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Governance Minutes ArchiveOctober 19, 1993
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes Approved: November 19, 1993 October 19, 1993 7:00 p.m. 32 Pamplin Hall Senators Present: Anderson, Armstrong, Badinelli, Bambach, Beagle, Brown, Bunce, Carrig, Creamer, de Wolf, Dyck, Ficenec, Foy, Graham, Hardell, Howard, Hult, Jones, Lambur, Landgraf, McDaniel, Mullins, Norstedt, Olin, Pinder, Richardson, Riley, Sanzone, Scigaj, Shires, Shumsky, Sumichrast, Webb, Zink Absent Barbeau, Benson, Cramer, Fern, Giles, Greenberg, Gregoire, Holtzman, Martin, McKenna, O'Brien, Pierce, Rojiani, Sherman, Tze, Vinson, Williams, Zhang Guests John Ashby, Editor, Spectrum Ralph Byers, Director of Governmental Relations Brian Kelley, Reporter, Roanoke Times and World News Peggy Rasnick, Staff Senate Representative Tim Schell, President, Graduate Students Association Ronnie Stephenson, President, Student Government Association 1. The meeting was called to order by President David de Wolf at 7:00 p.m. Visitors were welcomed and coverage of the meeting by a reporter from the Roanoke Times and World News was noted. President de Wolf stated that the press was allowed in on a probationary basis. 2. The agenda was adopted after several modifications proposed by President de Wolf. 3. Announcements: President de Wolf made the following announcements related to activities of the Senate. The Senate sent "best wishes" to University President McComas on recovery from his illness and on his decision to retire from the University. Senate officers met with Virginia State Senator, Madison Marye recently to discussions which the university has received from various outside sources and to request advice during the current budget cutting climate. State Senator Marye was sympathetic to the University's cause and suggested that it must do a better job publicizing its worthy activities. The Senate now has a professional secretary working afternoons in 400C Burruss Hall. Senate members willing to serve on committees are required to fill vacancies. This issue will be taken up during the new business portion of the meeting. There will be a brief meeting of the Committee on Committees after the Senate meeting. Senators are requested to pay dues of $5.00 to the Senate Treasurer. 4. Program: President de Wolf explained the format for the meeting program and allowed the candidates for the Twelfth District House of Delegates Seat to address the Senate. By mutual agreement, Jim Shuler addressed the Senate first. Dr. Shuler outlined his background, emphasizing his ties to the area and especially his ties to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He reviewed his qualifications including his service on the Blacksburg Town Council and his practice of listening to local citizens. Then, Dr. Shuler addressed issues which he considers of primary importance. Dr. Shuler stated that Virginia is in relatively good financial shape when compared to other states. He explained that Medicaid and prisons are responsible for consuming large and rapidly growing portions of the state budget. He stated his position in favor of a system of universal health care and explained why he believes adoption of such a system will save money. Dr. Shuler provided statistics to emphasize the cost of the current prison system and stated his desire to rely on more cost effective alternatives to incarceration. He noted that he was not opposed to eliminating parole for violent offenses. However, he stressed a link between social problems and crime and stated that there is not enough money "to simply lock up everybody". Dr. Shuler explained his belief in education as a long-term key to reducing problems such as crime. He stressed his support of higher education and of Virginia Tech in particular. He noted benefits to the state and local economies from Virginia Tech and higher education. Candidate Nick Rush then addressed the Senate. Mr. Rush discussed his background including his ties to the area and his service on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. Then, he explained his reason for entering the race for the Twelfth District House of Delegates Seat. Mr. Rush said that he saw a lack of effective leadership within the New River Valley. Mr. Rush identified the economy as a top priority. He spoke of the need for diversification in the state and local economies. He spoke against excessive reliance on jobs related to the federal government and on the defense industry. He provided examples of industries which located outside of Virginia because other areas were more willing to provide them with subsidies. Mr. Rush identified education as another of his priorities. He informed the Senate of his experiences as a member of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors during the past two years. He noted that the Board had increased educational funding by $1.4 million without raising taxes. Three other issue positions were outlined by Mr. Rush. He spoke of a need to reform the current welfare system with one that would not penalize family units. He said that violent criminals must be locked up and said that the popular belief that the state "got tough on crime" during the 1980's was not correct. Finally, Mr. Rush spoke of the need for greater regional cooperation and cited examples of his support for this concept during his term on the Board of Supervisors. At the conclusion of these opening statements, President de Wolf opened the floor to questions for the candidates. Question: Senator Bambach stated that the federal government has mandated programs which cannot be cut and the state must balance its budget. He asked why the state shouldn't continue to fund programs in which it has developed excellence and inform Virginians that a tax increase is needed because of additional costs required by the federal government? Answers: Mr. Rush said it was because "the public won't buy it". He said that until the public sees that waste has been eliminated, it will not be possible to raise taxes. Mr. Rush went on