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Governance Minutes ArchiveSeptember 5, 1988
Minutes University Council Meeting September 5, 1988 Dr. McComas called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Present:Mr. Ridenour, Dr. Perry, Dr. Scanlon, Dr. Cross, Dr. Geasler, Mr. Gherman, Mr. Savage, Dr. Hooper, Dr. Heterick, Dr. Steger, Dr. Doswald, Dr. Sorensen, Dr. Smith, Dr. Torgersen, Dr. Ritchey, Dr. Eyre, Dr. Moore, Dr. Arnold, Dr. Seago, Dr. Fleming, Dr. Lovingood, Dr. Henneke, Dr. Conn (for Dr. Grossman), Dr. Kingston, Dr. Blieszner, Dr. Batie, Dr. Snoke, Mr. Riddle, Mr. Townsend, Mr. Baker, Mr. Morris, Mr. Battiston (for Mr. Battaglia), Ms. Crawford (for Mr. Tyrrell), Mr. Rayhal. Guests: John Ashby, Spectrum. Absent: Mr. Forbes, Dr. Nichols, Dr. Carrig, Dr. Davis, Dr. Eng, Dr. Sullins, Mr. Lush. 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS For the benefit of new members, Mr. Savage summarized Council procedures. He said University Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month during the academic year. When there is insufficient material to warrant a meeting, it is canceled. Each member was given a copy of the Constitution and Bylaws document which is also available on the Administra- tive Information System. Dr. McComas said he is happy to be here and excited about the opportu- nities. He said he sees considerable achievement which has not been artic- ulated internally or externally. He sees great potential and opportunity. He said it is important to identify those opportunities and move ahead. He said he is committed to working with the students, faculty, staff, and all constituencies in making this University what it ought to become in the next five to eight years. All persons present introduced themselves by name and constituency. Dr. McComas asked for Council's reaction to the change to the semester system. Dr. Perry said that his office has not been deluged with problems. Dr. Arnold said there may be more of a reaction from the students later in the semester. Dr. McComas said the trend is clearly to move toward the semester system; educationally it has a lot to offer and causes universi- ties to rethink the curriculum. 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 MAY 2, 1988 The University Council minutes of the meeting of May 2, 1988 were approved as distributed. 4. PROVOST SEARCH Page 2 University Council Meeting September 5, 1988 Dr. McComas said he has asked Dr. Doswald to chair the Provost Search Committee because he finds it helpful for someone other than himself to chair search committees. Dr. McComas will give the committee a charge and meet with them initially. He expects the committee to present him with a list of finalists; and at that point, he will become heavily involved. Dr. McComas said this search is a matter in which we all need to be involved. Constituent groups across the country will be asked to identify candidates. He asked that it not be assumed who would be interested and who would not be, but go after the very best people and attract them to the role. He said the position would provide an opportunity for someone looking for a university with breadth and depth that is still growing and still has much to do. Dr. McComas said the title had been changed to Senior Vice President and Provost because having two executive vice presidents at the University could lead to difficulty about what those roles entail. The presidents and academic vice presidents of about two hundred universities and the deans of colleges of arts and sciences of about seventy universities are being asked to submit nominations. The Deans of Virginia Tech's other colleges are also being asked to make similar contacts. Faculty members and others are also being asked to nominate possible candidates. A memorandum will be distributed which clearly states the importance of the position. A list of the membership of the Provost Search Committee, a copy of the position description, and a copy of Dr. McComas' letter to Dean Doswald which states the charge were distributed to Council. Dean Doswald reported a total of ninety-eight candidates remain active at this time from the previous search. Screening of these dossiers will begin by the end of September and screening of new dossiers will begin in Novem- ber. With no further discussion, the slate of committee membership was approved. 