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Governance Minutes ArchiveApril 12, 1990
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Faculty Senate April 12, 1990 32 Pamplin Hall 7:30 p.m. Present:Senators Arnold, Allen for Batie, Baumgartner, Beyer, Birch, Bunce, Canestaro, Conn, Crittenden, de Wolf, Dudley, Eiss, Eng, Allen for Etgen, Farkas, Geyer, Goss, Hillison, Kingston, Kriz, McDaniels, Marriott, Flick, O'Neil, Polan, Saunders, Scanlon, Snoke, Webster, Wokutch. Absent: Senators Barker, Dugger, Duke, Geller, Morrill, Salvaggio, Sorrentino, Thompson, Ventre, Walker. Visitors:Mr. Ken Martin (Extension), Ms. Susan Truelove (Spectrum), Ms. Hooker (Chief Justice of Honor Court), Ms. Hiller (Advisor to Honor Court) and new Senators Deisenroth and Brown. President Scanlon called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. and welcomed guests and new Senators. 1. Program Mr. David Braine distributed a copy of the Mission of the Virginia Tech Athletic Department (attached) and shared some of the academic progress of the athletic program. Dr. Jerry Via discussed some of the recent developments in the academic advising arena including an improved orientation program, added computer resources, and computer monitoring of academics and athletics. A goal of the athletic department is to exceed the university average for graduation rates. QCAs have improved for all athletes from 2.32 in Spring 1988 to 2.41 in Spring 1989 and for football players from 1.96 in Spring 1988 to 2.11 in Spring 1989. Since Proposition 48 standards were implemented, no student athletes have been admitted who did not meet those requirements. Mr. Frank Beamer, Head Football Coach, shared his thoughts about the importance of academics. He then raised the question about schedules and admissions policies. Should we play the tougher schedule with teams who recruit by Proposition 48 standards (e.g. UNC, UVA, and NC State), or should we keep our higher standards and play schools who recruit by higher standards (e.g. Vanderbuilt, Duke)? 2.Announcements Faculty Senate Volleyball team defeated the SGA for the third year in a row. Constitution votes have been received from over 50% of the faculty. Faculty Senate executive committee has met with Provost Carlisle, twice with the SGA officers and with Vice President Goodale. Nancy Hooker, Chief Justice of the Honor System, reported on the actions of the Honor System thus far this year. Senator Goss announced that interest forms for University Council, Commissions, and Committees are available tonight and should be returned to her by May 1. Congratulations were extended to Senators Geller and Etgen for the recognition they received on Founders' Day. 3. Agenda The agenda was adopted with the addition of a report from the ad hoc committee on the budget and discussion of the April 24 meeting. 4. Minutes The minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of March 6, 1990 wereapproved. The minutes of the Faculty Senate Cabinet meeting of March 30 were accepted. 5. Council, Commission and Committee Reports UNIVERSITY COUNCIL-Senator Eng-no meeting COMMISSION ON EXTENSION-Senator Marriott-10 Apr 90 The agenda included a brief follow-up report by Ned Lester on the Continuing Education Policy and a handout indicating how the Continuing Education Center evaluated their services and programs. Mode Johnson provided an update on the Hotel Roanoke Project. He indicated that VPI&SU has the opportunity to give the Hotel Roanoke back if it appears that it is not going to provide a service for the University and its clientele. Commission members whose terms expire at the end of this year were recognized and agenda items for next year were identified, including --Academy of Public Service Excellence --Continuing Education --Evaluation of Extension Personnel --Role of the Commission on Extension on Decisions Related to Extension and/or Public Service. COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS-Senator de Wolf-6 Apr 90 One issue, the elimination of mandatory retirement for faculty, was the topic of discussion, with input from Doug Martin of Employee Benefits and Phil Sheldon of Institutional Research. Key points include --Virginia's early elimination of mandatory retirement for faculty (a Federal law to that effect is slated for 1 Jan 94) --Differences between TIAA-CREF and VSRS, and their effect upon higher- aged retirees --Negotiations regarding health insurance benefits past age 65 --Consideration of phased retirement programs --The effects upon quality as well as quantity of the faculty. COMMISSION ON GRADUATE STUDIES-Senator Snoke-7 Mar, 21 Mar, 4 Apr 90 Associate Dean John Eaton suffered a heart attack in late March. He is now home from the hospital and doing well. This year, for the first time, there will be a separate commencement for doctoral students in the Coliseum at 5 pm on Friday, 4 May 90. At the 21 March meeting, Dr. Robert Frary of the Office of Management and Research Services, presented the results of a study analyzing evaluations of graduate teaching assistants. There were not significant differences between native speakers of English and non-native speakers of English, and overall the teaching assistants compared favorably with faculty. Also at that meeting, Masters of Arts degree programs were approved in Music Performance, French Studies, and Spanish Studies, and Doctor of Philosophy programs were approved in Political Science and Exercise Physiology. However, concern was expressed about adequacy of resources for some of these programs in the current economic climate. Particular resources mentioned were faculty positions, GA's, space, and library holdings. At both the 21 March and 4 