March 31, 2000

David T. Gies, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order. Mr. Gies opened the meeting with welcoming remarks. The next Faculty Senate meeting, Thursday, May 11, was announced. The meeting will be in Newcomb Hall South Meeting Room, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Reports from three of the four University planning commissions were given: The Fine and Performing Arts, Robert Chapel, Chair; Science and Technology, Ariel Gomez, substituting for Anita Jones, Chair; and Public Service and Outreach, Rebecca Kneedler, Chair. Brantly Womack, the Chair of the fourth commission, International Activities, was not represented and will be invited to the next meeting.

Mr. Robert Chapel gave the first report. The Commission on the Fine and Performing Arts conducted an assessment of the long-range needs, to include Media Studies and Media Arts, Mr. Chapel said. Facilities and financial support for the Arts need enhancement, such as creating and renovating numerous buildings. There is a great deal of work being done by the University in this area, Mr. Chapel reported.

Mr. Ariel Gomez reported on work of the Science and Technology Commission. The goal of the Commission is to increase the University's excellence in Science and Technology. The Commission will capitalize on the University's strengths to achieve their goals, and the process will be University-wide, Mr. Gomez reported.

Ms. Rebecca Kneedler, Chair of the Commission on Public Service and Outreach, reported that the goal of the Commission is to look at ways to serve the needs of the Commonwealth and region with the University's academic expertise. Ms. Kneedler outlined some recommendations of the Commission on ways the University might provide public service and outreach to the Commonwealth and the region. The Senators were invited to ask questions of the Commission chairs.

John T. Casteen III, President of the University, reported on legislative actions and the Capital Campaign. Mr. Casteen commented that this year, the legislation has approved the best budget for the University since the 1980's. The General Assembly addressed such issues as overhauling of the University's Classified System, institutional performance, and a State match on employee compensation.

Mr. Casteen updated the Senate on the Capital Campaign, which will end in December 2000. Mr. Casteen took questions from the group.

Mr. Gies reported on this year's Faculty Senate Undergraduate Research Awards, which was a success. The initiative has been extended for three years, and will grant up to 40 awards next year. Each award will be in an amount up to $4,000.

Robert M. Grainger, Chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee, reported on the work of that Committee. The Garden Room is doing well, but attendance is still modest, Mr. Grainger said. Any input the Senate may have on this issue is welcome. The Faculty Speakers Bureau web site is now up. Please browse the site at http://facultyspeakers.virginia.edu. Mr. Grainger thanked everyone involved in working with the creation of the web site and with the administration of the Speakers Bureau. The Faculty Senate Undergraduate Research Awards initiative is a good tool for bringing forth the relationship between scholarship and teaching, Mr. Grainger said. Members of the Research and Scholarship Committee will write two position papers on research and scholarship at the University, one for outside dissemination and one to be directed to UVa faculty and administration.

William R. Johnson, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on the work of that Committee. Mr. Johnson reported on the Faculty Senate's three-year pilot program, the Faculty Senate Teaching Initiative to Promote Excellent Teaching. The program was funded by the Office of the Provost, at $100,000 per year for three years. In the first two years of the program, approximately 70 projects were funded. The program is now in its third year, Mr. Johnson reported. The Academic Affairs Committee is undertaking a review of the program, and the Committee will evaluate whether the program should be continued. In evaluating the program, the Committee will work with the Teaching Resource Center to identify "innovative" proposals. The Committee hopes to have an evaluation of past Teaching Initiative projects and a recommendation on the continuation of the program by December 1, 2000, Mr. Johnson said.

Mr. Gies announced that the Faculty Senate will sponsor a Forum on The Climate for Women at UVa. The Forum will be on Monday, April 24, in the Rotunda Dome Room, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. The Forum will address the work of the President's Task Force on the Climate for Women at UVa. John Casteen will give opening remarks on the history of the Task Force, and David Gies and Patricia Werhane will moderate the Forum. There will be a panel discussion, with five panelists from across the University: Cindy Aron (History), Glenna Chang (Dean of Student's Office), Sharon Hostler (Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center), Sondra Stallard (Dean, Continuing and Professional Studies), and Carl Zeithaml (Dean, McIntire School of Commerce). Mr. Gies urged everyone to attend the Forum.

The next Faculty Senate meeting will be held on Thursday, May 11. The meeting will be in Newcomb Hall South Meeting Room, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Next year's nominations for Senate officers and members to serve on the Executive Council will be made at this meeting, Mr. Gies reported.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

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