David T. Gies, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

Welcoming remarks by Mr. Gies

John T. Casteen, III, President of the University of Virginia, reported on University initiatives and the Capital Campaign. Some of the initiatives mentioned were the E-Summit, a $1 million grant from IBM for technology initiatives, UVa's collaboration with start-up companies in Charlottesville, and the growth of interdisciplinary studies programs at the University.

Mr. Casteen announced that there will be a conference on diversity held on Grounds on February 18 and 19. Mr. Casteen also recognized the faculty for their work, and he commended the Senate for the success of the Harrison Awards initiative. In addition, he told the Senate about a gift from a donor interested in funding sabbaticals for faculty members who have taught University seminars. There will be 2 annual gifts to faculty members for this initiative, Mr. Casteen said.

Mr. Casteen reported on the ongoing success of the Capital Campaign, which has exceeded its $1 billion goal. Laurie Kelsh, Chief of Staff in the President's Office, will soon appoint the 5th commission, Mr. Casteen reported.

In closing, Mr. Casteen distributed a presidential working paper on Assumptions and Options for the future of the University. The paper is a draft and not in its final form, Mr. Casteen said. This paper proposes three possibilities for the future of UVa: retrenchment, steady state, and move to Top 10. The document will be discussed broadly throughout the spring semester. Senators will be asked to discuss the document with their constituents.

Robert M. Grainger, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, reported on the work of that Committee. The Harrison Awards program has produced good proposals, Mr. Grainger said. Mr. Grainger recognized the hard work of the subcommittee that is reviewing the 156 applications that were received. The subcommittee members are Paul Cantor, Lori Graham and Karen Ryan. Announcements of the Award recipients will be made in early January. Mr. Grainger said he would like to see this program continue, and he cited the enthusiastic interest of undergraduate students and the quality of their proposals.

Other initiatives the Committee continues to work on are the Faculty Speakers Bureau and the Garden Room.

Patricia H. Werhane, Chair-Elect of the Faculty Senate, reported on the work of the Academic Affairs Committee. Ms. Werhane said that the 1999/2000 Initiative to Promote Excellent Teaching has distributed the Call for Proposals to all eligible faculty members. The Academic Affairs subcommittee that is working on enhancing faculty and student interaction has submitted a report, which details recommendations, and this report is forthcoming. The Academic Affairs Committee will work with the Office of the Provost to have new tenure-track faculty luncheons during the spring semester, Ms. Werhane reported.

Ms. Werhane read a request submitted by the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The request is to terminate the Master of Engineering, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Nuclear Engineering. There were some questions and then the request was voted on, seconded, and it passed unanimously.

David T. Gies distributed a working paper that was developed based on comments Mr. Gies has received regarding teaching and research at the University. The paper included a list of ways in which research enhances the teaching mission and a list of barriers that now exist which inhibit the pursuit of research and good teaching. Each table had a 20-minute discussion regarding the lists, and notes were taken at each table based on these discussions. After the 20-minute discussion, a spokesperson from various tables commented on some of the issues raised. Some of the comments made were:

· The sabbatical and conference system needs attention.

· There needs to be an evaluation system that focuses on how teaching and research are tied together.

· One of the cited barriers to research was too much committee work, and it was suggested that perhaps sabbaticals from committee assignments should be given every five years.

· The elimination of funding for sabbaticals needs to be re-thought.

· The terms "scholarship" and "research" need to be clarified.

· The barriers to a balance between research and teaching need to be addressed.

· Better incentives need to be put in place.

A white paper will be created, which will have an external statement about research and teaching. In addition, an internal document will be directed to the administration. This paper will detail ways teaching and research is inhibited and how substantive changes might be made.

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Submitted by Sharon W. Utz, Secretary of the Faculty Senate