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Faculty Senate Minutes, February 7, 2022

Date/Time/Location: Monday, February 7, 2022, 11:00 AM, Zoom Webinar

Members Present (49): Elizabeth Alexander, Hanadi Al-Samman, Aaron Bloomfield, Aniko Bodroghkozy, Francesca Calamita, Cathy Campbell, Eli Carter, Donna Chen, John Comazzi, Quinn Curtis, Robert Emery, Maxim Engers, Jim Fitz-Gerald, Jay Fox, Gavin Garner, Avik Ghosh, Walt Heinecke, Robert Hirosky, Jay Hirsh, Joel Hockensmith (Past Chair), Tish Jennings (Chair Elect), Ann Kellams, Michael Kennedy, Jason Kerrigan, Daniel Kinney, Susan Kirk (Chair), Michelle Kisliuk, Venkataraman Lakshmi, Adria LaViolette, Matthew Lazzara, Kevin Lehmann, Alicia Lopez Opere, Stephen Macko, Katya Makarova, Benjamin Moses, Kathryn Neeley, Peter Norton, Rob Patterson, Andrew Pennock, Eric Ramirez-Weaver, James Savage, Jeri Seidman, Maria Sequeira-Lopez, Philip Smith, Sarah Stewart Ware, Nicole Thorne Jenkins, Nolan Wages, Brian Wright, Victor Zaydfudim

Guest Panelists: Maïté Brandt-Pearce (Vice Provost Faculty Affairs), Andrew Chambers (Student Honor Committee), Mike Citro (Chief of Staff, Provost), Alexis Ehrhardt(Executive Director for State Government Relations and Special Assistant to the President), Brie Gertler (Vice Provost Academic Affairs), Maria Lane (Admin), Liz Magill (Provost), Brian Pusser (Parliamentarian), Kaylee Sciacca (Aramark

Meeting called to order

11:01 AM

Welcome & Approval of Minutes

Susan Kirk, Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting and shared minutes from previous meetings.

  • Minutes from November 2021 Faculty Senate meeting were reviewed.

Motion to Approve Minutes: Tish Jennings
Second: Aaron Bloomfield
For: 23 Against: 0 Abstain:
MOTION PASSES

  • Minutes from January 2022 Faculty Senate meeting were reviewed.

Motion to Approve Minutes: Tish Jennings
Second: Maria Sequeria-Lopez
For: 26 Against: 0 Abstain: 0
MOTION PASSES

AAC Report

Aaron Bloomfield, Committee Chair

AAC notified Faculty Senate of approval of Biotechnology Track in McIntire for Master of Commerce.

Report from the December 2021 BOV Meeting

Joel Hockensmith, Past-Chair, Faculty Representative to the BOV

Last BOV meeting was held in December, 2021

  • Overall, the BOV is very receptive to faculty input at this time.
  • Health System Board Updates
    • Orthopedic Center on Ivy Road
    • Continuing expansion of services across the Commonwealth
    • Connection to UVA Wise: recruitment, training, feeder into UVA
    • Pediatric cardiovascular surgery initiative, perform surgeries at VCU
    • Big focus on compensation due to retention issues
    • Gender pay-equity analysis in progress, initiative under the new Dean of SOM
  • Contemplative Sciences Center formally named Contemplative Commons
  • Report on progress and sustainability, continuing efforts to remove single-use plastics, monitoring energy usage
  • Academic and Student Life discussed new professorships, advising, and concern about advising in a more virtual world
  • Named directorship for Center for Teaching Excellence in honor of Barbara Freed, current head of Academic and Student Life Committee
  • Lengthy report from the Finance Committee, increased in tuition and fees
    • Set for two years
  • University is at 75% for $5 billion fundraising goal
  • Karsh institute of Democracy is moving forward, plans for building underway
  • Rehabilitation Hospital that UVA runs with Encompass is undergoing major renovations
  • Affordable Housing plans currently inviting comment
    • Identified three sites University will lease long term (100-year lease) for affordable housing
  • Full minutes from the BOV meeting can be found online

Report from the Nominating Committee

Joel Hockensmith, Nominating Committee Chair

Please send any nominations to Joel Hockensmith.

