Faculty Assembly
Faculty Assembly Meeting Minutes
25 January 2005
Members present: Christopher Abelt, Deborah Bebout, James Beers, Chandos Brown, Elizabeth Canuel, Clay Clemens, Robert Diaz, Alan Fuchs, Nancy Gray, Lu Ann Homza, David Leslie, Tom Linneman, Alan Meese, Robert Orwoll, Ann Reed, Ron Rosenberg, Wanda Wallace, Tom White.
Members absent: David Armstrong, Martha Houle, Katherine Kulick
Ex-officio member present: Robert Archibald
Other Attendees: Geoff Feiss (Provost), Carl Strikwerda (Dean Arts & Sciences), Sam Jones
I. Call to order. President Abelt called the meeting to order at 3:35 P.M.
II. Approval of Minutes. The minutes for the meeting of December 14, 2004 were approved unanimously without changes.
III. Update from the Provost. Provost Feiss noted that we are in the early stages of the GA session. Annual legislative breakfast took place on the morning of 25 January with ~30 members of House of Delegates attending. All amendments have been submitted. February 6th is when finance bills are reported out. February 26th is when decisions are made.
The Governor's budget has 3% salary increases for faculty and staff effective November 2005. The Governor submitted base adequacy money (~$275k for the College; ~$150k for need-based financial aid; ~$146k for financial aid for grad students. The grad student support is significant because this is the first time this item has been included in governor's budget. Other budget items of interest to the College include support for the new magnetic resonance facility, funds for K-12 education partnership, support for two capital projects - improvement to athletic facilities (completely private funds); supplement for new dorm on Barksdale Field (approval to obtain extra funds).
Amendments from the Council of Presidents (4-year and CC system): Their request includes increasing faculty salaries to the 60th percentile over the next 4-years (~$300k for College); student financial assistance, base adequacy funds ($1.3M); maintenance reserve ($3.2 M ).
W&M specific amendments: National lambda rail ($400k; already committed overhead funds to join VA consortium); W&M Research Institute to increase infrastructure ($366k); library services (restore cuts and new positions).
Capital amendments: additional funding for Integrated Science Center (inflation money + $10M in private funds to increase scope of project); request to purchase the community hospital (amendment to purchase hospital at a yet to be agreed upon price; this would be used for School of Ed and outreach activities). Cost escalation for the parking deck, recreation center and football support facility, There is also a request to use private funds for renovations to the President's House.
Many bills have been submitted that relate to higher education. For example, there are several proposals to duplicate the Hope Scholarship Program in Virginia.
Study on Cost of College Textbooks. This is likely to pass. Provost expressed concern because the proposed study would be asking for info the College doesn't collect routinely and it is not clear how we would provide this information.
Archibald noted that a large number of students have been purchasing international editions of textbooks which are less costly. This has the potential to undercut the Bookstore's profits. Provost Feiss noted that the bookstore makes little profit from textbooks and the bill is not likely to have an impact on the bookstore profits.
Charter Initiative Status Report - Introduced as the Norment-Callahan Bill. The Governor has endorsed it through his Secretary of Administration. The Bill has evolved and now identifies three phases where institutions can go - level I gives flexibility to everyone, level 2 is delegated authority (state sets standards, if met; school have delegated authority; W&M currently has this), level 3 is essentially the charter except we will continue to remain a state agency. Level 3 delegates authority on capital side (e.g., on-campus state building official, alternatives to code review; in non-state money no approval is needed; allows a good deal of autonomy in leasing, more financial autonomy to BOV (set tuition and fees); retain interest on non-general funds monies).
In return, we have proposed to increase enrollment by ~250 students (grad students and transfer students). New language doesn't single-out W&M but there is a system-wide commitment to taking new students. As new space becomes available there may be pressure to take more students (but, we have inadequate space relative to peer institutions). This will be of particular importance if we add more residential space.
Rosenberg asked whether graduate housing is likely to increase if grad enrollment is going to increase. Feiss replied this is under consideration but the current proposal does not include this provision.
White asked whether the proposed accountability policies are consistent with what we have? Feiss expressed concern that this is the beginning of a process by which institutions of higher ed become less accountable over time.