to stress his support for education. Dr. Shuler said that most people feel that a certain amount of taxes paid "goes down a rat's hole". He said that if Virginians felt that every program was run as efficiently as possible, then they would support higher taxes. Dr. Shuler went on to state that cutting waste is not going to fund all the needs of the state. He said that a tax increase in the future was a possibility and suggested that the university publicize the beneficial activities of its faculty members. Question: Senator Scigaj asked where, in view of the recent passage of the State's bond referendum by such a wide margin, do you get the information to support the claim that Virginians will not support a tax increase for higher education? Answers: Dr. Shuler said the claim was his gut feeling. He agreed that the suggestion may be correct and added that it was easier for Virginians to support the bond issue than to support a tax increase. Mr. Rush said that there is a perception of waste in government. He said this information comes from going door-to-door and talking with people. He stated that it would be hard to raise taxes. Question: Senator Shumsky noted that leadership from elected officials was another element to consider. He said that elected officials have used higher education as a "whipping boy" rather than explaining why money is needed to provide a quality level of service. He asked the candidates how they felt about his observation. Answers: Dr. Shuler had "no problem" with the observation. He stated that he has talked to a cross section of people through door-to-door campaigning and has determined that education is one of many people's major concerns. However, many people have also expressed their inability to pay for a tax increase which might be used to better fund higher education. Dr. Shuler characterized the decrease in state funding for higher education as "wrong", stated his belief that opportunities for further savings exist within the state and concluded that a tax increase is possible as soon as the public is convinced that the state is operating as efficiently as possible. Mr. Rush answered that he was in agreement with Jim Shuler. Mr. Rush noted that education must be made a priority and stated that his record on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors was evidence of his commitment to education. Question: What is your position in relation to the redistribution of state funds for education from wealthy to poor areas and what is your position concerning a cap on tuition increases for institutions of higher education? Answers: Mr. Rush stated his belief in a need for revising the formula which is used to distribute money to educational districts around the state. However, he did not believe that every district should receive the same funding. Mr. Rush favors a cap on tuition increases based on inflation. He stated that higher education is becoming so expensive that only the wealthy can afford it and that conflicts with his belief that it should be available to all. Later, he stated that he views tuition increases as a form of tax increase applied to too small a number of people within the state. Dr. Shuler began by noting that all districts within the state already find education above the levels set by state formula. He believes that the formula should be changed and that the formula proposed by the VEA is an appropriate alternative. Dr. Shuler stated his opposition to tuition caps since universities have so few means of raising needed funds. He also stated his concern about the high levels of tuition and fees. Question: Senator Bunce stated, "Mr. Rush, it sounds like you are giving half an answer." He then asked how education could be funded without tax increases. He stated his skepticism of politicians who claim that this is possible. Answer: Mr. Rush said that we have to deal with other problems before considering a tax increase. Mr. Rush also noted that education must be a priority. Question: Senator Badinelli asked how Mr. Rush could claim to hold educational funding as a high priority when the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors approved budgets for the last two years which included only a small fraction of the requested educational funding. Answer: Mr. Rush stated that the original request for educational funding was unreasonable. A doubling of the spending level was requested. Dr. Shuler then commented on the need for both the region and state to make K-12 and higher education a higher priority. He also discussed the need to concentrate more on preventative measures. He stated his belief that teachers should be required to spend less time on activities other than teaching. Question: Senator Foy stated his astonishment on learning that it costs more to house an inmate than to educate a person through his doctorate. He asked of there is any thought being given to making prisoners work. Answers: Dr. Shuler stated that he agrees with the concept of requiring an offender to work. He noted some specific programs consistent with his philosophy. He also noted problems which have occurred in the past, such as escape and noted that the private sector must be protected from unfair competition. Senator Graham commented that one reason the well known program, CCC, was stopped, is that it was in competition with private enterprise. Mr. Rush commented that the best welfare system is a job. Question: Senator Beagle asked the candidates if they were aware of the Blacksburg Electronic Village and its role as an economic stimulus to the region. He also asked if they would support spending state funds to help develop this project. Answers: Dr. Shuler discussed his knowledge of the project and its potential uses. Dr. Shuler expressed confidence that the project will grow beyond the New River Valley. Mr. Rush responded that he understands the objectives of the Blacksburg Electronic Village and stated his support for investments in technology of this type. Question: President de Wolf acknowledged the problems which a politician would have in asking