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

June 1, 1999

Present: David Gies, Edward Ayers, Richard DeMong, Donald Innes, Marva Barnett, Louis Bloomfield, Houston Wood, William Johnson, Sharon Utz, Robert Grainger, Jahan Ramazani, John Lyons, Rebecca Kneedler, Miles Townsend, Kathryn Neeley, Michael Levenson, Patricia Werhane, Robert Reynolds, John Portmann, Peter Low

Guests: Senator Emily Couric, Delegate Paul Harris, Delegate Mitchell Van Yahres

Edward Ayers, Past Chair of the Faculty Senate, welcomed everyone. The Senators and invited legislators had lunch and conversation.

After lunch, introductions were made and each Senator stated what school/department they represented. Edward Ayers, who moderated the discussion, stated that the Senate is establishing a stronger connection with the State. Mr. Ayers also mentioned the Faculty Speakers Bureau at the University, which is being developed. Senator Emily Couric, Delegate Paul Harris and Delegate Mitchell Van Yahres each gave an opening statement on their views of Higher Education in Virginia.

Delegate Van Yahres said education in general is going through re-examination. The State is aiming higher education toward market-driven forces, with the question being "how do you measure the product," Delegate Van Yahres stated. Senator Couric commented that the 4-year graduation rate is one measure of success and suggested that we be wary of "performance" as a sole measure of accomplishment in higher education, and the potential of unintended consequences. Senator Couric urged faculty to support and expand upon any good ideas from SCHEV and the legislators. Delegate Harris thanked the group for inviting him to the meeting, and he said the Faculty Senate should keep their focus toward students and the quality of Education. Delegate Harris said the quality of education can be measured by three components: (1) accessibility, (2) affordability, and (3) accountability. Mr. Harris also noted that higher education should have steady, predictable funding.

After the legislators gave their opening remarks, they received questions and comments from members of the Executive Council. The legislators and the members of the Faculty Senate agreed that the meeting was very useful, and they agreed to meet again at a later date. Mr. Ayers and Mr. Gies thanked Senator Couric, Delegate Harris and Delegate Van Yahres for speaking to the group.

David Gies, Chair of the Faculty Senate, conducted the remainder of the meeting. Faculty Senate standing committee assignments were discussed for the Academic Affairs Committee and the Committee on Research and Scholarship. Recommendations were made for new members for these committees. Those recommended will be contacted and asked if they would be willing to serve. In addition, Mr. Gies will review the rosters for the ROTC Committee and the Faculty Grievance Committee, and he will work with the chairs of those committees to appoint new members.

In keeping with the Senate's practice of having a specific topic or theme to address each year, Mr. Gies discussed with the members of the Executive Council the possibility of focusing on the theme of "teaching and research" for the coming year. The Senators agreed with this initiative as a topic to address this year.

Mr. Gies went over the ongoing work of the Academic Affairs Committee, which includes the Faculty Senate Teaching Initiative, work with the Honor Committee, student/faculty interaction, new and continuing degree programs, the Athletic's liaison, junior faculty mentoring, and faculty input into the disability policy.

Some of the work the Committee on Research and Scholarship will undertake or continue are the Faculty Speakers Bureau, the Forum for Contemporary Thought, the Life of the University discussions, gender issues, and the future of the Garden Room.

Mr. Gies announced that the Faculty Senate's annual retreat will be on Friday, September 10, and the retreat will address research and teaching. The Executive Council will plan one meeting during the summer in order to map out strategies for the retreat.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

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