  • Susan Kirk was nominated to be the Faculty Representative to the BOV for 2022-2023
  • Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
    • Nominee: Michael Kennedy
  • EXCO At-Large, 2 open positions
    • Nominees: Sarah Ware, Brian Wright, Jeri Seidman, Jay Fox
  • Nominations for delegates to other organization/committees
    • Athletic Advisory Council
      • Nominees: Michael Kennedy, Rob Patterson
    • Colonnade Board of Directors
      • Nominee: Jay Fox
    • Faculty Strategic Transformation (FST)
      • Nominee: None
    • Faculty Senate of Virginia
      • Nominee: None
  • Brian Pusser shared that FST has direct connections to faculty work, is an interesting committee and not greatly time consuming. Highly encourages more nominees for this committee.
  • Ben Moses self-nominates for the Faculty Senate of Virginia

Announcement Regarding Faculty Guides

Vice-Provost Maïté Brandt-Pearce

  • Provost-sponsored program, have identified two faculty members to serve in these positions
    • Bethany Teachman (primarily non-SOM)
    • Donna Broshek (primarily SOM)
  • Help faculty to interpret policy, seek answers to questions about policy/practice at the institution
  • Not there to give recommendations but to help faculty figure out what policies mean
  • Will host workshops about topics of high interest to faculty
  • Available for individual, confidential consultation with faculty
  • Please share this program with your constituents.
  • You may also direct questions to Maïte Brandt-Pearce

Q: Will guides direct when appropriate to Faculty Senate subcommittees (ex: Grievance Committee)?
A: Guides are trained to seek answers (confidentially) for inquiries by faculty and present available options so Faculty Senate committees may come up as one of those options.

Q: How do faculty learn about this program? Is it shared during orientation? Can you distinguish between the role of the Faculty Guides and the Ombuds?
A: Shared on the Provost website. Hoping to enlist help of Faculty Senate to help spread the word. Difference between Faculty Guide and Ombudsperson is the idea that faculty can reach out to another faculty member and potentially feel more comfortable talking. They will be more specifically knowledgeable about the faculty role.

Faculty Dining Plans

Kaylee Sciacca, Aramark Marketing

  • 2 Faculty/Staff meal plans
    • Faculty Staff 15 Plan: All Faculty/Staff, 15 swipes, does not expire
    • Law Faculty Flex: Geared specifically to North Grounds, $200 deposit, does not expire
  • Can be used at any dining hall
  • Currently about 140 faculty/staff on plans right now
  • Health System is a different provider (not included in this plan)
  • When Garden Room in Hotel E reopens it is linked to faculty dining plan
  • Visit the website to learn more or email with any questions.

Government Affairs

Alexis Ehrhardt, Executive Director, State Government Relations

  • Has been an eventful beginning of session/beginning of this administration
  • UVA has a strong relationship with Deputy Secretary of Education
  • General Assembly 60-day session
    • February 15-bills will cross over
      • Expect a number of bills related to covid policies that have passed in the House to die in the Senate
    • Session scheduled to end March 12
  • Budget conferees will be named March 2nd, have a sense of who they will be and have begun engaging with them
    • Want to protect what was in Northam’s outgoing budget and encourage them to look carefully at the budget amendments that UVA has submitted
    • From outgoing budget: proposals from Growth for Virginia, proposals from SCHEV, significant funding for Financial Aid (including graduate aid), funding for faculty/staff salary increases, planning authorization for Center for the Arts, parity for Cancer Center with Massey Cancer Center at VCU ($20 million)
  • Legislation
    • Lab Schools initiative, UVA will have representation on a work group convened by the Governor’s office and Secretary of Education, bill is a bit vague right now
    • Name, Image, Likeness legislation for student athletes, have been working with ADs from other institutions to have legislation that supports the institutions and protects students
    • Hazing Training requirement for all organizations, clubs on campus, Student Affairs team has been helping to understand nuance of bill, delegate thanked UVA for helping to strengthen the bill

Discussion

Q: The Governor’s attitude towards Critical Race Theory, systemic racism, inequality, etc. raises questions of academic freedom, questions about protection related to the tip-line, FOIA requests. We feel strongly that it may be time for the institution to address these questions directly.
A: A number of legislators are not particularly familiar with higher education. Where our office can play a role is in educating legislators on what academic freedom means, what tenure means, what the role of higher education is, etc.

Q: HB-1226, constrains us in ways that I think would be really problematic.
A: Bill calls for tenured professors at public institutions to teach 12 hours of classes every term. Unclear what every term means. Our assistant director as well as President Ryan have met with Delegate Davis who put up the bill. Hope is that he will move it the SCHEV for a study.

