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Faculty Senate Retreat 2002

Annual Retreat September 13, 2002 - 12:00-4:00 p.m.

Alumni Hall Ballroom --Buffet Lunch

Michael J. Smith, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. Mr. Smith welcomed everyone and recognized members of the General Faculty Council. He spoke briefly about the agenda before turning the floor over to John T. Casteen, III, University of Virginia President.

John T. Casteen, III, President Mr. Casteen spoke briefly about the U.S. News and World Report methodology used to make its rankings. Such factors as faculty resources, salary increases, faculty/student ratio issues, and the proportion of classes in small sections are considered when ranking institutions, Mr. Casteen said. Mr. Casteen updated the group about the current budget crisis the State is in, and how it is affecting the University and other institutions. Additional budget reductions of 7%, 11% or 15% will have to be made. Mr. Casteen discussed how these reductions would be handled at the University. He talked about the need for the General Obligation Bond. The University is also working with private donors. Mr. Casteen, Leonard Sandridge, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Gene Block, Vice President and Provost, are happy to take part in UVA budget discussions via email or other means to provide accurate budget information, Mr. Casteen said. He also suggested that faculty keep budget information, such as emails, and pass the information along to their colleagues.

Colette Sheehy, Vice President for Management and Budget, held a University-wide budget information session several weeks ago, and Mr. Casteen indicated he had the handout from that session on email and would be happy to forward it to anyone interested. The main goals of the University during the budget crisis are to sustain quality, to strive for no/minimal damage to the people, and to maintain services. Other ways that the University hopes to minimize the effects of the budget shortfall are: The transfer of a central tax from Darden and Law to support the College ($2M) There is $6M available from an unrestricted endowment to offset "some" of UVA's budget problems, which will primarily be used to support graduate students and to retain faculty members that have received offers from other institutions The Real Estate Foundation will transfer $1M from earnings from property sales $1M in additional funds have been collected by Mr. Sandridge from auxiliary services. These funds will be used to support core programs, support undergraduate teaching, to support faculty retention, and to reward extraordinary faculty efforts. Mr. Casteen took questions from the audience.

Michael J. Smith, Chair of the Faculty Senate Mr. Smith said the Retreat would explore ways that the faculty body could address the budget shortfall and other challenges faced by UVA. Colleagues from the sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences spoke to the group regarding their thoughts on the issue.

Robert M. Grainger, Past Chair of the Faculty Senate and Professor of Biology, spoke on the sciences perspective.

Michael H. Levenson, past member of the Executive Council and Chair of the Department of English Language and Literature, spoke on the humanities perspective.

Michael J. Smith, Chair of the Faculty Senate and Professor of Government and Foreign Affairs, spoke on the social sciences perspective.

Robert M. Grainger

Mr. Grainger commented that school rankings are important, and he talked about where UVA is positioned in the rankings. The 2020 plan is a wonderful first step toward rebuilding a "top 10" expectation for the sciences at the University, Mr. Grainger said. Outstanding graduate students build groups of outstanding scientists. Graduate students support this theory when they choose a graduate school. Mr. Grainger said laboratory space is a major problem in the sciences. He acknowledged that the responsibilities of a science chair that is also a researcher are very hard. Mr. Grainger stated that he believes the administration is very receptive to improving the sciences at the University. In closing, Mr. Grainger said the 2020 recommendations are right on target, and he suggested that far more graduate students are needed, a visible planning group should be set in motion, the specifics of the 2020 recommendations should go forward, and fund raising should be goals of the University. Mr. Grainger took questions from the audience.

Michael H. Levenson

Mr. Levenson said too little communication and/or collaboration exists among the humanities at the University. Planning, projection and visioning, both past and future, are needed. Mr. Levenson strongly supports the goals of the 2020 report. He said resources, from outside and from within, are needed in the humanities. He would encourage programs within a major, rather than a student undertaking two majors. Mr. Levenson took questions.

Michael J. Smith

Mr. Smith said the University's deficits are about twice the level of the last recession. The State has barely kept up with the rate of inflation, and State support never recovered from the last recession. Two problems Mr. Smith cited are a declining tax base and demographic growth. Mr. Smith asked: What's the nature of higher education in the State? Do we, as a university, give up on State funding? Do we revitalize the conception of a strong institution at the frontier of excellence? How do we finance a public education? Mr. Smith said the issues should be raised, and the University should enter the public arena and engage the debate regarding how do we fund a public institution. Mr. Smith took questions from the audience.

Table Discussions

Mr. Smith reconvened the meeting at 3:40 p.m.

Mr. Smith introduced Edward L. Ayers, Dean of Arts and Sciences and a past Senate chair.

Edward L. Ayers

Mr. Ayers commented that faculty self-governance is important. He invited questions, comments, and good advice on the University's current budget crisis. His comments included an assessment of where the University is, in terms of the budget shortfall: Stalled salaries Anxiety over departing colleagues Where is the end? What are other administrators going to do? Mr. Ayers discussed how the School of Arts and Sciences has suffered, i.e., faculty leaving and faculty getting offers from other institutions. He commented that, in general, the University has been able to keep senior faculty, but junior and minority faculty have been lost. There have been 25 cancelled searches and 10 retirements. Mr. Ayers told the Senators how Arts and Sciences is meeting the budget challenges and receiving support funds to "plug the holes." The School's main goals are to: Retain people (faculty and staff) that are already there Protect teaching quality Spread reductions as broadly and fairly as possible Move forward with the Promotion and Tenure process Allow retirements for those that wish to retire Prevent people from turning against themselves and colleagues Mr. Ayers discussed areas that have been affected by the cuts, and services that have been cut. Arts and Sciences is addressing budget issues by reorganizing the Office of the Dean. A new dean will address the needs of the scientists, the curriculum will be revisited, and planning will begin for an honors computer science major. Mr. Ayers is working to raise private money and to designate what the money should be used for. He commented that, due to the past tuition freeze, tuition is too low, scholarships should be given on a need basis, and a commitment to students should be made through the University's tradition of great teaching. The University should begin to rebuild the faculty that really is UVA. Mr. Ayers took questions.

Mr. Smith thanked Mr. Ayers.

Resolution: Mr. Smith presented the following resolution on the General Obligation Bond: "The University of Virginia Faculty Senate joins its colleagues in the Faculty Senate of Virginia, representing all the institutions of higher learning in the Commonwealth, to urge passage of the Higher Education Bond Issue in the November Election. This measure is a crucial step in helping to fund the pressing needs faced by all Virginia colleges and universities. These institutions face integrating an additional 32,000 students over the next eight years, in facilities that in many cases are already inadequate to meet needs. The bond issue will provide desperately needed funds for renovation and expansion. We urge all faculty to take an active role in promoting a positive vote on this measure." The resolution was voted on and passed unanimously.

The Retreat adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

Submitted by Ellen Contini-Morava, Secretary of the Faculty Senate