April meetings, issues regarding graduate students in residence during the summer were discussed. --Students on GRA, GPA, GTA, or GA support during both summer sessions must pay tuition and fees for three hours for both sessions. Last year such students only needed to pay for one session. --Students paid by hourly wages need not be enrolled. --In response to questions regarding the status of students in residence but not on formal support, Fred Weaver, Director of Risk Management, stated in a 3 April 90 memo to Arthur Snoke that students who are acknowledged by their department to be in good standing and working towards a degree are covered so far as liability is concerned whether or not they are on support. In the same memo, it is stated that anyone is covered driving a state vehicle--the person need not have a state of Virginia driving license nor need he/she be "on the state payroll." At the 4 April meeting, the Commission passed two resolutions which would undo one implied and one explicit part of Policy Memorandum No. 8.0: --Students who receive less than a "C-" are required to retake such courses only if the courses appear on their approved program of study --Reinstate the "D+", "D", and "D-" grades for graduate students. Regarding tax exclusions for graduate students on tuition and fees, it was reported by memo from Professor Cherie O'Neill that --Students could refile, using the 1040X form, for 1987 and 1988 if they did not exclude tuition and fees for those years --A plan is being worked on whereby the monies paid for tuition and fees would not appear on the W2 forms and could be excluded from the paychecks. COMMISSION ON RESEARCH-Senator Bunce-11 Apr 90 Dr. Stout presented the following information items: A report by the National Science Foundation on "The State of U.S. Science and Engineering." It concluded that American education in science, engineering and mathematics is a national problem that has not yet been effectively addressed. A memo from the Council on Governmental Regulations concerning an indirect cost cap of 25% imposed on the FY1990 Federal Appropriation for USDA Competitive Research Grants Program. Universities are concerned at this diminishment of overhead and fearful that it might spread to other federal agencies. A one page report outlining the purpose and FY91 budget (57.5 million) of the National Agricultural Research Initiative. This is proposed to implement the current Competitive Grants program. The Initiative has not yet been approved into law. A summary of research proposals and awards (July 1989 thru Feb. 1990) at VPI&SU. We are presently ahead of the comparable period one year ago. A memo from the Association of American Universities opposing the restrictive language contained within the reauthorization of the Arts and Humanities Endowments. A budget analysis for the Research Division response to the budget reductions imposed by the state was presented. In summary, a return of 40 faculty positions will be required for the 1990-91 fiscal year. COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS-Senator McDaniels-5 Apr 90 The Commission voted on student candidates for the Board of Visitors; three candidates received unanimous support. Funding was approved for student lodging for certain groups for next year, after much debate. COMMISSION ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES-Senator Salvaggio The Registrar's Office has discussed the possibility of implementing a telephone registration. The proposal is being studied. ATHLETIC COMMITTEE-Senator Saunders-22 Mar 90 The update on conference affiliation is that the ACC will not be expanding at this point, the SEC will be discussing expansion, and the Metro is completing a study of conference expansion. The Eastern Seaboard conference has hired a consultant whose report is due in June. Tech is continuing discussion with the Eastern Seaboard conference, but no commitments have been made. The last athletic committee meeting report submitted to the senate may have implied that Tech had committed to the Eastern Seaboard conference. Mike Green, a recognized consultant on alcohol abuse, has spoken to the athletes here, and the athletic department hopes to start a peer counseling group for alcohol. 115 of 450 student athletes had a GPA of 3.0 or better Fall Semester. Discussion continued about athletics and academics. BUILDING COMMITTEE-Senator Kingston-No meeting COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK COMMITTEE-Senator Snoke-28 Mar 90 The Committee voted to change its name to University Communications Resources Committee, a name which was felt to reflect more accurately the scope of the Committee. Presumably this must be approved by the President and/or University Council before it becomes official. Questions were raised as to the necessity of having the Networks Services side of Communications Resources be 100% cost recovery. This discussion will continue at the next meeting. UCNC "policies" generated over the last two years have been gathered together. Chairman Pyle will be discussing with Larry Harris procedures for dealing with them so that they will have status in the University as a whole and not just in CR. COMPUTER COMMITTEE-Senator Birch-7 Mar and 4 Apr 90 Funding for a mainframe system upgrade in 1990-92 is now felt to be improbable (due to budget cutbacks). The Computing Center has redirected some of its resources to the purchase of additional memory to try to postpone the problems associated with saturation of the mainframe systems. Neither VM1 nor VM2 are saturated at this time, but MVS is saturated. In reports from both the PC and User Services subcommittees, recommendations were made for the Computing Center to take more responsibility for providing increased support for departmental PC facilities. This issue will be addressed in future meetings. