|
University Archives of Virginia Tech |
Virginia Tech
Governance Minutes ArchiveOctober 10, 1993
Minutes CALS Council Meeting Monday, October 10, 1993 - 1:30 p.m. 1810 Litton Reaves Hall Dr. John White called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Present: J. White, M. Fitzwater, G. Jubb, S. K. De Datta, B. Cannell, B. Vinson, P. Schultz, S. Wolfe, G. Evanylo, W. Purcell, G. Norton, B. Ravlin, Sue Tolin (for R. Grayson), J. Myers (via Conference call), J. Riddell, K. Burke, J. Smith, and J. Matthews (for Michelle Frazier). Absent: A. Swiger, B. Allen, S. Walton, B. James, J. Elledge, E. Collins, B. Hockman, B. Manley, and M. Jones. Guests: P. Hoepner (for L. Myers), E. Gregory (for W. Newton), M. Pierson, R. Wright, V. Boggs, G. Spittle, L. Moore, B. Downey, J. Hillison, J. Knight, J. Crunkilton, T. McAnge, and S. LeMaster. 1. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. 2. Approval of Council Minutes of August 9, 1993 The CALS Council minutes from the meeting of August 9, 1993 were approved as submitted. 3. For Information a. H. Bruce Downey - Risk Management, discussed the University's insurance programs. Downey provided a handout summarizing the four types of coverage: 1) Workers' Compensation - managed by Personnel Office -- insures against work related injuries by employees (covers anyone paid by the Payroll Dept., including salaried, wage, work-study students, GTA's, GRA's, etc.). 2) Automobile Liability -- the other three types of insurance are managed by Risk Management -- This coverage applies to state-owned vehicles and rented vehicles. Commonwealth of Virginia's auto insurance takes care of any accidents, even if you are at fault, if you are in a state-owned vehicle and/or rented vehicle. However, vehicles are not insured for comprehensive or collision. Employees should continue to decline the collision/loss damage waiver (CDW) offered on the vehicle except when overseas, in which case you should purchase the additional coverage). An Automobile Loss Notice Form must be filled out for any accident - these are usually in the glove box of state vehicles. Also, always ask that a state trooper cover the accident. If you are in a private vehicle on official University business and you have an accident, your private insurance liability insurance would be required to cover the accident. However, if the liability exceeds the limits of the insurance coverage, Virginia Tech does have a hired and non-owned liability excess only insurance to cover the remainder of the costs. 3) General Liability -- insurance coverage for anything other than an automobile -- for employees and their duties and responsibilities as defined by job descriptions. The program provides $2,000,000 per occurrence liability coverage. 4) Property -- provides full replacement-cost coverage for loss of property due to theft, vandalism, etc. or destruction by wind, water, freeze, etc. -- VT has a short list of items that are not covered; if it's not on that list, then it is covered. Further information regarding insurance coverage can be obtained through the PROFS Administrative System under Finance and Business Affairs Policies (3000), #3900 Risk Management Office. b. Vernon Boggs - College Computer Committee -- discussed the College Computer Committee's plan to implement Ethernet connections (high speed transmission line that allows mainframe connection without use of PROFS ID, etc. - also allows the direct connection between any two computers anywhere in the world). Eventually PROFS will not be available. The possibility of fraud exists with the Ethernet system, but there are security measures which can be taken. Boggs said the recommendation from the Committee is that every faculty and staff member have an Ethernet connection as soon as it can be done. The first phase of the proposal is to initiate up to 100 new Ethernet connections and would be a continuing process until everyone is connected. However, because of the significant cost difference for off-campus installation, the Research and Extension Centers (Stations), Extension Offices, and anyone not located directly on campus would not be addressed at this time. The Department Heads will be asked to respond on their needs. The Committee is also recommending to "buy" existing computing employee type time so that the College can move forward in meeting its computing needs. Larry Moore asked that the group address the other academic departments within the Blacksburg area, such as the Entomological facilities, farm at Whitethorne, Turf Center, etc. Jim Riddell also said the unit offices across the state should be addressed too if the other departments/units in the Blacksburg area are going to be included. c. Vernon Boggs -- Conference Call Equipment -- will not work on the Rolm phone - you must have an analog line to use the equipment; areas in the College where the equipment can be used at this time are 1810 Litton Reaves and 104F Hutcheson Hall. Another option is to unplug the fax machine and use those lines. The equipment is available for check out and scheduling through Vernon. d. Jim Knight, Director of the Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching -- discussed the services offered by this Center. The four major roles of the Center are: 1) symbolic representation of the University's commitment to teaching; 2) advocate for effective teaching; 3) clearinghouse of information relative to support of teaching