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

September 29, 1997

Jahan Ramazani, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. In attendance were Edward Ayers, Rebecca Kneedler, Janet Horne, Sharon Utz, Miles Townsend, Michael Williams, Robert Grainger, Marva Barnett, Benjamin Ray, David Gies, Peter Low. Stephen Schnatterly, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies, was a guest at the meeting.

Mr. Ramazani welcomed everyone to the meeting. Steve Schnatterly was introduced to the group. Mr. Schnatterly spoke to the Council members regarding the relationship between the new Graduate Council and the Faculty Senate. Mr. Schnatterly said the Graduate Council was created to address graduate issues/concerns, and that it came about through recommendations in the Self-Study report and recommendations of the visiting committee of graduate deans. The Graduate Council will advise the Academic Affairs Committee on issues relating to graduate programs. The Graduate Council will help the Provost sort through issues on graduate education. Peter Low, Vice President and Provost, will modify the language in the Graduate Council document to reflect its role as advisory to the Provost.

The next order of business was a discussion of the ongoing Teaching initiative. Ben Ray, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, reported on the initiative. He said he will be communicating with Richard DeMong, Academic Affairs Committee member, regarding a draft which will implement a set of guidelines for the Teaching grants. Mr. Ray said the guidelines will be distributed in the near future, and applications for grant money will be due by February 1, 1998. Awards distribution will begin on July 1, 1998. Mr. Ray will present this initiative to the full Senate at the October 7 meeting.

Mr. Ramazani thanked the Academic Affairs Committee and the Committee on Research and Scholarship for their enthusiastic response to the charges that were given to the committees after the Faculty Senate Retreat. He distributed copies of the charges given to the two committees, which also lists the members of the subcommittees appointed to address specific issues in the charges. David Gies, Chair of the Committee on Research and Scholarship, and Ben Ray, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, gave brief remarks on plans of action they have developed for addressing the charges. Each Chair will give a brief report on the plan of action for their committee at the Faculty Senate meeting.

The Executive Council discussed the agenda for the October 7 Faculty Senate meeting. The agenda will include remarks by John Casteen, reports on the Teaching initiative and reports on the Intellectual Community initiative.

The Council members had a brief discussion on faculty salaries, led by Robert Grainger, who raised questions of where more information could by obtained and what the administration is doing to pursue the issue. There was also a brief discussion of retirement benefits. Sharon Utz reported on a presentation given by Leondard Sandridge, which was about established basic retirement options being offered by the University, and changes being made to the options.

Mr. Ramazani told the group that a member of the Acadmeic Affairs Committee was resigning, and suggestions need to be made for a replacement. Finally, the Committee discussed the Minor Hall incident. Mr. Ramazani will stay informed as the investigations unfold.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Submitted by Janet Horne, Secretary of the Faculty Senate