Friday, March 21, 2025
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Darden 120 & Zoom Webinar
Senators Present (in person and online): Kim Acquaviva, Huiwang Ai, Hanadi Al-Samman, Dana Albon, Andrew Block, Aaron Bloomfield, Anike Bodroghkozy, Matthew Bolton, David Callendar, Cathy Campbell, Andre Cavalcante, Ming-Jer Chen, Stephen Culp, Eve Danziger, Nomi Dave, Todd DeLong, Katia Dianina, Bryon Gustafson, Natoya Haskins, Meredith Hayden, Matthew Hedstrom, Gustav Heldt, Robert Hirosky, John Hott, Richard Hynes, Matthew Jull, Michael Kennedy, Anne Kenworthy, Bradley Kesser, Jim Lambert, Tracy Larson, Matthew Lazzara, Craig Lefanowicz, Jon Lendon, Stephen Macko, Katya Makarova, Amy Ogden, Alicia Lopez Opere, Charlotte Matthews, Thomas Pajewski, Andrew Pennock, John Pepper, Lisa Peterson, Brian Pusser, Michael Rasbury, Patrik Sandas, Jim Savage, Jeri Seidman, Jessica Sewell, Dan Spitzner, Judith Thomas, June West, Brian Williams, Kenan Yount, Eli Zunder
Ex-Officio & Guests Present (in person and online): Maïté Brandt-Pearce, Elizabeth Casteen, John T. Casteen IV, Brie Gertler, JJ Davis, Ian Mullins, Mitch Rosner
Call to Order:
Jim Lambert, Chair, called the meeting to order at 2:02PM
Discussion
President Jim Ryan
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs (Acting) Mitch Rosner
Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Brie Gertler
President Ryan spoke briefly about the recent BOV Resolution on eliminating the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He encouraged senators to read the resolution and spoke about the expected impact. He noted that the work around DEI happens all over the University it is not just in one central office. He said there would be more information about the DEI office and its programs soon.
He discussed changes to federal funding, noting that there was an effort to cap the NIH F&A rate at 15%. UVA’s current negotiated rate is 60%. This change is currently not in effect due to court enjoinment. Some awards have been rescinded at UVA (and other institutions) and there are also delays in reviewing rewards. Related, the schools have been thinking about potential measures for reducing costs in the near future. He anticipates that we will have to adopt some of these measures but does not believe they will be drastic changes.
Q: What is the status of two large EPA awards that are pending?
A: Provost Gertler will follow up with Lori McMahon, Vice President for Research.
Q: How is UVA thinking about collaborating with fellow research universities?
A: President Ryan says he is reaching out to the head of the AAU and agreed that research universities need to be talking and working together to approach these issues He encouraged those with questions to email him directly. He introduced Brie Gertler, Interim Provost and Mitch Rosner, Acting Executive Vice President for Health Affairs.
Mitch Rosner introduced himself and noted that he believes in the strength of this university and that we are strong because of the people who are here. He shared that he is deeply committed to improving the culture at UVA Health and thinking about how they want to be perceived in the community and amongst themselves.
Q: Please provide information about One Team United, the standardized template for how ambulatory patients are seen.
A: Dr. Rosner explained that this was a one size fits all approach to scheduling without much flexibility built in. He noted in the last 3 weeks they have worked to increase flexibility. He also explained that access to appointments is an ongoing challenge. Part of the goal of One Team United was to increase access. He noted that they are trying to address these access issues.
Q: Are there any formal climate surveys or processes in place to pinpoint problems in the culture?
A: Dr. Rosner shared that they have not yet planned for any formal processes. He explained that the issues for each group within the large health system are very different so trying to do a single survey would be difficult and may drown out some voices. He noted he has been working to begin to create a more open culture in general, working on several specific tasks as well as larger system issues including compensation, space, and growth.
Q: What do you see as the next steps for DEI in the medical center?
A: Dr. Rosner explained that they are moving slowly and thoughtfully, working to be in compliance. He shared that none of their values have changed and that thinking about health outcomes is a critical issue to navigate
Q: What is the impact of federal funding to the clinical and research departments?
A: Dr. Rosner shared that typically a shortage in research funding could be supplemented by clinical funding. Potential cuts to Medicaid would impact clinical funding and so the threat to funding is present in both areas. He believes this could be an opportunity to emphasize how we value research.
