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Governance Minutes ArchiveJanuary 20, 1992
Minutes University Council Meeting January 20, 1992 Dr. McComas called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Present:J. McComas, R. Smoot, E.F. Carlisle, J. Falkinham, T. Goodale, D. McAlister (for C. Steger), P. Gherman, L. Harris, G. Hooper, E. Blythe, L.A. Swiger, R. Sorensen, M.A. Lewis (for J. Buffer), W.G. Clough, S. J. Ritchey, P. Eyre, D. Smith, D. Hewitt, P. Miller, L. Rees, N. Dodl, J. Robertson, F. Thye, R. Heller, G. Holtzman, J. Ficenec, B. Crittenden, N. Marriott, T. Rakes, A. Snoke, L. Barroso, C. Luch, C. Vargo, M. Byrne, T. Snead (for K. Mottley), B. Rexroad, P. Larkin, Guests: Bill Burleson, Spectrum; Cornel N. Morton, EO/AA; Vince Cilimberg, University Athletic Committee; Absent: C. Forbes, M. Ridenour, H. Doswald, G. Bunce, M. Cacheris 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 DECEMBER 2, 1991 The University Council minutes of the meeting of December 2, 1991 were approved with corrections. 3. SECOND READING, COMMISSION ON RESEARCH RESOLUTION 1991-92C, CONCERNING PROCEDURES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE VIRGINIA STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT. Dr. Hooper moved approval of the resolution. The resolution PASSED. 4. IN SUCCESSIVE MOTIONS, COUNCIL APPROVED THE MINUTES OF THE FOLLOWING MEETINGS. a. Commission on Faculty Affairs, October 25, November 8, November 22, and December 13, 1991. b. Commission on Graduate Studies, November 8, 1991. c. Commission on Research, October 23, 1991. d. Commission on Student Affairs, October 17, November 7, and November 21, 1991. Expanding on the minutes of October 17, Dr. Goodale informed Council that SCHEV has completed its Survey on Sexual Assault and forwarded its recommendations to Virginia colleges and universities. He added that CSA is now reviewing those recommendations. Dr. Goodale then acknowl- edged the efforts of the Student Government Association and the Gradu- ate Student Assembly for their well-organized response to additional budget reductions. Mr. Larkin noted that the minutes of October 17 contain a one-sentence reference to "ecological and environmental concerns about CRC moving closer to campus" (Item #2 under "Reports of Subcommittees"). He explained that this refers to his concern about the ongoing development of land surrounding the Corporate Research Center. He questioned the need to develop further sites when several plots of land are already vacant and await construction. Dr. McComas asked Dr. Harris to follow up on this issue and share his findings with Mr. Larkin. e. Commission on Undergraduate Studies, October 28 and November 11, 1991. Dr. Crittenden asked Dr. Carlisle to explain the rationale for proposed "Review of Admissions Policy" (October 28 minutes, Item #6). In response, Dr. Carlisle detailed his recommendation for an eight-member committee (five faculty, one dean, one associate dean, and one under- graduate student) to review the university's admissions policy. In addition to noting that five years has elapsed since the last review, Dr. Carlisle also observed that at least two proposals for modification of the admissions policy await review, as well as resolution of several questions regarding the Admissions Advisory Committee. Dr. Crittenden then voiced his concern about what he perceived as a downgrading of admissions standards. Dr. Carlisle responded that the committee, if assembled, will "consult widely" as it reviews Virginia Tech's admis- sions policy and encouraged Dr. Crittenden to express his views to the committee at that time. 5. FOR INFORMATION a. Minutes of the Virginia Tech Athletic Committee, November 13, 1991. b. Minutes of the University Communications Resources Committee, October 30, 1991. c. Minutes of the University Committee on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, October 15, and November 19, 1991. Dr. McComas expressed his appreciation to Dr. Cornel Morton and the staff of the Equal Opportunity Office and Personnel Services for their work in connection with the recent successful OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs) review. d. University Libraries Mission and Goals Statement and Organizational Charts. Dr. Gherman explained some of the libraries' reorganization and person- nel changes that are the result of budget cuts. Drs. Harris and Gherman then described the manner in which commission and committee minutes and support materials will be kept on reserve in the library for review by members of Council and others who are inter- ested. e. Resolution of Appreciation from the Staff Senate. Dr. McComas acknowledged on behalf of the University and the Staff Senate the work of Dr. Larry Moore and the Task Force for their contributions to the formation of the Staff Senate. 