I. Call to Order

II. Approval of the Minutes of January 20, 2010

III. Announcements

Dean William Reeder, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Dean Vikas Chandhoke, College of Science

IV. Unfinished Business

Resolution from the Organization and Operations Committee:

To Ensure Faculty Senate Bylaws and Charter Consistency Attachment A

V. New Business – Committee Reports

A. Senate Standing Committees

Executive Committee

Resolution of Appreciation to Rector Ernst Volgenau Attachment B

Academic Policies

Budget and Resources

Faculty Matters

Nominations

Organization and Operations

B. Other Committees

Resolution from the Minority and Diversity Issues Committee Attachment C

Report from Professor Linda Miller, Faculty Athletic Representative and Attachment D

Chair of the Athletic Council, on NCAA Cycle III Re-certification Process

VI. Remarks for the Good of the General Faculty

VII. Adjournment

ATTACHMENT A

OPERATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Draft Resolution to Ensure Faculty Senate Bylaws and Charter Consistency

Whereas the responsibilities of the Faculty Senate in Section II.A.1 of the Faculty Senate Charter indicate that the Senate shall have “the fundamental general responsibility to speak and act for the General Faculty on matters affecting the University as a whole;” and

Whereas the Charter indicates in Section II.A.2 that the Faculty Senate, “on behalf of the general faculty, shall have the particular responsibility to formulate proposals on those matters affecting the welfare of the university as a whole,” which will constitute the “primary advice to the administration;” and

Whereas the Charter further specifies that on “matters affecting the entire faculty and transcending collegiate unit boundaries, the Senate shall be the primary faculty representative in consultation with the central administration and the President;” and

Whereas the Bylaws in Article I, Section 1 specify that the “membership of the George Mason Faculty Senate and eligibility to vote therein shall be as prescribed by the Charter,” yet there is no prescription of voting eligibility in any section or clause of the Charter; and

Whereas administrators are welcomed and encouraged to participate in dialog and consultation with and as members of the Faculty Senate, yet should not be representing the faculty voice on matters of importance to the faculty and the University;

Be it resolved:

That Article I, Section I of the Bylaws of the Faculty Senate should be amended to strike “and eligibility to vote therein” and add the following sentence at the end: “Eligibility to vote on matters before the Faculty Senate shall be limited to duly elected faculty members of the Faculty Senate.

ATTACHMENT B

Resolution of Appreciation to Rector Volgenau

Sponsored by Senators Jim Bennett, Doris Bitler, Rick Coffinberger, David Kuebrich, Janette Muir, Peter Pober, and Susan Trencher.

WHEREAS Rector Volgenau met with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee in response to concerns regarding the participation of the General Faculty in the Board of Visitor’s decision to extend the current contract of President Merten; and

WHEREAS after discussion and an exchange of views at this meeting, the Rector affirmed that the General Faculty should, indeed, play a critical role in decisions regarding the appointment, reappointment, renewal, or extension of contracts of senior members of the Central Administration as mandated by the Faculty Handbook and in accordance with Handbook procedures; and,

WHEREAS the Rector also reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and shared governance and welcomed input from the Faculty in matters affecting the University;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate expresses its appreciation to Rector Volgenau for endorsing principles involving the General Faculty that are essential to the achievement of a world-class University.

ATTACHMENT C

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Prepared by Minority and Diversity Issues Committee

University Standing Committee - George Mason University

George Mason University promotes a living and learning environment for outstanding growth and productivity among its students, faculty and staff. Through its curriculum, programs, policies, procedures, services and resources, Mason strives to maintain a quality environment for work, study and personal growth.

An emphasis upon diversity and inclusion throughout the campus community is essential to achieve these goals. Diversity is broadly defined to include such characteristics as, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, and sexual orientation. Diversity also entails different viewpoints, philosophies, and perspectives. Attention to these aspects of diversity will help promote a culture of inclusion and belonging, and an environment where diverse opinions, backgrounds and practices have the opportunity to be voiced, heard and respected.

