Wayne gave a brief introduction and history of the task force. He reminded senators of 2 other activities current at the institution:

- Office of Diversity and Recruiting in the Graduate School
- Search for New Vice President Multicultural Affairs

The task force was originally created by the provost as a result of non-renewal of tenure to a faculty member in spring of last year. Wayne presented a history and the list of members. The task force was formed to examine issues of race and racism, identify key issues, and propose specific action items that will enhance our opportunities to make lasting changes, and finally to issue a report in April 2007. The first preliminary report provided an unfiltered mix of ideas to the faculty for feedback and input. Several subcommittees were formed with 4 or 5 faculty members serving on each and issues lumped under these categories.

- Faculty and Staff
- Undergraduate Student subcommittee
- Graduate Student Subcommittee
- Admministrative Infrastructure & Initiatives Subcommittee
- Academic Programs Subcommitee
- Community and Alumni Engagement Subcommittee

The continuing progress timeline includes: Jan 29 – preliminary report; April 13 – final report; late spring semester – Forum discussions on final report with faculty, staff and students.

The final report will be more concise and more focused. Each recommendation will have a suggested team of faculty and staff to address the issue. The final report will also include a budget. The purpose of the preliminary report is to provide current thinking and direction of the task force in terms of strategies and recommendations; and to solicit feedback from the university community.

Wayne gave an overview of recommendations from the Faculty/Staff Subcommittee. Wayne asked the Faculty Senate for input in response to the preliminary report within the next 2 weeks and for support once the final report has come out.

Comments:

- Virginia Tech doesn’t have a diversity oriented post-doc program, which would help.
- Data from the ABD Minority Fellows program would be a useful resource.
- The devil is in the details – What if average raise is 4% and faculty of color get 2% - Is that discrimination?

Kerry introduced James and turned the floor over to him.

VT is largely responsible for the formation of Faculty Senate of Virginia 1972. Have had 2 or 3 representatives from each institution. From next year the president of each will be one of the members. Each institution pays $300/year and each community college $100/year.

Every year there is a higher education advocacy day in Richmond. Every year there is also a Governor’s Race. The Faculty Senate of Virginia and legislation, for example: partial tuition waiver for children of faculty members; a faculty member who has been in system 10+ years could return to VRS from ORP; a couple of bills on to get a non-voting faculty member to the Board of Visitors. They are now soliciting faculty concerns for next year. When a faculty issue has an expense to it; then benchmarking is required before it can go through the process.

James urged faculty to be more engaged and make themselves heard. Legislators are receptive and do care, but they need somebody to give them the language and arguments that they need to make their case. They often team students, faculty and business people up to have conversations with legislators; this seems to be more successful.

Faculty should feel free to contact James with concerns or issues that they could address in the Faculty Senate of Virginia.

- Part-time tenure-track: these are requests that must be initiated by faculty members to deal with faculty issues for a term of 1-2 years.

Comments:

- It is an excellent way to deal with job and other issues simultaneously.
- There is a crucial question of startup funds.
- This is a potential administrative nightmare: evaluations; salary savings and replacement cost (graduate classes); why retire if one can go half time at 65 until one’s 85?

Part time appointments can only be requested for specific reasons; however, post tenure requests are different.

A motion to vote on the resolution was received and seconded.

Result: A majority of senators voted in favor of approving the resolution.

A motion was received, seconded, and approved to have “Approved by Faculty Senate” documented on each resolution approved by the Faculty Senate.

-AY/CY Salary Update: ongoing.
-ORP Update: ongoing.
-Academic Council: expect issues and dialog relating to alcohol issues on campus. The president has asked that his office be informed if any member of the Board of Visitors were to contact a faculty member directly.
-Department Elections: our last meeting is May 8th. Please encourage departmental elections.
-Koofers.com: please visit this website; register and look for your courses, and your old exams. Some exams are being ‘stolen’ and put on the website.
Faculty may ask them to refrain from publishing their exams.

-Faculty Senate representation on university commissions/committees: Susanna reminded senators that there are several commissions and committee positions that need to be filled. She asked for replacements of people recycling off of committees/commissions/departments. You are welcome to serve again unless the policy states otherwise (e.g. UC, BOV).

- More input to the visitor parking resolution is being solicited

None

None

Kerry adjourned the meeting at 9pm.