February 8, 1999

Edward Ayers, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Dome Room at the Rotunda.

Mr. Ayers welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mr. Ayers asked President John Casteen to address to group.

Mr. Casteen reported that the Board of Visitors has approved negotiating a contract with Qatar, and the next step will be to get General Assembly approval. No problems are anticipated, Mr. Casteen said. The Board has also approved the creation of a new adult degree program, a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Other issue Mr. Casteen addressed were (a) the University's admissions policy, (b) the progress being made with the Capital Campaign; (c) legislative issues and; (d) the name change of Clinch Valley College. In regard to the University's admissions policies, Mr. Casteen asked the Senate to establish an advisory committee to advise the Board of Visitors on admission policies and diversity.

Mr. Ayers discussed the Harrison Awards, and he said the President's Office has requested the Faculty Senate's involvement in this year's distribution of the awards. The Senate's participation is eagerly accepted, Mr. Ayers said. In consultation with members of the President's staff it has been decided that the Harrison Awards for 1999 will offer recognition to thirty people from across the University, who are especially effective advisors of undergraduate students. All full-time faculty or administrators, whether on leave or not, are eligible for nomination. The Faculty Senate will solicit nominations, which may be submitted in the form of a letter or an e-mail message, not to exceed one page in length. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, March 15, 1999.

Mr. Ayers took questions concerning the Harrison Awards. Jahan Ramazani, Past Chair of the Faculty Senate, made a motion for the Senate to accept the statement regarding the Senate's administration of the 1999 Harrison Awards, with the understanding that questions of practical application of the awards will be worked out by the Executive Council. The motion was seconded, and it passed unanimously.

Patricia Werhane, a member of the Academic Affairs Committee, spoke on behalf of the Chair of that Committee, Richard DeMong. Ms. Werhane reported that the Committee has two programs under consideration at this time, (1) a program to award the Ph.D. in Music at the University of Virginia and (2) a Masters of Arts in Physics Education. A Senate vote on approving the Music program will be done at the April Faculty Senate meeting, after the other required approvals have been obtained. Ms. Werhane and a representative from the Physics Department took questions on the Masters of Arts in Physics Education program proposal. Ms. Werhane called for a vote to approve the Masters of Arts in Physics Education. The motion to approve the program was made, was seconded, and it passed unanimously.

Ms. Werhane reminded everyone that proposals for the Faculty Senate Teaching Initiative are due on Friday, February 12. Proposals should be sent to Frances Peyton, in the Faculty Senate Office at the Rotunda.

Louis Bloomfield, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, reported on the progress being made toward the creation of a faculty speakers bureau. He gave an overview of the initiative and sources of funding to support the initiative. The program will be a voluntary one, in which a faculty will give one lecture a year, either to the Commonwealth or to alumni. A brochure will be created and distributed, Mr. Bloomfield said. A website is also being prepared for this initiative. Mr. Bloomfield asked all Senators to participate, and he asked that each Senator contact two colleagues and asked them to also participate. For those Senators who feel that they cannot participate, he requested that they get someone to participate in their stead. And finally, Mr. Bloomfield asked everyone to try to get his/her information on the web by March 8. Mr. Bloomfield took questions.

Mr. Ayers reported on the upcoming Senate-sponsored Technology and Change Series. He said he has contacted twelve people, and all have volunteered to participate in the three sessions. The date and names of the session are: (1) February 17 (4:00), "What Does Technology Do To Teaching? " (2) March 9 (3:30), "Will Digital Publishing Challenge Print?" (3) April 8 (4:00), "Should Technology Change the University's Priorities?" All sessions will be in Minor Hall Auditorium. Ads will appear in the Cavalier Daily, Mr. Ayers said, and asked the Senators to distribute the e-mail message they have received on these sessions.

Finally, Mr. Ayers talked about ways in which the Senate may get better participation and spread the workload. Mr. Ayers asked the group what they think is the best use of the time set aside for the two Faculty Senate meetings in the fall and the two meetings in the spring. The Senators expressed an interest in having major issues of concern come to the full Senate during the scheduled meetings. They also feel that some issues can be resolved by the Executive Council and voted on by the Senate at its scheduled meetings.

The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

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