Date/Time/Location: Wednesday, November 3, 2021, 4:00 PM, Zoom Webinar
Members Present: Hanadi Al-Samman, Alan Beckenstein, Aaron Bloomfield, James Fitz-Gerald, Joe Fore, Bob Hirosky, Joel Hockensmith (Past Chair), Tish Jennings (Chair Elect), Susan Kirk (Chair), Venkataraman Lakshmi, Kathryn Laughon, Carol Manning, Susan Modesitt, Rob Patterson, Andy Pennock, Jim Savage
Guests/Others Present: Maite Brandt-Pearce (Vice Provost Faculty Affairs), Mike Citro (Provost COS), J.J. Davis (EVP-COO), Brie Gertler (Vice Provost Academic Affairs), Maria Lane (Admin Support), Liz Magill (Provost), Brian Pusser (Parliamentarian)
Meeting called to order
4:00 PM
October 2021 EXCO Minutes
Susan Kirk shared minutes from October EXCO to review.
Motion to approve minutes: Aaron Bloomfield
Second: Susan Modesitt, Rob Patterson
For: 8 Against:0 Abstain: 0
Motion passes
Academic Affairs Committee Report
Aaron Bloomfield, AAC Chair, shared motion for an updated streamlining procedure for the AAC:
“The faculty senate delegates authority to the AAC to approve any proposals that are any type of action (including creation, removal, and renaming) on concentrations, tracks, minors and certificates, with the one exception of a new post-professional certificate. Once the AAC has approved such a proposal, the full faculty senate would be notified. Any senate member would have one week to request a discussion (and thus a vote) at the next senate meeting. If no such request is made, then the proposal would be considered to be passed, and the faculty senate would be notified of said approval before or at the next senate meeting”
Motion to approve: Aaron Bloomfield
Second: Joel Hockensmith
Motion to table: Aaron Bloomfield
Vote on motion
For: 8 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion Passes
Updates from the Provost
Provost Magill provided brief updates on the following:
- There are five research areas in the Strategic Plan where we would like to go from prominent to preeminent. Kicking off this process for Environmental Resilience and Sustainability and The Brain and Neuroscience with day-long forums on each topic. More information can be found on the VPR website.
- In the process of Spring ’22 Covid Planning. The default will be in-person classes/teaching. We want to think about all the topics we should consider, offer guidance for Spring, solicit input from EXCO on important considerations
- Concerns shared by EXCO members:
- Availability of indoor rec facilities
- Continuation of mask mandate
- J-Term plans
- Inconsistency of masking (classrooms vs. common areas)
- Bus availability, for Med Center staff specifically
- Masking requirements in outdoor areas like bus stops
- Guidance on in-person vs. virtual meetings
- Vaccine mandate
- See toolkits or contact Provost if you have concerns about enforcement
Nominating Committee Report
Joel Hockensmith, Past Chair, shared updates from the nominating committee.
- Solicit nominations in December for BOV Faculty Rep. Post 1 week before January meeting, vote on at January meeting.
- Committees requesting reps: Virginia Faculty Senate, Colonnade Club, FST, Athletic Advisory.
- Other openings: In 2021 nominations were made in February, voted on in March. There is no mandate on when this has to happen.
Joel Hockensmith shared motion for approval of nominating committee members:
“Motion that Joel Hockensmith, Tish Jennings, Rob Patterson, Adriana LaViolette, JT Stranix be approved by EXCO to stand as current nominating committee.”
Motion to approve: Joel Hockensmith
Second: Andy Pennock
For: 9 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
Motion Passes
Follow-Up: AAUP Reinstatement
Susan Kirk shared the revised version of the AAUP statement for approval (changes in red):
“The University endorses fully the statement on Academic Freedom within the 1940 Statement of Principles of the American Association of University Professors (posted at www.aup.org/report/1940-statement-principles-academic-freedom-and-tenure).”
Motion to approve: Tish Jennings
Second: Joel Hockensmith
For: 11 Against: 0 Abstain:0
Motion Passes
Spring 2022 Agenda & Calendar
Susan Kirk led discussion on options for scheduling the Spring 2022 Faculty Senate meetings.
- The President would like to attend one Faculty Senate meeting each semester, the first would be to share his priorities for the year (as stated in the bylaws).
- Provost Magill would like to attend EXCO and FS whenever possible. Proposed coming up with a few topics she could cover more in-depth at meetings (in addition to answering general questions).
- Selecting meeting dates/times early will aid staff in setting the President’s and Provost’s calendars.
- Potential meeting options discussed include a set date each month, two alternating dates/times (not both Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu-could conflict with teaching schedules), early morning, later afternoon, weekends.
- Suggestions for potential topics for the President/Provost to present:
- University Budget (fiscal health, salary increases, state funds)
Action Item: Susan will work with Maria (admin support) to send a poll to help determine availability.
Faculty Senate Meeting 11/16
- Academic Affairs
- Honor System Chair (if available)
- Government Affairs Rep (if available)
- Nominating Committee Update
- Academic Freedom Statement Ratification
New Business
Maïté Brandt-Pearce and Joel Hockensmith gave a brief update on the ongoing PROV-004 discussions. PROV-004 concerns employment of Academic General Faculty members. Met Friday with reps from Faculty Senate, General Faculty Council, AAUP, Provost’s Office. Will meet again with those same reps along with Associate Deans.
Action Item: Maïté Brandt-Pearce will give an update to the full Faculty Senate on 11/16.
Meeting adjourned
6:02 PM