5. FIRST READING: COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1987-88B, CONCERNING APPOINTMENT OF NAMED PROFESSORSHIPS AND CHAIRS. Dr. Scanlon said this resolution sets forth formal procedure for appointing named professorships and chairs by calling upon each academic college in the University to "develop formal procedures which include peer review through college honorifics or promotion and tenure committees," and that extracollegiate appointments "be peer reviewed through the University Honorifics Committee." Dr. Sorensen said that most academic appointments tend to be initiated within the department and asked if this policy would preclude that. Dr. Scanlon said that, for the most part, the policy would affect those who are already here. Dr. Perry said the proposed policy would help the University meet the guidelines of the State Council of Higher Education to make professors eligible for eminent professor funding by the State. Dr. Scanlon, in response to a question, said for appointment to named professorships and chairs the University Promotion and Tenure Committee would not be involved. Dr. Perry said the appointment would be presented to the Board of Visitors for endorsement assuming the Provost's and Presi- dent's acceptance. The resolution was carried forward for second reading. _______________ Page 3 University Council Meeting September 5, 1988 6. COMMISSION ON RESEARCH, RESOLUTION 1987-88A, CREATION OF AN ACADEMY OF RESEARCH EXCELLENCE. Dr. Hooper said there are existing procedures for recognizing faculty for excellence in public service and teaching, but no comparable mechanism exists for the recognition of excellence in research and scholarly activ- ities. This resolution calls for the creation of an Academy of Research Excellence with membership "selected by a committee composed of faculty members appointed by the Provost from nominees provided by the Deans of the Collegs and by the Faculty Senate." The Academy of Teaching Excellence would be the model by which the Academy of Research Excellence is created. Dr. Scanlon asked that the resolution be referred to the Faculty Senate for consideration. Council agreed that the selection procedure and other details should also be brought before Council. 7. IN SUCCESSIVE MOTIONS, COUNCIL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS. a. Commission on Extension, April 6. b. Commission on Faculty Affairs, March 18, April 1, April 15, and May 6. Dr. Scanlon noted references in these minutes to the resolution on Exten- sion Associates which needs to be brought back before Council; to discussions on the issue of headship versus chairmanship of departments, and to the need for a task force to study commissions and committees. c. Commission on Graduate Studies, April 20, May 4. Dr. Hooper called attention in the minutes to the election of officers of the Graduate Student Assembly and the names of those individuals given in the minutes, and to the discussion of questions concerning Policy Memorandum No. 14. d. Commission on Research, March 23, April 13, April 27. Dr. Hooper announced that Dr. Ernie Stout will chair this Commission since Dr. Steiss has left the University. e. Commission on Student Affairs, April 28. Dr. Perry, reporting on the search for a Vice President for Student Affairs, said four candidates have been interviewed, and two are being invited back for additional interviews. The Board of Visitors will ratify the appointment. Dr. Perry complimented the students who participated in this search process saying that they represented the University well. Dr. McComas said that as a result of concern over the dislocation of the students due to the Squires construction project, a special effort is being made to focus on student needs. Dr. Cross said relocation of offices and the continued functioning of major events have been successful, but students serving on the CSA have been asked for ideas for other needs which are not being met. Efforts will be made to better publicize the location of the offices, change machines, check cashing, etc. There is concern regarding gathering places for students, and possibilities are being explored in dining halls and academic buildings. f. Commission on Undergraduate Studies, April 11, April 25. 8. Mr. Ridenour reported that the wage issue which has been in the news was addressed at the last session of the General Assembly, and the Executive Branch issued the policy to address a long term problem and to set forth Page 4 University Council Meeting September 5, 1988 guidelines which would prevent the problem from occurring in the future. The intent of the policy is to provide long-term employees working more than 1700 hours per year an opportunity for a permanent, salaried position with benefits. Dr. McComas asked that the statement being released by Virginia Tech on this issue be sent to all faculty and staff. 9. In response to a request from Mr. Baker, Mr. Ridenour said he would give Council an update on the parking and transportation issue at the next meeting of Council. Mr. Baker added that the committee has just received the consultants' report upon which the committee must base its recommen- dations. The meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lon K. Savage Secretary, University Council LKS:gf
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