for a tax increase to support higher education. He then pointed out some of the difficulties which the University is experiencing as a result of the budget cuts and informed the candidates that the University was finding ways to do more with less. President de Wolf asked for suggestions about what the University could do until the economy turns around. Answers: Mr. Rush responded that the government must make education a top priority, He said that he had already done this in his role as a member of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. He reviewed accomplishments which had been made while he was a member of the Board. Dr. Shuler answered that between now and March, the University must lobby for its cause. He recommended cooperating with other universities within the state and demonstrating cost efficiency to the public. Question: Everyone is for education. However, I have the sense that you think of education as homogeneous. Please clarify your opinions concerning the role of a research university. Answers: Mr. Rush said that research is important. He said that the questioner is correct in pointing out the different kinds of educational institutions which are sometimes not spoken of separately. Mr. Rush stated that all kinds of educational institution are important. Dr. Shuler said that Virginia Tech is known for research. He stated that he understands the importance and the value of research. Dr. Shuler emphasized the value of all parts of the activities of Virginia Tech faculty including research, service and teaching. President de Wolf thanked the candidates for addressing the Faculty Senate. President de Wolf introduced Ronnie Stephenson, President of the Student Government Association and asked Mr. Stephenson to address the Senate. Mr. Stephenson spoke of his concern for the loss which the state is suffering as a result of the budget cuts. He announced that the Student Government Association, in cooperation with other groups, is holding a rally on the drill field at noon on Wednesday, October 20. He reported that his organization had received significant support from the Blacksburg town government and its merchants. Mr. Stephenson asked faculty to attend the rally and to encourage students to attend it. He also noted the results of contacts with various state officials and plans for more discussions with the candidates for governor. After a brief discussion period, the senate congratulated Mr. Stephenson for his efforts. Next, President de Wolf introduced Tim Schell, President of the Graduate Student Association and asked him to address the Senate. Mr. Schell reviewed a recent trip which he took to Richmond as a part of the student government organization. Mr. Schell noted discussions which he had with state officials and reported that "our message is not getting across". Mr. Schell asked faculty to attend the rally planned for October 20. Ralph Byers, Director of Governmental Relations, reported to the Senate on actions which the university and its alumni are currently undertaking to help inform the public and legislators of the position of higher education. 5. Council, Commission, and Committee Reports had been distributed electronically. A brief discussion period was held concerning these reports. Senator McDaniel, updated the Senate on one recent activity of the Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies. He reported that a new committee, the Committee on Academic Support had been formed and stated that the Senate must appoint two members to it. Senator Graham reported that due to a change in membership requirements, he was no longer a member of the Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action committee and therefore could not report to the Senate on its activities. He has already arranged for Senator Holtzman to replace him as the reporter to the Senate. President de Wolf reported that the University Advisory Council on Strategic Planning and Budgeting met at Mountain Lake last weekend. The College Deans presented plans for how they would respond to the provost's request for each unit of the University to return 1.5% of its operating budget for new initiatives. 6. Faculty Senate minutes of September 21, 1993 were approved with several minor corrections. Cabinet minutes of September 17, 1993 were accepted. 7. New Business a. Committee and Commission Membership President de Wolf stated that representatives to the Faculty Ethics Committee were needed from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and from Extension. He asked that nominations be forwarded to him. Senator Lambur was nominated and elected to serve on the Commission on Faculty Affairs. President de Wolf requested volunteers to serve on the 1994 President's Awards for Excellence Committee and briefly discussed the role of the committee. Senator Norstedt explained more of the functioning of the committee to the Senate and expressed satisfaction at her past work with the committee. Senator Hult agreed to serve on the committee. b. President de Wolf presented a resolution to the Senate concerning the representation of Administrative and Professional faculty within committees of the University Governance system. He explained the rationale for the suggested change and opened the floor to discussion. Senator Lambur said that the wording of the resolution was confusing because it misrepresents the scope of representation in the applicable faculty association. Senator Olin moved that the resolution be tabled until the language could be clarified. The motion to table the resolution passed. c. President de Wolf presented a resolution calling for the abolition of the Advisory Council on Human Rights and Social Responsibility. He noted that the functions of the Council had been taken over by other committees. Senator Shumsky pointed out that the resolution had originated with the Council itself. The motion to abolish the Council passed. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Robert T. Sumichrast Secretary, Faculty Senate
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