October 7, 1997

Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. in the Garden Room at the Colonnade Hotel.

Mr. Ramazani welcomed everyone to the first full Faculty Senate meeting of the year. He recalled the Faculty Senate retreat, which was to promote intellectual community at the University and set the Senate's agenda for the year. The Executive Council has translated the consensus reached at the retreat into charges to the Academic Affairs Committee and the Committee on Research and Scholarship. The charges of the two committees were distributed. He said the Faculty Senate will also sustain last year's initiative on excellent teaching.

Mr. Ramazani introduced the standing committees of the Faculty Senate, gave a brief description of what they do, and had the members of each of the committees stand and introduce themselves. The Executive Council is the steering committee that receives and coordinates the work of the Senate; the Academic Affairs Committee played a central role in launching last year's University-wide conversations on teaching. The Committee oversees curriculum, academic program review, and academic policy; the Committee on Research and Scholarship advocates research at the University; the Grievance Committee investigates and resolves grievances. Tom Hutchinson, who has served as Chair of the Committee for the past three years, relinquished that position to Jim Clawson, from the Darden School; and finally the Committee of Elected Members, who carry concerns of colleagues to the Senate and report to colleagues on issues/meetings of interest.

Senior administrators, ex officio members of the Senate, who were in attendance stood and introduced themselves. They were John Casteen, President; Leonard Sandridge, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Peter Low, Vice President and Provost; Robert Reynolds; Vice Provost for Health Sciences; and Karin Wittenborg, University Librarian.

Mr. Ramazani introduced Mr. Casteen. Mr. Casteen gave a report on three issues that have moved forward over the Summer. They are a possible investigation of the University by the Office of Civil Rights; a letter published in the Cavalier Daily regarding the pay levels for classified staff, particularly in the Health Sciences area; and work of the Equal Opportunity Programs Office.

Mr. Casteen said the "Fordice" case, which went before the Supreme Court, says states must remedy any discriminatory effects created because of past racial discrimination and segregation. He said Virginia is subject to the Fordice decision. He also said Virginia has formed a committee to study Virginia's compliance to the Fordice decision.

In regard to the recent gathering of those concerned about the low levels of some of the University's classified employees, and in response to a letter published in the Cavalier Daily, Mr. Casteen said the classified positions at the University are regulated by the State. That is, the salary is determined by the grade of a position and the number of steps an employee progresses up the grade level, which is regulated by the State.

A report called the "Muddy Floor Report," produced by the Equal Opportunity Programs Office, and just recently surfacing, indicates that blacks are over-represented in lower-level classified jobs. Mr. Casteen said blacks are under-represented in the executive/ managerial administrative and professional non-faculty areas at the University. Mr. Casteen said the

University should use the report to focus on recommendations it suggests. There is money available to assist in the recruitment of minority hires at the University, Mr. Casteen said. He mentioned two such funds used in the Health Sciences area.

Mr. Ramazani introduced Ben Ray. Mr. Ray discussed the "Call for Proposals" document that was distributed at the meeting. This is the document that invites grant proposals to aid in the Faculty Senate's initiative to promote excellent teaching and gives guidelines for submitting grants. He asked if there were any comments/suggestions. He told the group that the document will be widely disseminated and will also be posted on the Senate's home page (http://minerva.acc.Virginia.Edu/ ~facsen/).

Mr. Ray introduced Marva Barnett, Chair of the Academic Affairs subcommittee appointed to recommend measures that will enhance junior faculty development and retention. Ms. Barnett told the Senators that a memorandum has gone out under Jahan Ramazani's and Peter Low's signatures, requesting information to aid in the study of the subcommittee.

Mr. Ramazani thanked the Academic Affairs Committee and the Committee on Research and Scholarship for the enthusiasm and energy that is being put into the intellectual community initiative.

Mr. Ramazani introduced David Gies, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship. Mr. Gies gave a report on the work and ideas his committee is addressing in response the charge given to the Committee. He asked Senators for other ideas and suggestions of spaces that might be used as a faculty center and gatherings for intellectual exchanges between faculty/faculty and faculty/students. Some suggestions were made, and Mr. Gies will follow up on them.

In conclusion, Mr. Ramazani thanked the committees for their hard work. He invited the Senators to offer any suggestions and/or ideas. Mr. Ramazani said the ingredients are there for intellectual community and that everything being done involves collaboration. He thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

Submitted by Janet Horne, Secretary of the Faculty Senate