Faculty Assembly
Faculty Assembly Meeting Minutes
February 10, 2004
Members present: Christopher Abelt, Robert Archibald, Jonathan Arries, James
Beers, Liz Canuel, Clay Clemens, Robert Diaz, Nancy Gray, Katherine Kulick,
Robert Orwohl, Ann Reed, Roger Ries, Ron Rosenberg, Laurie Sanderson, William
Stewart, Larry Ventis, Wanda Wallace, Parliamentarian: Ala Fuchs.
Members absent: Deborah Bebout, Lan Cao, LuAnn Homza.
I. President Rosenberg called the meeting to order at 3:38 P.M. Minutes from the Faculty Assembly meeting on 12-09-03 were approved without correction.
II. Report of Administrative Officers: Provost Feiss. The provost's remarks
covered the following topics: (1) He expressed his gratitude to Katherine Kulick
for her presentation to the Board of Visitors on the first portion of the Faculty
Assembly Faculty Survey. The provost noted that it had a profound impact. (2)
There was a brief report on conversations with the Executive Committee of the
Faculty Assembly about reconfiguring BPAC to become a Faculty Priorities Committee.
It will be up to the Executive Committee and the Faculty Assembly to advise
him on this issue. (3) The Provost and others (Gene Roche, Kathleen McCarthy,
and James Heller) are working to produce a copyright fair use policy, which
will deal with copying copyrighted material. He anticipates possibly forwarding
a draft on this to the Faculty Assembly in March. (4) There has been a modest
change in organization in the Provost's Office. The title of the "Associate
Provost for Admissions" has been changed to "Associate Provost for
Enrollment Management and Admissions". In addition, the position of "Vice
Provost" will now be titled "Vice Provost for Research and Graduate
Studies". The title of Lorne Kuffel's position will be changed to "Associate
Provost for Research". Susan Bosworth will also report directly to the
Provost.
i. Karen Cottrell will also initiate conversations with the Adviser's Committee
about the possibility of moving from an Early Decision process (student applies
early, if admitted must matriculate) to an Early Action process (students apply
early but are permitted to apply to other schools, and they do not have to accept
our offer if admitted). The change is expected to increase the number of early
applicants. This follows an earlier discussion of this issue before the Faculty.
If it is implemented it will be done in March, though the decision has not yet
been made.
ii. Sam Jones, Vice President, Office of Finance. Sam Jones presented an overview
of the proposed Restructuring Legislation Initiative for state financing of
the state universities. Very briefly, state support for the total College budget
has decreased from 1980 (42.8%) to the projected level for 2004 of (18.7%).
This constitutes a problem. We basically lack control of incoming funds. The
goals of the proposed Restructuring are: (1) Establish a stable funding model.
(2) Return authority to the Board of Visitors. (3) Enhance long term planning
capabilities. (4) Meet funding needs.
iii. Our commitments under the proposal are to: (1) Educate Virginians (65%
in-state/ 35% out-of-state). (2) Address unmet needs. (3) Accept something less
in incremental state funding. (4) Establish tuition based on a combination of
the Cost of Education (estimated by the legislature), and appropriated state
funds. Finally we would be accountable through a post-audit process. The Commonwealth's
commitments include: (1) Granting expanded management authority. (2) Returning
tuition and fee authority to the Board of Visitors. Each school would then negotiate
a charter agreement establishing the details. A copy of the presentation will
be available on the web site.
III. Faculty Survey, Part 1, 2003-2004 Report by Katherine Kulick. President Rosenberg began by praising Katherine Kulick's efforts on our behalf in implementing the Faculty Survey. Notes for this presentation should be available on the web site. Please refer to that document for additional details and specific results. The current survey is the fifth in a series begun in 1991. The last previous survey was conducted in 1999. There was a 62 % response rate by the faculty to the current survey, and those responding appear representative of the faculty. One of the more dramatic findings was that during the last two years 69 % of respondents considered leaving the College, and 29 % of respondents reported having applied for a position at another institution. Of those who applied, 60 % received an offer. Another finding of particular interest is the faulty priorities that were expressed: (1) Increased funding for faculty salaries. (2) Increased funding for faculty research. (3) Increased funding for student financial aid.
IV. Committee Reports. COPAR, Robert Diaz. COPAR met on 12-18-03 to discuss
the College Non-Academic Leave Policy, particularly as it is applied to faculty
in 1-year fixed appointments. A copy of their report will be available on the
Faculty Assembly web site. The crux of the matter is that statements in the
Faculty Handbook indicate that faculty in 1-year fixed appointments are not
covered by the College Non-Academic Leave Policy, whereas VRS indicates that
they would be covered.
i. It was agreed on by consensus to refer the question back to COPAR for further
consideration.
ii. Faculty Assembly Faculty Affairs Committee, Clay Clemens. After additional
consideration since our last Faculty Assembly meeting, the committee presented
a resolution regarding possible College holdings in Burma. Due to the shortage
of time, it was agreed by consensus to discuss this resolution at our next meeting,
February 24th.
iii. President Rosenberg moved to adjourn at 5:35 P.M. The motion to adjourn
was seconded by Larry Ventis, and it passed without dissent.
Respectfully submitted by Larry Ventis, Secretary to the Faculty Assembly.
