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Governance Minutes ArchiveFebruary 13, 1990
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Faculty Senate February 13, 1990 32 Pamplin Hall 7:30 p.m. Present:Senators Arnold, Barker, Batie, Baumgartner, Beyer, Falkingham for Birch, Bunce, Conn, Crittenden, de Wolf, Dudley, Dugger, Duke, Eiss, Eng, Etgen, Farkas, Geller, Geyer, Goss, Falkingham for Kingston, Kriz, McDaniels, Marriott, O'Neil, Allen for Polan, Salvaggio, Scanlon, Snoke, Sorrentino, Thompson, Ventre, Walker, Webster, Wokutch. Absent: Senators Canestaro, Hillison, Morrill, Flick, Saunders. Visitors:Mr. Greg Ritter (Employee Relations), Ms. Pam Orcutt (Veterinary Medicine), Ms. Karen DeBord (Athletic Committee), Mr. Ken Martin (Extension), Ms. Susan Truelove (Spectrum). President Scanlon called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. and welcomed guests. 1. Announcements a. George Flick will replace Larry Nielsen as Senator from Agriculture. b. A letter was received from the Provost on the subject of "tenure." The text of the letter was as follows: "I would like to reply to your questions regarding the statements concerning tenure made by the university's attorneys. The statements applied to a specific case concerning a faculty member who at no time had a tenured position, nor even a tenure track position. The statements applied only to non- tenure employment positions and not to tenured or tenure-track positions. In short, I would like to assure you that University has a tenure policy, and we in the administration expect to observe it." c. A letter was received from Vice President Ford responding to our letter concerning the drillfield/noise/parking/safety/traffic flow, and was circulated to the Faculty Senate. Mr. Alvarez called me to let us know it was possible to delete parking completely from the drill field. d. The Provost has corresponded with Senate officers concerning his thoughts on department/division leader appointment and evaluation. A forum on department governance is planned. e. The Graduate Student Assembly will have an open discussion in 1810 Litton-Reeves on 2/15/90 on the topic "Graduate Students Bill of Rights." f. A Senate Cabinet meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m. on 2/16/90 in the 6th floor Board Room of Newman to discuss reorganization of University Council. g. President has met with Mike Appleby and Wayland Winstead concerning the next stage of the planning process--Assessment of University Goals. Faculty Senate session will be on 03/22/90 from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in Room C of the CEC. h. The Board of Visitors met here on February 4-5, 1990. President Scanlon was asked to address the Academic Affairs Committee on the Faculty Senate role in policy and governance issues. At the meeting President McComas passed along a request from Faculty Senate to approve pay raises earlier. The Board also heard a report from the Provost on the number of Associate Professors serving as department heads. i. Faculty Senate will remind the Provost that a review is due on the 2- year agricultural program. Two senators will serve on the review committee being formed by Associate Dean of Resident Instruction, John White. j. President Scanlon met with the Commemorative Tribute Committee prior to the Board of Visitors meeting. This committee chose G. Burke Johnson and John Hancock as the persons to be commemorated by naming the two newest buildings on campus after them. k. During a recent meeting with the Provost, the dropping of the Presidential Fellowships was discussed. l. Founders' Day will be April 6, 1990. m. Cabinet officers met with SGA officers regarding their concerns about attendance policies and a lack of doctor's excuses from the infirmary. 2. Program Ms. Phyllis Volhein, Staff Senate Chair, spoke on the organization of a Classified Staff Senate. Twenty four members currently serve on the Classified Staff Affairs Committee (CSAC). Its purpose is to open communication, focus on concerns of classified employees regarding state personnel policies and benefits, and to prepare for inclusion in the university governance system. Their goal is to have an elected Staff Senate by 1991. Dr. David Ford, Associate Vice President for Facilities, opened by explaining that his department was a service organization of the campus community. The Facilities Department will be prioritizing budget cuts with the three, five and seven percent possible budget cuts. Items discussed included: --Coal pile has been moved. It was an environmental issue because Stroubles Creek runs through the area. Coal is now trucked in daily from Pulaski. --The arboretum committee is working on the duck pond area. --A design manual is now in progress in concert with the master building plan. In addition, a master facilities data base is being formed. --Mr. Alvarez has presented an asbestos management plan to the state. --VPI & SU has been working with the county to meet the Commonwealth's goal of recycling of solid waste disposal. --There is now a student nighttime auxiliary patrol (SNAP). By next year we hope to have a shuttle around campus to help in the evening. This would reduce the need for the escort service. --There is a bill in the House and Senate to build buildings using private money and, over time, we would pay for those buildings. We have no authorization at this point. This would enable us to build some office space and give up leased space. --A parking structure is in the discussion stage only with the town of Blacksburg. --David Kapalko assumed the position of Director of Parking last week. He is from George Mason University. --The Board of Visitors approved the dedication of land for an east-west connector road. We tried to find a location that would have the least negative impact on the University. 