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Governance Minutes ArchiveApril 17, 1989
Minutes University Council Meeting April 17, 1989 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. Johnson (for Dr. Geasler), Mr. Gherman, Dr. Harris, Dr. Hooper, Dr. Heterick, Dr. Swiger (for Dr. Nichols) Dr. Steger, Dr. Doswald, Dr. Bonham (for Dr. Sorensen), Dr. Torgersen, Dr. Moore, Dr. Arnold, Dr. Seago, Dr. Fleming, Dr. Carrig, Dr. Purdy (for Dr. Lovingood), Dr. Henneke, Dr. Eng, Dr. Grossman, Dr. Kingston, Dr. Blieszner, Dr. Conn (for Dr. Batie), Dr. Snoke, Mr. Lush, Mr. Townsend, Mr. Gilbert (for Mr. Baker), Ms. Uhlrich (for Mr. Morris), Mr. Battaglia, Mr. Tyrrell, Mr. Miller (for Mr. Rahal) Guests: John Ashby, Spectrum; Alan Singleton, BOV; Jacob Perkins, SGA Absent: Dr. Smith, Dr. Ritchey, Dr. Eyre, Dr. Davis, Dr. Sullins. 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. McComas introduced and welcomed three newly elected student represen- tatives to the Council: David Gilbert, President of the Student Government Association; Trish Uhlrich, Vice President of the Student Government Association; and Michael Miller, President of the Residence Hall Feder- ation. Dr. McComas asked Mr. Forbes to share the recommendations of the Committee charged with studying the university's name. Mr. Forbes reported that following several discussions, including the results of a limited, person- alized survey, it was decided to recommend that the name Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University continue to be used as the official name of the university, while "Virginia Tech" would remain the popular name. The Committee further recommended that an outside firm be engaged to develop an institutional program and policies to cover all elements of the internal and external uses of these names. Dr. Herman Doswald was asked to report on the progress of the Provost Search Committee. He responded that two additional candidates, Dr. Fred Carlisle, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of Miami University of Ohio, and Dr. Curt Tompkins, Dean of Engineering at West Virginia University, had been added to the list of those being inter- viewed. Dr. McComas identified the 1989 Commencement Speaker: Attorney General of Virginia, The Honorable Mary Sue Terry. 2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Dr. Scanlon asked that a new agenda item, CFA Resolution 1988-89E concern- ing the Reconciliation Committee, be added as Item #5 of New Business. Dr. Harris also requested that the March 1 minutes from the Commission on Graduate Studies be included for approval (the minutes had been distrib- uted, but were omitted from the agenda). A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as amended. The motion PASSED. 3. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES OF MARCH 6, 1989 The University Council minutes of the meeting of March 6, 1989 were approved as distributed. 4. FIRST READING: COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1988-89B, CONCERNING ANNUAL SALARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR ALUMNI DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORS. Dr. Scanlon summarized the key points of the resolution which proposes that 1) funding be developed to increase the value of the Alumni Distinguished Professorship endowment (in consultation with the Provost) and 2) each ADP be provided with an annual account for miscellaneous academic expenses. Dr. Perry explained that the resolution is principally designed to eliminate the specification of a specific dollar amount associated with the endowment. The resolution was carried forward for SECOND READING. 5. FIRST READING: COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1988-89 C, CONCERNING TENURE PROCESS FOR FACULTY ENTERING AS INSTRUCTORS OR LECTURERS. If passed by Council, this resolution would enable present Virginia Tech instructors/lecturers to eliminate service at that rank from the tenure probationary period. Dr. Arnold raised the question of whether this policy could have a negative impact on equitable recruitment strategies, encouraging departments to hire from within. She also asked when the policy would take effect, to whom it would apply, and what the liability of the university would be should disputes arise? Responding to her first concern, Dr. Perry stated that assistant professors would be appointed only after a national search, but agreed that the resol- ution wording should be more explicit in that regard. He explained that the resolution was formulated to eliminate what was considered to be a disad- vantage suffered by Virginia Tech non-tenure track faculty who apply for assistant professorships. He elaborated that instructors/lecturers who are finishing doctoral degrees are heavily involved in teaching, and thus do not have the time to engage in the professional development activities and scholarly research that are necessary to be tenured. Dr. Perry indicated that amendments to the resolution would be drafted prior to the second reading addressing the concerns raised by Dr. Arnold. The resolution was carried forward for SECOND READING. 6. FIRST READING: COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1988-89 D, CONCERNING THE NATURE OF LENGTH OF TERM SERVED BY A DEPARTMENT/DIVISION CHAIR, HEAD, AND DIRECTOR. In accordance with Self-Study Recommendation 6-15, this resolution proposes that the length of term served and procedures for renewal for directors, heads, or chairs be decided by departments/division faculty in consultation with the Dean. Dr. Torgersen expressed concern regarding whether the original Self-Study recommendation implied that faculty approved of fixed terms or merely endorsed the right to decide. Following a discussion of these implications, Dr. McComas requested that the Council defer the resolution, pending the appointment of the new provost. The resolution was DEFERRED. 