Dean Strikwerda asked whether we could we opt out of eVA. Provost Feiss replied that this is not likely. However, if the Charter proposal passes, it may be harder to impose these state-wide systems in the future.
Rosenberg asked about the start date. Feiss responded that he hoped it will begin on July 1st but it will likely be phased in over time.
Rosenberg inquired about whether the BOV would have to write new policies if the restructuring agreement passed. Feiss said that the BOV has been developing policies in the event that Charter is passed.
Leslie asked whether there was a possibility that the legislature could alter the agreement in such a way that we would no longer want it. Feiss answered that there is a document that describes what is/is not negotiable. For example it is presently non-negotiable to give classified employees larger raises than what is allowed within the state classified system.
Feiss expressed optimism that the restructuring agreement will pass.
Faculty Priorities Committee. Provost Feiss and the committee met recently to discuss priorities submitted by Deans and Vice Presidents.
IV. Update on Presidential Search (Leslie, Clemens, Canuel) - Process is going
forward in vigorous fashion. The search firm has been vigorous in recruiting
people to consider the position and in deciding who should/should not be considered.
The committee anticipates a further winnowing of the applicant pool. A small
pool of candidates will likely be visiting campus in February. Board will be
presented names from search committee by end of February.
V. Faculty Resolution on Charter Initiative (Abelt) - Abelt opened a discussion about whether the Assembly wished to draft a resolution in support of the Charter Initiative similar to the resolution passed by the Faculty Senate at UVA. Orwoll asked the Provost whether a resolution from the Faculty Assembly would be beneficial? Feiss responded that a resolution could be helpful. Abelt presented the Assembly with a draft resolution (Version I) as well as a modified version of his draft resolution including amendments suggested by Meese (Version II).
Version 1
The Faculty Assembly endorses the principle of the Charter Initiative; that
is, redefining the relationship between the College of William and Mary and
the Commonwealth of Virginia to allow the College to operate more efficiently
and effectively.
The Faculty Assembly also endorses these anticipated outcomes of the Initiative:
" To enhance the quality of the College of William and Mary
" To allow for long-range strategic planning and implementation
" To regulate tuition growth, ensure affordability and extend accessibility
for Virginians
" To streamline management of personnel, procurement and capital projects
to lower costs
" To maintain or enhance faculty and staff benefits
" To maintain accountability to the Commonwealth
Version 2
The Faculty Assembly endorses the principle of the Charter Initiative; that
is, redefining the relationship between the College of William and Mary and
the Commonwealth of Virginia to allow the College to operate more efficiently
and effectively.
The Faculty Assembly also endorses these anticipated outcomes of the Initiative:
" To enhance the quality of the College of William and Mary by, among other
things, attracting and retaining highly qualified faculty, staff, and students
" To allow for long-range strategic planning and implementation
" To relate tuition growth with cost of education, promote affordability
and extend accessibility for Virginians
" To streamline management of personnel, procurement and capital projects
to lower costs
" To continue to serve the Commonwealth and the nation by providing a high
quality education in the arts and sciences and pursuing world class research
After considerable discussion, Homza introduced a motion to revise the resolution in support of the Charter Initiative as follows:
The Faculty Assembly endorses the principle of the Charter Initiative; that is, redefining the relationship between the College of William and Mary and the Commonwealth of Virginia to allow the College to operate more efficiently and effectively.
The Faculty Assembly also endorses these anticipated outcomes of the Initiative:
" To enhance the quality of the College of William and Mary by, among other
things, attracting and retaining highly qualified faculty, staff, and students
" To allow for long-range strategic planning and implementation
" To relate tuition growth with cost of education, promote affordability
and extend accessibility for Virginians
" To streamline management of personnel, procurement and capital projects
to lower costs
" To continue to serve the Commonwealth and the nation by through high
quality undergraduate and graduate education, advisory services, and the pursuit
of world class research
The motion was seconded by Diaz and passed unanimously.
Some discussion followed about differences in faculty support for the Charter Initiative at W&M vs. UVA.
There being no additional business, a motion was made to adjourn at 5 pm.
Respectfully submitted by E.A. Canuel, Faculty Assembly Secretary.
