December 13, 2024
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Bavaro Hall, Halloway Hall & Zoom Webinar
Senators Present: Peter Abramenko, Kim Acquaviva, Huiwang Ai, Dana Albon, Alan Beckenstein, Benjamin Bennett, Andrew Block, Aaron Bloomfield, Matthew Bolton, Cathy Campbell, Andre Cavalcante, Eve Danziger, Nomi Dave, Todd DeLong, Katia Dianina, John Dillery, Thomas Druzgal, Rob Garrod, Jennifer Greeson, Bryon Gustafson, Peter Hallowell, Natoya Haskins, Juliet Hatchett, Meredith Hayden, Matthew Hedstrom, Gustav Heldt, John Hott, Matthew Jull, Michael Kennedy, Jason Kerrigan, Brad Kesser, Jim Lambert, Tracy Larson, Craig Lefanowicz, Ted Lendon, Alicia Lopex Opere, Stephen Macko, Carol Manning, Charlotte Matthews, Amy Ogden, Thomas Pajewski, Charlotte Patterson, Andrew Pennock, John Pepper, Paul Perrin, Lisa Colosi Peterson, Brian Pusser, Eric Ramirez Weaver, Michael Rasbury, Anne Rotich, Sue Saliba, Patrik Sandas, Jim Savage, Jeri Seidman, Jessica Sewell, Christopher Thom, Judith Thomas, David Vander Muelen, June West, Mark Whittle, Brian Williams, Brian Wright, Kenan Yount, Victor Zaydfudim
Ex-Officio & Guests Present: Maite Brandt Pearce, Sam Bradshaw, Jim Ryan, Ian Baucom, Brie Gertler, Maria Triantafillou, Melissa Riley, Ira Bashkow, Foia Kaiju, Lawrie Balfour, Jerilyn Teahan, Kennedy Kipps, Carolina Quan, Carrie Heilman, Alexis Stadler, Nina Tripp, Walt, Matt Weber, Abby Self, Wynne Stuart, Troy Buer
Call to Order: Jim Lambert called the meeting to order at 2:03.
President’s update:
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Reports and investigations: The Health System investigation is ongoing, broad reaching, and will take some time.
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External review with shooting of November 2022: UVA received the external review but spoke with the local prosecutor and agreed to hold the review report until the case was over. Now that there’s been a plea agreement with sentencing scheduled for the beginning February, the plan is to release the report after sentencing.
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May 4 external review: President Ryan spoke with the Board of Visitor’s last week before the announcement that Mary McCord, former assistant U.S. attorney, has been asked to lead the review of events and decisions surrounding the pro-Palestinian protest. Mary is getting up to speed and will begin her work in January. There is no anticipated timeline.
Institutional Neutrality: The committee recommended that President Ryan only issue statements on national and international events when they directly affect the University. There are questions about whether this applies to department and center chairs. If it does not and a department chair makes a statement, how does that affect the school’s faculty who may or may not agree? What if you’re an expert in the area. This is why it’s a statement of principles and not a policy.
Athletics: The goal is to remain competitive which means sharing revenue, cost saving on administration, cost efficiencies between student affairs and student health, and fundraising. The University will not support anything that robs academics to feed athletics.
Questions from the audience included asking about Scott Ballinger’s role in leading a task force to weigh in on whether UVA should try to stay competitive in this new athletic environment and if so, what do we do to get there. Brian Pusser said that athletic travel needs to be reasonable meaning that maybe the ACC is split into two conferences of western teams then eastern teams. President Ryan responded that student athletes were part of the conversation but understand that they may think differently now after a year of travel. He also stated that there’s several conversations about football and different models. Michael Kennedy asked about SIF funds and should faculty members worry about applying for the funds after the BOV vote. President Ryan answered that he was optimistic that the change in replenishing the fund is a good step. Jim Savage mentioned that about 40% of the funding for the school of medicine comes from grants and asked if there was any concern about the new federal government administration and any possible changes. President Ryan answered that they are trying to prepare for some scenarios, but others are not clear enough to make a contingency plan.