Q: Can you tell us the University’s stance on Name/Image/Likeness?
A: Looking at remaining competitive with other states that have adopted NIL legislations. Interim policy adopted last session, sunsets June 30th. Absent a law, universities can suffer competitive disadvantage in recruiting student athletes. This is a national issue, but we cannot wait for the federal government to move on this. Women and minorities, under-resourced students, are most disadvantaged by not having NIL protections. As we think about career development, we’re trying to help them move forward and have people on ground who can counsel them to make sure they’re engaging in contracts that will help them and protect them.

Q: What are the biggest issues you work with in terms of federal relations as well as state?
A: NIL is a good example, watching what’s happening at the federal level vs. local. Often making connections for people on Grounds, making sure money isn’t left on the table (ex: pursue federal funding when state funding isn’t appropriate/available).

Q: It seems like you’re the main person who liaises from the University to the Commonwealth. What role do you see the faculty Senate playing in these decisions? What is your vision for this body and how we can work collaboratively together?
A: Connected with Louis Nelson (Vice Provost Academic Outreach) early on to discuss external work, have quarterly meeting with core group that often submits legislation, budget amendments. I think remaining in communication not just during the session and but also the off-season as we get a sense of what legislators are thinking. I’d love the opportunity to continue to engage with the Executive Council as you feel is appropriate and continue to share information with you, continue the conversation.

Q: How will the replacement for Tim Heaphy work? What do you see as the potential intent of the Attorney General in that regard? There are at least 4 BOV positions that will be open at the beginning of the next academic year.
A: University Counsel does serve at the pleasure of the AG. Other two counsels that were removed (Mason, VCU) were more surprising. The manner in which it happened was very quick. We have had acting counsel since Tim has been on leave, Jasmine Yoon, and she is now listed as interim which makes me believe she will serve until someone is named. We need to be vigilant that, while they are AG employees, they are really bound to the Constitution first and the administration and the University after that.

I think we’re going to see a shift in BOV appointments. This is something that every institution is talking about. We feel strongly that we have good leadership in place at the University and on the Board to help orient new members and help them understand the values, traditions, history of the University as well as where we want to go.

Discussion with the Provost

Provost Liz Magill

Liz shared that she has greatly enjoyed working with the Faculty Senate and that she appreciates the work the group has done.

Brief Updates:

  • Temporary indoor eating restrictions to be lifted February 5th
  • Faculty/instructors teaching online (about 6% of instructors) have been asked to return to the classroom effective this week, no later than February 21st
  • 4 Dean searches underway: Education, Nursing, SCPS, College
    • Greg Fairchild, Dean/CEO of Northern Virginia, will chair SCPS search
    • Sarah Kucenas is in midst of listening tour in the College (first step to assembling committee)
  • Grand Challenges
    • $20-50 million on two of the five research areas in the Strategic Plan, to go from prominent to preeminent
      • Brain/Neuroscience
      • Environmental Resilience & Sustainability
    • Currently awaiting proposals (early March)
    • Goal is to announce investments in April/May
  • Transition Updates
    • Working closely with Ian Baucom, meeting regularly
    • He is eager to work with the Faculty Senate
    • BOV March 3 and 4
    • Provost unit budget meetings and School budget meetings upcoming

Discussion

Q: Concern about governor’s attitude toward critical race theory and everything it contains. Specific concerns about protection for faculty and the tip line. Broader issues of academic freedom. Is this a time to address these questions and issue a statement of our concerns and our values?
A: The Provost, President will defend the academic freedom of faculty members to teach and research what they like. Mechanisms of support depend on what threats you’re seeing. It would be helpful to make sure administration is aware of what you’re encountering. Through your Chair or Associate Dean, contact the Counsel’s office regarding FOIA requests.

Q: Can you talk about the financial model and the algorithm?
A: UFM 2.0 is going into effect FY23. We have changed the algorithm slightly. No school is affected more than 1% of budget. Current: students taking classes outside of their school of enrollment: 75% to school of instruction, 25% to school of enrollment. Spent a lot of time discussing whether you can calculate the actual cost of instruction. After looking at what other schools do, much discussion, we moved to 60/40 model. 50% of undergrads take a class outside school of enrollment every semester. 20% of undergrads have minor outside school of enrollment. 20% of students graduate from school that was not the school of initial matriculation.

