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

October 22, 1997

David Gies, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the President's Conference Room in Madison Hall. In attendance were Paul Cantor, Julian Connolly, Daniel Larson, Paul Mahoney, Susan McKinnon, Barbara Parker, Craig Sarazin, Marty Snell, Houston Wood, Jahan Ramazani.

Mr. Gies welcomed everyone to the meeting. The main agenda item for the meeting was a progress report from each of the three subcommittees assigned to address the Committee's charge. Subcommittee #1 is investigating the feasibility of estalishing a faculty center; Subcommittee #2 is investigating the feasibility of establishing common spaces; and Subcommittee #3 is investigating the creation of opportunities for interdisciplinary activities. Mr. Gies announced that there has been a structure change in the subcommittees. Dan Larson has moved from subcommittee #3 to subcommittee #1. Mr. Larson has agreed to take a leadership role in the work of that subcommittee.

Subcommittee Updates:

Subcommittee #3 (Interdisciplinary Activities) -- Julian Connolly reported on the work of his group. He said he envisioned a center that would run an effective program of seminars. He has been meeting with various people, such as Steve Schnatterly and Richard Rorty, to brainstorm ideas. Mr. Connolly said the Faculty Senate needs to ask for funding for such a project, and have someone with the expertise to take on the organization of such a program. It would take approximately $100,000 per year to run such a program, $70,000 for speakers and $30,000 for directors and staff. The subcommittee said the program could initially be the named "The Faculty Senate Lecture Series." Mr. Connolly will meet next with Mel Leffler, and possibly Gene Block. After completing the research, the subcommittee will draft a proposal for Jahan Ramazani to present to Peter Low for consideration.

In regard to block time in the various schools, Mr. Connolly said about half of the schools have some type of block time, and half do not.

Subcommittee #2 (Common Grounds) -- Susan McKinnon reported for this subcommittee. She and David Gies have walked around Grounds to get ideas of space that may be available, or better utilized. There has also been a meeting with the University Architect and staff, and a meeting with Shirley Menaker to discuss available indoor spaces (there are none). The main spaces being considered are Garret Hall, Clemons Library, Gilmer Plaza, and the library room of the Colonnade Club.

Subcommittee #1 (Faculty Center) -- David Gies reported on the work of this subcommittee. The subcommittee has met with various people, including the architects, the leaders of the Colonnade Club, the vice provost, and the parking and transportation consultants, and has gathered advice along the way. Some areas which were originally mentioned as possible sites -- the Colonnade Hotel, the Colonnade Club, a pavilion, Carr's Hill, etc. -- have had to be discounted because of various factors (size, condition,availability). The space which now seems to be the most promising and reasonable is the B-1 lot, which may be the place identified for additional parking. The subcommittee is pursuing the idea of constructing a faculty center on the top of a new parking structure, as in the bookstore model. This place would meet the needs of size, centrality, and parking, which have been determined to be essential to the idea of a faculty center. The subcommittee plans to undertake more research (what is done at other universities, programming, and cost analysis) before making any firm recommendations.

Each of the subcommittees will give a report, with recommended actions, to the Faculty Senate at the December 3 meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.