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

Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. In attendance were Ben Ray, Rob Grainger, Sharon Utz, Marva Barnett, David Gies, Rebecca Kneedler, Michael Smith, Janet Horne, Miles Townsend, Pat Werhane, Ed Ayers, Peter Low, Robert Reynolds.

Standing committees of the Faculty Senate were discussed. Mr. Ramazani announced that the Committee on Research and Scholarship is now established. Rebecca Kneedler reported that although the Grievance Committee still needs a few more members, she has gotten three new members for the Committee. The new Grievance Committee members are Elizabeth Scott (Law); Anne Schutte (History); and James Simmonds (Engineering). There was some discussion and suggestions of people to chair the Grievance Committee. Ms Kneedler has also gotten two new members for the Academic Affairs Committee. The new members are George Craddock (Medicine) and George Mentore (Anthropology). That committee needs one additional member. Ms. Kneedler is also working with the Committee on ROTC Affairs regarding the election of new members to replace those whose term is expiring.

Mr. Ramazani reported that Colette Capone had contacted him regarding a Senate representative on the Benefits Committee. Miles Townsend will serve on that committee. There also needs to be a Senate representative to serve on the Athletics Advisory Committee. Suggestions were made for a representative to the Committee. The Faculty Senate of Virginia has contacted Mr. Ramazani asking for representatives from the Faculty Senate of the University of Virginia (UVA can have 4 representatives). Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Senate; Ed Ayers, Chair-Elect; Rebecca Kneedler, Past Chair; and Robert Grainger will serve as the University of Virginia's representatives.

The General Faculty Council would like a liaison from the Faculty Senate. Mr. Ramazani agreed to be the contact person from the Faculty Senate.

The planning committee for the President's retreat asked Mr. Ramazani about the President's Retreat and decided to make "Building Intellectual Community" the theme of one of the 2 plenary sessions. Mr. Ramazani and Ben Ray will give brief presentations at the retreat.

The Council members then discussed the Faculty Senate Retreat, which is scheduled for Friday, September 5, from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. The Retreat will be titled "Building Intellectual Community." There has been a strong response to the Retreat. There will be 68 people in attendance!

The discussion at the Retreat will result in an agenda for the Senate for the upcoming year. The Senators will decide what issues they can address, and how best to address the issues. At the September 10 Executive Council meeting, the Council members will discuss major issues that came out of the Retreat. The Academic Affairs Committee and the Committee on Research and Scholarship will be given charges based on the recommendations/suggestions addressed at the Retreat.

Jahan Ramazani will e-mail the full Senate (to include ex officio) after the September 10 Executive Council meeting to report on the Retreat in general, and to specifically report on what issues the Senate will address this year.

Ben Ray handed out copies of the "Faculty Senate Initiative to Promote Excellence in Teaching." This document was developed from the information gathered during the University-wide "Teaching Conversations." He gave an overview of the document and recognized the hard work of the Academic Affairs Committee and the Senators in creating the proposal for promoting excellence in teaching. Mr. Ray went over the elements of the proposal, which are also explained in the document. There will be an update on the teaching initiative at the Senate Retreat.

The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

Submitted by Janet Horne, Secretary of the Faculty Senate