University of Virginia General Faculty Council (GFC)

Minutes: March 20, 2001 12:30-2:00 PM, Room 30 Saunders

Hall, Darden School

Members Present: Mary Abouzeid, Frank Butros, Chuck Callaghan, Donal Day, Patricia Foley, Joe Gieck, Brad Holland, Carol Hunter, Bill Keene, Aaron Laushway, Maurice Lipper, Barbara Millar, Jane Penner, Jan Redick, Betsy Tucker, Ellie Wilson

Members Absent: Jim Freeman, Max Salinas

Others Present: Bob Sweeney, Lynda White

The meeting was chaired by Patricia Foley

1. Guest Presentation: Bob Sweeney, Vice President for Development, gave a presentation on the status of the search for the new Provost of the University. Mr. Sweeney began his presentation with the curious question, "How come we can hire a $750,000/year football coach in forty-eight hours and it takes six months or more to recruit and hire a senior academic faculty member?" Mr. Sweeney went on to list the members of the search committee and to outline the process of the search and the criteria for evaluating candidates. The members of the search committee are: Ted Snyder, Chair (Darden); Bob Sweeney (Development); Don Brown (English); Jim Childress (Religion); David Gies (Spanish); Ian Harrison (Chemistry); Erik Hewlett (Medicine); Alex Johnson (Vice-Provost); Barbara Nolan (Vice-Provost); Stephen Phelan (Law student and student representative to the Board of Visitors); Kiester Greer (Board of Visitors); Sondra Stollard (Continuing Education); and Karen Van Lengen (Architecture). (President John Casteen was described as a "silent co-chair" of the search committee.)

Mr. Sweeney listed the four defining qualities which candidates for the Provost position must exhibit: leadership; scholarship; balance; and aspiration. From the many applications submitted, the search committee has selected its "top ten". Mr. Sweeney indicated that this group is diverse and well balanced; some candidates being local (ie, UVA) and some outside. This group will be further narrowed by the committee, and 2-5 candidates will come to the University and openly interview. President Casteen will ultimately make the final decision, as the Provost is his chief academic officer and will, by necessity, have to work hand-in-hand with the President. It is the goal of the committee to have the new Provost appointed and in position by the start of the fall 2001 term.

2. Minutes of the February 13, 2001 meeting were corrected and approved.

3. Committee Reports:

1. Policy Committee: Jane Penner has not received word from Alex Johnson and Kathy Reed approving Council’s plan to post the final policy document on the GFC website. She will advise Jan Redick when that approval has been given, and Jan will post on the website.
2. Research and Scholarship Committee: Donal Day reported that the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards have been granted

4. New Faculty/Staff Welcome and Resource Fair: Jane Penner, Carol Hunter, and Trish Foley will staff this event on March 29, 2001, 2:00-4:30 PM.

5. President Casteen will be a guest of the Council at its meeting on May 15, 2001.

6. Spring Party: It was decided that the annual Spring Party to thank outgoing and welcome incoming council members should be held on the same day as President Casteen’s visit (May 15), but scheduled for later in the afternoon. Ellie Wilson agreed to head up the planning for this event.

NEXT MEETING: April 10, 2001 12:30 PM Room 389, Newcomb Hall

Submitted by: Jan Redick