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS o Dr. McComas asked Dr. Blythe to update Council on the joint feasibility study, to be conducted by C&P Telephone, Virginia Tech, and the town of Blacksburg, for the development of an "electronic village." Dr. Blythe explained that the proposal involves a significant town-wide upgrade in basic communications capability, including the installation of fiber optics cable throughout the area. The Blacksburg electronic village project, if funded, would serve as a pilot project for the entire Commonwealth. Dr. McComas then described some positive implications of the project for education, especially in the public schools, adding that it would also provide valuable exposure for Virginia Tech and Blacksburg. He stressed, however, that the project is only at the feasibility stage. o Regarding the implementation of the new governance structure, approved last May by University Council, Dr. Harris informed members that letters soliciting commission and council representatives will be mailed to organizations this week. He reminded Council of the Task Force's recommendation that the new structure be in place by the spring. To that end, Dr. Harris has requested the names of the appointees by late March. On the subject of committee membership, Dr. Harris asked that Council consider the possibility of extending the current terms of members (including those individuals who will be rotating off at the end of this academic year). He explained that the task of constituting the eight new commissions, three new councils, while at the same time replacing as many as 85 committee members this spring, may prove to be too confusing. Thus, in consultation with Dr. Moore and the President, Dr. Harris recommends that new committee appointments be delayed until the upcoming academic year. This item will be placed on a future Council agenda for discussion. Dr. Snoke expressed concern about the end of March deadline for submit- ting the names of nominees and appointees, especially for the Faculty Senate. Ms. Byrne voiced similar concerns for the Student Government Association; however, both indicated their willingness to advance the nominating process if feasible. Dr. Harris acknowledged that the March deadline might prove to be problematic for many organizations, but stressed the urgency of completing the process as soon as possible. o Dr. McComas asked Ms. Byrne to describe the response the Student Government Association and the Graduate Student Assembly had made to the budget crisis. She detailed the various strategies that have been developed as a non-confrontive response to the latest cuts. She highlighted a planned trip to Richmond on January 28th, as well as a state-wide informational budget rally on January 29th. Dr. McComas stressed to Council the need to present a "non-adversarial" response to the state legislature by writing to one's own local representative and senator. Ms. Luch pointed out the relative "powerlessness" of out-of- state students, many of whom are graduate students, who have no local state representative. Dr. McComas acknowledged this fact and suggested that these individuals work instead with university staff to stress the importance of out-of-state students to the life and diversity of the university. He also spoke about the economic importance of this large constituency, pointing out that out-of-state students are significant contributors to the state and local economies. o Dr. McComas briefed Council on several recent NCAA reforms that will become mandatory in four years: (1) that student-athletes must complete 13 required courses during high school to be eligible to engage in college athletics, and (2) that all student-athletes will need a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 or 900 SAT to be eligible to participate as college freshmen. He also said that athletic residence halls are being phased out. All of these reforms, he concluded, would enhance the graduation rate of these students. Dr. McComas then discussed the need to place coaches' salaries under complete control of the university. o Regarding the budget, Drs. McComas and Carlisle described in detail the 29% reduction to the Extension Service operating budget proposed by the Governor. They stressed that Virginia Tech will be working diligently to restore a major portion of that large reduction through an amendment to the state budget. An upcoming article in SPECTRUM will discuss the nine-block configuration of the Cooperative Extension Service and how the cuts will affect the services it provides. Dr. McComas then addressed the urgent need to provide salary increases for faculty and staff, adding that SCHEV has submitted a collective amendment to the budget calling for salary increases. Dr. Carlisle briefly reviewed the background and current status of this biennium's budget cycle, including a description of Virginia Tech's three separate budgets (instruction, research and extension). When asked by Dr. Snoke if the three budgets could be collapsed into one, Dr. Carlisle responded that it would be unfair to use tuition dollars to fund Virginia's extension services and agricultural research. Dr. Carlisle also described the proposed reduction in funding for the Commonwealth Centers. Dr. McComas announced that Virginia has slipped to 40th in the nation in the amount of per-student state funding for higher education (this figure includes community colleges and universities). He also informed Council that "well over a half a billion dollars has been cut from higher education" since the onset of the reductions. Dr. McComas closed the meeting with the observation that while funding for educa- tion has historically been viewed as contributing to the common good, it now is being treated as a service that should be paid for with user's fees. The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Larry A. Harris Executive Assistant to the President LAH:lg
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