other advisory groups are The Digital Scholarship Committee and the Intellectual Law Committee.
• The Library is studying University facilities at Alderman Library, Clemmons Library, and the Engineering Library.
• In closing, Ms. Walker noted that the libraries at the University are short on both space and books.

Textbook Issues - Reginald Garrett, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee

Reginald Garrett reported the Academic Affairs Committee's recommendations regarding policies addressing textbook sales and bookstores. Mr. Garrett gave the history behind the creation of the recommendations. The Virginia Code mandates relief from the significant expenses incurred by students purchasing textbooks for their classes and timely access to required textbooks and other materials for students who may be disabled or financially disadvantaged. Provost Gene Block asked the Academic Affairs Committee to draft a set of University recommendations to ensure that the University is in compliance with the Virginia Code.

After some discussion of the "suggested guidelines," it was recommended that the Academic Affairs Committee make some changes to the paragraph that references timelines for instructors to provide textbooks and other necessary materials for each of their courses. A motion was made to accept the "Recommendations," with the advance time-frame for submitting textbook order changed to two months prior to the start of each semester. The motion was made, it was seconded, and it passed unanimously. Mr. Garrett will make the necessary changes in the document. After the edits have been made the document will be posted on the Faculty Senate website.

Closing Remarks - Kenneth Schwartz, Chair

Future topics that the Faculty Senate will address:

1. A report by Craig Littlepage, Director of Athletics
2. Growth at the University, reported by Gene Block, Vice President and Provost, and a Board of Visitors member.

Future Faculty Senate meetings:

1. January 30, 2007, from 3:00-5:00 location TBD
2. March after spring break -- Senate work session, place to be announced
3. May 2, 2007, from 3:00-5:00 in the Commonwealth Room at Newcomb Hall

Ricardo Padron, Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate, will speak at the January meeting regarding interdisciplinary work, which will be the focus of the work of the Senate during the 2007/2008 academic year.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Submitted by Harold J. Burbach, Secretary of the Faculty Senate

ATTENDANCE FACULTY SENATE MEETING - NOVEMBER 29, 2006

Adams, Milton -- Provost's Office, jma

Aylor, James -- Engineering, Dean, jha

Beling, Peter -- Systems Engineering, pb3a

Bluestone, Daniel -- Architecture, dblues

Booth, Alison -- English, ab6j

Burbach, Harold -- Education, hb3c

Butler, Melvin -- Music, mlb6uu

Childress, Marcia -- Medicine, mdf4e

Clay, Jenny -- Classics (for J. Mikalson), jsc2t

Culver, Teresa -- Chemical Engineering, tbc4e

Damon, Frederick -- Anthropology, fhd

Davis, Robert -- Chemical Engineering, rjd4f

Fountain, Linda Waggoner -- Medicine, law4q

Galloway, Laura -- Biology, lg8b

Garrett, Reginald -- Biology ,rhg

Gomez, Ariel -- VP/Research, rg

Guterbock, Thomas -- Sociology, tmg1p

Harthun, Nancy -- Medicine, nlh4a

Harvey, William -- VP Diversity & Equity, wbh6z

Herman, Janet -- Environmental Science, jherman

Hilton, James -- VP/ITC, jlh5mc

Keene, William -- Environmental Scienc,e wck

Kehoe, William -- Commerce, wjk

Kirk, Susan -- Medicine, sek4b

Kitch, Edmund -- Law, ewk

Lampkin, Patricia -- VP/Student Affairs, pml

Madson, Lynda Phillips -- Continuing & Prof. Studies, ljp2v

Mershon, Carol -- Politics, cam6m

Mick, David -- Commerce, dmick

Mills, Aaron -- Environmental Science, amills

Nachbar, Thomas -- Law, tbn4n

Norris, Pamela -- Mechanical Engineering, pmn3d

Padron, Ricardo -- Spanish, Chair-Elect, rp2d

Phillips, Lawrence -- Medicine, lhp3w

Powell, Elizabeth -- Darden, eap5a

Reynolds, Yoke San -- VP/Finance, ysr4n

Rossman, Jeffrey -- History, jjr2h

Schwartz, Kenneth -- Architecture, kas7v

Weaver, Alfred -- Computer Science weaver

West, Gweneth -- Drama, glw2r

Wilson, Timothy -- Psychology, tdw

Wilson, Melvin -- Psychology, mnw

Wood, Houston -- Mechanical Engineering, hwood