3. Agenda The agenda was adopted with the addition of a resolution on financial exigency to be included before council, commission and committee reports and a resolution to request the student/administration ratio over the past ten years. 4. Minutes The minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting of January 9, 1990 were approved. The minutes of the Faculty Senate Cabinet meeting of February 2, 1990 were accepted. 5. Resolution on Financial Exigency Senator Farkas submitted the following resolution: Given the financial shortfalls for which the University is preparing, the Faculty Senate instructs the President of the University to declare a state of financial exigency and form the ad hoc budgetary review committee as described in section 2.10.2 of the Faculty Handbook. This resolution was proposed given the statement in the Faculty Handbook, "A financial exigency is an imminent financial crisis that threatens the survival of the University and that cannot be alleviated by ordinary budgetary practices." Senator Barker moved to table the motion. MOTION DEFEATED. Much discussion followed. A resolution was moved by Senator Bunce to revise the proposed resolution to read as follows: Given the financial shortfalls for which the University is preparing, the Faculty Senate proposes that the President of the University form an ad hoc budgetary review committee as described in section 2.10.2 of the Faculty Handbook to participate in the necessary consultation on resolution of the current problems. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Council, Commission, and Committee Reports UNIVERSITY COUNCIL-Senator Eng-15 Jan and 29 Jan 90 15 Jan: First reading of CSA Resolution 1989-90 A, recommending that the Chief Justice of the Virginia Tech Honor System be a member of the Commission on Student Affairs. First reading of CSA Resolution 1989-90 B, recommending that the grade star sanction for Honor Code violations be deleted since it is unfair to upperclassmen, and that the number of community service hours as sanctions be changed from 25, 50 and 75 to 20, 40 and 80 hours. Initial discussion of the Report of the Task Force on the University Council, Standing University Commissions and Committees: Recommended Constitution and Bylaws Revisions, January 5, 1990. 1. Add Commission on Academic and Institutional Support and Commission on Public Service (replacing Commission on Extension). (7 total) 2. All committees would report to a commission, with three exceptions (Athletics, EOAA and Classified Staff). 3. Committees would be chaired by non-administrative faculty. 4. Commissions, not committees, would act on policy issues. 5. Two models for University Council are presented: cabinet and congressional. The cabinet model membership: President, Secretary, Provost, CBO, VP- Student Affairs, 3 deans, Director of AA, chairs of the 7 commissions (non-administrative faculty), staff rep, GSA Speaker, SGA President, RHF President. (20) The congressional model membership: President, Secretary, Provost, CBO, VP-Treasurer, VP-Development, VP-InfoSystems, VP-Public Service, VP-Student Affairs, VP-Research, 8 deans, Director of AA, Director Libraries, Chair of CFA, 8 faculty from colleges, 7 faculty Senators, 2 staff reps, 2 GSA, SGA Pres, SGA VP, Sr Class Pres, Jr Class Pres RHF Pres, Black Org Council rep. (46) Council membership now at 43. 29 Jan: Second Reading, CSA Resolution 1989-90 A, adding Chief Justice of Virginia Tech Honor System to CSA: motion to approve, seconded, passed. Second Reading, CSA Resolution 1989-90 B, concerning Honor System constitution: withdrawn. Further discussion of Report of the Task Force on University Council, etc. Announcement of legislative budget amendments submitted in Richmond for 1990-91 biennium, totalling 22.6 million dollars, as well as two current year amendments (one for Equine Medical Center - 500k, and another requesting authorization of 25 million bond project for Student Recreation Center.) COMMISSION ON EXTENSION-Senator Marriott-6 Feb 90 The "Report of the Task Force on University Council, Commissions and Committees, - Recommended Constitution and Bylaws Revisions" was reviewed by the Commission. Since uniform agreement was not reached on the proposed models for the University Council, the Commission decided to take no stand related to a preference for any of the three proposals. However, by consensus, the commission recommended that the proposed membership of the Commission on Public Service exclude the Senior Vice President and Provost in favor of either the Vice-Provost for Research or Dean of the Graduate School, but not both. The consensus of the Council was that the Cooperative Extension mission lacked adequate representation on the proposed Commission on Public Service. Recommended potential additions to this Commission were (1) an elected representative of the Virginia Extension Service Association, (2) an elected representative of the Extension Extra-Collegiate Faculty Association, (3) one representative appointed by each of the Vice President for Public Service, Director of Cooperative Extension, and the Director of the Office of International Development. The Commission also recommended the establishment of four standing committees as follows with the chairs to serve as members of the Commission: Cooperative Extension; Continuing Education; Economic Development; International. It was further recommended that the international dimensions of public service be included as a