For each meeting, an agenda digest has been provided to save time since minutes are lengthy. The digest provides highlights and actions taken at each meeting. For the full minutes, please contact Frances Peyton (924-7643, ftp7e@virginia.edu).

Agenda Digest

April 27, 1998

Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m., in Newcomb Hall, Room 389. In attendance were Rebecca Kneedler, Ben Ray, David Gies, Michael Smith, Sharon Utz, Miles Townsend, Patricia Werhane, Michael Williams, Robert Grainger, Marva Barnett, Peter Low

Guest: John C. Fletcher, M.D., Director of the Center for Biomedical Ethics

Mr. Ramazani welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mr. Ramazani introduced Dr. John Fletcher, and he had the Executive Council members introduce themselves.

Mr. Ramazani asked Ben Ray, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, to give the group an overview of the request made by Dr. Fletcher for a name change to the bioethics program. Mr. Ray told the Council members that approvals for program name changes are a function of his Committee, but because of time constraints this request was being reviewed by the Executive Council for approval.

The M.A. program in Clinical Ethics will be renamed an "M.A. in Bioethics." The program has been in existence since 1990, and the name change more closely conforms with the names of other such programs at peer institutions. The on-Grounds M.A. will be enlarged. The program has all other needed approvals for the change; the Arts and Sciences' Committee on Educational Policy and Curriculum and Policy, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia. The members of the Executive Council had a discussion regarding the request, with comments, concerns and suggestions being voiced. Mr. Ramazani called for a vote by all in favor of the name change and expanded program. The vote was unanimous in support of the name change and expanded program.

The next order of business was a discussion on the leadership of the Academic Affairs Committee, the Committee on Research and Scholarship, and the Grievance Committee for the upcoming year. Richard DeMong, a Professor in the McIntire School of Commerce, will serve as Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee during the 1998/99 year. Louis Bloomfield, a Professor in the Physics Department, will serve as Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship during the 1998/99 year. James Clawson, an Associate Professor in the Darden School, has agreed to continue to serve as Chair of the Grievance Committee for the upcoming year.

There was also a discussion regarding the upcoming Senate elections for officers -- Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate, Secretary of the Faculty Senate, and several nominations are needed to fill vacated seats on the Executive Council.

Mr. Ray spoke to the group about the recommendations for interdisciplinary teaching, a document which was drafted by members of the Academic Affairs Committee, after receiving input from various schools and departments. The Executive Council members spoke favorably of the document, and they feel it is a helpful document. Mr. Ray agreed to incorporate some suggestions made, and it will be sent electronically to the members of the Faculty Senate in advance of the meeting on April 29. Copies will also be available at the meeting.

David Gies, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, spoke to the group about the work of his Committee, including an update on interdisciplinary programming, faculty dining, technology issues, and common grounds issues. The University's old Theory Seminar will be revamped, with funding from Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Darden, and possibly the Provost and other schools. The Research and Scholarship Committee will have oversight of the program. The Executive Council discussed what the program should be named, with suggestions being made.

In regard to faculty dining, space at Newcomb Hall is not available. However, Leonard Sandridge, Executive Vice President, has made available the Garden Room starting in the Fall. The Research and Scholarship Committee will work with those responsible for lunch service in the Garden Room. There will be sit-down service and food of good quality available.

Mr. Gies will address the Senators at the meeting on April 29, updating everyone on the work of his Committee.

Mr. Ramazani said Pam Higgins, Director of Major Events, said students may invite faculty, if they wish, to be their guests at the Intermediate Honors ceremony. Ms. Higgins asked if faculty and students should be seated together, or separately. The Executive Council feels the University should try the mix of faculty and students this year on a trial basis.

The last order of business was a discussion of an article in the "Washington Post," on April 26, 1998, "Gilmore Ready for A Change In Agenda -- After '98 Assembly, He Shifts Priorities." The Executive Council members have concerns about the document, and Mr. Ramazani will draft a response to it, which will be reviewed and signed by all Executive Council members.

The meeting adjourned at 5:08 p.m.

Submitted by Janet Horne, Secretary of the Faculty Senate