Minutes_10_09

Meeting Minutes of October 9, 2007
Minutes taken by Jim Collier
32 Pamplin Hall

Senators in Attendance: Akers, Mike; Alwang, Jeff; Bell Martha Ann; Cothren, Richard; Collier, Jim; Dillaha, Theo (for Bobby Grisso); Duke, Jack (John C.); Ehrich, Roger; Evans, Jack; Floyd, John; Fox, Thomas; Grange, Rob; Harris, Roger; Jarott, Shannon; Klein, Brad; Long, Gary; Mann, Jeff; Marin, Steve; McMillian, Gail; McQuain, Margaret; Odendaal, Hardus; Pfeiffer, Doug; Pleasant, Robert; Redican, Kerry; Reily, Sam; Schreiber, Maddy; Shadle, Rick; Shingles, Rick; Shoemaker, Don; Smith, Deborah; Teulon, Fabrice; Welfare, Laura; Wood, Cynthia.

Guests: Dwight Shelton, (Vice President, Budget and Finance); Leon Geyer (Chair, Faculty Review Committee); Ennis McCrery (Director of the Office of the Graduate Student Ombudsperson).

President Kerry Redican convened the meeting at 7: 02 pm.

1. Kerry Redican, Approval of Agenda: Approved.

2. Approval of 11 September 2007 Minutes: Minutes will be electronically approved.

3. Dwight Shelton, Vice President, Budget and Finance: Budget Update

Dwight Shelton reprised his report “Six Year Plan Update” given to the Board of Visitors on 23 September (please refer to http://www.bov.vt.edu/minutes/07-09-23minutes/documents/AttachmentC.pdf to download the full presentation). While the six-year plan components include an enrollment plan and an academic plan, the focus of the report to the Senate was the financial plan and the benchmark faculty salary analysis.
SCHEV provides the university with plan formats and guidelines in August of odd-numbered years. For 2007, the university planned for two scenarios: 1) The “pessimistic scenario” in which the university assumes no general fund support; and 2) The “optimistic scenario” in which the university assumes assume 44% general fund support. Shelton pointed out that a key element of restructuring was the university’s ability to deal with an uncertain funding environment at the state level.
The faculty salary average chart shows we are at the 42nd percentile among our reestablished peer group. However, the state’s newest calculations use Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System’s (IPED) information — not to the university’s advantage. To reach the university’s goal of the 60th percentile in six-years would require a 4% increase for faculty over each of those years. The question remains how the university will raise the funds. Private funds and foundation monies are 90% restricted. Raising salaries, then, means raising tuition. To keep pace with the desired salary increases, a 9.6% tuition raise for 2008-09 would need to take place given the “optimistic scenario.” Assuming the “pessimistic scenario,” an 18.1% tuition raise for 2008-09 would need to take place.
The specter of higher tuitions spurred numerous questions regarding the rate and rapidity of increases, possible enrollment growth and differentiated costs for undergraduate class year and certain majors.

4. Leon Geyer, Chair, Faculty Review Committee: Annual Report of the Faculty Review Committee

Geyer gave a briefing of the Faculty Review Committee’s work during 2006-07.
In providing the context of the work, Geyer conveyed the ethos of the committee.
Specifically, the committee provides an open and honest forum for addressing properly defined, grievable issues. Aggrieved parties are typically angry, but the committee serves as a place, and offers a process, where peers can work out grievances.
In 2005-06, two cases were heard. In 2006-07, one case was heard.
Geyer suggested that parties coming before the committee might bring a trusted colleague, rather than a lawyer, to help work through issues.
http://www.facultysenate.vt.edu/Review%20Procedures.html
http://www.provost.vt.edu/documents/FHB_July_2007.pdf

5. Ennis McCreary, Director of the Office of the Graduate Student Ombudsperson: Update on the Newly Created Office of the Graduate Student Ombudsperson

McCreary gave the Senate an overview of her role as the Graduate Student Ombudsperson (GSO).
The office was created in the wake of the April 16 shootings and, since then, has gained an important place in the graduate student community.
The office advocates for fair treatment. In so doing, the office adheres to the principles of Independence, Neutrality/Impartiality, Confidentiality and Informality endorsed by the International Ombudsman Association (http://www.ombudsassociation.org/).
McCreary listens, and may aid in conflict mediation, but she does not conduct formal investigations.
At this point, McCreary has met with approximately 50 graduate students.
The GSO appears to be a successful endeavor — perhaps worthy of emulation by the faculty.

6. Kerry Redican, President’s Report

Kerry provided details of the Board of Visitor’s (BOV) meeting of 23 September.
The BOV meeting centered on the 380-odd recommendations resulting from the three internal studies conducted over the summer, the Governor Panel’s report, and several other reports.
Minnis Ridenour was asked to develop a process and a plan to address the recommendations that came from the panel review and from the internal reviews. The Policy Group will flag certain “action items” as “Priority 1” and assign a lower priority to other recommendations. President Steger is appointing two advisory committees made up of faculty, staff and students. The advisory committees will review and comment on issues regarding “human dimensions” and “security and infrastructure.” The comments will come back to the Policy Group. Questions were raised as to the “public” nature of the committees and the Policy group and the role the Senate, generally, and Kerry, specifically, might play in the overall process.
Please see: http://www.bov.vt.edu/minutes/07-09-23minutes/07-09-23bovminutes.php

7. Hardus Odendaal, Vice President’s Report: No report.

8. Susanna Rinehart, Past President’s Report: No report.

9. Commission Reports

A reminder was offered about VT Engage — an event to pledge 10 hours of community service by the end of the spring semester.
The main pledge drive will be held on the Drillfield on October 16. The goal is 600,000+ hours of community service.
http://www.engage.vt.edu/

10. Update/Presentation on Resolutions

Kerry raised questions regarding what to do with the resolutions drafted for our slain faculty colleagues. Where to go with the resolutions? What should they look like?
While the Senate applauded the idea of the resolutions and the extraordinary care with which they were crafted, second thoughts arose as to the timing and the purpose of the resolutions. The families of our slain colleagues need help.
In light of VT Engage’s launch might a more simple, direct and subtle form of volunteerism honor our colleagues as well as the resolutions?
We may revisit the issue of the resolutions come spring.

11. New Business: No new business.

12. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 8:56.

13. The next Senate meeting will be held Tuesday, November 13 at 7:00 in Pamplin 32.

Faculty Senate, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
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