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMMITTEE-Senator Thompson-9 Mar 90 The committee decided to move forward with a report abstracted from the peer institution assessment that has been made available from another institution. Philip Sheldon was available at the meeting to answer the committee's questions about the available information. A subcommittee will move forward with the project. The committee is continuing its efforts to schedule a meeting with a representative from CommonHealth with regard to the Wellness Program. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES COMMITTEE-Senator Dudley- LIBRARY COMMITTEE-Senator Duke-4 Apr 90 The committee discussed the resolution to University Council regarding "branch libraries" that had been returned. The committee decided to withdraw the resolution and to formulate a new policy regarding a centralized library and associated branch libraries. The ULC is continuing to work with the GSA to help resolve problems related to convenience of returning books. Recent statistics regarding the VPI&SU library and American Research Libraries is attached. SCHOLARSHIP AND STUDENT AID COMMITTEE-Senator Kingston-No meeting SELF-STUDY MONITORING COMMITTEE-Senator Arnold-No meeting SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS COMMITTEE-Senator Barker-No meeting PARKING/TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE-Senator Polan- A subcommittee has held a number of meetings to discuss the rules and regulations to be proposed for parking operations for the coming year. The committee then put together recommendations, including the following which might be of interest: Semester permits were recommended, to be available to both students and staff. This would allow the option of spending less at the beginning of the semester for a permit, though permits bought on this basis would cost more per year. A daily permit option was also recommended, to cost about $1 and to be available to anyone. Another recommendation deals with restricting areas to faculty and staff parking 24 hours/day (particularly around dining halls where staff do not work 8-5). FACULTY SENATE OF VIRGINIA-Senator Conn-31 Mar 90 --Presentation and discussion of results of faculty "job satisfaction survey." A motion was passed to continue the survey for next year using a random stratified sample and placing special emphasis on seeking returns from schools not previously participating. --President O'Meara reported on meeting with SCHEV on previous day. --A list of the accomplishments of the FSV was presented. --Discussion on role of FSV and, in particular, the extent to which the FSV should be proactive. --Resolution was passed expressing concern about disproportionate impact of budget cuts in higher education. FACULTY SUPPORT COMMITTEE-Senator Snoke-No report OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS Ad Hoc Committee on Budget Reductions-Senator Conn- There have been four meetings since the last Faculty Senate meeting. The budget proposal is now being finalized for mailing to the Board of Visitors on Monday. The Board will meet on April 23. Although various fee options considered, latest word from the Governor restricts us to covering one-half of the cut (i.e. 2.5% of general fund) with fee surcharge. Thus we will set a relatively small surcharge (note that proposed increase in regular tuition will also be small; we do not yet know the proposed increase in other fees). May see higher fee increases at other institutions. These are not surcharges to offset the budget cut but rather increases in the regular fees which are allowable at institutions where undergraduates are currently paying less than 25% of the costs of instruction. Proposed FTE reduction: @3% Faculty--82; Classified--30 @5% Faculty--114; Classified--61 (outcome will probably fall in between) Deans and unit heads now have targets. Must respond to Provost by April 18 with plans to implement. Recognize that cuts are going to make a difference. Administration has been attempting to make this clear in Richmond. 6. OLD BUSINESS None 7. NEW BUSINESS The preliminary report of the constitution vote is that 819 ballots were returned, 7 of those were void because there were two votes on one item. 611 voted yes on all items, 12 voted no on all items; the remaining votes were mixed yes and no on various items. Senator Dudley thanked everyone for their efforts. The Senate thanked him for his efforts. The meeting of April 24 has been postponed until May 8. Elections A quorum was present. New Senators had been invited to the meeting and were allowed to vote. Ludeman Eng was nominated for President. There were no nominations from the floor. Senator Eng spoke to the faculty about his thoughts on serving as president. Senator Bunce moved and it was seconded that Senator Eng be elected by acclamation. MOTION CARRIED. Senator Baumgartner and Senator Hillison were nominated for Vice President. There were no nominations from the floor. Each shared remarks about why they would like to be vice president. Senator Hillison was elected. Senator Geyer way nominated for secretary. There were no nominations from the floor. Senator Arnold moved and it was seconded that Senator Geyer be elected by acclamation. MOTION CARRIED. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rosemary Carucci Goss, Secretary ADDENDUM Treasurer's Report April 23, 1990 Balance on hand, 2 April, 1990 $ 94.42 CMT (plaque for outgoing President) 48.64 Balance on hand, 23 April, 1990 45.78
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