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Governance Minutes ArchiveApril 18, 1988
Minutes University Council Meeting April 18, 1988 Dr. Torgersen called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Present:Dr. Perry, Dr. Hooper, Dr. Cross (for Dr. Sullivan), Dr. Steger, Dr. Crofts (for Dr. Doswald), Dr. Bonham (for Dr. Sorensen), Dr. Smith, Dr. Kurstedt, Dr. Eyre, Dr. Johnson (for Dr. Geasler), Mr. Gherman, Mr. Savage, Dr. Scanlon (for Dr. Conn), Dr. Heterick, Dr. Van Krey, Dr. Arnold, Dr. Randolph, Dr. Fleming, Dr. Misra, Dr. Lovingood, Dr. Henneke, Dr. Ludwig, Dr. Kornegay, Dr. Blieszner, Dr. Ritchey, Ms. Eustis (for Dr. Paterson) Dr. Novak, Mr. Baker, Mr. Morris, Mr. Abel (for Mr. Reynolds). Guests: Mr. Richard M. Dudek, Interfraternity Council; Mr. John Ashby, Spectrum. Absent: Mr. Forbes, Mr. Ridenour, Dr. Seago, Dr. Campbell, Dr. Sullins, Dr. Paterson, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Choby, Mr. Murir, Mr. Battaglia, Mr. Baird. 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. Torgersen announced that Mr. David Baker was re-elected President of the Student Government Association; Mr. Brad Morris was elected as Vice President, replacing Mr. Rex Donnelly. The next meeting of Council is scheduled for May 2. If all business of Council is not finished on that date, an additional meeting will be held on May 16, the first day of exam week. Dr. Torgersen distributed an article from the New York Times on racism on ______________ the University of Michigan campus. In regard to a news story which appeared in the weekend papers about the signing of a basketball player with questionable academic credentials, Dr. Torgersen informed Council that he had been in contact with Mr. Braine who said he has reservations about admitting this student. More information will be available at the next meeting of Council. 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Dr. Torgersen asked that the agenda be amended to include under New Business a report to clarify the debt service payment for the Athletic Association in response to a question raised at the last meeting. A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as amended. The motion PASSED. 3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES OF APRIL 4, 1988 The University Council minutes of the meeting of April 4, 1988, were approved as corrected. Under "Guests," Dr. Geyer attended as a member of the Student Legal Services Board. Item 7, second paragraph, "These include the appointment to the committee of EXTENSION FACULTY, changed to read, "EXTRA-COLLEGIATE FACULTY." 4. FACULTY SENATE RESOLUTION FOR THE CREATION OF A COMMISSION ON INFORMA- TION SYSTEMS (FIRST READING, MARCH 7, 1988). Page 2 University Council Meeting April 18, 1988 For a description of this proposed amendment to the Constitution of Univer- sity Council, please see the Minutes of University Council of March 7, 1988. Dr. Scanlon moved, at the request of the Commission on Faculty Affairs, to table the resolution and for Council to establish a task force to study the function of all committees and commissions which report to Council. The motion was seconded. After discussion, the motion was withdrawn and replaced by two motions; one to table this resolution, and one to establish a task force. The motions were seconded. Dr. Perry said that up to this point commissions were of two kinds: the three which are related to the three missions of the University, and those associated with the two primary constituencies, faculty and students. Now, he said, we are getting into commissions which could have as their respon- sibility something rather different. We should define for ourselves, as a University, where the scope of commissions leave off and the scope of University committees come in. We should also determine why there are communication problems with University committees. The motion to create a Council task force to study the function of commit- tees and commissions passed. _______ The motion to table the resolution for creation of a Commission on Informa- tion Systems passed. _______ 5. SECOND READING: CONSTITUTION OF THE FACULTY SENATE (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988) For a description of this proposed revision of the Constitution of the Faculty Senate, please see the Minutes of Council of April 4. At the request of the Faculty Senate, Dr. Scanlon moved to table this resolution. The motion was seconded and passed. _______ 6. SECOND READING: RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE ON ATHLETICS (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). For a description of this proposed amendment to the Constitution of Univer- sity Council, please see the Minutes of Council of April 4. Dr. Torgersen said he received a very positive letter from the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association asking for representation on the committee. The proposed composition