Kerry summarized his presentation to the BOV. He thanked them for their support of shared governance, stopping the tenure clock and modified duties policies, and their commitment to increasing faculty salaries. He provided an overview to the structure and function of the Faculty Senate and how the Faculty Senate is a strategic part of shared governance. Finally, he reported that there was still more work to be done on the part of both CFA and the Faculty Senate, specifically in the area of annual reviews, probationary periods for faculty and composition of promotion and tenure committees. He also emphasized the rationale and need for a faculty club.

Kerry then reported on recent BOV actions & outcomes:

• Bylaws were amended to include President of Staff Senate in equal standing with Faculty Senate President. and graduate and undergraduate student representatives as non-voting members of the BOV. No other university in VA includes a representative of the staff as a member of the BOV.
• The textbook sales policy was passed, which is intended to reduce cost. The procedure of the new policy has been practiced by the VT bookstore for some years already, but is now required by the VA General Assembly.
• Finance & Audit Committee brought forth a resolution which was approved by BOV. It’s intended to increase debt capacity, but decrease cost and manage risk better.
• Budget amendment request approved ($10 million in General Fund Support approved to reduce $37 million gap in base budget inadequacy).
• Endowed professorships were awarded to two college professors.

BOV Activity Affairs committee: Valerie commented that the Board was very interested in getting a complete picture of VT affairs. Four major items: (1) Diversity (2) Graduate Education, (3) Undergrad Education (4) Faculty Salaries

Valerie mentioned other reports that were also presented to the committee:

• Karen DePauw on Graduate Student Life Center: Grand Opening scheduled for Oct 5/6.
• Provost’s Office: Reports on Diversity and Advance VT Surveys. The BOV is interested in where we stand with other/peer institutions.

Promotion and Tenure Survey:

• The 5 points in the document are important to the CFA.
• The survey was opened for comments. Sam Easterling mentioned that if Department Heads are excluded from sitting as voting members at College level, then Deans should by same token be excluded at the university level.
• The Senators were asked to review the survey questions.

• June BOV Meeting: Revisions to Policy on Tenure Clock Extensions and the Modified Duties Policy were approved; Online MA in Agriculture and Life Sciences approved; BS in Construction Engineering and Management approved.
• VT Faculty salaries: VT moved from 29th to 32nd percentile. VT is 17th among peer institutions with an average salary of $80,153. Cornell is 1st ($106,300) and University of Missouri is 25th ($72,100).
• BOV Student Affairs Committee Meeting: New Asstistant. VP for Student Affairs Dr. Guy Sims was introduced. Athletic Director Jim Weaver gave the quarterly athletic report. The graduation rate for athletes was 74% same as general undergraduate student body.
• Susanna has been asked to serve on a faculty advisory panel for the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics’ January 2007 Summit meeting. She will be asking senators for input on faculty perceptions/concerns.
• Faculty Senate Office Space: A tour of a cubicle in Advance Suite revealed that this space was inadequate for Senate use.
• Faculty Club: The Board of the University Club approved moving forward to explore possible solutions.
• Forming of a New Committee: Per Susanna and Kerry’s encouragement, Bob Denton will chair a new committee to propose a Faculty Club using a formal & structured approach as opposed to a “shotgun” approach.

• Commission and Committee Elections (Sam Easterling)
• Sam stated that there are 3 open slots remaining and asked for nominations/volunteers to fill these positions:

• Commission on Student Affairs
• Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies
• Library Committee

• Workgroups: Legislative Affairs Workgroup and Public Perceptions Workgroup. The latter has not been very active recently, yet is an opportunity that Senate should use. Susan Anderson has been elected to town council and a chair is needed for Legislative Affairs Workgroup. She commented on this important duty and made an appeal to Senators for nominations and to get involved.
• Memberships: Susanna updated the current Senate roster and will email the additions to Suzie Karlin to update the Faculty Senate webpage.