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Governance Minutes ArchiveNovember 4, 1991
Minutes University Council Meeting November 4, 1991 Dr. McComas called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Present:J. McComas, C. Forbes, M. Ridenour, E.F. Carlisle, R. Smoot, L. Geyer, T. Goodale, C. Steger, Paul Metz (for P. Gherman), L. Harris, G. Hooper, A. Swiger (for J. Nichols), T. Bonham (for R. Sorensen), S.J. Ritchey, E. Blythe, J. Buffer, W.G. Clough, P. Eyre, D. Smith, D. Hewitt, L. Rees, N. Dodl, Marie Wall (for P. Miller), R. Heller, J. Robertson, F. Thye, G. Holtzman, J. Ficenec, D. deWolf (for B. Crittenden), Joseph Falkinham (for N. Marriott), S. Batie, A. Snoke, L. Barroso, C. Vargo, M. Byrne, K. Mottley, M. Cacheris, Laura Tessmer, (for P. Larkin) Guests: Bill Burleson, Spectrum; Cornel N. Morton, EO/AA; Martha Johnson, Graduate School; Robert Morgan, SGA; Neil Stewart, Graduate Honor System Absent: H. Doswald, G. Bunce, C. Luch, B. Rexroad 1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as distributed. The motion PASSED. 2. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 1991 The University Council minutes of the meeting of October 21, 1991 were approved as written. 3. FIRST READING, COMMISSION ON FACULTY AFFAIRS RESOLUTION 1991-92B, CONCERNING THE GEOGRAPHICAL TRANSFER POLICY. Dr. Geyer reviewed the background of the proposed resolution, which came about as a result of concern for financial considerations involving faculty transfers. He pointed out that when a faculty member is transferred for programmatic reasons, there is general agreement among CFA members that the program should 1) offset moving expenses, and 2) make appropriate salary adjustments as necessary to reflect a higher cost-of-living. In response to the second consideration, Dr. Carlisle suggested that the CFA carefully consider the specific mechanisms for calculating these salary adjustments. Dr. Eyre then described a hypothetical situation involving a faculty member transferred to a lower-cost of living area. Would that individual, he asked, be paid less to reflect these circumstances? Dr. Eyre suggested that the resolution be amended to reflect this possibility. The resolution was carried forward for second reading. 4. FIRST READING, COMMISSION ON GRADUATE STUDIES RESOLUTION 1991-92A, CONCERNING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE VIRGINIA TECH GRADUATE HONOR SYSTEM, DATED APRIL 19, 1991. As background, Dr. Hooper described how the proposed constitution came to be rewritten in response to a survey concerning the effectiveness of the original constitution. The proposed draft, he explained, was written by a committee of faculty, students and administrators. It was then reviewed by the Commission on Graduate Studies, the Graduate Student Assembly, and Virginia Tech General Counsel's Office. Dr. Hooper stated that the new Constitution incorporates major revisions, adding "that there is hardly a topic area that has not been modified." Dr. McComas then called on Mr. Neil Stewart, Chief Justice of the Graduate Honor System, who summarized the contents of the new document. Ms. Vargo announced that the GSA fully supports the new constitution. The resolution was carried forward for second reading. 5. FIRST READING, COMMISSION ON RESEARCH RESOLUTION 1991-92B, CONCERNING A POLICY ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES. Dr. Hooper noted that because the definition of "intellectual properties" has broadened considerably over the past five years, the Intellectual Properties Committee (IPC) and the Commission on Research undertook a thorough review of the original 1986 policy. The resulting resolution, he explained, addresses two major areas: 1) the membership, structure and role of the Intellectual Properties Committee, and 2) a working definition of intellectual properties that incorporates both "traditional" and "novel" intellectual properties, such as inventions and software. Dr. Hooper then pointed out that the ratio of income generated from intellectual properties will remain the same, with 50% to the inventor, 10% to the department/college of origin, and 40% to Virginia Tech Intellectual Proper- ties (VTIP). Dr. Clough inquired whether an intellectual property would be subject to VTIP surcharges if it had been developed over time by a faculty member with a previous university affiliation? Dr. Hooper responded that while the IPC and VTIP would carefully consider each case, they would be more proactive in protecting the interests of this university. Dr. Ficenec inquired why every college was not represented on the Intellectual Properties Committee? Dr. Hooper responded that the IPC's membership was structured so that representatives have the appropriate professional background and expertise to assess the merits of an individual's intellectual property. Several people then noted that the resolution's discussion of possible inventors fails to include undergraduates, graduate students or staff. Dr. Hooper acknowledged this oversight and informed Council that a revised draft would correct these omissions. The resolution was carried forward for second reading. 6. SECOND READING, COMMISSION ON RESEARCH RESOLUTION 1991-92A, CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CENTERS (AMENDED RESOL- UTION). FIRST READING, OCTOBER 21, 1991. Dr. Hooper reviewed the content of the modified resolution, noting that all changes were underlined. The resolution PASSED. 7. IN SUCCESSIVE MOTIONS, COUNCIL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS. a. Commission on Extension, April 2, 1991. b. Commission on Faculty Affairs, October 4, 1991. c. Commission on Research, October 9, 1991. Dr. Hooper highlighted item #5, the proposed special research tuition resolution for graduate students, reporting that it has been referred to the Commission on Graduate Studies. d. Commission on Student Affairs, September 19 and October 3, 1991. e. Approval of the Minutes of the Commission on Undergraduate Studies, April 22 and September 23, 1991. 8. FOR INFORMATION a. Minutes of the University Committee on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, September 17, 1991. b. Minutes of the University Library Committee, September 11, 1991. Dr. Snoke asked if Council could receive a copy of the University Libraries Mission and Goals statement and reorganization charts, noted in the minutes. Dr. Metz responded that this document would be appended to the next set of University Library Committee minutes. c. Report on the Virginia Tech Development Foundation's fee structure. Dr. Smoot reported that concerns raised by Council and others about the Virginia Tech Development Foundation's revised fee structure has resulted in the suspension of fees on gifts. Any amounts collected to date will be returned. In consultation with the college deans, the Development Foundation Board will explore other means to raise suffi- cient funds to support development activities. Dr. Dodl inquired about fees generated from telephone fundraising efforts. Mr. Forbes responded that those fees will remain in place as administrative costs of running the telethon program. Dr. McComas spoke at length about the complexity of development efforts. He highlighted the difficulty of apportioning fees on gifts, especially in cases when the donor specifies that the gift not be used for administrative purposes. He then stressed that Development Founda- tion fees are vital to the operation of the university. Dr. Hooper distributed to Council a report on the Virginia Tech Intel- lectual Properties, Inc., which describes more fully VTIP's overhead policy. 9. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Kevin Mottley introduced Mr. Robert Morgan, the newly-elected speaker of the SGA House of Representatives. Dr. Goodale updated Council on the status of the Andrea Walnes investi- gation, stating that recent remains discovered in Giles County were positively identified through dental records. A memorial service is sched- uled for November 7th. A full criminal investigation has been initiated. Dr. McComas recognized the role of the Dean of Students Office and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in this and other matters involving students. Dr. McComas updated Council on the continuing state-wide efforts to increase the corporate/business community's role in supporting higher education in the Commonwealth. The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Larry A. Harris Executive Assistant to the President LAH:lg
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