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Governance Minutes ArchiveDecember 7, 1992
Minutes University Council Meeting December 7, 1992 Dr. McComas called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. Present: J. McComas, T. Goodale, R. Smoot, G.E. Russell, A. Swiger, R. Sorensen, S. Crumwell (for J. Buffer), G.W. Clough, G. Brown, S.J. Ritchey, J. Eustis, C. Stott, D. DeWolf, M. Sporakowski, R. Olin (for A. McNabb), H.B. Miller ( for P. Feret), R. Daniel, J. Falkinham, G. Holtzman, J. Ficenec, T. Rakes, M. Murray (for A. Snoke), D. Smith, D. Hewitt, K. Kubin, P. Miller, F. Thye, J. Robertson, L. Richardson, K. Martin, X. Jackson, C. Pinder, F. Phillips, C. Cox, M. Murray, T. Higgins, K. Kahn, J. Darnell, T. Snead, M. Mottley, C. Daniels Guests: Bill Burleson, Spectrum; Marilyn Norstedt, Faculty Senate; Pat Hyer, Office of the Provost; Susan MacDonald, Office of the Provost Absent: E.F. Carlisle, C. Morton, P. Torgersen, L. Blythe, E. Stout, P. Eyre, J. Robinson, J.S. Tlou, J. Rothschild, G. Bunce, N. Dodl, R. Heller, A. Townsend, M. Jackson, M. Belsley 1. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed. 2. Approval of Council Minutes of November 2, 1992 The University Council minutes from the meeting of November 2, 1992 were approved with corrections. 3. In successive motions, Council approved the minutes of the following meetings. a. Commission on Classified Staff Affairs, September 24 and October 7, 1992. b. Commission on Faculty Affairs, September 25, October 23, and November 6, 1992. c. Commission on Graduate Studies and Policies, October 7, 1992. Dr. Sporakowski noted the ongoing and controversial discussion of proposed parking privileges for graduate teaching assistants, i.e. whether or not paid graduate students should have legitimate access to faculty/staff parking. He did not anticipate a resolution to this issue any time soon. d. Commission on Research, September 23, October 14, and October 28, 1992. e. Commission on Student Affairs, October 15 and November 5, 1992. f. University Advisory Council on Human Rights and Social Responsibility, September 29, 1992. 4. For Information Only a. Revisions to the Faculty Handbook Ms. Susan MacDonald, Research Associate in the Office of the Provost, spoke about the current inconsistencies in the July 1, 1992, edition of the Faculty Handbook, which principally result from the various changes to the university's governance system. She noted examples of some of the necessary revisions, including title changes, changes in nomenclature from the use of "extracollegiate" to "non-college based" faculty, the minor revisions necessitated by the creation of the College of Forestry, as well as other more substantive changes. When Dr. DeWolf inquired whether all further corrections would require Council's approval, Dr. McComas responded that while all substantive changes, such as changes to the faculty grievance procedures, should certainly come before Council for approval, the more routine changes in terminology could be made by common consensus. Ms. MacDonald asked Council members to notify her directly, preferably in writing, about additional changes that should be made to the Faculty Handbook. 5. Announcements Dr. McComas spoke at length about SCHEV's proposed restructuring of higher education. He noted that while the Commonwealth of Virginia faces the same challenges as other states in terms of funding entitlement programs, this state will also have to effectively educate an inordinately large influx of college students. Dr. McComas expressed concern about some of the preliminary proposals made by the State Council of Higher Education to absorb the expected increase of approximately 65,000 students, while providing little additional resources to Virginia's colleges and universities. He also questioned SCHEV's proposal to decrease research funding for higher education, and stressed the importance of research -- not only for the three principal research universities in Virginia, but also for the state's entire economy. Dr. McComas added that Virginia Tech has not done a good job in communicating the importance of research, especially to undergraduates who could become more involved in research well before graduate school. Dr. McComas then described several other components of the SCHEV plan, including the proposed discontinuance of remedial programs at public universities and the extremely negative effects this will have for the urban universities and the predominantly black institutions. On a more positive note, he stated that the SCHEV plan would allow universities to recover more of the overhead that is currently returned to the state, and would also provide universities more internal control over managing fees. He added, however, that any potential increase in revenue as a result of these changes would be more than offset by the increase in support for the influx of new students. In closing, Dr. McComas stressed the importance of compiling a cooperative statement to present to the State Council on Higher Education before their vote in January, advocating more internal control over the management of increasing numbers of students and decreasing resources. Dr. McComas updated Council on the various searches in progress, including the newly opened search for the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, to be chaired by Dr. Carlisle. He added that Dr. Carlisle is now negotiating the final candidate for the position of Vice Provost for Outreach and International Programs. On the subject of the Hotel Roanoke, Dr. Smoot informed Council that fundraising efforts are on schedule, with a final assessment due in January as to whether sufficient funding will be available to more forward with the proposed renovations. He noted that even though fundraising activities have produced substantial support, the property will be sold if insufficient funds are raised to support the projected restoration. Dr. McComas addressed the importance of the university's global outreach efforts in order to remain nationally and internationally competitive. He highlighted the need to "internationalize" the curriculum, and to develop liaisons with businesses and organizations worldwide. The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Cornel N. Morton Executive Assistant to the President CNM:lsg
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