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Governance Minutes ArchiveJanuary 4, 1988
Minutes University Council Meeting January 4, 1988 Dr. Torgersen called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Present: Mr. Forbes, Mr. Ridenour, Dr. Perry, Dr. Steiss (for Dr. Hooper), Dr. Sullivan, Dr. Nichols, Dr. Steger, Dr. Doswald, Dr. Sorensen, Dr. Smith, Dr. Torgersen, Dr. Ritchey, Dr. Eyre, Mr. Gherman, Mr. Savage, Dr. Conn, Dr. Heterick, Dr. Baumgartner (for Dr. Arnold), Dr. Randolph, Dr. Seago, Dr. Fleming, Dr. Lovingwood, Dr. Hennecke, Dr. Campbell, Dr. Ludwig, Dr. Kornegay, Dr. Blieszner, Ms. Eustis (for Dr. Paterson), Dr. Novak, Ms. Ball (for Mr. Ritter), Mr. Choby, Mr. Baker, Mr. Donelly. Guests: Mr. John Ashby, Spectrum; Ms. Nancy Reynolds, EO/AA Office, Ms. Kay Heidbreder, Legal Counsel; Ms. Bonita Mayo, extern, Universi- ty of Virginia. Absent: Mr. Battaglia, Mr. Reynolds. 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. Torgersen introduced guests, Nancy Reynolds, Kay Heidbreder, and Bonita Mayo to Council. 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as amended with the addition of a resolution (see Item 4 below) introduced by Dean Doswald. The motion PASSED. 3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES OF DECEMBER 7, 1987 The University Council minutes of the meeting of December 7, 1987, were approved with a correction to Item 10, B. (These minutes will be distrib- uted as corrected.) 4. RESOLUTION FORMALLY EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO DR. LAVERY FOR HIS YEARS AS PRESIDENT. This resolution, introduced by Dean Doswald, provides that the University Council "formally expresses its deep gratitude to Dr. Lavery for his outstanding leadership during his years as President from 1975 - 1987 and offers its best wishes for his success in his future endeavors with the University." The Resolution was passed unanimously. 5. COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, 1987-88A, FILMS POLICY, FIRST READING, DECEMBER 7, 1987. Mr. Donnelly said this proposal (for description, see Item 7 of the Minutes of University Council Meeting of December 7, 1987) comes forward as a student response to a previous policy distributed, naming the Commission on Student Affairs as a review panel for films. Dr. Sullivan said the previ- ous policy was not new, but was one adopted in 1979 which called for a review board made up of a group which no longer exists. She said at the request of the Virginia Tech Union Films chair, the policy was updated naming the CSA as the review panel. Dr. Perry commented that he is opposed to showing films which are obscene or pornographic, degrading to women or men as sexual objects. However, he said, he did not believe the University could make such judgments. He said he is opposed to censorship, and, therefore, would support the proposed policy, but would ask for a pledge from student organizations to not show such films. Mr. Gherman spoke against censorship. Drs. Kornegay, Stephenson, Sorensen, and Nichols also expressed concern for the showing of obscene or pornographic films; and spoke against censorship. Drs. Kornegay and Stepenson, however, said they could not support the proposed policy. Ms. Heidbreder gave the legal interpretation that any policy the University implements would be subject to applicable state law; should there be one that regulates obscenity, the student organizations would have to police themselves. She said universities are not required to have a body to review films before showing on campus. The motion to approve the proposed policy passed. _______ Dr. Torgersen reminded Council that this action was advisory to the Presi- dent and that the policy is not immediately implemented with the vote. Before implementation he will further investigate the legal implications. 6. SECOND READING: COMMISSION OF FACULTY AFFAIRS, POLICY ON SEXUAL HARRASMENT, FIRST READING, DECEMBER 7, 1987. Mr. Savage said that, as Chair of the University EO/AA Committee, he appointed an Ad Hoc Committee, including representatives of the Faculty Senate, women's organizations, and the administration. The committee came forth with this policy which follows federal guidelines and establishes procedures for handling complaints. Dr. Conn moved that the Sexual Harrasment Policy be adopted. The motion was seconded and passed. _______ 7. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, RESOLUTION 1987-88A, TRANSFER CREDIT/REQUIRED MEDICAL DROP, FIRST READING, DECEMBER 7, 1987. At the request of Dr. Perry, this Resolution was deferred to the Commission ________ on Undergraduate Studies. (For description, see Item 8 of Minutes of University Council Meeting of December 7, 1987.) 8. FIRST READING: COMPUTER COMMITTEE, SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT POLICY, (SEE COMPUTER COMMITTEE MINUTES, NOVEMBER 4, 1987, AGENDA ITEM 3.) Dr. Heterick asked that this policy be deferred. It will be brought before _________ Council at the next meeting in the format of a resolution for first reading. 9. FIRST READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, 1987-88C, RESOLUTION CONCERNING EVENT APPROVAL (SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION FOR CSA 9 (5/7/87)) This resolution provides that lists of events proposed for sponsorship by student organizations but not approved by University administrative person- nel will be distributed monthly to the Commission on Student Affairs; the Commission has the right to hear appeals from those organizations whose events were not approved. Dr. Sullivan said the resolution creates a new step in the event approval process in the distribution of events not approved. The resolution was carried forward for second reading. 10. IN SUCCESSIVE MOTIONS, COUNCIL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS. a. Commission on Graduate Studies, October 7, 21, 1987. b. Commission on Research, November 11, 1987; Dr. Conn pointed out that in the first paragraph of Item 7, the Commission on Faculty Affairs, rather than the Faculty Senate, has indicated the current policy on Academic and Research Misconduct will be reexamined. c. Commission on Student Affairs, November 12, 1987 11. MINUTES DISTRIBUTED FOR INFORMATION: University Library Committee, November 4, December 2, 1987; University Committee on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, November 10, 1987; University Communications Network Committee, November 13, 1987; Computer Committee, November 4, 1987. An article by Rosemarie Tong, "Women, Pornography, and the Law," was also distributed. 12. QUESTION PERIOD Dr. Conn said there is concern on behalf of the Faculty Senate officers in regard to apparent frustration among members of the EO/AA Committee about inactivity in affirmative action. He indicated the Commission on Faculty Affairs may take a look at the issue of child care. Dr. Conn said the Child Care Committee is not clear about its charge. Dr. Torgersen said he had met with Dr. Maxwell, Chair of the Child Care Committee, and that committee recommendations are expected in April. The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lon K. Savage Executive Assistant to the President LKS:gf
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