Faculty Assembly
Faculty Assembly Meeting Minutes
April 27, 2004
Members present: Christopher Abelt, Robert Archibald, Jonathan Arries, Deborah
Bebout, James Beers, Liz Canuel, Clay Clemens, Robert Diaz, Nancy Gray, Katherine
Kulick, Robert Orwoll, Ann Reed, Roger Ries, Ron Rosenberg, Laurie Sanderson,
William Stewart, Larry Ventis, Wanda Wallace, Parliamentarian: Alan Fuchs.
Members absent: Lan Cao, LuAnn Homza.
I. President Rosenberg called the meeting to order at 3:38 P.M. Minutes from the Faculty Assembly Meeting of March 23 were approved with two corrections.
II. Report of Administrative Officers: Provost Feiss. The General Assembly was meeting on the day we met, as they had been for an inordinately long time this spring. The Provost announced the intention to send out contracts on May 10. If no budget was established by then, contracts would be the same as last year. The Provost also announced the Board of Visitors meeting which was to be held that week, with the Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, April 29, at 12:30. The Provost was optimistic that progress would be made on faculty salaries, and he was hopeful regarding staff salaries also. Among issues to be addressed by the Board of Visitors was that of faculty representation on the Board. The Board had expressed interest in whether sufficient courses would be available for students.
III. Follow-Up Report on Faculty Research: Dale Hoak. The Faculty Assembly was given highlights of the Faculty Research Committee's subsequent actions on policies, since Dale Hoak's presentation, and our discussion of policy issues at the March Faculty Assembly meeting. Book Subvention Program. Awards range up to $2,000. Most requests have been for assistance in creating an index. Funds are not allocated for this purpose. Minor Research Grants. The committee recommended that administration of the Minor Research Grants be assigned to the Charles Center. After it became clear through discussion that both undergraduate and graduate students apply for these funds, the Provost suggested that the Vice Provost's office should probably handle it. Summer Grants. Discussion centered on priorities for assigning Summer Grants. As discussed, a high priority was that of supporting junior faculty and seeding their research. The Committee, as well as several Faculty Assembly members, clearly held that funding new faculty during their first two summers was a high priority. FRA Program. Much discussion occurred regarding the criteria for awarding FRA's. Eventually, Robert Archibald moved that we approve the proposed policy which had been presented to the Faculty Assembly. James Beers seconded the motion, and the motion passed with one person opposed.
IV. Update on Phased Retirement; Post Tenure Review Policy, Katherine Kulick. These items had been scheduled for consideration but were carried over and will be considered further in the fall. Bill Stewart registered disappointment that there was no provision for initiation of a post-tenure review by the faculty in the new version.
V. New Business. President Rosenberg announced a reminder regarding the Provost's reception for the Faculty Assembly.
At 5:15 Robert Archibald moved that we adjourn, and that we give President Rosenberg a round of applause. The motion passed unanimously, followed by an enthusiastic round of applause for the Faculty Assembly President.
Respectfully submitted by Larry Ventis, Faculty Assembly Secretary.