function for the Commission on Public Service and that the Commission take an assertive posture on public service and other outreach missions of the University. A review of proposals related to other university commissions and committees provided recommendations that (1) the Commission on Faculty Affairs have one elected representative of the extra collegiate extension Faculty (not the extra-collegiate cooperative Extension Faculty--an incorrect term); (2) a representative of extension should be added to the Library Committee and to the Employee Benefits Committee. COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS-Senator de Wolf-19 Jan and 2 Feb 90 The Commission met twice with the following outcomes: 1. No action is to be taken regarding limitation of the number of publications to be submitted in support of tenure/promotion. Proposed changes introduced too many problems and inequities. 2. The Provost and Senior Vice President should continue to be a designated member of CFA in any proposed alteration of the membership. 3. A report from the Chair of the Employee Benefits Committee, Dr. G. Rod Thompson, itemized answers to a list of written questions posed on behalf of CFA. Major problems noted are the unbridled rise in medical care costs everywhere, and concomitant consequences locally for the change from the Cost Awareness to the Key Care program as a result of which Montgomery Hospital may well not be a provider-of-health-care institution for VPI&SU. 4. After some discussion of a memorandum by the Provost giving his thoughts on the subject, the Commission sent back to University Council for second reading the CFA resolution 1988-89 D, which deals with the introduction of a fixed term for chairs/heads and directors and with procedures for renewal. Although the proposed changes soften the distinction between "heads" and "chairs" considerably, further discussion of that distinction was not ruled out. The resolution specifically proposes a modification of section 1.3.2, paragraph 4, of the Faculty Handbook. COMMISSION ON GRADUATE STUDIES-Senator Snoke-7 Feb 90 Announcements of interest: 1. Applications are up by about 6% compared to this time last year. For the most part, there are no delays in processing application, so if your department has fewer applications than in previous years, it is not the Graduate School's fault. 2. There were to be tax seminars for interested graduate students on 9 and 10 February. (Update: about 500 students attended.) A representative from the Graduate Student Assembly brought forth two items for our consideration: 1. The suggestion of a book drop somewhere on campus near where one can park. No action was taken by the Commission at this time. (Update: I have learned that book drops used to exist, but suffered vandalism and weather damage to books. There is now at least one 10-minute-limit parking place near the library. Plus one can drop off books at branch libraries, and the Geology library in Derring has a book drop outside its door.) Gary Hooper gave us an update on the University in the 21st Century. A report from a Commission committee was presented summarizing suggested revisions to the Graduate Honor Code to make explicit reference to research misconduct as an honor code violation. The committee further suggested that "proactive" measures in the form of education on research ethics be provided. An NIH directive is going to require funded universities have some such program for students supported by NIH monies. The commission agreed to have its minutes put on to PROFS/INFO. COMMISSION ON RESEARCH-Senator Bunce-24 January 90 There was a decided atmosphere of gloom as we discussed the budget. Most of the meeting was devoted to discussion of the reversions and future impacts. COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS-Senator Geyer- No Faculty Senators were able to attend, but the following items were discussed: --Study of compensation of student leaders--who and how much --Man/woman of the year--nominations open to all --Revision of class system constitution --Student leader eligibility standards and academic advising are under review COMMISSION ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES-Senator Salvaggio- The major item of discussion at both meetings was the composition of the committee to study the core curriculum. At our last meeting, Provost Carlisle distributed 2 lists of names of potential committee members, insuring representation from all colleges, select department heads, Associate/Assistant Deans, students, and a representative from the SCHEV- funded Curriculum Transformation Project. Further suggestions and comments were welcomed. ATHLETIC COMMITTEE-Senator Saunders-25 Jan 90 Tech is involved in discussion with 5 different conference affiliations, including 1) Metro: voted to work on expansion and hired a consultant--12 teams, all sports; 2) Eastern; 3) Atlantic 10; 4) Southeast: beginning to talk of expansion to 16 teams in two divisions; 5) Atlantic Coast: most feasible, each team makes 2 million each year. Second century campaign was launched with a goal of 17 million in scholarships, improvements, and athletic initiatives. NCAA convention results found Tech voting exactly as the overall results turned out. The basketball season was shortened to 25 games; entering freshmen are eligible for summer financial aid; mandatory drug testing initiated; and mandatory disclosure of graduation rates. The committee discussed at length the issue of academics vs. athletics. Tech has more stringent admissions requirements (particularly math and science) than most of the teams it competes against while at the same time playing a very