programs; and 4) provider of services for faculty relative to faculty development activities, course development, organizational development, etc. Knight also said that the Center will take over the University's teaching-learning grants program. He also said that the Center would be linked to organizations/units/programs such as the Academy of Teaching Excellence, faculty rewards project, educational technologies (LRC) and new computing initiatives, writing program, outcomes assessment program, honors program, teaching award programs, GTA training, and administration of departmental awards. Knight said the Center plans to have monthly workshops, brown-bag lunches, monthly newsletter, etc. A broad-based steering committee has been set up to assist Dr. Knight in the development of Center activities. e. Sherry LeMaster -- Class Challenge and Development Activities -- 1) FRS Training session for the VT Foundation - Monday, Oct. 18, 9:00 a.m.- Noon, 142 Southgate Center. 2) Scholarship Banquet - The logistics for the two previous banquets have been handled by University Relations, but has now been brought entirely back into the College. 3) Planned Giving - LeMaster distributed copies of graphs comparing Total Alumni Gift Support FY89 ($45,952 - 196 # giving) - FY93 ($187,654 - 1,273 # giving); Total Private Gift Support FY89 ($649,083 - 424 # giving) - FY93 ($1,246,693 - 1,864 # giving); CALS Development Office Month Comparison - May, 1990 ($158,393), June, 1990 ($116,725) compared to May, 1993 ($82,849, June, 1993 ($181,326). 4) Class Challenge - LeMaster said that the class challenge provides an opportunity for graduating students to make a multi-year commitment of support to the college to begin getting students sensitive to the idea of giving, to educate them on their giving opportunities, to provide them an opportunity for giving, and direct it to where they would like it to go. Students would not be required to make the first payment of a three-year pledge until one full year after their graduation. The 1993 Class Challenge resulted in 208 students participating with $1,870 being pledged. After much discussion on how other colleges conduct class challenge, LeMaster requested help on how to make this event happen for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. John White suggested that this be discussed again at the next IDAC meeting and then come back with a recommendation to the CALS Council at it's next meeting. White also suggested that maybe there shouldn't be a Class Challenge this year, but to plan and get the mechanism in place for next year. Larry Moore suggested taking it to the Student Assembly to sell them on the plan. 4. New Business a. First Reading, College Constitution of Governance (addition of Section 8. Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty). Dr. Larry Moore (Chaired the Governance Committee), said the Department Heads recommend that a Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty be established within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' governance structure. White said this is a commission to represent administrative and professional faculty who generally are not represented by faculty, such as Extension Agents, and others. White asked the Secretary to circulate the information on this Commission to all members prior to the December meeting. b. Peer Review of Classroom Teaching -- John Crunkilton presented the recommended guidelines for conducting peer reviews of classroom teaching in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Crunkilton said the College's Academy of Teaching Excellence had prepared the guidelines which have been sent to Department Heads for review, and the document has been revised to reflect suggested changes. Last Spring the report was submitted to Dean Swiger for approval. One of the changes made in the original document was reducing the number on the review panel from three to two. The other change dealt with untenured faculty - original document recommended a review every other year until up for tenure. That has been reduced to a review after two years and again before the end of the fifth year of appointment. Another item of concern was what to do with the report of the review committee. A decision was made to send the first report of the review to the faculty member only, and the faculty member could decide who else would receive the report. Another concern was expressed by a Council member, who is also a member of the Academy, regarding in-class visitation. The proposed guidelines require each member of the review team to visit each class three times. White said this is a controversial issue and should be considered by Council members before voting at the next meeting. Also, another concern expressed by another Council member, was whether you're evaluating faculty or whether you're evaluating faculty-class combinations. 5. Reports from Commission/Committee Chairs were postponed to the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Martha M. Fitzwater Secretary
VT History | Digital Library and Archives | Special Collections | University Archives
Send questions or comments to:
Tamara Kennelly, University Archivist
University Libraries
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
Blacksburg, VA, 24062-9001URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu/minutes/cac/1993/October+10++1993.html
Last modified on: Tuesday, 25-Sep-2001 13:57:15 EDT