Q: Mandate that faculty have to report on each section of research, teaching, service on the inclusion of diversity. Some faculty have research that does not relate to this. Concern that having nothing to report will cost you points on the evaluation.
A: Relates to how the College is asking faculty to report on activities related to DEI. Ian Baucom issued a clarification: faculty have full academic freedom to decide content of teaching and research, report if it’s appropriate, not a requirement to alter content. Faculty would like an opportunity to report on the DEI work they are doing. Would encourage faculty to bring concerns to Dean Hill or the Provost.

Q: Grand challenges: two additional areas slated for grand challenges next year. Do you anticipate the process to be the same next year?
A: Next two: Precision Health and Technology & Society. Should feel authorized to offer input about the process for next year. Want to bring everyone who has interest, expertise to the table. Want to do something the University wouldn’t have done without the process, that suits our collection of assets and capabilities. Goal to be bottom up and top down at the same time.

Update from the Honor Committee

Andrew Chambers, Chair Honor Committee

Andy gave an update on the proposals to (1) reduce penalty for an honor offense from expulsion to two-semester leave of absence and (2) allow students to plead guilty at any time before a hearing and take two-semester leave of absence.

  • Neither proposal made it out of committee to be on the ballot. Both are being put up for student petition by which they can be put on the ballot without Honor Committee endorsement.
    • First proposal petition has achieved necessary signatures to be on the ballot
    • Second proposal petition is significantly short, not sure if it will make it
  • Proposed changes
    • Currently, faculty time is about 1.5 hours of evidence compilation and initial reporter interview, get this evidence to student to allow them to decide if they would like to make an informed retraction (recommit to community of trust, 2-semester leave of absence).
    • If they turn down this option, the process becomes very long. Proposed change removes current incentive structure to admit guilt early on.
    • With proposed changes, we would expect almost every student to opt for a hearing (rather than IR) which would up faculty involvement from about 8-15 hours in an average case.
    • Proponents of this plan have argued it will increase faculty buy-in, increase reports.

Discussion

Q: When to you anticipate a vote to come before the committee?
A: Vote has come before honor committee, did not pass. Vote will go before full student body (as a result of successful petition) in general student elections March 2-4.

Q: What are the implications from the fact that the committee did not vote for this, and it is now coming before the full student body? Why do you think it went this way?
A: Committee was predisposed to making change, this is what we campaigned on. 7-8 committee reps of 27 total stood against this because they wanted multiple sanctions. Committee reached a point where they were unable to compromise.

Q: How many votes are required, what happens next?
A: 2 individual thresholds: 10% of eligible student body must vote in favor. Of all those voting, 60% must vote in favor. If it passes, it goes into effect immediately. Honor Committee responsible for adjusting bylaws, constitution.

Representation of UVA Faculty

Susan Kirk, Chair

  • Susan has requested data from IRA on wage faculty to determine how we can ensure they are represented. In addition, she has researched Faculty Senates at neighboring universities to make comparisons with UVA’s model.
  • If Faculty Senate decides we want to move forward with a discussion about matters like living wage, we would want to have engagement with wage faculty and those of you who work with wage faculty.
    • Wage Faculty are not really represented in either Faculty Senate or the General Faculty Council.
  • She shared that she met with General Faculty Council and learned more about the history of that organization. Noted that General Faculty Council does not want to lose their voice; they are pleased with the relationship they have with the administration and feel they are in a good position to be the eyes and ears of the General Faculty.
    • History of General Faculty Council is available in Special Collections
    • Susan will ask for basic info to share with full Faculty Senate

New Business and Wrap Up

  • Tish Jennings, Chair-Elect, shared that she is working on the schedule for meetings next year and will send a When2Meet poll soon.
  • Walt Heinecke said that the Faculty Senate should issue a formal objection to the process of selection of the new Provost. Asking to consider the long-term effects of this process and to issue a statement in which FS objects to the process as a way of reminding the administration that shared governance in all aspects of work that impact faculty is very important, and we don’t expect this to happen again.
    • Susan Kirk suggested an agenda item be added to the March Faculty Senate meeting if Walt would like to make a motion on this matter.

Meeting adjourned

Motion to Adjourn: Michael Kennedy
Second: Tish Jennings
1:00 PM