University of Virginia General Faculty Council (GFC)

Minutes: November 14, 2000 12:30-2:00 PM, Commonwealth Room, Newcomb Hall

Members Present: Mary Abouzeid, Frank Butros, Chuck Callaghan, Donal Day, Patricia Foley, Jim Freeman, Joe Gieck, , Carol Hunter, Maurice Lipper, Barbara Millar, Jane Penner, Jan Redick, Max Salinas, Betsy Tucker, Ellie Wilson

Members Absent: Brad Holland, Bill Keene, Aaron Laushway

Others Present: Linda White, Diane Parr Walker

The meeting was chaired by Patricia Foley

1. Guest Presentation: Diane Parr Walker from UVA Libraries presented an enlightening overview of the costs and consequences of the trend toward electronic publications, vis-a-vis the costs of print subscriptions and book purchases. Ms. Walker told the group that libraries nationwide are experiencing marked increases in subscription costs for serial publications (increases in the range of 33% over a two-year period), and that these increases contribute to the general increased costs of higher education. With respect to electronic publishing, Ms. Walker made the following points: (1) electronic access to serial publications is becoming increasingly available and some journals are electronic only; (2) electronic access is not, however, necessarily any less costly to libraries than print publications; and (3) while it is acknowledged that the trend is toward electronic access for most serial materials, questions need to be addressed regarding costs, reliability of access, and concerns regarding lack of standards for archiving.

2. Minutes of the October 10, 2000 meeting were corrected and approved.

 

3. Committee Reports:

    1. Policy Committee: Jane Penner reported that the policy committee (Jane Penner, Bill Keene, Frank Butros and Joyce Green) has been working on changing some of the prose in a revision recently submitted by Alex Johnson. Jane said further that the substance in the current draft is fine, and that some of the language needed to be more understandable. There should be a new draft of the Policy on the General Faculty for review by Council in early 2001.
    2. Research and Scholarship Committee: Donal Day reported that the bulk of this committee’s current efforts involves reviewing applications for the Harrison Undergraduate Research Awards. In general discussion of the Harrison Awards, Council members expressed concern that so few of the applications were from the arts or humanities, and wondered if better dissemination of information about these scholarships might result in more interest from these disciplines.
    3. CCUG: Barbara Millar reported that this committee met in September, and that a study of child-care options is being studied by the committee. A report on this is due soon.
    4. Faculty Training Task Force: Carol Hunter reported that the Faculty Information Skills Task Force will make specific recommendations to Barbara Nolan (Provost’s Office) by January 1, 2001 on the following:

      5. Skills and tools needed to enable all faculty to use

      technology in teaching and research.

      Preferred methods for delivering the skills and tools

      identified as necessary for faculty.

      Incentives for faculty who seek to acquire new skills.

      Other infrastructure needs for technology development and

      training for faculty.

      In addition, the task force has drawn up five planning initiatives which are: 1)Classroom Infrastructure Initiative; 2)Faculty Incentives Initiative;

      3)Multi-Layered Support Initiative; 4)Technology Simplification Initiative;

      and 5)Instructional Software and Resources Initiative

       

    5. Benefits Committee: Trish Foley reported that the October 27 issue of Inside UVA contained an article summarizing new health care options which will are now available during open enrollment. General discussion followed and Council members expressed, once again, the desirability of having a representative from QualChoice attend a future Council meeting.
  1. New Faculty Welcome and Resource Fair: Ellie Wilson and Jan Redick reported on the successful turnout for the Resource Fair on Wednesday, November 8, 2000.

5. Town Meetings: Max Salinas reported that he had no attendees at his Town Meeting for the School of Engineering. Jane Penner reported about 22 persons attended the Town Meeting for Libraries and those participants expressed interest in issues such as: the advantages of being a member of the General Faculty; a study of salary issues; the question of travel and professional development funds for non-tenure track faculty; and sabbatical-type leave options for General Faculty. Other Town Meetings are scheduled for later in November and early in 2001.

NEXT MEETING: December 12, 2000 12:30 PM Location: TBA, Newcomb Hall

 

Submitted by: Jan Redick