Faculty Assembly
Faculty Assembly Meeting Minutes
February 22, 2005
Members present: Christopher Abelt, David Armstrong, James Beers, Chandos Brown,
Elizabeth Canuel, Clay Clemens, Robert Diaz, Alan Fuchs, Beatrice Guenther,
Nancy Gray, Lu Ann Homza, Katherine Kulick, David Leslie, Tom Linneman, Alan
Meese. Robert Orwoll, Ann Reed, Ron Rosenberg, Wanda Wallace, Tom White.
Ex-officio member present: Robert Archibald
Members absent: Deborah Bebout
Others: Geoff Feiss, Gene Roche, Carl Strikwerda
I. Call to order. President Abelt called the meeting to order at 3:32 P.M.
II. Approval of Minutes. The minutes for the meeting of 25 January 2005 were approved unanimously without changes.
III. Report from the Faculty Research Committee (Beatrice Guenther). The FRC received 56 applications for Faculty Research Assignments (FRAs) and recommended the award of 45 FRAs. Fifty-three applications for Summer Research Grants were received. The FRC recommended funding nineteen awards at $4363 each. In addition, twelve awards were made from private funds. The FRC designated the best application in each of the three areas as a Matthews Grant ($5000 ea). Five Freeman Grants in Asian Studies ($5000) and four Christopher Wren Grants ($5000 ea) were also awarded. There were two applications for book subventions, each for less than $2000, and the Committee recommended that both be awarded.
IV. Ad- hoc Group (Kulick). Kulick provided a followed up to a discussion the FA had about faculty leaves at its retreat. Since the retreat, an ad-hoc group has been established to address issues related to the leave program. Dale Hoak (chair, FRC) is chair of the ad-hoc committee. At its retreat, the FA recommended that additional funds be allocated to the leave program and that there should be a more predictable cycle to allow for planning. Additional funding was received as evidenced by above awards. The ad hoc committee is exploring alternative models that allow greater flexibility and predictability. The committee is at a preliminary stage in the gathering of information. Kulick solicited input from the FA and will gather info to deliver to the ad hoc committee.
Rosenberg asked about resources committed to the program this year relative to past years. Kulick responded that $884,000 was allocated for FRA and SRGs. This represents an additional $145k, a substantial increase relative to last year. Provost Feiss added that the College's internal goal is $1M.
V. Provost's Report (Feiss) - The Provost announced that the Charter Bill has passed the House. It will likely pass the Senate later this week and go to the Governor. The modified Bill provides 3 levels. Institutions in Level 3 will negotiate a 6 year academic and fiscal plan on a biennial basis. The plan will not be implemented until July 1, 2006.
It must first be approved by the BOV, Finance Committees. Etc. The present plan provides more predictability in budgets and allows the ability to plan over a 6-year window. It also grants administrative flexibility in areas of capital construction, finance, etc. and will likely provide savings on the administrative side. The final plan may reflect modifications by the Governor.
Other Items from General Assembly:
Faculty Salary Recommendations: house 3%; Senate 4.8%
House recommendation for classified employees includes $50 per year service
increase.
W&M committed to 5.8% increase to faculty salary. Question remains about how will increases be supported? Tuition or General Funds.
Textbook Adoption Bills. Probably will be a study to see how money could be saved via textbook adoptions.
VI. Notebook Initiative (Feiss and Gene Roche) - Provost Feiss gave a presentation on the notebook computer initiative. He noted that in 2003, 99.4% of our students brought a computer to college, 80% bought their computers after March 1, most were Windows based.
The Notebook Initiative will be a two-year project. The College will first run a Pilot Project (September 2005-2006) that will be completely voluntary. The administration has notified early admits and students who have applied.
Phase 2. Requirement (undergrads) will be in place September 2006. By 2010, everybody will be bringing same computer to campus.
Planning committees:
Steering Committee - policy issues; oversight; meets monthly. Resolves administrative
issues and manages transition
Academic Technology - develop best mix of labs and classrooms (including technology);
work with individual departments and programs to develop methods to integrate
laptops into teaching; develop programs to assist individual faculty who want
to use notebooks in their teaching
Software Committee - what software will be on the base image? How will specialized
software be made available to students? Determine ways in which departments
can work cooperatively to help control student cost. What software applications
will require dedicated labs and how will they be funded?
Finance Committee - evaluate student aid and student load processes and all
related issues surrounding payment and collection. Compile budget requests from
other subcommittees and evaluate overall budget impact of the program.
Logistics Committee -- define purchase and delivery methods. Create plan for
supporting campus needs for power/batteries. Refine network needs, Identify
changes to the hardware and software support structure. Define security needs.
Develop distributed printing process. Define required policies and procedures
for insurance and warranties. Others.
Communication Committee - responsible for all aspects of the communications
process for the initiative including distributing materials to incoming students.
Highlights
" Substantial discounts on business class hardware
" Computer price includes complete on-campus repair service with loaner
pool and parts inventory
" Hardened operating system to help control viruses, spyware and manage
updates and patches.
" Mixed software model (image, purchase, site licenses)
" Both wired and ubiquitous wireless connectivity
" One supported model: light weight, easy to carry, fully powered
" Think of the computer requirement in same terms as "required"
text for a course. No computer police.
IBM was selected as preferred vendor.
Benefits to students and faculty. Equipment Service Program (lease program will be discontinued) may offer faculty a choice of desktop or notebook. Any member of W&M community can purchase this computer. Faculty and personal purchases will be higher than student price. Student, institutional and personal price will be established soon.
Ideal Notebook 2005:
1.7GHz processor, <5lbs, 1' thick, 80GB drive, built-in WiFi, 4-year warranty
and insurance, <$2000.
VII. New Business (Homza) - FAC of A&S feels that there should be a conflict of interest policy for faculty who assign their own textbooks as required textbooks. On behalf of the FAC of the A&S, Homza requested that the FA turn this item to the Faculty Affairs Committee of FA. Carl Strikwerda noted that not having a policy may give the appearance of conflict of interest. He noted that the proposed policies would not prohibit assigning the books of faculty members but would require that royalties be dedicated to a school or charity.
Discussion followed regarding the pros and cons of establishing such a policy.
Armstrong introduced a motion to refer the matter to the Faculty Affairs Committee. Lu Ann Homza seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Homza also discussed task force on student course evaluations. Homza introduced a motion to refer this matter to the Academic Affairs sub-committee. The motion was seconded by Armstrong. The motion passed unanimously.
There being no additional business, a motion was made to adjourn at 5: 10 pm.
Respectfully submitted by E.A. Canuel, Faculty Assembly Secretary.
