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Governance Minutes ArchiveMay 2, 1988
Minutes University Council Meeting May 2, 1988 Dr. Torgersen called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Present:Mr. Ridenour, Dr. Perry, Dr. Teekell (for Dr. Hooper), Dr. Sullivan, Dr. Nichols, Dr. Steger, Dr. Doswald, Dr. Sorensen, Dr. Smith, Dr. Kurstedt (for Dr. Stephenson), Dr. Ritchey, Dr. Cordes (for Dr. Eyre), Dr. Johnson (for Dr. Geasler), Mr. Gherman, Mr. Savage, Dr. Conn, Dr. Heterick, Dr. Van Krey, Dr. Arnold, Dr. Fleming, Dr. Lovingood, Dr. Henneke, Ms. Eustis (for Dr. Campbell), Dr. Ludwig, Dr.Kornegay, Dr. Blieszner, Dr. Sullins, Dr. Paterson, Dr. Novak, Mr. Baker, Mr. Morris, Mr. Battaglia, Mr. Abel (for Mr. Reynolds). Guests: Dr. Scanlon, Faculty Senate; Mr. Ashby, Spectrum; Mr. Dudek, Interfraternity Council; Mr. Ostroth, Student Affairs Division. Absent: Mr. Forbes, Dr. Randolph, Dr. Misra, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Choby, Mr. Murir, Mr. Baird. 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. Torgersen recognized those Council members whose terms expire and are, therefore, attending their last meeting: Drs. Conn, Van Krey, Randolph, Misra, Campbell, Ludwig, Kornegay, Paterson, Novak, and Messrs. Ritter, Branch, Fentress, Donnelly, Reynolds, and Baird. 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Dr. Torgersen asked for a motion to amend the agenda by moving Item 1., New Business, Commission on Student Affairs, Resolution 1987-88G, Concerning Registration of Student Organizations, to Item 5., Old Business. He said Council had referred this item to the Commission on Faculty Affairs, and it should, therefore, come back before Council on Second Reading; this means that approval requires only a majority affirmative vote. Dr. Torgersen also asked that under Old Business, a new item, Item 6., be added as follows: Excepted Item: Minutes of the Commission on Undergradu- ate 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." A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as amended. The motion PASSED. 3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 1988 The University Council minutes of the meeting of April 18, 1988 were corrected to include Ms. Eustis (for Dr. Paterson) among those present. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion carried. 4. SECOND READING: RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE ON ATHLETICS (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). Page 2 University Council Meeting May 2, 1988 For a description of this proposal, see the Minutes of Council of April 4, 1988. Dr. Smith offered an amendment to this resolution, adding "one college dean nominated by the college deans" to the membership of the University Committee on Athletics. Dr. Smith said membership of a dean would assure that collegiate issues are recognized and become part of the fabric of the Athletic Association, their behavior and their goals. The motion to amend the resolution was seconded and passed. _______ An editorial correction was made changing "one noncollegiate faculty..." to "one extracollegiate faculty..." Dr. Arnold asked for the rationale of having membership of an alumni repre- sentative rather than a representative of the Alumni Association. Dr. Torgersen said he feels that alumni need to be represented on this commit- tee because athletics is very important to them, and alumni voices should be heard. In response to a question from Dr. Arnold regarding problems arising on a national level in regard to athletic programs due to alumni involvement, Dr. Torgersen said that two alumni on a committee of twenty will not dominate a meeting. Dr. Sullins said that during his tenure on the present Athletic Council, one of the most insightful and thoughtful members was the alumni represen- tative. Dr. Sorensen added that the alumni will find some other means for involvement in athletics if not included on this committee, and he would prefer that they be represented on the committee. With a call to question, a vote was taken. The amended resolution passed. _______ 5. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1987-88D, PROPOSING COURT REPRESENTATION FOR CERTAIN CASES IN STUDENT LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). For a description of this resolution, please see Item 9 of the Minutes of Council of April 4, 1988. Dr. Torgersen suggested that a little more checking be done before the policy is implemented, if approved. In response to a question from Dr. Henneke, Mr. Baker said that the Student Legal Services Board would review and evaluate the program to insure that it is meeting the needs of the student population and would determine whether an additional attorney should be engaged. A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution. The motion passed. _______ 6. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, 1987-88E, RESOLUTION CONCERNING FRATERNITY AND SORORITY SEMESTER RUSH (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). This resolution would eliminate University policy prohibiting fraternity and sorority rushing of first quarter freshmen. For description, please see Item 10 of the Minutes of Council of April 4, 1988. At the meeting of Council on April 18, this resolution was deferred to the Commission on Undergraduate Studies for review. Dr. Perry reported that CUS would endorse the resolution if amended to include a proviso "that the Interfra- ternity and Panhellenic Councils pledge that initiation of Freshmen, which will not take place until the second semester, be restricted to those with at least a 2.0 QCA prior to any application of the Freshman Rule." Dr. Perry reminded Council that the "freshman rule" allows freshmen to replace two grades for courses taken in the freshman year, for QCA purposes, by others although the original courses and grades remain on the transcript. (A copy of the proposed amendment was distributed.) Page 3 University Council Meeting May 2, 1988 A motion was made and seconded to approve the amendment as stated above. Mr. Dudek, President of the IFC, said that the IFC accepted the amendment. Dr. Perry said that current policy requires a QCA of 2.0, but that the policy previously was applied later in the year. Mr. Baker said that the Greeks are not opposed to this amendment and that they are concerned about academic standards. A vote was taken and the amendment passed. _______ Dr. Kornegay asked for a description of the sequence of events that would take place as a result of this change in policy. Mr. Hampton replied that three to four weeks after students first arrive on campus, fraternities and sororities would have a rush period lasting two weeks, and a freshman might receive a bid to pledge an organization. The pledges would be initiated at the beginning of the second semester after grades are reported. The amended resolution was passed with some negative votes. ______ 7. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1987-88F, CONCERNING STUDENT REPRESENTATION TO UNIVERSITY COUNCIL (FIRST READING, APRIL 4, 1988). This resolution proposes that undergraduate student members constitute approximately 20 percent of the membership of Council. For a description, please see Minutes of Council of April 4, 1988. Mr. Baker withdrew this resolution. 8. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON STUDENT AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1987-88G, CONCERNING REGISTRATION OF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS (FIRST READING, APRIL 6, 1987). This resolution is a revision of CSA Resolution 1: 1/8/87. For description and review of discussion please see Minutes of Council of April 6, April 20, and May 18, 1987. On May 18, 1987, Council voted to refer this resol- ution to the Commission on Faculty Affairs. The resolution was amended by the CFA and sent to the Commission on Student Affairs which rejected the amended resolution. A joint committee of the CFA and CSA met and prepared the proposed resolution, CSA Resolution 1987-88G, as stated above, and both Commissions approved it. The resolution calls for the dissolution of the Student Constitutional Affairs Board and the implementation of a registration procedure which requires that a student group must submit registration documents annually to the Office of Student Organizations. The CSA must approve the registra- tion documents in order for the group to become registered. Once regis- tered, student organizations would then be afforded the privilege of conducting activities at Virginia Tech and would be one of three types: a. Those designated as 'primarily academic in nature' by a Dean or Department Head who assigns an academic advisor. b. Student organizations which have a faculty or staff advisor/coach, the assignment of whom is specified by an appropriate supervisor, c. Other student organizations which do not have faculty advisors. Dr. Sullivan said said Tau Beta Phi, an enginering society, would be an example of an organization that is "academic in nature." The VT Union, New Virginians, the Extramural Sports Club, and student chapters of profes- sional organizations would be examples of the second category, those having Page 4 University Council Meeting May 2, 1988 a faculty or staff advisor/coach; the LaCrosse Club is a member of the Extramural Sports Club and also would qualify as an organization of the second category. The VT Ice Hockey Club is not a member of Extramural Sports and thus does not qualify. Small interest groups, such as the Bridge Club which may or may not have a faculty advisor and which has no real reason to have a formal constitution or advisor, would be a registered organization of the third category. Dr. Ostroth said the purpose of the policy is to ensure that faculty are protected from becoming personally liable for actions of student organiza- tions. Dr. Torgersen said that the purpose is for faculty advisors to have an official connection so that faculty will have liability protection. Dr. Sullivan said Student Affairs is also interested in freeing some of the small groups from having to have a formal constitution in order to use University facilities; the policy would make it easier for some of these organizations to exist. Dr. Conn said the key is to have a documented assignment. Dr. Novak raised a question about a situation when a faculty member, not the advisor, is driving students to a meeting at another locality and the liability incurred in the event of an accident. Dr. Arnold said the policy would seem to draw the University into more exposure to liability suits rather than less. Mr. Ridenour replied that if faculty are acting on behalf of the University in an official capacity they would be covered. Dr. Arnold asked who would make decisions about "appropriate supervisors." Mr. Ostroth replied that often a faculty member would ask department head for an appointment letter, although in some cases such appointments may be made through the Provost's Office. Dr. Arnold expressed concern about points of procedure being unclear. Dr. Perry said the procedures could be clarified at a later time and should not be a part of the policy. Mr. Baker said it would be beneficial to have some type of outline of what category an organization would fall under. Dr. Kornegay said that organizations which fall under the second category would have to have documentation of faculty advisors at the time of regis- tration and at that point whoever makes the decision can then take the steps necessary. Dr. Perry agreed, saying that at the moment certain procedures about the liability issue are undefined, but that he would rather have something in place than continue to have nothing. Dr. Scanlon suggested a change deleting the word "may" from the paragraph beginning "Resolved the Student Affairs Board be abolished as a subcommit- tee of the Commission on Student Affairs and may be replaced by a registra- ___ tion procedure..." A motion was made and seconded to pass the resolution as edited. The motion passed. _______ 9. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, EXCEPTED ITEM, MINUTES OF JANUARY 11, 1988, ITEMB 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." This item (for description of the item see Item 14 of the Minutes of Council of April 18, 1988) relates to the naming of the course Engineering 3024. It was referred April 18 to the Commission on Undergraduate Studies for reconsideration, but Dr. Perry reported that a motion to replace the course title, "Materials and Humankind," with the title, "Materials and Man," failed in CUS. Page 5 University Council Meeting May 2, 1988 Dr. Henneke moved that the course title, "Materials and Humankind," be replaced with the title, "Materials and Man." In response to questions of consistency, Dr. Perry said that other courses with similar titles have not recently come before CUS, and the Commission did not wish, at this time, to go back and look at all existing courses. Mr. Gherman pointed out that course titles published in the catalog have an effect on the University's image and that the English Department is using the word "humanity." Mr. Ridenor expressed concern about Council taking action on the naming of a course. Dr. Torgersen said it was unusual but not illegal. The motion failed with 12 favorable votes, and 15 opposed. ______ Dr. Perry said that CUS has asked him to bring the issue of reviewing course titles for sexist language to the attention of an ad hoc committee studying the graduate catalog. 10. IN SUCCESSIVE MOTIONS, COUNCIL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS. a. Commission on Graduate Studies, March 30, 1988. b. Commission on Student Affairs, April 14. c. Commission on Undergraduate Studies, January 25, February 8, March 14, March 28. The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lon K. Savage Executive Assistant to the President LKS:gf
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