George Mason University
Appproved Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting
February 25, 2004
Present: J. Bennett, L. Brown, P. Buchanan, R. Coffinberger,
M. De Nys, E. Elstun.
Chair Jim Bennett opened the meeting at 12:02 am.
I. Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the February 4, 2004 Executive Committee meeting were approved
as distributed.
II. Announcements
The Chair announced that he received an e-mail this morning from Tom Hennessey
which stated: “On behalf of the Rector, I have been asked to advise you
that the Board discussed the issue of the GMU Foundation fees at its February
18 meeting. The Rector has asked that the Foundation Board of Trustees brief
the issue at the Board’s March 17th Meeting.”
III. Resolution on the Confiscation of Fund from Faculty Accounts at
the GMU Foundation
A concern was noted that, although there is agreement on the content of the
resolution, the tone might reflect badly on the Executive Committee and the
Senate as a whole if presented in its current form. It was also noted that tying
together the Comprehensive Campaign and the operating budget shortfall in the
first “Whereas” is irrelevant since endowment and restricted funds
cannot be used for operating expenses.
It was also noted that the explanation sent out from the GMU Foundation (GMUF)
neglected to mention that the loan contract signed by GMUF to build the new
Arlington facility stipulates that GMUF retain a certain level of liquid assets—another
factor in its budget deficit.
It was clarified that there are four issues being discussed, and that the Senate
needs to be clear on which one(s) it is addressing and in what priority:
1. GMUF’s debt
2. The general use of University funds to cover GMUF’s debt
3. Dean Struppa’s memo concerning CAS’s contribution to the remittance
4. Competence of GMUF leadership
GMUF’s possible complicity in Dean Struppa’s memo was then discussed.
GMUF leadership has stated that it was operating in good faith that Dean Struppa
had the implicit authority to take money from grant accounts. It is unclear,
however, if GMUF
knew of the memo in advance of its distribution, if GMUF ever formally accepted
the instructions in the memo, and at what point GMUF began the investigation
into the legality of the memo’s instructions.
It was determined that this is a very complex issue which deserves a lot of
serious thought before any action is taken. Therefore, it was decided that the
special called meeting of March 3rd will be postponed until after the March
BOV meeting. Members of both the Faculty Matters and Budget & Resources
Committees will attend the GMUF Board presentation to the BOV and report back
to the Faculty Senate.
IV. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 12:55 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Debi Siler
Clerk, Faculty Senate