3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Booker House Conference Room & Zoom Webinar
Senators Present: Huiwang Ai, Aaron Bloomfield, Jennifer Greeson, Michael Kennedy, Brad Kesser, Jim Lambert, Alicia Lopez Peterson, Andy Pennock, Lisa Peterson, Brian Pusser, Sue Saliba, Jeri Seidman, Jessica Sewell, Brian Wright
Ex-Officio & Guests Present: Jim Ryan, Brie Gertler, Andy Block, Meredith Hayden
Call to Order: Jim Lambert called the meeting to order at 3:31 PM
President Ryan and Brie Gertler, Interim Provost:
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Graduation weekend was terrific. The weekend was filled with phenomenal speakers and meeting happy families.
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Honor the Future Campaign has raised $5.9 Billion with $560 Million designated for endowed professorships.
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Research funding continues to be at risk. Thirty-nine grants have been terminated. This represents $85 Million in funding. UVA is working on contingency funding.
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The State Department has put a pause on visas for international students. UVA believes there are currently about 500-600 students affected by this.
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There’s been a technical change to Pell grants. The number of credit hours needed each semester has increased from 12 to 15.
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The BOV is meeting next week. The full board has two main topics to discuss: research and viewpoint diversity.
Question: Regarding the pace of cancellation of research grants, is there a pattern or big at the beginning and then steady?
Answer: No pattern. In addition to cancellation, there was the reduction to F&A to 15% however this is on pause due to an injunction. Some program officers are requesting PIs submit an adjusted budget but as of now, UVA is not doing that.
Question: Regarding “viewpoint diversity” and what it means.
Answer: It can mean different things to different people. One is making sure classroom faculty present different viewpoints on a contested issue and stimulate robust conversations where people disagree. Is it a code word for more conservative faculty and more conservative students?
Question: During graduation what was the temperature from parents across the county?
Answer: By and large parents and students were happy and grateful. Consumers of our education are happy. Applications have increased to 65% in four years.
The BOV is meeting next week. The QEP plan will be shared on experiential learning includes internships, capstone projects, community engaged courses. There will be a concerted effort to enhance opportunities. QEP is the plan that will be submitted for approval. It is a five year plan.
In addition to the Provost search, searches are under way for a new Dean of the Library and a Chief Innovation Officer. Mark Esser, PhD was selected to lead the Manning Institute. He will start May 1. Additionally, the new Dean of McIntire will be announced shortly.
June West is the FS appointee to the BOV Free Speech and Diversity group.
Donna and Richard Tadler donated money for a Chief Innovation Officer which allows a UVA professor to promote and advance innovation at UVA.
UVA is still waiting for more information on the FEI property. They understand that city residents are not happy with the change. UVA did not take any steps after the FEI was awarded to Charlottesville and were surprised when the letter arrived that said the University’s plan better aligned with the priorities. UVA is having conversations with the city and city schools.
May 2, 2025, Minutes: Motion to approve by Jeri Seidman; Andy Pennock seconded. All in favor. Motion passes.
Election of EXCO At Large: Andy Block won the seat.
Bylaws changes passed; Aaron will edit the bylaws.
BOV Update: Michael stated there is meeting next week. Thursday AM will be for the health system. At lunch time, the BOV move over to the Rotunda. The rest of Thursday and all of Friday will be in the Rotunda. Faculty Senate will present at the end of Friday.
Faculty Discipline Working Group: online faculty comments closed on 24th. The group is currently making edits to pass to Deans then from mid-July to mid-September, it will go for the official 30-day review, but it will really be 60 days since it’s summer. There will be a full 30 days once the semester has started.
Meeting adjourned at 4:59PM.