7. INITIAL DRAFT REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE ON THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL, STANDING UNIVERSITY COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES. Dr. Moore summarized the initial findings of the Task Force. The report advises that, based on the belief that the University Council's main purpose is to assist the president in formulating and implementing univer- sity policy, the number of Council members should be reduced to a manage- able number, in the range of 20-25. This could be achieved by: o reducing the number of administrators from 17 to 7 (removing 5 deans and 5 vice presidents) o reducing the number of faculty from 16 to 9 or 10 (depending on the number of commissions) o increasing the number of staff members from 1 to 2 o decreasing the number of graduate students from 2 to 1 (with Council representation being the chairman of the Graduate Student Association) o reducing the number of undergraduates from 5 to no less than 2. Discussion ensued regarding the composition of the University Council. Concern was expressed about having the student representative of the Board of Visitors sit on the Council. Some of the objections raised were: 1) possible conflict of interest; 2) the individual does not necessarily represent the student body, since he or she is not elected; and 3) this individual could be either a graduate or undergraduate student. Several student leaders also stated their general objections to reducing the student representation on the Council. Dr. Kingston noted that language could be found which would assure two undergraduates and one graduate student -- including the student representative of the BOV. Discussion further addressed the issue of the purpose of the Council and whether it should be a reactive, "approving" organization or more proac- tive. The size of Council may turn on how this question is resolved. Objections to the proposal were raised on the grounds that not all colleges would be adequately represented on the Council if membership was reduced. Dr. Arnold stated that the three deans would represent all deans, and that faculty senators could voice their department's and college's views to Council through the Faculty Senate. Furthermore, the Task Force does not recommend that the size of commissions be reduced, and the chairs of each commission would serve on the Council. Another aspect of the report addresses the relationship between University Committees and Commissions, and recommends that all of the standing commit- tees have their actions funnelled through one of the standing commissions (with one or two exceptions). The placement of the Library Committee was seen as problematic by some Council members; in response, Dr. Moore asked that members consider the best organizational structure for that committee and share those thoughts with him. In addition, the report suggests the following: o Replacing the Commission on Extension with a Commission on Communi- cation and Outreach; o Maintaining the standing Committees on Communication Network Services and Computer, rather than establishing a Commission or Committee on Information o Broadening the responsibilities of the Building Committee and renaming it the Campus Facilities Committee; o Continuing without a Committee on Media; o Creating a standing Committee on Staff Concerns Dr. Moore closed discussion of the draft report by soliciting written comments/suggestions from Council members on any aspect of the report by May 1, 1989. 8. FIRST READING: COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1988-89 E, CONCERNING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE. Dr. Torgersen asked that the wording of the resolution be amended to clear- ly and unequivocally define what confidentiality means and to what extent and under what circumstances it can be suspended, especially as it relates to promotion and tenure deliberations. The resolution was carried forward for SECOND READING. 9. SECOND READING: COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS, RESOLUTION 1987-88 C, FACULTY ETHICS This resolution came before Council on First Reading February 6, 1988. For a description of this resolution, see Item 5 of the Minutes of Council of February 6, 1989. Dr. Scanlon provided a brief history of the resolution and suggested withdrawal of the amendment proposed by the Graduate Student Assembly which would have placed a student representative on the committee. Anthony Townsend withdrew the amendment. A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution. The motion was CARRIED. 10. REPORT ON SELF-STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS 3-5 AND 3-6 REGARDING UNIVERSITY-RELATED CORPORATIONS. Dr. Smoot explained the revised organizational chart of the University- related corporations, and provided information on the Waste Policy Insti- tute (not yet incorporated), as well as information about the corporations, including what they do, and how their boards are organized. Dr. McComas asked Council members to review the items for possible discussion at the next meeting. 11. IN SUCCESSIVE MOTIONS, COUNCIL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS. a. Commission on Faculty Affairs, February 3, February 17, March 3, 1989. b. Commission on Graduate Studies, January 18, February 1, February 15, March 1, 1989. c. Commission on Research, January 25, 1989. d. Commission on Student Affairs, February 16, March 2, 1989. e. Commission on Undergraduate Studies, January 9, February 13, 1989. 12. Dr. Goodale introduced the new student representative on the Board of Visitors, Alan Singleton. 13. Dr. McComas informed the Council that the search for the new Director of Affirmative Action and Assistant to the President was well underway. Candidates will be brought to campus as soon as the Provost search is completed. 14. Dr. Arnold raised concerns about the current level of library funding, stating that it was insufficient to meet the needs of many users. Dr. McComas responded that level funding for the library has necessitated cuts in many areas as costs have risen. 15. A suggestion was made that all committees reporting to Council approve their minutes, and be so stated in the text, before they are sent to Council for review. A letter making this request will be sent to committee chairmen. The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Larry A. Harris Executive Assistant to the President LAH:ls
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