Provost’s update
Admissions is looking into whether SAT /ACTs tests should still be optional. They will discuss with the BOV Academic and Student Life Committee in the early Spring.
Maite Brandt Pearce thanked the members of Promotion and Tenure committee. The policy is out for the final 30-day review but will be more like 45 days due to the holiday.
Provost Baucom addressed the change in the Presidential administration and that the University is preparing by looking at changes in four areas: potential Executive actions; Legislative actions; changes introduced by an Agency or regulation; and changes through Judicial action. The different routes of change come with different speeds. Administration has shared with student and faculty to be aware of immigration and visa changes.
Andy Pennock stated that when state regulation change, information goes out to universities for feedback. Does the same happen with federal changes? Provost Baucom answered yes, the University does receive information.
Welcome (Jim L., Jeri, Michael K.)
Review/approval of draft minutes from 11/15/24: motion by Michael Kennedy, Kim Acquaviva seconds. All in favor. Motion passes.
Report of the Faculty Representative to the BOV – Michael Kennedy
Michael gave an update on the December Board of Visitors meeting. He’s there to give the faculty a voice and feels that it’s going well. The board received an updated on the Emmet Ivy corridor construction including new dorms for second years, a proposal for a Center of the Arts, and a parking garage coming to the intersection by JPJ. The board voted to increase tuition and dining fees. Faculty senator Brian Wright spoke about the new Data Science undergraduate major. The student Honor Committee gave a report about the honor system and that their numbers are up which they believe is due to having more than two possible outcomes. It was announced that Colette Sheehy is retiring. The Audit, Compliance, and Risk Committee had the auditors give their findings. The Board went into closed session. Rachel and Porter gave Michael a letter to read as an update on the Williams Connolly investigation.
Prov Policy 004
Brian Pusser asked at EXCO for this to be untabled and brought back for discussion/vote. He stated that the person that makes the motion decided how the vote is held. He agrees to an online vote.
Jeri Seidman gave a presentation using slides stating that choices are meaningful if they have different values and costs.
AAUP representative Bill Keene presented and stated that the General Faculty Council have met multiple times and given this great consideration and spoke in favor of the proposed change.
Ian Mullins: Chair of General Faculty Council stated that GFC unanimously voted to support the change with one abstention.
Maite presented using slides in Jim’s packet. She stated the pro is that job security happens earlier for those who are reappointed, but the cons are faculty members have less choice, they have to undergo a deep dive review at year 6, whether they like it or not; lastly, we have not heard from all junior faculty. There are 700 and only 5 in faculty senate.
Just a reminder that there was a motion to table this motion last Spring by Aaron Bloomfield and it was seconded by Jeri Seidman. This comes from EXCO so its open for debate.
The vote to untable passes with a result of 40 yes, 1 opposed, and 3 abstentions.
Discussion begins. Brian Pusser called for an end to the debate. Jessica seconded. All in favor, motion passed. Voting will begin online starting Monday morning to Wednesday afternoon.
Dave Strite and Brie Gertler – AI in Teaching and Learning
There’s a course called Teaching in the world with AI. Everyone is encouraged to take the class. There was a faculty AI guides program where 51 faculty members across grounds took a two day workshop and they have committed to providing at least three opportunities to help colleagues. Senators raised their concern about AI and if student files that they open are being added to the greater AI universe. Others expressed the concern about the environment with AI usage.
Jim quickly flipped through the remaining slides.
Policy Committee: Lisa Colosi Peterson restated that the committee is piloting a new program where any policy that comes before the committee, is available for everyone. Go through the Policy Committee page to get to their BOX. Second review of the P&T policy is open to review until January 15.
Nominating Committee: At the January full senate meeting, there needs to be at least two additional candidates for the BOV representative. Please reach out to Michael Kennedy if you’re interested.
Brian Pusser moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded. All in favor, meeting adjourned.