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

February 27, 1998

Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 12:00 in Room 389, Newcomb Hall. In attendance were Ed Ayers, Rebecca Kneedler, Janet Horne, Michael Smith, Sharon Utz, Miles Townsend, Robert Grainger, Marva Barnett, Ben Ray, Peter Low, and Robert Reynolds.

Guests in attendance were: Polley A. McClure, Vice President, Information Technology and Communication; Charlie Grisham, Chair, University Committee on Information Technology; Sondra S. Stallard, Dean, Division of Continuing Education; and Rachel Most and Adria LaViolette, from the Anthropology Department.

Mr. Ramazani welcomed everyone to the meeting. The Committee members introduced themselves to Polley McClure, who attended the meeting to address technology issues.

Ms. McClure spoke to the Council members on three computer-related issues: dial-in modems, student computer ownership issues, and integrated computer systems.

Robert Grainger outlined faculty concerns regarding dial-in modems. Ms. McClure and the Council members discussed those concerns and possible solutions to them.

Ms. McClure distributed two documents related to the student computer ownership issue: an outline of the issues involved in considering whether to adopt a requirement for student ownership of computers and a resolution enacted by the Student Council of the University of Virginia. This resolution says the First Year Class of the Year 2000 shall be required to enroll with a computer. The group had an informative discussion on the pros and cons of this requirement.

Ms. McClure then led a discussion on the issue of integrated systems. She said the purposes of this initiative are to meet the needs of the academic units, to meet the needs of students who complain because of limited access to services on the Web, and to update the technologies in use.

Mr. Ramazani thanked Ms. McClure for discussing these important technology issues with the Executive Council.

Mr. Ramazani introduced Sondra Stallard, who attended the meeting to present a new degree program proposal for adult students in the Division of Continuing Education. The program will be called the "Bachelor of Liberal Studies." She said this is to be a part-time undergraduate degree program. There is a demand for such a program, because it will raise the standard of literacy, and it will offer Commonwealth employees educational enhancements, Ms. Stallard said. She said this program is not meant to displace the community college system, but rather it will build on existing community college educational programs. Optional areas of concentration for a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree are Humanities, Information Technology, and Business. The program is being designed to meet the needs of people who are balancing careers and families, and will initially be offered to the citizens of Central Virginia. Ms. Stallard said the program is projected to make money within a few years. There will be a faculty advisory board, which will oversee all operations of the degree program. The faculty advisory board will be made up of three faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences, and one each from the McIntire School of Commerce, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the office of the Provost. They will serve as advisors to the dean of Continuing Education on matters pertaining to the Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree. The president of PVCC will also serve on this board.

Ms. Stallard asked for the Executive Council's endorsement of the program, and she said she would bring this proposal to the Board of Visitors at the June meeting and seek their approval .

Because there is a short timeline involved for getting approvals, the issue will be addressed by the Executive Council in consultation with the Academic Affairs Committee, and the Executive Council will report back to Ms. Stallard.

The meeting adjourned at 2: 15 p.m.

Submitted by Janet Horne, Secretary of the Faculty Senate