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 18, 1998

Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon. In attendance were Edward Ayers, Rebecca Kneedler, Benjamin Ray, David Gies, Michael Smith, Sharon Utz, Patricia Werhane, Michael Williams, Robert Grainger, Marva Barnett, Robert Reynolds. Richard DeMong, 1998/99 Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, was a guest at the meeting.

Mr. Ramazani welcomed everyone to the meeting. He announced the Faculty Senate election results. The officers of the Faculty Senate for 1998/99 are David Gies, Chair-Elect and Marva Barnett, Secretary. The new members of the Executive Council are Rebecca Kneedler, who will be serving her third term on the Executive Council, and Kathryn Neeley.

Mr. Ramazani and the Council members discussed the Senate's standing committees' membership, and appointments for those whose terms are expiring on each committee. These standing committees are the Academic Affairs Committee, the Committee on Research and Scholarship, the Grievance Committee, and the Committee on ROTC Affairs. Suggestions were made for appointments and reappointments to the committees. Mr. Ramazani will contact those suggested and ask if they are willing to serve.

David Gies, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, discussed a report on the University's policies and the administration of the Sesquicentennial awards at the University. The report was written by Daniel Larson, a member of the Research and Scholarship Committee. Mr. Larson, at the request of David Gies, surveyed the practices in different schools and identified policy issues. The survey was done in response to a request by the Faculty Senate Grievance Committee to look into the University's written sesquicentennial policy and possible irregularities in its implementation. The Executive Council will ask Peter Low to review the report and respond at the next Executive Council meeting.

Mr. Gies reported on new faculty dining service in the Garden Room of the Colonnade Hotel. Hours of operation will be 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The service schedule will mirror the academic calendar. There will be quality, upscale, reasonably priced menu offerings, table linens and fresh flowers, and waited service. Mr. Gies commented that the faculty must use and support this initiative if it is to be successful. Notices will be sent to faculty encouraging everyone to sample the new and improved services being offered. It is expected that the outstanding food, atmosphere and service will keep customers coming to the Garden Room!

Mr. Gies will meet with Louis Bloomfield, the 1998/99 Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, regarding next year's agenda, which will carry forward such initiatives as Theory Seminars, faculty dining, and common grounds.

Benjamin Ray, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on the junior faculty recommendations. He commented that the Arts and Sciences Council of Chairs has some reservations regarding the document. The Council of Chairs indicated that some recommendations are too detailed, some recommendations are too general, and there is a limited number of Arts and Sciences members on the Academic Affairs subcommittee that produced the report. Mr. Ray said the Academic Affairs Committee should have a follow-up meeting with the Council of Chairs to further discuss the document and its intention.

Marva Barnett, Chair of the subcommittee that produced the document, which was based on conversations with junior faculty and senior faculty in all schools, excluding Medicine, said the subcommittee will next have a brainstorming session with junior faculty in Medicine. This meeting will include Karen Rheuban, Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education.

Mr. Ray reported on the Americans with Disabilities Act in regard to compliance and implementation at the University. Mr. Ray said the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center has been revamped and is under new management. The Center is an excellent source of information on the ADA. Scott Hunter, the Director of the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center, will meet with departments and schools to review the ADA. In consultation with the Academic Affairs Committee, the Senate may wish to help disseminate to faculty across the University information about ADA compliance.

Mr. Ramazani recognized Richard DeMong, the 1998/99 Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. Mr. Ramazani thanked Ben Ray and David Gies for their superb leadership of their committees. He also thanked the outgoing elected members of the Executive Council, Sharon Utz and Michael Smith, for their outstanding service to the faculty.

Edward Ayers, the 1998/99 Chair of the Faculty Senate, reported on two basic initiatives for the Senate for the upcoming year. Mr. Ayers said the faculty have been watching over the course of the year the discussion associated with rush and intellectual community among faculty and students. To address his first initiative, Mr. Ayers would like to establish an agenda to work with students over the course of the upcoming year. This first initiative would in part extend the 1997/98 initiative on intellectual community. Mr. Ayers would like to set a well defined agenda for a Faculty Senate retreat, to be held soon after the first week of classes in September. This retreat will include invited students, such as student leaders and intellectual leaders, attending part of the retreat for discussions with Senators. Mr. Ayers said the Academic Affairs Committee will be charged with addressing concerns discussed at the retreat.

Mr. Ayers' second initiative will involve addressing information technology at the University. He will conduct a survey of colleagues through e-mail, asking for their thoughts on their department's roll in information technology. He will also address such questions as "What are computers doing to the culture at the University?" The Committee on Research and Scholarship will follow-up on the technology initiative.

The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

Submitted by Janet Horne, Secretary of the Faculty Senate