November 11, 1998

Present: Louis Bloomfield, Paul Cantor, Julian Connolly, Susan Perry, Barbara Parker, Houston Wood, Edward Ayers

Louis Bloomfield, Chair of the Research and Scholarship Committee, called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in Newcomb Hall, the Board Room. Ed Ayers, Chair of the Faculty Senate, announced that H.H. Sheikha Mouza, from Qatar, will visit the University of Virginia on December 14 and 15. There will be a luncheon on December 14, which will include members of the Faculty Senate's Academic Affairs Committee, Research and Scholarship Committee, and the Executive Council. The Academic Planning team, Deans, and the University Librarian will also be invited to the luncheon. Questions from members of the Faculty Senate committees can be submitted beforehand, to Mr. Ayers, and he will convey the questions to the Sheikha.

Mr. Bloomfield led a discussion regarding the formation of the Faculty Speakers Bureau. Mr. Bloomfield, Mr. Ayers, and Richard DeMong, Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, have recently had meetings with both Delegate Mitch Van Yahres and Delegate Paul Harris. Outreach to the Commonwealth was strongly endorsed by both delegates. In addition, Mr. Bloomfield has met with Gene Block, Vice President for Research and Public Service.

Mr. Block's office is adding someone to their staff who will coordinate public outreach efforts at the University. Mr. Block has offered support to the Faculty Speakers Bureau. Mr. Ayers reported on a lunch meeting he had with Wayne Cozart, Alumni Hall Associate Director. Mr. Ayers said Mr. Cozart has also offered the Alumni Association's support with the Speakers Bureau, providing speakers will be available to address members of the Alumni Association. It is envisioned that the Faculty Speakers Bureau will provide one speaker per year for the Commonwealth and one speaker per year for the Alumni Association. Also envisioned is a web site that will display the names of faculty interested in speaking, a brief bio, which will include the school or department the faculty member comes from, and the faculty member's speech topic. A brochure, which will list available speakers, including a brief bio and the topic of their speech, will also be produced. Mr. Bloomfield will meet with Gene Block and Wayne Cozart to continue discussions on planning and funding for this initiative.

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.