Minutes_2_12

Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2008
Minutes taken by Jim Collier
32 Pamplin Hall

Senators in Attendance: Akers, Mike; Anong, Sophia; Burger, Carol; Centeno, Virgilio; Collier, Jim; Cothren, Richard; Duke, Jack (John C.); Easterling, Sam; Floyd, John; Fox, Thomas; Glasson, George; Grange, Rob; Harris, Roger; Jarrott, Shannon; Jelesko, John; Jones, Jeryl; Klein, Brad; Larson, Timothy; Long, Gary; Mann, Jeff; Martin, Steve; McMillian, Gail; McQuain, Margaret; Moyo, Leslie; Nelson, Doug; Odendaal, Hardus; O’Keefe, Sean; Paretti, Marie; Parker, Dan; Pfeiffer, Doug; Redican, Kerry; Riley, Sam; Russell, David; Shadle, Brett; Shingles, Rick; Smith, Deborah; Sotelino, Elisa; Viehland, Dwight; Welch, Dennis; Welfare, Laura.

Guest: Provost Mark McNamee

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

1. Kerry Redican, Approval of Agenda: Approved.

2. Approval of Minutes of November 13 and December 11, 2007: Minutes will be electronically approved.

3. Provost Mark McNamee: Update on Issues Affecting Faculty

Provost McNamee’s presentation on the state of the university focused on four areas:
Budget — State legislators continue budget negotiations. In a tentative agreement reached on 11 March, legislators proposed raising the state budget $3 billion for the next biennium (1 July 2008-30 June 2010). Additionally, legislators agreed to a 2% raise for college faculty in November 2008 and November 2009. Finally, legislators proposed incentives for state colleges — totaling $35 million — that hold state tuition increases to 4% per year. (Richmond Times Dispatch, 11 March 2008; http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-03-11-0141.html). The Provost noted that 3 to 4 weeks after the budget negotiation dust settles the university will respond in kind — considering tuition offsets, specific cuts — in a series of town hall meetings. Financing for capital projects remains stable and could result in additional new construction beginning in July.
April 16 Steering Committee — To date, the committee had met on 3 occasions. The committee developed a “strong set of recommendations” that could not yet be made public. The preliminary schedule of events was announced 21 February and can be found at http://www.remembrance.vt.edu/
Administrative Adjustments — On James Hyatt’s retirement, the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer will be eliminated. Pending David Ford’s retirement, the position of “Vice Provost for Academic Affairs” will be reconfigured and rechristened as the “Vice President of Undergraduate Education.”
University Research Portfolio — With the new medical school coming on-line and a 14% growth in National Science Foundation research expenditures, the university’s research portfolio is strong and ahead of the strategic plan.
The Provost fielded questions for over 45 minutes. Senators’ questions were wide-ranging and involved issues such as: how state and federal budget woes would affect the university; whether we can restrict, or cap, tuition hikes; where research overhead monies are going; what contingency plans the university has in place to cover the rising cost of education (see the “Funds for the Future” program http://www.finaid.vt.edu/types_of_aid/grants/FFTF.php); the status of concealed weapons carry permits on campus; the deficit of classroom space; the severe under funding of the university library; the distribution of tickets for the spring game with the Yankees; the current status of Senate Bill 126 (“Partial tuition waiver; children of university and college faculty”) and Senate Bill 127 (“Retirement; teachers and administrative faculty of institutions of higher education”); supplementing salaries with research grant monies; potential faculty buy outs result from the budget crunch; departments’ budgetary control; the change in David Ford’s position; and increasing demands for faculty to do it all with fewer resources.

4. Bill Brubaker (substituting for Neal Kegley, Honors System Operations Manager): Update on the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Honor System

Mr. Brubaker began with a brief overview of the honor system’s structure (see http://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/ — How Does it Work?) The program is undergoing a five-year review that will end in mid- to late-spring. Cases are up slightly (130) resulting in delays in adjudication. As one might expect in the digital age, plagiarism has become both more common and more complex. The honor system has moved offices to 207 W. Roanoke Street (honorsys@vt.edu) and is revamping its website. In revamping its web site, the honor system seeks to provide more regularly updated information and to develop a forum for educational outreach (through tutorials). The revised site also speaks to the honor system’s desire to become more involved in student outreach (in dorms for example) and in first-year student orientation.

5. Kerry Redican, President’s Report:

Academic Council: The council met for the first time this academic year on January 17 and 18. The budget was discussed.
President Steger’s Response to Faculty Senate Letter: In a letter dated 8 January 2008, President Steger responded to the Senate’s letter of 14 December 2007 regarding our concern about the impact of budget reductions on the quality of undergraduate education. As the President’s letter addressed the growth in sponsored research programs, and not undergraduate education, Senators questioned to what, exactly, was the President responding?
Important Legislation: Kerry referred to the Faculty Senate of Virginia’s Legislative Update 2008. The update provides and overview of bills before the legislature dealing with higher education and related issues. Kerry referred to Senate bills 126 and 127 (see above) during the earlier Q&A with the Provost. The Provost appeared unfamiliar with the legislation.

6. Hardus Odendaal, Vice President’s Report

Hardus reviewed the budget prospects for 2008-2010; specifically, capital budget plans.
Further, Hardus described the Commission of Faculty Affairs’ work on resolutions regarding promotion and continued appointment, the Employee Assistance Program, and the removal of a principle or co-principle investigator from a funded research project. The issue of the representation of research faculty was raised. Hardus noted that currently the budget prospects for the state after 2010 did not look especially promising.

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

8. Sam Easterling, Update on NCAA Self-Study

Sam gave an update on the NCAA self-study noting that the final NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification decision is due any day (http://www.ncaacert.vt.edu/highlights.html). Sam informed the Senate that Virginia Tech’s goals for the certification process include: 1) rule compliance; 2) academic integrity; and 3) equity and student-athlete well-being (see number 5, http://www.ncaacert.vt.edu/overview/goals.html)

9. Commission and Committee Reports: The Senate was reminded that VT-ENGAGE still needs commitments especially in volunteer hours served (http://www.engage.vt.edu/).

10. New Business: No new business.

11. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 9:07

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

Faculty Senate, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061
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