Minutes_11_13

Meeting Minutes of November 13, 2007
Minutes taken by Jim Collier
32 Pamplin Hall

Senators in Attendance: Akers, Mike; Bell Martha Ann; Burger, Carol; Clements, Terry; Collier, Jim; Craig, Steve; Ehrich, Roger; Eriksson, Ken; Floyd, John; Freeman, Larry; Glasson, George; Grange, Rob; Grisso, Bobby; Jones, Jeryl; Klein, Brad; Larson, Timothy; Long, Gary; Mann, Jeff; Marand, Herve; Martin, Steve; Martin, Tom; McMillian, Gail; McQuain, Margaret; Moyo, Leslie; Odendaal, Hardus; Paretti, Marie; Pfeiffer, Doug; Pleasant, Robert; Redican, Kerry; Shadle, Brett; Shingles, Rick; Shoemaker, Don; Sotelino, Elisa; Surjan, Terry; Teulon, Fabrice; Viehland, Dwight; Welch, Dennis; Welfare, Laura; Wood, Cynthia.

Guest: Jack Dudley (Director, University Honors Program)

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

1. Kerry Redican, Approval of Agenda: Approved.

2. Approval of 13 October 2007 Minutes: Minutes will be electronically approved.

3. Jack Dudley, Director, University Honors Program: Teaching Faculty

Jack Dudley sought the Senate’s reaction to his plan for a select group of later-career professors who desire “enhanced teaching responsibilities.” Describing professional changes common to many in the arc of their career, Dudley surmised that select, hard working faculty — who concentrated initially on their research agenda —might wish to spend more time with teaching later in their careers. If so, how might the university best capture this change in staffing courses? Students, especially undergraduates in the liberal education curriculum, would benefit from having later-career professors in the classroom. How, then, to proceed? Dudley proposed a yearly pool of 10 senior faculty. These faculty would be given an increased teaching load, necessary resources and a title. The title and position’s prestige would be highlighted by commensurate pay and status.
Questions following the presentation centered on fleshing out the proposal’s details and what Dudley might want specifically from the Senate. Dudley replied that the Senate could well provide — other than considering composing a white paper or forming a study group — influence on those who might support his proposal.

4. Ken Eriksson, Chair, Faculty Reconciliation Committee: Annual Report: Faculty Reconciliation Committee

Eriksson began by naming the members, and reiterating the purpose, of the Faculty Reconciliation Committee (FRC; http://www.provost.vt.edu/Faculty_Reconciliation.php).
In sum, the FRC “ … offer[s] advice and counsel to faculty members who seek it, particularly in relation to disputes with immediate supervisors or university administrators.”
The FRC facilitates conversations according to the standards of practice articulated by of International Ombuds Association (http://www.ombudsassociation.org/standards.html). While over 40 cases have made their way to the FRC during the past 28 months, only 3 have gone to formal grievance.
Ken Eriksson can be reached at kaeson@vt.edu.

5. Kerry Redican, President’s Report

The Board of Visitors met Monday, November 12 (http://www.bov.vt.edu/minutes/07-12-12minutes/07-11-12bovminutes.php).
Kerry’s remarks to the BOV (http://www.bov.vt.edu/minutes/07-12-12minutes/documents/AttachmentS1.pdf) gave an overview of Senate business focusing on Dwight Shelton’s presentation of budget issues and reports of commissions and committees — especially the Commission on Faculty Affairs.
Kerry then asked Senate’s feedback on a proposal, by the Student Government Association (as conveyed by the Provost), to cancel classes on April 16, 2008 — designated as a “day of remembrance.” (Since this meeting classes have indeed been canceled.)
Senators’ questions ranged widely, involving: the effect canceling classes might have, say, on laboratory courses, the university’s plans for the day, and the possibility that April 16 might remain a day when no classes are held.
Finally, Kerry noted that university business (on the whole) appears behind in the aftermath of April 16. Unless Senators wish to immediately occupy any of the few unfilled positions on committees, Kerry will not press the matter.

6. Hardus Odendaal, Vice President’s Report

Hardus reported on the agenda topics addressed recently by the Commission on Faculty Affairs (CFA). These topics included the COACHE (The Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education) survey of pre-tenured faculty (http://www.provost.vt.edu/documents/1_COACHE.pdf); policies and procedures for the removal of principle investigators of funded research projects; the dispensation of ethical concerns during the promotion and tenure process; the renewed possibility of the “professor of the practice” rank; revising the promotion and continued appointment process for certain library and extension employees; faculty salary benchmarking; and the status in “research faculty” in university governance.
Clearly, the CFA resolution on removing a principle or co-principle investigator — to be added to the Faculty Handbook and to the Handbook for Special Research Faculty — garnered the most sustained attention. The Senate offered numerous scenarios where the university’s involvement in removing a PI might be questionable, at best, and actionable, at worst. As Senate approval is necessary for the resolution’s adoption, Hardus will report on the CFA’s on-going work.

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

8. Commission/Committee Reports: CAPFA Resolution “Dr. Martin Luther King: AP Faculty Holiday” (Ken Eriksson)

Given time constraints, the resolution will be addressed during the next meeting.

9. New Business: No new business.

10. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 9:02.

11. The next Senate meeting will be held Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00 in Pamplin 32.

Faculty Senate, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
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