Present: William Kehoe, Jenny Clay, Roseanne Ford, Susan Perry, Karen Ryan, Reginald Garrett, Pamela Kulbok, Gabriel Robins Guest: Peter Low, Vice President and Provost

Mr. Kehoe, Chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee, called the meeting to order. Introductions were made, and Mr. Kehoe welcomed everyone to the Committee. Mr. Kehoe distributed an agenda packet, which contained the agenda and background information for each of the agenda items. In addition, the 2000/2001 Committee roster was distributed.

Provost Peter Low discussed the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards initiative, which began last year. Last year's funding in the amount of $100,000 was distributed among 25 undergraduates and their advisors. Mr. Low remarked that the program is a good one, and that it will be continued this year with $160,000 in funding. This will fund up to 40 projects. Mr. Low offered administrative help from his office for the initiative, such as help in sorting the numerous project proposals according to discipline and analytical support. The program will get additional visibility at the upcoming Board of Visitors meeting, where Robert Grainger, Chair-Elect of the Senate, will give a presentation. Mr. Low suggested that the Committee invite Gene Block, Vice President for Research and Public Service, to the next meeting to discuss some of the central policy issues he is facing in the area of research. Mr. Block will attend the November 3rd meeting.

Suggestions were made regarding the language for the 2000/2001 "Undergraduate Research Call for Proposals." Mr. Kehoe will revise the Call for Proposals and incorporate those suggestions. After the Call is sent to the Committee for final review and approval, it will be distributed throughout the University community.

Included in the agenda packet was a suggested timetable for the Undergraduate Research Awards. This timetable included such issues as when to distribute the Call for Proposals, advertisements and other publicity, timeline for First-Round Reviews and Second-Round reviews, and final selections. Mr. Kehoe asked for volunteers for First-Round reviews. Susan Perry agreed to chair the First-Round Reviews Subcommittee, and Reginald Garrett, William Kehoe and Pamela Kulbok volunteered to serve on the Subcommittee. Mr. Kehoe invited any other Committee member that might be interested in serving on this Subcommittee to contact Ms. Perry.

There will be a Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards Symposium in early spring, and students will present their undergraduate research projects that were funding during 1999/2000. The Committee recommended unanimously that Robert Grainger, last year's Chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee, be invited to lead the symposium in its inaugural year. Mr. Kehoe will pass on the Committee's invitation to Mr. Grainger.

Laura Hawthorne, Coordinator of Public Service, has asked the Senate to identify someone to serve as the primary contact for the Faculty Senate Faculty Speakers Bureau. Mr. Kehoe asked for anyone interested in serving in this capacity to let him know by Tuesday, September 26th. After this date, Mr. Kehoe will appeal to the full Senate for a volunteer.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.