APRIL 16, 1997

Rebecca Kneedler, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in Minor Hall Auditorium. She asked everyone to stand and introduce themselves.

Ms. Kneedler thanked Mr. Casteen and everyone involved in the faculty salary efforts. She noted the November Board of Visitors resolution authorizing the use of non-State monies for faculty salaries.

Ms. Kneedler introduced John Casteen. Mr. Casteen presented his year-end report to the Faculty. He noted that the Senate continues to get stronger and is becoming a more effective voice. He also said the Senate has had a direct impact on academic programs.

Mr. Casteen reported on the results of the General Assembly Session, saying the results were generally positive. Faculty salaries are in the second year of a four-year plan to reach the 60th percentile. There continues to be action on further decentralization of the administrative functions. There continues to be support from the Business Higher Education Council. Mr. Casteen said there are some oddities from this Session: a) the University must report the balance, activity, and purpose of each local fund under our control and explain why the funds are not on deposit to the state treasury (he noted that this excludes endowment funds and gifts); b) the University must report costs of institutional memberships that exceed $5,000 annually; c) what is left of the Trigon settlement will be transferred to a new entity and used to fund health-related research.

Reporting on the Capital Campaign, Mr. Casteen said the University has passed the $500 million mark. He noted that he has spent a good portion of his time on the road talking with Alumni and friends. He said there are some 82 new endowed chairs; 62 new endowed graduate fellowships; 200 undergraduate scholarships; and 120 other academic endowments. There has been $50 million in new endowments paid in this campaign. Mr. Casteen said a letter to alumni, parents, and friends was mailed in March.

In other activities of the University, Mr. Casteen mentioned that there are three dean searches going on; that there is a search for a special assistant to the president to work with University fund raising efforts in areas such as the Shannon Center, the libraries, and the Teaching Resource Center. He also mentioned the need for campaign efforts in the area of athletics.

The distribution of salary supplements in most schools will begin this month and next month. Mr. Casteen reported that the University will again this year have a bonus awards program, but with fewer awards. The awards will be based on exceptional performance over the past year (i.e., not for life-time achievements).

Some other points of interest that Mr. Casteen mentioned were admission statistics and continued work on areas of concern identified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools -- faculty salaries and graduate support. Mr. Casteen took questions from the audience.

Ms. Kneedler spoke briefly about the good work of the Academic Affairs Committee on the University-wide teaching conversations, which came about from recommendations in the Self-Study Report. She thanked the Committee and then turned the floor over to Edward Ayers, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.

Mr. Ayers introduced the members of the Committee. He thanked everyone for their participation in the conversations. Mr. Ayers distributed copies of the final summary report of the Committee, which is based on the information compiled from the individual unit/department reports, i.e., cautions, concerns and suggestions of the faculty. He then gave an overview of what has been learned from the reports. He said he hopes the conversations will continue. Mr. Ayers spoke of the possibility of establishing a "teaching fund," and said the Faculty Senate would have ownership of such a project. The Academic Affairs Committee will meet with the Provost's Office to discuss the recommendations put forth in the summary report. Mr. Ayers then took questions.

Ms. Kneedler recognized Jahan Ramazani, the current Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate, and the Chair of the Senate for 1997/98.

Ms Kneedler introduced Susan McKinnon, Secretary of the Faculty Senate, who conducted the nominations for new officers of the Senate for 1997/98. There were nominations for the positions of Chair-Elect, Secretary, and two members to serve on the Executive Council. The nominations were opened for the position of Chair-Elect. There were two nominations for this position. They were Edward Ayers (Arts & Sciences) and Patricia Werhane (Darden). The next nominations were for Secretary. There was one nomination for this position, Janet Horne (Arts & Sciences). The last nominations were for members to serve on the Executive Council (there are two vacant seats on the Council). The nominees were: Donald Innes (Medicine); Marva Barnett (Arts & Sciences); Curtis Tribble (Medicine) and Robert Grainger (Arts & Sciences). Ms. McKinnon closed the nominations. The voting will be done by mail ballot.

Ms. Kneedler recognized and thanked Tom Hutchinson, Chair of the Grievance Committee, for his hard work on the Committee. She distributed a document which outlined proposed changes in the Grievance Committee's by laws. The Senate discussed these changes, and it was decided to edit the proposed changes. This is the wording that was changed: (1) OLD: "The Faculty Grievance Committee shall consist of nine persons selected by the chair of the Faculty Senate; NEW: "The Faculty Grievance Committee shall consist of nine faculty members appointed by the Chair of the Grievance Committee in consultation with the Executive Council." (2) OLD: "Selection shall be from members of the faculty elected to the Senate;" NEW: "The majority of the members shall be members of the Faculty Senate." (3) OLD: "The Committee shall elect its own chair;" NEW: "The Chair shall be appointed by the Executive Council of the Faculty Senate."

Ms. Kneedler called for a vote on each of these proposed changes. A vote was then called to make the amendment to the Faculty Grievance Policies and Procedures by laws. Tom Hutchinson moved to make the amendment, Susan McKinnon seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. All changes were adopted.

Ms. Kneedler introduced Thomas Hutchinson, who gave a report on this year's activities of the Grievance Committee. He cited the number of cases and general types of cases heard by the Committee.

Jahan Ramazani, on behalf of the Faculty Senate, thanked Rebecca Kneedler for her year of service, hard work and leadership. Ms. Kneedler was enthusiastically applauded for her efforts on the Senate's behalf.

The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

Submitted by Susan McKinnon, Secretary of the Faculty Senate