of the committee does not include a representative from the Alumni Board, although it provides for representation of the Student Aid Association and includes the Executive Vice President of the Alumni Association. Dr. Torgersen said athletics are important to alumni, and he thinks the alumni should have a seat on the committee. However, he said he would not wish to change what is clearly a dominant faculty major- ity. He asked that this item be deferred for two weeks at which time an amendment may be offered. If an alumni position on this committee were created, the Alumni Association would be asked to nominate two individuals for the position with appointment made by the President. The resolution was deferred until the next meeting of Council. 7. SECOND READING: RESOLUTION FOR A COMMITTEE NAME CHANGE FOR THE SCHOLAR- SHIP AND STUDENT AID COMMITTEE (FIRST READING, APRIL 4). For description of this resolution, please see the Minutes of Council of April 4. Dr. Perry said the proposed change would be "cosmetic" in nature Page 3 University Council Meeting April 18, 1988 to eliminate confusion with the Student Aid Association. A motion was made and seconded to pass the resolution. The motion passed. _______ 8. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1987-88D, CONCERNING STUDENT LEGAL SERVICES ATTORNEY COURT REPRESENTATION (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). For a description of this resolution, please see the Minutes of Council of April 4, 1988. Dr. Torgersen said he received a letter from Mr. Bill Broaddus, an attorney and member of the Board of Visitors, who asked, regarding the Virginia Code of Professional Responsibility, whether a third party may limit the type of activities a lawyer may take on with his clients. Mr. Broaddus suggested that we get an opinion from the Attorney General's Office. Dr. Torgersen said Ms. Claire Guthrie, Deputy Attorney General, does not think there is a problem, but she will speak with Mr. Broaddus. Dr. Torgersen said he, personally, has no problem with the resolution but would like to wait two weeks to be sure the resolution is not in conflict with the canons of ethics. Mr. Baker said he considered it out of line to bring this to the attention of the Board of Visitors before it cleared Council because it might influ- ence the decision of Council members. The resolution was deferred for two weeks. 9. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, 1987-88E, RESOLUTION CONCERNING FRATERNITY AND SORORITY SEMESTER RUSH, (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). For description of this resolution, please see the Minutes of Council of April 4, 1988. Dr. Perry asked that this item be deferred until the next meeting of Council to give the Commission on Undergraduate Studies opportu- nity to react to it. Dr. Torgersen said it would be important to the students for Council to act on this resolution this year so implementation may be made next fall if the resolution is passed by Council. The resol- ution was deferred. 10. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1987-88F, CONCERNING STUDENT REPRESENTATION TO UNIVERSITY COUNCIL (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). For description of this resolution, please see the Minutes of Council of April 4, 1988. Mr. Baker asked that this item be deferred until the next meeting of Council and that Council discussion would be welcome at this time. He said the SGA does not always have the capability to represent the opinions of groups such as the Corps of Cadets, black students, and inter- national students. Dr. Hooper, who said he favors the resolution, added that it is very impor- tant that Council hear the opinions of the students, but a certain number would not ensure representation. Dr. Perry said this resolution does not ensure that certain groups are represented. Dr. Ritchey said a more proportional representation might also be applied to faculty groups and administrators. Ms. Eustis reminded Council that the Self-Study recommends that University Council be reduced, not enlarged, in size. The resolution was deferred. 11. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, RESOLUTION 1987--88B, ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUED ENROLLMENT (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). Page 4 University Council Meeting April 18, 1988 Dr. Perry said that the intent of this resolution is to ensure that students are making satisfactory progress towards a degree by defining "satisfactory progress." Dr. Perry said that the policy would ensure that students are pursuing an approved program or meeting core requirements, and that impact on recruitment of transfer students would be minimal because of admission requirements of this group. Extenuating circumstances could be excepted by deans. The policy would apply to all students as of Fall of 1990. A motion for approval was made and seconded. The motion passed. _______ 12. