April 12, 1999

 

Agenda Digest

Present: Richard DeMong, George Mentore, Reuben Rainey, Robert Davis, Daniel Hallahan, Patricia Werhane, William Johnson, John Lyons, Edward Ayers

Guests: Frank Griffiths, Student Member of the Academic Affairs

Subcommittee on Faculty/Student Interaction

Tina Hong, Cavalier Daily

Richard DeMong, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m., in 110 Peabody Hall.

The following documents were distributed: the agenda, minutes from the January 29 meeting, scheduling sessions for student Summer Orientation, and recommendations aimed at improving student and faculty interaction.

The minutes for the January 29, 1999, Academic Affairs Committee meeting were read and unanimously approved.

Mr. DeMong asked John Lyons, who chaired the Subcommittee on Student and Faculty Interaction, to discuss the recommendations being put forth by that group. The other members of the Subcommittee are Robert Davis, faculty, Reuben Rainey, faculty, Melissa Epperly, student, Bud Ghegan, student, Frank Griffiths, student, Julie Howerton, student, Maria Pulzetti, student, and Elizabeth Witt, student.

The two goals identified by the Subcommittee are 1) to improve communication between students and instructors within courses and 2) to give students greater access to the intellectual variety of the faculty in all the schools of the University.

The Subcommittee proposed ideas/initiatives to help achieve their goals. Some of the ideas proposed are: a) photographic class lists for undergraduate courses that would include students' photographs along with their names, b) individual faculty web pages, including photographs and general information about the faculty member, c) more post-class informal meeting places in every building where classes are held, d) a speakers' bureau of faculty members willing to speak to student organizations about their research and expertise, e) more dialogue among faculty and students, f) expanding the USEM program and making it 3-credits, instead of the current 2-credits, and g) endorsement of the concept of voluntary informal faculty-student interaction outside of courses.

After Mr. Lyons reviewed the above recommendations, Mr. DeMong asked if there were questions. Some edits will be made to the document. Ideas were discussed regarding ways in which the Senate might initiate some of the recommendations. Mr. DeMong asked the Academic Affairs Committee if they accepted the general sense of the document. The Committee voted unanimously to accept the general sense of the document, and it will now go before the Executive Council for that group's endorsement.

Mr. Ayers thanked the Subcommittee for their work on enhancing faculty/student interaction at the University. Mr. Lyons agreed to meet with the members of the Executive Council to discuss the recommendations made by the Subcommittee.

William Johnson is a member of a group that is addressing desktop replacement at the University, an initiative known as the "Desktop Computing Initiative." Mr. Johnson reported on the work of that committee. Mr. Johnson said the plan is to get the University on a cycle of replacement of computers and to have all software and hardware relatively uniform. A pilot project is planned for this summer, and the pilot project will be evaluated, Mr. Johnson reported.

Daniel Hallahan, who is chairing the Subcommittee that is reviewing the Faculty Senate Teaching Initiative proposals, gave a report on the work of that group. There are 44 proposals. The proposals are very innovated, with a lot of course/web work, and there is a good diversity of schools that have submitted proposals. April 23 is the target date for the Subcommittee to make their final decisions. The proposals will then go to the Office of the Provost for approval. The Academic Affairs Committee voted on and approved this strategy for completing the Teaching Initiative selection process.

Mr. DeMong discussed the Honor Committee survey that was recently distributed to faculty. The survey had input from the Academic Affairs Committee. The Faculty Senate will take another look in the fall at the impact (if any) the survey has had.

The Academic Affairs Committee voted unanimously to endorse the Harrison Awards Subcommittee recommendations for awards.

Mr. DeMong said there is no further business before the Committee at this time, and there is no need to schedule another meeting. Mr. DeMong thanked the subcommittee chairs and all members of the Academic Affairs Committee for all of their hard work this year. He further stated that it was a pleasure to work with each committee member this year.

William Johnson, Department of Economics, will chair the Academic Affairs Committee, beginning June 1, 1999, Mr. DeMong announced.

The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.