competitive schedule. This puts Tech coaches at a disadvantage in recruitment. The committee felt that the rigid admission requirements was a university-wide problem, and that such requirements are out of place in keeping with the diverse student population that is desired at Tech, particularly the recruitment of minority students. It was noted that Tech offers no support for students once admitted, such as remedial courses, and that this should be changed as a first step. The Provost is studying the matter and will speak at the next meeting. Jeff Bourne presented the year-end budget projections for the athletic department predicting a shortfall of $535,000. The majority of this loss is in the area of lease assessments. The university was to have set up an office in 1989 to collect monies generated from leasing athletic facilities, but this office was never formed so no monies were collected. BUILDING COMMITTEE-Senator Kingston-No meeting COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK COMMITTEE-Senator Snoke-31 Jan 90 There have been changes in CNS. Now there is an umbrella organization, Communication Resources, headed by Earving Blythe, with four subgroups: 1. Network Services (old CNS; headed by Judy Lilly, runs telephone utility, satellite uplinks and cable TV; 100% cost recovery; budget of 10-12 million dollars) 2. Network Research and Planning (headed by Theta Bowden, addresses the growing desire for high speed networks on campus and off) 3. Media Services (directed by Tom Head, integrates print shop activities with graphic media services, 80-90% cost recovery) 4. Learning Resources (headed by John Moore primarily involved with television and dynamic images, over 1/3 cost recovery) Theta Bowden presented an overview of his group's activities. Of particular interest are the possibility that in the near future there will be a computer mail facility available to all students (and others) which does not require having accounts on the mainframe computer, and a description of VERNET (Virginia Education and Research Network). There was a long discussion about the future role the committee will play. The suggestion made was that the committee become more proactive and help to formulate policy. COMPUTER COMMITTEE-Senator Birch-10 Jan and 7 Feb 90 User Services' consulting office moved form Burruss Hall to the library in December. Mainframe utilization rates continue to grow at about the same rate as they have for the past few years. VM1 utilization during January 1990 was up 20% over January 1989. The number of simultaneous logged users on VM1 approaches 1000 at times. Usage levels on VM2 have doubled in the past year, primarily due to the addition of the CAD/CAM system. The MVS system is close to full saturation and has been sustaining very high paging rates. Although special measures were taken to ensure the smooth functioning of the last student registration, the system was very close to its limit, and additional measures will have to be taken before the next registration. The gradual increase in utilization has had little impact on general users thus far, though throughput on numerically intensive jobs has degraded significantly. When full saturation is reached, however, the effect is usually dramatic. Since the systems are not far from true saturation, measures to decrease usage may have to be taken soon if funds are not available to upgrade the computers. The computer committee will consider recommending measures to deal with the problem. One measure that has already been taken has been to adjust rates to encourage night usage. Currently, the cost of running an interactive job during the day is 18 times the cost of running it under night and evening VM Batch. With the current state revenue shortfall, the University's request for a special initiative for central computing, while viewed favorably by the state, is unlikely to be funded. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMMITTEE-Senator Thompson-19 Jan 90 The committee voted unanimously to go on record as recommending that the University begin a wellness program for all employees. Doug Martin will try to schedule representatives from CommonHealth at our next meeting. CommonHealth is the comprehensive health promotion program currently sponsored by the state. The Peer Institution Assessment was discussed. A summary of a survey that was completed by another institution was made available to the committee. The Flexible Spending Plan was discussed. The July 1, 1990 date is still expected for payment of Health Care coverage from pre-tax dollars. More is expected on January 1, 1991 although it is unclear exactly what will be included at that time. Concerns were expressed with regard to education of employees in the mechanics and constraints of the flexible spending plan. There was a discussion of the use of Summer School credits in computing retirement/life insurance benefits. The majority of the discussion centered around summer research grants with the question of whether the University charged overhead on grant work completed in the summer in the same fashion as grant work completed during the academic year. If the overhead rate includes fringe benefits for research carried out in the summer, then there is concern that benefits may not be credited properly under the current system. A representative from Grants and Contracts will be invited to the next meeting to discuss this concern. There was little support for the prospects of using summer school pay in computing benefits. There was an update from Ken Martin on the three VSRS topics he and Doug Martin took to the Virginia Governmental Employee's Association (VGEA). William Drake, the area representative of VGEA, said that these concerns will be discussed with the appropriate state legislators. Doug Martin gave the committee an update on the Cost Awareness/Key Care issue. It continues to be uncertain as to whether this institution will be forced to Key Care. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for March 9, 1990 in the Pamplin Board Room. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES COMMITTEE-Senator Dudley- (Unable to attend last meeting because of class conflict.) LIBRARY COMMITTEE-Senator Duke-10 Jan and 7 Feb 90 10 Jan: Two issues were discussed: access versus ownership and library space needs. At the present rate of material acquisition, the Newman Library will be filled by 1993. 7 Feb: (Not in attendance) The agenda listed reports on the cancellation of international newspapers and of the "space committee." The charge to the space committee is attached. The library policy for handling serials cancellation, if necessary, was to be discussed. The report of the Study Group on Library Materials Pricing Policies was released. A copy is available in the Faculty Senate Office (attached to 13 February minutes). SCHOLARSHIP AND STUDENT AID COMMITTEE-Senator Kingston-No meeting SELF-STUDY MONITORING COMMITTEE-Senator Arnold-No meeting SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS COMMITTEE-Senator Barker-17 Jan 90 The Chair expressed a concern to clarify the status of awards made by the Committee. These awards are not personal awards that may be spent at the discretion of the faculty member to whom the award is made. Rather, they are awards made to a specific individual, in support of the particular activity described in that person's proposal (usually international travel). There are cases where the funds awarded by the Committee cannot be spent on the approved activity. Recently, for example, several faculty received support to attend a meeting in Puerto Rico which was postponed when the hotel in which they were to meet was damaged by a hurricane. In such cases the funds revert, and in future "shutdown notices" will be issued 90 days after the activity for which the grant was made. (It will still be possible to request a no-cost extension in cases where it is impossible to use the award funds within 90 days.) In other business, the Chair noted that this year, total allocation through the Committee, projected as $100,000, had been successfully defended; that a review of the allocation will occur after a further year, and that an increased allocation will be requested at that time. The Chair also noted that the pattern of requests in previous years makes it likely that a summer meeting of the Committee will be required, and asked that the Senate take appropriate steps to appoint representatives for the period from May to July. PARKING/TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE-Senator Geller for Senator Polan-31 Jan 90 1) a parking manager has been hired. David Kapalko reported for work February 5. He had been in a similar position at George Mason University. 2) Richard Alvarez described the steps taken and considerations in developing the upcoming operating budget. 3) Lt. Woods described changes in parking upon initiation of Wallace Hall construction. 4) a Sub-Committee to revise Rules and Regulations for the upcoming year was appointed and given their charge. 5) Dr. Ford updated the Committee on discussion with Town officials concerning parking facilities. They are in the talking stage--no commitments have been made. FACULTY SENATE OF VIRGINIA-Senator Conn-No meeting Following up on discussion at the last meeting, I spoke to Fred Carlisle about the request to the Faculty Senate of Virginia for a "faculty view" on the proposed Woodrow Wilson College, indicating (1) we were concerned about the college being singled out for attention, and (2) as faculty, we knew too little ourselves about the college to allow us to respond. I also spoke to the so-called "FSV Lobbyist," suggesting that he urge legislators to consider all proposals for addressing the projected growth in demand for undergraduate places (not just Woodrow Wilson) in light of the report of the Commission on the University of the 21st Century. The Executive Committee of FSV had their regular meeting with Gordon Davies and the SCHEV staff on 19 January. Unfortunately, I was in London at the time. Nothing very notable, beyond what we have read in the press. SCHEV has adopted the Commission's 10 criteria for guiding growth. The criteria may be legislated to become state policy. There is also some discussion of giving each university an amount equal to 150% of the average faculty salary and requiring a match from the university--the proceeds to be used to plan for implementation of the Commission's recommendations. DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES-Senator Bunce- The National Speakers Forum has been dissolved and the Provost has established a Distinguished Speakers Series to be funded with $45,000 for the 1990-91 academic year. 6. OLD BUSINESS None 7. NEW BUSINESS Senator Duke proposed a resolution that the administrator/student ratio for the university over the past ten years be determined. After a discussion about how administrator should be defined, Senator Duke withdrew his motion. He will work with Senator Ventre on how accurate figures might be obtained. The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rosemary Carucci Goss, Secretary ADDENDUM Treasurer's Report March 5, 1990 Balance on hand, 5 February 1990 $247.25 No deposits or withdrawals Balance on hand, 5 March 1990 247.25
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