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, RESOLUTION 87-88C, ASSIGNMENT OF NG GRADES (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). Dr Perry said this resolution was proposed to overcome the "mysterious blank" on grade reports when no grade is present for a course. The "NG" is the designation for no grade report. A motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded. In response to a question, Dr. Perry said the registrar's office would be asked to contact the appropriate faculty member when no grade is reported and the grade report reflects an NG designation. He added that the NG is recorded as an "F." The motion passed. _______ 13. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1987-88A, REVIEW OF NEW FACULTY APPOINTMENTS (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). For a description of this resolution, see Item 15, minutes of University Council meeting of April 4, 1988. Dr. Scanlon moved approval. The motion was seconded and passed. _______ 14. EXCEPTED ITEM: MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, JANUARY 11, 1988, ITEM 6.; "THE COURSE CRITERIA COMMITTEE REPORT WAS PRESENTED BY PROF. D.E. EGGER. A MOTION TO APPROVE ENGR 3024, MATERIALS AND HUMANKIND WAS SECONDED AND PASSED." Dr. Henneke said he asked that this item be excepted because he wanted the course to be named "Materials and Man." Dr. Perry, speaking on behalf of the Commission on Undergraduate Studies, explained that exception was taken by some members of CUS to what would appear to some to be sexist language in the proposed name. CUS requested the department to consider other possibilities for entitling the course. He said CUS realizes that diction- aries define "man" and "mankind" to include all people; however, the Commission is trying to be sensitive to these concerns. Dr. Henneke said this course has been offered for about 12 years. He said this course title is not intended to be negative towards females. However, he said, "man" has two meanings: (1) male and (2) the human race. In addition, he said anthropology is defined as the study of "man," thereby further indicating that the word, "man" has been used as a generic term. Dr. Henneke said he would like to stay with original course title, "Man and Materials," because it is alliterative and simple. The course teaches how civilization has progressed through understanding material properties from pre-stone age to modern society. In response to a statement by Mr. Gherman that this word offends part of the University community, Dr. Henneke said he appreciates this, but the issue of censorship must also be considered. He said he felt the word was Page 5 University Council Meeting April 18, 1988 not wrong when it was used properly, and he said changing the name of the course affected academic freedom. Dr. Randolph said other courses in the catalog have similar names, such as, "Environment and Man." Dr. Perry explained that those were approved at an earlier time. Dr. Arnold said the issue is not a matter of giving offense but the level of consciousness; on the other hand, she said, she believes that a professor should be able to call a course what he wants. Dr. Perry moved that CUS be asked to reconsider the course title. The motion was seconded. Dr. Henneke asked that he be allowed to speak to CUS. Dr. Perry agreed to this and also suggested that the issue of consistency be addressed. Dr. Blieszner asked what are the consequences of a negative vote. Dr. Torgersen said the University Council then would address the exception. He said Council has the right to change course names. The motion passed. 15. IN SUCCESSIVE MOTIONS, COUNCIL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS. a. Commission on Graduate Studies, March 16, 1988. Dr. Hooper called attention to Item 5., Scheduling of Preliminary Examination, which refers to the wording of the policy in the Policy and Procedures Manual and the Graduate Catalog. Dr. Torgersen asked Council if it preferred to have the item in the form of a resolution. Council agreed to a suggestion that a memorandum from the Graduate School to faculty be issued on this subject. b. Commission on Research, February 24, March 9, 1988. c. Commission on Student Affairs, March 24. 16. In response to a question about the December 14 Minutes of the Athletic Association Board of Directors, Dr. Torgersen asked Dr. Steger to clarify a statement indicating that the University had absorbed a $500,000 debt of the Athletic Association. Dr. Steger read to Council minutes of the Athletic Association Board of Directors stating: "On June 25, Mr. Ridenour will ask the Executive Committee of the Foundation to cover the $560,000 capital debt until the athletic fundraising campaign is under way." The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lon K. Savage Executive Assistant to the President LKS:gf
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