The Faculty Senate at the University of Virginia
September 25, 2007—3:00-5:00 p.m.
Dome Room, The Rotunda

Meeting Minutes

Ricardo Padron, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order.  Mr. Padron welcomed everyone.

Chair’s Opening Remarks:

• Overview of the proposal to create a new school of leadership and public policy, the Batten School.  Charged to the Academic Affairs Committee, chaired by Ann Hamric.
• Overview of the ongoing work of the Commission on the Future of the University.  Charged to the Planning and Development Committee, chaired by Elizabeth Powell.  There will be an October 3rd work session to discuss the Committee’s work, followed by an open discussion.
• Faculty Survey on faculty needs and priorities, charged to the Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Welfare Committee, chaired by Jennifer Harvey. 
• Recognition of Faculty Senate standing committee chairs – Academic Affairs Committee, chaired by Ann Hamric; Faculty Senate Planning and Development Committee, chaired by Elizabeth Powell; Grievance Committee, chaired by Herbert Tucker; Faculty Senate Policy Committee, chaired by Teresa Culver; Research and Scholarship Committee, chaired by Amy Bouton; and the ROTC Affairs Committee, chaired by William Kehoe.
• Recognition of Kenneth Schwartz, Past Chair of the Faculty Senate, for agreeing to serve as the faculty’s representative on the Educational Policy, Diversity and External Affairs Committees of the Board of Visitors.
• The Faculty Senate/General Faculty Council Joint Committee will soon meet to discuss issues of shared interest.
• Ricardo Padron will meet with Student Council to discuss news of the Faculty Senate’s work, and to listen to their suggestions about how the Senate can work with students to improve their intertwined intellectual and academic lives.

Click here for the full text of Ricardo Padron’s remarks to the Faculty Senate.

John T. Casteen, President

John Casteen addressed the Senate, giving the group a report on the following issues:

• The University’s newly implemented emergency system.
• The State budget shortfall.  President Casteen said Leonard Sandridge, Colette Sheehy, and others have come up with a good plan for the University to address the shortfall.  Schools and other units will see a five-percent budget reduction.  There will not be layoffs, and the University’s endowment may be used to cover some of the budget shortfalls, Mr. Casteen said.
• There are numerous deanship searches taking place at the University.  President Casteen recognized those faculty members that are serving as interim deans during the search process.
• President Casteen reported on the Capital Campaign, which is halfway at goal.
• The President reported on the work of the Planning Commissions.

Arthur T. Garson, Vice President and Provost

• Dr. Arthur Garson thanked the Faculty Senate for their input into the Commission reports.
• Dr. Garson gave an overview of the Commission plan, noting the he would be looking for Senate input at the October 3rd meeting.
• There are three priorities and five core values his office will focus on – The priorities are 1) building on current University strengths, 2) competitive salaries, and 3) independent student studies.  The 3+5 plan (3 priorities and 5 core values) will focus on the student experience, international research, and technology. The five core values are 1) ethics, 2) international and collaborative work, 3) faculty development, 4) diversity, and 5) leadership for public good and public freedom.
• The University is creating a Vice Provost for International Studies.
• Projected dates for the Commission on the Future of the University document -- November 1st the final report is due, January 1st an Executive Summary will be prepared, and on January 7th the report will be submitted to the Board of Visitors.
• The Faculty Senate has been asked to take an advisory role on the “Big Ideas” part of the Commission report.

Committee Reports:

Elizabeth Powell, Chair of the Planning and Development Committee

Elizabeth Powell gave the Senators an overview of the work being done by the Planning and Development Committee. The Committee is working with the administration and the Commission chairs on the Commission on the Future of the University document.  The Planning and Development Committee will review the reports and prepare a Senate response to them.  Ms. Powell encouraged everyone to attend the October 3rd Faculty Senate meeting. The agenda for that meeting is a report from the Planning and Development Committee and an open discussion with Senators and Commission chairs.

Ms. Powell thanked Dr. Garson and Justin Thompson for their support.

Ann Hamric, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee

Ann Hamric reported on the work of the Academic Affairs Committee.  The Committee has met with David Breneman, Dear of the Curry School of Education, and Eric Patashinik, Professor of Politics, regarding the proposal for the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.  There will be a meeting with the full Senate on October 15 to discuss the proposal, followed by an open discussion.  A final report will be brought to the Senate by November 1, 2007.

Jennifer Harvey, Chair, Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Welfare Committee

Jennifer Harvey reported on the survey conducted by the Committee to look at faculty needs and priorities.  Dr. Harvey cited a response rate of 61% to the survey, and she cited some of the comments and concerns voiced in the survey.  The Committee plans to discuss the survey results with Susan Carkeek, Director of Human Resources, and other University administrators, to see what might be done to address some of the concerns cited.

James Hilton, Vice President and Chief Information Officer – Report on Academic Computing and the Future of UVA

Mr. Hilton said that much of the academy is in the process of being redefined.  Two of the forces that contribute to this redefinition are the disruption that technology brings to any information intensive endeavor and the threat of commodization from for-profit institutions.  In both of these forces, he suggested that there is opportunity to be found.  Computation, simulation, visualization, and communication technologies are, for example, redefining the way many scientists and scholars do their work.  Similarly, he noted that where there is commodization there is opportunity to redefine and differentiate.  He suggested that part of UVA’s challenge is to find ways to use technology to enhance and scale our “handcrafted” approach to the educational experience.

Mr. Padron offered closing remarks, thanked everyone for attending, and adjourned the meeting.

Adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Submitted by Pamela Norris, Secretary of the Faculty Senate

FACULTY SENATE MEETING -- SEPTEMBER 25, 2007
ATTENDANCE

Daniel Willingham
Alfred Weaver
Harold Burbach
Brian Pusser
Susan Modesitt
Pamela Tucker
Gweneth West
Mohammed Sawaie
Valerie Cooper
Gregory Schmidt
Thomas Best
Chris Ghaemmaghami
Reginald Garrett
Daniel Bluestone
Jennifer Harvey
Edmund Kitch
Lawrence Phillips
John Blown
Robert Bloodgood
Richard Steeves
Brandt Allen
Fred Damon
Robert Rood
Zhi-Yun Li
Erika James
Carol Mershon
Julie Turner
Janet Herman
Nicholas Kuhn
Joel Schectman
Howard Goodkin
Blaine Norum
David Mick
Kenneth Schwartz
Teresa Culver
Susan McKinnon
John Casteen
William Harvey
Colette Sheehy
Arthur Garson
Leonard Sandridge
Karen Wittenborg
Milton Adams
Clorissa Phillips
Lynda Phillips-Madson
Sharon Hostler
James Hilton