The reflection of Mason’s commitment to diversity and inclusion goes beyond policies and procedures to focus on behavior at the individual, group and organizational level. The implementation of this commitment to diversity and inclusion is found in all settings, including individual work units and groups, student organizations and groups, and classroom settings; it is also found with the delivery of services and activities, including, but not limited to, curriculum, teaching, events, advising, research, service, and community outreach.

Acknowledging that the attainment of diversity and inclusion are dynamic and continuous processes, and that the larger societal setting has an evolving socio-cultural understanding of diversity and inclusion, Mason seeks to continuously improve its environment. To this end, the University promotes continuous monitoring and self-assessment regarding diversity. The aim is to incorporate diversity and inclusion within the philosophies and actions of the individual, group and organization, and to make improvements as needed.

Endorsed by MDIC Members - April 17, 2009
David S. Anderson	College of Education and Human Development School of Recreation, Health and Tourism
Heibatollah Baghi	College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health
Michael Naor	School of Management Information Systems and Operations Management Department
Raja Parasuraman	College of Humanities and Social Sciences Department of Psychology
Halaevalu Vakalah	College of Health and Human Services School of Social Work
Endorsed by MDIC Members – October 8, 2009
David S. Anderson	College of Education and Human Development School of Recreation, Health and Tourism
Flavia Colonna	College of Science Department of Mathematical Sciences
Jeng-Eng Lin	College of Science Department of Mathematical Sciences
Michael Naor	School of Management Information Systems and Operations Management Department
Halaevalu Vakalahi	College of Health and Human Services School of Social Work

Rationale:

The MDIC proposes that the Faculty Senate endorse this Diversity Statement because it believes that while the university does have strength with diversity issues, and that many efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are found, the university still has no overarching statement on diversity. We find that Mason’s mission statement speaks to diversity, but does not define it. This proposed Diversity Statement helps to further define diversity, and the important role that individual units throughout the campus community can play in promoting diversity and inclusion. We believe that, while many localized efforts are occurring, it would be helpful to have a broadly-based foundation for general guidance and support. Further, we believe that this statement can fit nicely into the university’s 2014 Strategic Plan, as well as with the upcoming SACS review. Finally, we see this as an opportunity for the faculty, through the Faculty Senate, to help shape university policy. In short, we see the adoption of a Diversity Statement as a contribution to the overall quality of life on campus.

Inherent in the Diversity Statement is the need to monitor efforts and issues regarding diversity. The statement cites the need for individual units to review their own efforts and needs, and to develop locally-appropriate strategies. Currently, the only formalized benchmarking of progress is found with the Quality of Work Life survey, conducted every three years. The MDIC of 2008-2009 was successful in having additional questions incorporated in this survey; currently, 14 questions combine for three factors to help document a range of issues. This data can be used to identify exemplary areas as well as areas of concern, both university-wide as well as by individual work unit. This could be one source of information to help monitor progress over time. In addition, the MDIC believes that the adoption of this Diversity Statement could be most helpful in creating, identifying, and supporting other initiatives that would be helpful in providing benchmark data to further document progress.

ATTACHMENT D

George Mason University to Undergo NCAA Certification - Oct. 16, 2009

Media Contact: James Greif, [email protected] 703-993-9118

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University President Dr. Alan G. Merten announced today that the university will begin an 18-month, campus-wide effort to study its athletics program that will enable Mason to maintain its certification by the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification. All Division I athletics programs must undergo certification every 10 years.

The university has now entered into the third phase of the review process. The process will provide Mason with an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the core operating principles adopted by NCAA member institutions and to involve individuals across the campus in continuous improvement efforts aligned with those operating principles. Specific areas the self-study will cover are academic integrity, governance and commitment to rules compliance, and issues related to gender, diversity and student-athlete well-being.

The steering committee responsible for the study will be chaired by Martin Ford, acting dean of the College of Education and Human Development and includes President Merten and various members of the faculty and staff, athletics department personnel and the community. A member of the NCAA membership services staff recently conducted a one-day video orientation with the Steering Committee and its subcommittees.

