Kerry introduced Mike Ellerbrock, assistant to the provost and chair of the “SACS QEP” committee, and passed the floor over to him. The SACS QEP Committee deals with the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for re-accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Mike passed out a handout. He explained that the QEP represents a new dimension of re-accreditation, and he invited participation in the process. QEP is:

- focused course of action to enhance quality of student learning
- based on empirical data (surveys internal + external)
- using a forward looking approach
- Aimed at UG / Grad edu
- That transforms campus culture
- Must be measurable & accountable

A QEP must reflect:

- Campus wide dialogue
- Reflect external input
- University priorities (strategic plans)
- Significant commitment of resources
- Long term process (not episodic)
- Innovatice ideas/strategies (can be current, not already completed)
- Epistemological Expertise & design
- Assessment dimension

SACS QEP committee is comprised of 26 members. It was commented that engineering does not seem to be represented.

Mike presented a few peer examples:

- Georgia Tech – Internationalization (curriculum & study abroad) and Undergraduate research, $1million/yr for 5 yrs
- North Carolina State University
- University of Tennessee
- Clemson University

He described the University of North Carolina QEP and presented a timeline for the QEP process from Fall 06 to Spring 09, when the QEP document will be pressented to SACS – COC. He presented potential QEP topics for holistic education, from VT: Building PATHWAYS.

This is a top-to-bottom opportunity to improve student learning. The administration has to invest resources in this initiative. Mike encouraged Faculty Senators to support the QEP process.

Kerry introduced guest speaker Jean Brickey, who presented a CSPA Resolution for reading to the VT Senate. The resolution is for the addition of the staff representative on the VT BOV to the membership of the University Council Commission on Staff Policy and Affairs as a non-voting member. The resolution was approved by the Faculty Senate. Jean also thanked the Senate officers for their support through the years. Kerry in turn presented Jean with a gift on behalf of the Faculty Senate.

Kerry introduced Dwight, who was invited to address the Senate on VT budgetary issues and faculty salaries. A handout was given to senators. Dwight gave an overview of the operating budget of $899M excluding state corporations, of 5 organizations funded by State + Cooperative Extension / Agricultural Experiment. The state goes through a bi-annual budget process. He then gave an overview of the budget schedule and how operating funds get allocated. The university was asked in September to submit a budget. By 15 December the Governor will make a presentation to Gen Assembly. He gave an overview of why operating funds get allocated to VT, and how items are prioritized. He explained how appropriation funds are split between university division and CE/AES Divisions. The general fund will cover 44% of faculty salaries in Agency 208, whereas tuition must cover the remaining 56%. He explained how the restructured higher education financial and administrative act (effective July 1, 2006) affected the university operations. The university now has more flexibility wrt managing projects: e.g. for buildings where state tax dollars are not involved – the university can now approve and build using non-state funds. Cost savings: 4x. The State was not formerly willing to compromize building standards. He then presented how operating funds are prioritized and finally get distributed in VT.

Dwight then addressed faculty salaries. The commonwealth has a long standing goal to reach the 60th percentile of SCHEV negotiated salary peers. The 60th percentile means faculty as a whole – not individual ranks. Peers were last negotiated in 1997 and are again reviewed this year. SCHEV projects the 60th percentile at a future date and computes the average raises needed each year to reach the goal. There is no requirement, but the Appropriation Act states that there is the intent to meet this target. The BOV just approved 4.3%. Departments and colleges make their own decisions to correct periods of no salary raises and recover from salary compression/inversion. The issue was raised that there are 3 components: Market, Compression and Merit – but that they are traded off against one another.

Dwight's presentation stimulated much discussion. Kerry thanked him and presented him with a gift in appreciation on behalf of the Senate.

- BOV Meeting:

- The BOV passed a policy for Virginia Tech-Sponsored Application for Permanent Residency (green card). Rationale: As the number of foreign scholars applying for and being appointed to both instructional and research faculty positions increases Virginia Tech must establish consistent policies and procedures for handling applications for permanent residency which supports a scholar's longer term employment in the United States.
- The Optional Retirement Program report is being reviewed by administration and we will have some dialogue soon.
- Salary update: The BOV and administration continues to work toward moving faculty salaries toward the 60th percentile.
- The 9 month vs. 12 month pay is being reviewed by Linda Woodward and she will be back in touch with Kerry at the end of the month.

- Faculty Club: Dr. Robert Denton has prepared a draft document. There is talk about a new building; Lane Hall area, University Club, many buildings on the list. We do need something intermediate.

- Concluding remarks:

- Kerry reminded senators to get photos taken for Faculty Senate webiste. Nov 20
- Provost McNamee will be a guest speaker at the December meeting.
- In January Vice President Brad Fenwick is also scheduled for a visit.

- Faculty Club: Pres. Steger has offered to support a weekly coffee reception 2-5pm in TOR 1100; wine from 4pm on

-CFA Update:

- The Resolution on Faculty Grievances had first reading at University Council
- The Resolution on P&T restructuring was withdrawn to allow more discussion in Faculty Senate. Please share resolution with your faculty for comments.
- Essentially, the P&T restructuring would disallow voting of anyone at more than one level.
- Comment: At college level, include a notation for specifying assoc or higher, because occasionally there are tenured assistant professors.
Sam Easterling said that it is imperative that depts and colleges have written procedures/policies that are accepted by faculty. It ought to be left up to colleges and departments to decide what works for them. Deptartment Heads have in many instances come to the rescue of faculty members in P&T cases.

- Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies (CUSP): Requests to review restricted programs.

- Textbook/Bookstore Finance Issues (Randy Billingsley): postponed
- Service Vehicle Parking Enhancement Plan (Anne Zajac): Transportation and Parking has concluded that there is not enough control over service vehicle parking. This doesn’t affect faculty parking unless departmental service vehicle (for instance vehicle that can’t be left overnight.)
- Comment: If a department has a vehicle used every day, then they shouldn’t have to fetch it somewhere else every time they want to use it.