Faculty Assembly
THE FACULTY ASSEMBLY
THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY IN VIRGINIA:
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF TUESDAY MAY 11, 1999
The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m..
I. Old Business
The Executive Committee presented the revised Assembly reform proposal, identifying as its major changes the reduction in the size of the Assembly from 36 to 20 members and so the way that seats are assigned to constituencies (amendments to the Constitution), and the increase in the number of Assembly subcommittees from three to four (amendments to the Bylaws), with each member of the Assembly serving on two of these ten-member subcommittees. David Dessler, on behalf of the Executive Committee, moved to adopt the proposed amendments to the Constitution.
Expressing concern that reducing the size of the Assembly would also reduce its diversity and increase its distance from the faculty, Alan Fuchs offered a substitute motion that would adopt the new committee structure, but that would reduce the Assembly only to 30 members, with everyone but members of the Executive Committee serving on only one committee. The motion was seconded.
Discussion commenced about the ideal size of the Assembly, and the point was made that a change in the Constitution required only a 2/3 majority of a quorum of the Assembly (but ratification by the faculties of 5 of the 7 constituencies and approval of the Board of Visitors), while a change in the Bylaws required a 2/3 majority of the full Assembly (but no ratification by the faculties).
The substitute motion was defeated, 6 in favor, 18 against. The original motion to amend the Constitution passed, 20 in favor, 0 opposed.
In response to a question from the Provost about what would happen if the constituencies didn't approve the changes in the Constitution after the Assembly had approved the changes in the Bylaws, David Dessler moved to adopt the proposed amendments to the Bylaws, but contingent on the constituencies' ratification of the Constitution. Alan Fuchs then made several friendly amendments: in Article III, section 8, to make official and systematic the election and responsibilities of alternates; and in Article V, section 5, items a, b, and c, to replace "shall evaluate the impact of University plans on" with "shall report to the Assembly on . . ." The friendly amendments were accepted.
Dessler's motion passed, 24 in favor, 0 against.
II. Administrative Reports
Provost Cell reported that, in order to address some Assembly and other faculty members' concerns that students and their parents understand what their student fees supported, language would be added to the catalog and put on students' bills explaining that
"Required fees support the operation of activities such as student health, counseling, the campus network, transportation and intercollegiate athletics. A detailed breakdown of required fees is available on the Bursar's website."
Assembly President George Bass extended the Assembly's appreciation that the administration had responded to our concern.
On the topic of student fees, the Provost noted that the Board of Visitors at its April meeting had revised the administration's proposed budget, adopting a 4% total reduction in the proposed student fees. She announced that the Board would hold a special meeting Commencement morning to discuss the capital outlay plan, and she expressed her pleasure that, at the meeting of the Blue Ribbon Commission held on campus May 10th, students had identified the faculty as one of strengths of the College and the poor condition of classrooms, especially in Millington, as one of the weaknesses.
In response to questions, she replied that the 4% reduction in fees was taken in part from the health fee, in part from some of the general fee used for reserve funds (for capital projects and maintenance. She noted that, in comparison to fees levied by other public Virginia institutions, the 4% reduction put us in the middle of pack. She promised to investigate and report back to the Assembly about students' complaints about the declining quality and increasing expense of Aramark food services.
Vice President David Lutzer asked if any other contracted services were being negotiated, and the Provost replied that the bookstore's contract was being revisited, and that the administrator to contact would be Sam Jones.
Finally, Lutzer thanked outgoing members of the Assembly for their good work, particularly outgoing President Bass.
And then the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Kennedy
Secretary
