April 6, 1999

Edward Ayers, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Mr. Ayers turned the floor over to President John Casteen.

Mr. Casteen reported on such issues as the General Assembly action that will roll tuition back by 20% for in-State students, seven new chairs that were established at the last Board of Visitors meeting, and he reported that the scholarship to children of University staff members will continue this year. He also reported on the success of the Capital Campaign, the creation of a special collections library, being made possible by a $10 million gift, and the creation of a concert hall for the fine and performing arts. There will be an internet summit at the University in November, in addition to other programs that will take place in the fall, to be sponsored by the Planning Commission. Mr. Casteen gave an overview of the budget work being done by the State. The State of the University address will be on Wednesday, April 14, Mr. Casteen announced, and he encouraged everyone to attend.

Mr. Ayers said 244 nominations for 102 faculty members have been received for David Harrison Awards for advising. He also announced that the Speakers Bureau is being created. The third, and final, technology session will be held on Thursday, April 8, Mr. Ayers announced. Mr. Ayers said he is visiting SCHEV on April 7 to talk about the budget.

Edward L. Flippen, Chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Higher Education, spoke to the Senate on how he got involved with the Blue Ribbon Commission and the Governor's charge to the Commission. He gave an overview of the work of the Commission, showing slides to demonstrate general statistics for Virginia's colleges and universities. Mr. Flippen then took questions, with Mr. Ayers moderating.

Richard F. DeMong, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, gave the Senate an overview of the proposed new degree program in Music, which has already been approved by the Arts & Sciences Council, the Graduate Council, and the Academic Affairs Committee. He asked for the Senate's approval of the program by a show of hands. The Senate's approval was unanimous. Mr. DeMong reported on other issues that the Academic Affairs Committee is addressing, such as faculty/student interaction outside the classroom and the Faculty Senate's Teaching Initiative. The Teaching Initiative is in the second year of a three-year program. Additionally, the Committee is working with the Honor Committee to address concerns with the Honor System. The Honor Committee sent a survey to faculty, with input from the Academic Affairs Committee. The survey has received great response, Mr. DeMong said.

Louis A. Bloomfield, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, reported on the work of that Committee. Mr. Bloomfield reported that there are 55 faculty members already signed up to participate in the Speakers Bureau, and it is anticipated that the Bureau will be active in the near future. There is also a web page and brochure being produced for the Speakers Bureau, Mr. Bloomfield reported. Mr. Bloomfield said the Forum for Contemporary Thought will soon have a new Director, Joshua Dienstag, from the Department of Government and Foreign Affairs.

Ed Ayers then asked for nominations for officers of the Faculty Senate and new members of the Executive Council. The new terms will begin on June 1, 1999. Mr. Ayers called for nominations for Chair-Elect. Kathryn Neeley, from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Patricia Werhane, from the Darden School were nominated. Mr. Townsend, who nominated Ms. Neeley, spoke about Ms. Neeley and why he thinks she would be a good person to serve as Chair of the Senate in 2000/2001. Mr. Ramazani, who nominated Ms. Werhane, spoke on her behalf.

For Secretary of the Faculty Senate, Sharon Utz, from the School of Nursing, was nominated.

Mr. Ayers called for nominations for new members of the Executive Council. Four new members will be needed to replace Council members' whose terms will expire on June 1. The nominations are:

James Clawson, Darden School

Stephen Gladis, Continuing Education

Donald Innes, Jr., Medicine

Michael Levenson, English

John Lyons, French Language & Literature

Susan Perry, Commerce School

Houston Wood, Engineering & Applied Sciences

Sharon Utz, Nursing

An election ballot will be sent to each elected Senator through messenger mail. Votes will be tabulated, and the results announced in May.

Jahan Ramazani took the floor to recognize Ed Ayers for his exemplary leadership of the Senate this past year. Mr. Ayers received much applause and a standing ovation. Mr. Ayers term as Chair of the Senate ends on June 1, 1999.

The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Submitted by Marva A. Barnett, Secretary of the Faculty Senate