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

May 3, 2000

Present: David T. Gies, Patricia H. Werhane, Sharon W. Utz, Kathryn A. Neeley, Rebecca D. Kneedler, Houston G. Wood, III, Michael H. Levenson, Robert M. Grainger, William R. Johnson, Peter W. Low

Guest: Joshua F. Dienstag, Director of the Forum for Contemporary Thought

David T. Gies, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Gies introduced Mr. Dienstag, and had the members of the Executive Council introduce themselves.

Mr. Gies gave the group an overview of the USEMS initiative being offered by the University, through the Office of the President. The initiative will fund sabbaticals for people that have taught USEMS in the past. Funding will be available for two faculty members. Sixteen applications have been received, and a committee has been appointed by the Provost, and in consultation with the Faculty Senate Executive Council. The committee will review the applications and select two faculty members to receive sabbaticals.

Mr. Gies announced that Sharon W. Utz, Director of Adult Health in the School of Nursing, and a member of the Executive Council, has received an Outstanding Mentor Award, given by the Office of African-American Affairs.

Mr. Gies gave a summarization of the recent Forum on the climate for women at U.Va., which was sponsored by the Faculty Senate. Mr. Gies commented that the Forum was a good symbolic gesture, and University-wide work on this initiative is strongly supported.

William R. Johnson, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on the Committee's activities. The Faculty Senate Teaching Initiative grant recipient letters were mailed this week. Publicity is planned for early fall, to announce the grant recipients, Mr. Johnson said. The Committee continues to work on faculty and student interaction issues. Barbara Nolan, Vice Provost, will work with the Academic Affairs Committee on USEMS issues, Mr. Johnson reported. The Teaching Initiative evaluation process will begin over the summer, with a subcommittee working with TRC.

Robert M. Grainger, Chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee, reported on the work of the Committee. The Garden Room will close on May 8, for the summer, Mr. Grainger said. In addressing the future of the Garden Room, the Research and Scholarship Committee will look at such issues as: a) how much is the financial loss, b) the value of the project, and if it can be sustained, c) and in what form should the endeavor go forward, if at all.

Mr. Grainger distributed two draft reports on teaching and research at the University. One report will be circulated within the community, and the other report is for faculty and administrative review. The Executive Council was asked to review and send comments on the documents by Friday, May 5, so that the documents can be forwarded to the full Senate in advance of the May 11 Faculty Senate meeting. A discussion of the documents is planned as an agenda item for the Senate meeting.

Mr. Dienstag reported on this year's activities of the Forum for Contemporary Thought. The Forum is doing well, Mr. Dienstag said. Mr. Dienstag presented an overview of the activities of the Forum and attendance numbers at the various events that have been offered. Some issues facing the Forum are appointing a director and additional funding. Mr. Dienstag will begin work on getting commitments from the various schools for funds for the Year 2000-2001. Peter Low, Vice President and Provost, offered additional administrative help from his office, to assist in Forum activities. Suggestions were made for next year's directorship.

Nominations for Senate officers and membership on the Executive Council will be made from the floor at the May 11 Senate meeting. Suggestions for Faculty Senate standing committee chairs and members were made. Mr. Gies and Patricia Werhane, Chair-Elect of the Senate, will follow-up on those suggestions and report to the Council.

Mr. Gies reported on the Executive Council's meeting with local legislators, Senator Emily Couric, Delegate Paul Harris and Delegate Mitch Van Yahres. The meeting will be on May 23, from 11:30-1:30 p.m. The new chairs of the Academic Affairs Committee and the Research and Scholarship Committee, the new Senate officers and new Executive Council members will be invited to this meeting, Mr. Gies said.

Building on the Faculty Senate Forum on the Climate for Women at U.Va., next year's focus or theme for the Senate will be "Leadership and Diversity," Ms. Werhane said.

Mr. Gies reviewed the proposed agenda for the May 11 Senate meeting, which will be held in the South Meeting Room at Newcomb Hall, from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

The Faculty Grievance Committee has submitted to the Executive Council suggestions for revisions to the Faculty Grievance Policies and Procedures. The Executive Council will review and discuss these suggestions and will report their findings to the Grievance Committee by the fall. The Executive Council was asked to send comments to Pat Werhane by the end of the semester. In addition, Kenneth Elzinga, a former member of the Executive Council, and James Clawson, Chair of the Faculty Grievance Committee, will be invited to an Executive Council meeting at the beginning of the fall semester. Mr. Elzinga was involved in the 1995 revisions of the Policies and Procedures.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

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