George Mason University completed its first certification self-study in 1994. At the 1997 convention, the Division I membership voted to change the frequency of athletics certification from once every five years to once every 10 years. Thus, the current self-study will be the third in the certification process for George Mason. The last certification was completed in 2001. Both of the Mason’s previous certifications were found without conditions.

While academic accreditation is common in colleges and universities, this program focuses solely on certification of athletics programs. Following a pilot project, the Division I membership overwhelmingly supported the program and its standards at the 1993 NCAA Convention.

The certification program's purpose is to help ensure integrity in the institution's athletics operations. It opens up athletics to the rest of the university community and to the public. Institutions will benefit by increasing campus-wide awareness and knowledge of the athletics program, confirming its strengths and developing plans to improve areas of concern.

Within each area to be studied by the committee, the program has standards, called operating principles, which were adopted by the association to place a “measuring stick” by which all Division I members are evaluated.

Once the university has concluded its self-study, an external team of reviewers will conduct a two-day minimum evaluation visit on campus. Those reviewers will be peers from other colleges, universities or conference offices. That team will report to the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification, another independent group. The committee will then determine the institution's certification status and announce the decision publicly. For institutions that fail to conduct a comprehensive self-study or to correct problems, tough sanctions can be imposed.

The three options of certification status are: (a) certified; (b) certified with conditions; and (c) not certified. While universities/colleges will have an opportunity to correct deficient areas, those universities/colleges that do not take corrective actions may be ruled ineligible for NCAA championships.

The NCAA is a membership organization of colleges and universities that participate in intercollegiate athletics. The primary purpose of the Association is to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body. Activities of the NCAA membership include formulating rules of play for NCAA sports, conducting national championships, adopting and enforcing standards of eligibility, and studying all phases of intercollegiate athletics.

About George Mason University
Named the #1 national university to watch in the 2009 rankings of U.S. News & World Report, George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields. Located in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., Mason provides students access to diverse cultural experiences and the most sought-after internships and employers in the country. Mason offers strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering and information technology, organizational psychology, health care and visual and performing arts. With Mason professors conducting groundbreaking research in areas such as climate change, public policy and the biosciences, George Mason University is a leading example of the modern, public university.

Steering Committee NCAA Certification 2010
Alan Merten	President
Martin Ford	Acting Dean, CEHD	Steering Committee Chair and Chief Report Writer
Maurice Scherrens	Senior Vice President
Linda Miller	Senior Associate Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts	Faculty Athletic Representative
Thomas O’Connor	Assistant Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation, Director of Athletics
Susan Collins	Senior Associate Athletic Director of Student Services	Senior Woman Administrator and Athletic Certification Liaison
Devraj Dasgupta	Student Government President
Lindsay Gray	Student-Athlete Advisory Council President (women’s tennis)
Jevita Rogers	Director of Student Financial Aid	Chair, Sub-Committee on Governance and Commitment to Rules Compliance
Clifton Sutton	Associate Professor of Statistics	Chair, Sub-Committee on Academic Integrity
Corey Jackson	Director of Equity and Diversity Services	Chair, Sub-Committee on Gender/Diversity Issues and Student- Athlete Well-Being
Debby Gregg	Executive Assistant to the Athletic Director	Report Coordinator
Jay Marsh	ICA Senior Associate Athletic Director for Event Management	Campus Contact
John Blacksten	Director, Office of Media and Public Relations
Randolph Church	Former Rector, George Mason University Board of Visitors
Dennis Garcia	Board of Visitors
Kelly Keelan	Student Athlete (women’s soccer)
Sandy Scherrens	Vice President, University Life
Linda Schwartzstein	Vice Provost, Academic Affairs; Vice President, Enrollment Services
Debbie Wilson	Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services
Kathleen Batterson	Senior Associate Commissioner, Colonial Athletic Association