February 14, 2025
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Bavaro Hall Room 116 & Zoom Webinar
Senators Present: Kim Acquaviva, Dana Albon, Benjamin Bennett, Andrew Block, Aaron Bloomfield, Matthew Bolton, David Callender, Cathy Campbell, Andre Cavalcante, Stephen Culp, Eve Danziger, Nomi Dave, Todd DeLong, Katia Dianina, Thomas Druzgal, Rob Garrod, Avik Ghosh, Jennifer Greeson, Vanessa Gregg, Juliet Hatchett, Meredith Hayden, Matt Hedstrom, Robert Hirosky, John Hott, Juliet Hatchett, Richard Hynes, Matthew Jull, Jim Lambert, Tracy Larson, Ted Lendon, Maria Luisa Sequeira Lopez, Alicia Lopez Opere, Stephen Macko, Katya Makarova, Amy Ogden, Charlotte Patterson, Andrew Pennock, John Pepper, Paul Perrin, Lisa Colosi Peterson, Brian Pusser, Eric Ramirez Weaver, Michael Rasbury, Sue Saliba, Patrik Sandas, Jim Savage, Jeri Seidman, Dan Spitzner, Judith Thomas, David Vander Meulen, Mark Whittle, Brian Wright, Victor Zaydfudim, Eli Zunder
Ex-Officio & Guests Present: Christa Acampora, Lori McMahon, JJ Davis, Julia Smith, Ken Kipps, Kenyon Bonner, Malo Hutson, Stephanie Rowley, Melina Kibbe, Jerilyn Teahan, Helen Faith, Stephen Mull, Melissa Lubin, Marianne Baernholdt, Steve Farmer, Helen Yung-Sze Faith, Jennifer Herrera, Thomas Jones-Nelson, Nina Tripp, Carrie Heilman, Karlin Luedtke, FOIA Kaiju, Jazlyn Eddings, Charles Liu, Stephanie Ryan, Adelaide King, Rob Patterson, Abby Self, Mark Weathers, Kemi Jona, Susan Harris, Tony Belt, Manu Chopra
Call to Order: 2:03 PM
Welcome (Jim L., Jeri, Michael K.)
Review/approval of draft minutes from the January 24th meeting: Unanimous consent to approve the minutes.
Jeri Seidman, Chair-Elect, is on the Provost Search Committee. She stated that the search committee is hosting a listening session next Friday, February 21. Senators should speak to an EXCO member or one of their senators with questions or concerns.
Timeline of Senate Activities shown
Jim shared a timeline of senate activities from meeting with University leadership and sharing concerns about UVA and gender-affirming care, immigration enforcement, and sponsored grants to meeting with VP Stephen Mull to holding listening sessions.
Report of the Faculty Representative to the Board of Visitors
Michael Kennedy shared that the BOV is having an emergency meeting on February 25 to hear the results from the Williams & Connolly Law Firm. The meeting is for governor appointees only so Michael and student will not attend.
Resolution
Brian Pusser presented the Resolution on External Challenges to Faculty Roles and Responsibilities and explained what led to its drafting.
Jim Savage made a motion to pass the resolution, there was not a second.
Discussion about what the external challenges to faculty are and if they should be listed. What is actionable about this resolution.
Clause 9 was discussed, and wording was changed. Jim Savage made a motion to accept this, Michael Kennedy seconded. Motion passed.
Motion to amend clause 9 to reference VA Human Rights Act. Motion to accept by Matthew Bolton and seconded by Sue Saliba. Motion passes.
Andrew Block suggested adding a clause about not being partisan. Clause 2 was drafted. Andy Pennock motioned to approve, Brian Pusser seconded. Motion passes.
Meredith Hayden suggested wording changes to the old clause 5 which became the new clause 6
Rob Garrod questioned the intended usage of the resolution.
Jeri Seidman motioned for approval of the new clause 6. Michael Kennedy seconded.
Sue Saliba moved to vote on adopt the resolution as revised. Brian Wright seconded. Debate ends with a vote of 35 For, 5 Against, 1 Abstain. The resolution will be moved to Qualtrics for a vote by the Faculty Senate.
Maite Brandt Pearce: Provost Policy 017 has been signed, approved, and posted. It’s now official.
Provost Policy 004: Employment of Academic General Faculty Members (Tenure-Ineligible) is now open for discussion, please send your comments. Lisa Colosi Peterson will submit the senate’s response. Brian Pusser expressed concern that the Faculty Senate had already worked on the policy and now they’re being asked to do it again. Maite understood and said they will incorporate the senate’s work into the revised policy but wanted to make sure they’ve heard from everyone.
Brie Gertler: UVA has created a website to help answer question with the federal government changes.
Lori McMahon reminded everyone that she is here to help in trying to navigate research questions with the federal changes. You can email askresearch@virginia.edu.
Two ad hoc committees have been created: Bylaws and Representation & Governance. Please reach out if you want to join either committee.
Academic Affairs Committee: Sue Saliba and Brian Wright
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School of Architecture proposal to create a new minor in Public Humanities and Placemaking within the Department of Architectural History effective Fall of 2025.
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College of Arts & Sciences proposal to discontinue the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Chemistry degree programs effective Fall of 2025.
Kim Acquaviva motioned to approve. Andy Pennock seconded. All in favor. Motion passes.
Nominating Committee: Michael Kennedy is seeking candidates for Chair-Elect, Faculty Senate of VA, and EXCO At Large. Please contact Michael or Jim if you are interested.
Standing Committees: No reports
Carla Williams, Director of Athletics:
Carla started her presentation with a slide showing the academic and athletic accomplishments of UVA student athletes.
House v. NCAA agreement will allow athletes to receive pay from colleges and universities. There are two parts: distribute money to athletes that competed before July 2021 when the NCAA first allowed athletes to earn money from NIL and second, create future revenue sharing in which schools would pay $20 million directly to student athletes.
Challenges/Opportunities in Athletics:
Transfer portal.
Title 9 – what about gender equity
Fundraising
Student fees
Motion to adjourn by Aaron Bloomfield, seconded by Michael Kennedy. All in favor, motion passes.
Reception following meeting outside Room 116.