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Governance Minutes ArchiveDecember 5, 1988
Minutes University Council Meeting December 5, 1988 Dr. McComas called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Present:Dr. McComas, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Ridenour, Dr. Perry, Dr. Scanlon, Dr. Goodale, Dr. Smoot, Dr. Lester (for Dr. Geasler), Mr. Gherman, Dr. Harris, Dr. Hooper, Dr. Nichols, Dr. Steger, Dr. Doswald, Dr. Sorensen, Dr. Smith, Mr. Osborne (for Dr. Torgersen), Dr. Wall (for Dr. Ritchey), Dr. Meldrum (for Dr. Eyre), Dr. Moore, Dr. Arnold, Dr. Seago, Dr. Fleming, Dr. Carrig, Dr. Lovingood, Dr. Henneke, Dr. Davis, Dr. Eng, Dr. Grossman, Dr. Kingston, Dr. Conn for (Dr. Blieszner), Dr. Snoke, Mr. Riddle, Ms. Cline (for Mr. Lush), Mr. Baker, Mr. Morris, Mr. Battaglia, Mr. Tyrrell, Mr. Huesman (for Mr. Rahal). Guests: Dr. Thomas Hunt, Virginia Tech Honor System; Mr. John Ashby, Spectrum; Mr. Jacob Perkins, Student Government Association; Dr. Roger Teekell, Graduate School. Absent: Dr. Heterick, Dr. Sullins, Dr. Batie, Mr. Townsend. 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. McComas announced he had appointed a task force to study the function of University committees and commissions. Members of Council asked to serve are: Ridenour, Perry, Sorensen, Arnold, Blieszner, Battaglia, Lush, Riddle, Moore. Dr. Larry D. Moore has agreed to chair the task force. Of those asked to serve, not all yet had time to agree so Dr. McComas reminded them to contact Dr. Harris with their decision. Dr. McComas also announced the appointment of two other committees: University Planning, chaired by Dr. Larry J. Moore, College of Business; and Institutional Name, chaired by Dean Jewell Ritchey, College of Human Resources. 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as distributed. The motion PASSED. 3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES OF OCTOBER 20, 1986 The University Council minutes of the meeting of November 7, 1988 were approved as corrected. 4. FIRST READING: STUDENT MEDIA BOARD RESOLUTION #1-91588, DISSOLUTION OF STUDENT MEDIA BOARD AS A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS This resolution, if passed by Council, would dissolve the Student Media Board as a subcommittee of the Commission on Student Affairs and establish it as a recognized student organization. A revision of the resolution, distributed by Mr. Baker, calls for an amendment to University Council Constitution and Bylaws to delete the phrase "one elected student represen- tative of the Student Media Board" from Article 7, Section 9A. Mr. Baker said the student media would prefer to be treated as a student organization rather than report to the Commission on Student Affairs. The Page 2 University Council Meeting December 5, 1988 Student Media Board, as a student organization, would not serve as an editorial board, but would assure that state policies are followed and would have full student representation. In response to a question regarding libel issues, Dr. Goodale said a facul- ty advisor is in place for all media. The resolution was carried forward for SECOND READING. 5. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1987-88C, CONCERNING FACULTY ETHICS (FIRST READING, NOVEMBER 7, 1988). For a description of this resolution, see Item 5 of the Minutes of Council of November 7, 1988. It was moved and seconded that the resolution be referred to the Faculty Senate. The motion PASSED. 6. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON GRADUATE STUDIES 1988-89, RESOLUTION FOR THE CREATION OF A "DEFENDING STUDENT" STATUS FOR QUALIFYING GRADUATE STUDENTS (FIRST READING, NOVEMBER 7, 1988). For a description of this resolution, see Item 7 of the Minutes of Council of November 7, 1988. A motion was made and seconded to approve the resol- ution. The motion PASSED. 7. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, VIRGINIA TECH HONOR SYSTEM, CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION (FIRST READING, NOVEMBER 7, 1988). As stated in Item 8 of the Minutes of Council of November 7, the intent of this resolution is to clear up ambiguities in the constitution of the Virginia Tech Honor System. A motion was made and seconded to approve the revisions. The motion CARRIED. 8. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, BOC-1988-A, RESOLUTION CONCERNING MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL (FIRST READING, NOVEMBER 7, 1988). This resolution calls for adding to the membership of Council the chair of the Black Organizations Council (for full description see Item 9 of the Minutes of Council of November 7, 1988). Mr. Battaglia expressed the view that, before a resolution such as this is brought forward consideration should be given to the need for such a position. He agreed that there is a need for more student representation and minority representation. If an effort is made to increase student representation, then broader consideration should be given to minorities and how they are represented on campus. He noted that there is no repre- sentation for such groups as the Women's Network. Dr. Arnold suggested that the resolution be referred to the Task Force on Committees and Commissions and that the Task Force be charged with solicit- ing background information from the Black Organizations Council and other groups on campus. Consideration should be given to the overall matter of composition of Council. Page 3 University Council Meeting December 5, 1988 Mr. Baker indicated his belief that to refer the resolution to the task force without taking a position on its merits would send a negative message to the black community and Council needs to be sensitive to this interpre- tation. Mr. Baker stated that he would be in favor of referring the resolution to the task force if Council would "endorse" it. He added that one of the merits of the Black Organizations Council is that it represents black faculty and administrators, as well as students. An "endorsement" would be a measure of good faith on the part of Council. Dr. Harris asked whether an "endorsement" was intended to have an impact on the outcome of the Task Force recommendations. Mr. Baker responded that he believed it would. Dr. Arnold expressed support for the resolution, but was not in favor of expanding the membership of Council. She moved to approve the resolution with the proviso that the President submit it to the Task Force for study. The motion CARRIED. Dr. McComas said it is important to show increased sensitivity to minority concerns and that international groups will be raising similar kinds of questions. 9. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION ON REGISTRA- TION OF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS (FIRST READING, NOVEMBER 7, 1988). For a description of this resolution, please see the Minutes of Council of November 7, 1988. With no further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution. The motion CARRIED. 10. IN SUCCESSIVE MOTIONS, COUNCIL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS. a. Commission on Faculty Affairs, October 21, November 4, 1988. b. Commission on Graduate Studies, October 29, 1988. c. Commission on Research, September 14, October 12, 1988. d. Commission on Student Affairs, October 20, November 3, 1988. 11. UNIVERSITY TASK FORCE ON COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS Although the motion passed by Council on April 18, 1988 is rather specific, Dr. McComas asked Council to broaden the scope of the charge to the task force to encompass several important matters that appear to be closely linked to the function of university commissions and committees. Several of these matters emanate from the University Self-Study and include atten- tion to possibly reducing the size of University Council, distinguishing between the purpose of the commissions and committees, considering the creation of new commissions (specifically mentioned in the Self-Study are new Commissions on International Programs and Computing and Information Services) and renaming and restructuring existing Commissions (the Self- Study recommends changes for the Commission on Extension). These and all other related matters ought to be considered within the context of keeping the number of commissions and committees at a minimum. Page 4 University Council Meeting December 5, 1988 Dr. Arnold suggested that a distinction be made between looking at policy making vs. looking at administrative functions. She said the intent was not to alter the governance system. A motion was made and seconded to broaden the scope of the charge to the Task Force to include bringing forward a resolution to change titles as necessary resulting from reorganization, to consider Self-Study recommen- dations, and to make a distinction between the functions of committees and commissions. The motion PASSED. 12. Dr. McComas reported that the recommendations and concerns of the EO/AA consultants are still being given consideration. 13. Dr. McComas expressed appreciation to Dr. Robert Smith, Dean, College of Education, for his leadership over the years. Dr. Perry will be appointing a committee to search for Dr. Smith's replacement. 14. Dr. McComas expressed appreciation to the Inauguration Committee, to the students and faculty. He said the inauguration was truly a University activity. 15. Members of Council viewed the video tape, "A Case for Space." Dr. McComas encouraged the faculty to talk with local legislative represen- tatives about our space needs. He said the Deans will be asked to write to alumni as well. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Larry A. Harris Special Assistant to the President LAH:gf
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