Q: Why isn’t health system clinical funding sufficient to cover research costs?
A: Dr. Rosner explained that the margins in health care are extremely low, around 2-3%, because costs to provide care are extremely expensive.
Brie Gertler shared that she had her first biweekly deans meeting recently in which she expressed her understanding that the mission of the university happens in the schools (and programs, institutes, and health system) and that she thinks of the Office of the Provost as one that exists to serve the core of the schools. She shared that as a previous Faculty Senator, she believes strongly in the work of the Faculty Senate and thanked Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Maïté Brandt-Pearce for her work in building a strong connection with the Senate.
She thanked ExCo for holding listening sessions for faculty to express concerns. She shared that she has received notes from these meetings from Vice Provost Brandt-Pearce and has worked to take these questions to the higher level, specifically to the group meeting weekly regarding federal updates.
Q: It feels like we are not getting much information about how issues are being addressed. How is this work is being shared?
A: Provost Gertler shared that information relevant to general audiences is posted to Federal Information website. Additionally, PIs on federal grants regularly receive communications with relevant updates. She would encourage senators to share this information with their constituents, so they are aware of the work being done.
Q: It may be beneficial to share specifics on where we are hitting roadblocks or finding success in terms of funding/requests.
A: Provost Gertler encouraged faculty to reach out to OSP to receive specific information on how the agencies are operating, current track records, etc. if they would find that information beneficial.
Welcome
Jim Lambert, Chair
Jim Lambert shared the recent timeline of events and activities undertaken by ExCo.
He also noted that the resolution on external challenges was passed following the online vote after the last full senate meeting. The resolution has been posted to the Faculty Senate website.
Review and approval of draft minutes from 2/14/25
Motion to approve: Aaron Bloomfield
Motion Passes
Provost Office Updates
Maïté Brandt-Pearce, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Vice Provost Brandt-Pearce shared that the GFC sent an email to all academic general faculty asking for ideas/feedback on Prov-004. She encouraged those who received this email to respond with feedback.
She thanked the group working on the discipline policy and shared that there should be early drafts soon.
She encouraged all faculty to attend the Celebration of Faculty Excellence April 9th 4:30-6:30 at Alumni Hall.
Report of the Faculty Representative to the BOV
Michael Kennedy, Past Chair
Michael Kennedy shared that the Board of Visitors met March 7-8th. Minutes, recordings, and presentation materials of the open session are available on the BOV website.
He reviewed the various presentations and actions of the meeting in detail.
He congratulated Jim Lambert on his approval by the BOV as the Faculty Representative to the BOV for 2025-2026.
Additionally, he discussed the passage of the Resolution Regarding the President Executive Order of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Q: Is it known whether staff would also be relocated along with leadership from the DEI office or if they may lose their jobs?
A: Provost Gertler noted that she didn’t have an answer to this as they are in the process of making the required changes at this point.
Q: Constituents have expressed concern on how they would know whether or not their teaching and research is considered legally permissible as this is not something they have dealt with before.
A: Provost Gertler highlighted that the resolution states that “the University shall continue to review ongoing guidance from USED and the U.S. Attorney General and make appropriate changes to comply fully with the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other federal civil rights laws;” She noted that this does not impact your Academic Freedom in research and teaching and that is a core value of the University. She directed faculty to the Department of Education FAQs which address the administration’s understanding of current laws.
Q: Please share the location of the FAQs Provost Gertler referenced.
A: Links here: Department of Education FAQs , UVA Federal Information website
Brief Remarks
Professor Elizabeth I. Casteen and Professor John T. Casteen, IV shared brief remarks about their late father, UVA President John T. Casteen III.
DEI Committee Resolution
Eric Ramirez-Weaver, DEI Committee Chair shared the resolution from the DEI Committee.
Senators discussed the resolution. Friendly edits to the wording were made, not requiring vote.
Motion to vote on this resolution online during the week of March 24th: Jessica Sewell
Second: Amy Ogden
Motion Passes
Ad-Hoc Committees Update
Aaron Bloomfield, Brian Pusser, Brian Wright, Jeri Seidman
Aaron Bloomfield shared proposed amendments to the Faculty Senate Bylaws which will be formally presented at the next meeting.
Standing Committees Updates
Committee Chairs shared brief updates on the work they have engaged in since the last Senate meeting.
Adjourn
Following a motion and second, the meeting was adjourned at 4:07PM