October 18, 2000 (3:00-500 p.m.)

The Rotunda Dome Room

Patricia Werhane called the meeting to order. President John Casteen was unable to attend the meeting. Peter Low, Vice President and Provost, represented Mr. Casteen. Mr. Low, referring to Mr. Casteen's talking points, spoke about the following University issues:

· The University is 1-of-3 universities that have achieved an AAA bond rating.

· As of the last day of August, the University has raised $1.21 billion.

· The University has submitted an Institutional Planning Agreement with the State, and the document is on the web, Mr. Low said.

· There are 7 major searches going on at this time, or soon will be underway.

· The 2020 Commission Reports are public documents, and they are on the web. President Casteen is requesting feedback from the University community over the next two months.

Ms. Werhane announced that Frederick Damon, Professor of Anthropology, has agreed to be the primary contact for the Faculty Senate for the Faculty Speakers Bureau. Ms. Werhane also reported on the Garden Room, which is now closed. The Colonnade Club will conduct a University-wide survey for input regarding the Garden Room, or some form of faculty gathering space for meetings, dining, and intellectual exchanges.

Doris Glick, Chair of the Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee, reported on the ongoing work of that Committee, which includes:

· Studying the Library's use of Electronic Journals

· Evaluating the three-year pilot program, the Teaching Initiative to Promote Excellent Teaching

· Studying the possibility of obtaining University-provided health insurance for graduate students

William Kehoe, Chair of the Faculty Senate Research and Scholarship Committee, reported on the work of that Committee.

· First meeting was held on September 20,2000, which served as an orientation meeting

· Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards - proposals due in the Faculty Senate Office by November 8. November 13 through November 17, the first-round reviews of the proposals will be done.

· The next Committee meeting will be held on November 3 - the Committee will plan for the second-round of proposal reviews.

· There will be funds available for this year's Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards in the amount of $160,000 - there will be up-to 40 proposals funded.

Ms. Werhane spoke about the Virginia 2020 Commission Reports, and she introduced representatives from each Commission to address the group and take questions.

· Rebecca Kneedler, Chair of the Public Service and Outreach Commission, reported on the work of that Commission.

· Rebecca Kneedler reported for William Quandt, Chair of the International Activities Commission.

· Robert Chapel, Chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Commission, reported.

· Ian Harrison represented Anita Jones, Chair of the Sciences and Technology Commission Everyone was encouraged to read the reports, which are on the web.

Ms. Werhane asked everyone to go back to their schools/departments and start a dialogue. The Senate will sponsor a forum for each of the four commissions, which will include a brief presentation by the Commission representative and questions from the audience.

Ms. Werhane reported on the Course Offering Directory initiative. The Senate would like to create a "keyword," searchable database to identify cross-disciplinary courses. The University Registrar spoke favorably of such an initiative, which will require input from all schools and departments. Julian Connolly, a member of the Executive Council, has agreed to coordinate this initiative, and collect the vocabulary of keywords.

The Faculty Senate meeting was followed by the announcement of the $25 million donation to the College of Arts & Sciences, which was given by Halsey Minor, a University alumni. Melvyn Leffler, Dean of the College, spoke and introduced Mr. Minor. Mr. Minor spoke, and Peter Low spoke and introduced Mr. Minor's family. A reception followed in the Lower West Oval Room of the Rotunda.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Submitted by Michael J. Smith, Secretary of the Faculty Senate