MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

OF THE FACULTY SENATE

MONDAY, February 26, 2007; 1:30 � 2:30 p.m., Mason Hall, room D5

Present:� Jim Bennett, Lorraine Brown, Phil Buchanan, Dave Kuebrich, Jim Sanford, Suzanne Slayden, Peter Stearns, Cliff Sutton, Susan Trencher.

Approval of Minutes:� The minutes of our meeting February 12, 2007 were approved; revisions to the minutes of January 12, 2007 were completed.

Krasnow Institute Changes:� Provost Stearns

Proposal to permit Krasnow Institute to hold faculty appointments directly, which the Provost supports:

� Four faculty from Social Complexity plus seven-eight scientists not primarily in cognitive psychology, but working in neuroscience.� Together this combines two vigorous small units too small to merit department status.� To put in Krasnow as most efficient, cost-effective way to obtain organizational framework needed to conduct business.�

� Both inherently interdisciplinary fit with Krasnow, particularly as working with CHSS and COS inter-unit faculty combinations.� The deans of CHSS and COS, as well as the chair of the Psychology Department, concur with this recommendation.�

� Jim Olds, Director of the Krasnow Institute, will appear and explain proposal at March 7^th Faculty Senate meeting, as Provost will be away.� Hopes to present to BOV at its meeting March 21^st.

Discussion/Questions

� Would this proposal make Krasnow Institute degree-granting?

No, degrees would continue to be housed in other units and administered by faculty in other units, as handled now.� Significant contingent in Psychology, COS, and IT&E; an inter-unit program with little unit in Krasnow.� Reorganization of existing faculty:� no imminent hires, but (could be some) in Psychology and Neuroscience.� Krasnow to be a department equivalent re hiring, second level tenure review by Krasnow and additional faculty as needed.� First and second level reviews would not have the same people.� In present second level review, faculty recuse themselves if part of initial review.

� For purposes of Faculty Senate (allocation), would Krasnow faculty be disenfranchised?

No, because they are pooled with ICAR for FTE.

� Is there a plan for degree programs in Krasnow?�

Only inter-unit degree programs now in force.� Enrollment targets for Krasnow not yet discussed.

� Would faculty members be moved to Krasnow?� Why is it necessary to do this?

There are now seven-eight faculty logically in the College of Science � Neuroscience.� Not enough to pay for them to have department status; virtually associated with Krasnow now.�

� �Social Complexity� defined as Computational Social Science.

Executive Committee Meeting with Faculty Representatives to BOV Committees today:

� How do they communicate to the faculty as a whole as they are not Faculty Senate representatives?� They were elected by the general faculty.

� Should they report to the Executive Committee?� Offer statements to the Faculty Senate throughout the year?

� Election process next year � to stagger terms?

Senate Standing Committee Reports/Agenda Items

Academic Policies:� Cliff Sutton

� Motion:� Absence for Religious Observances or Participation in University Activities:� revised draft distributed.

� Report:� M-W-F Scheduling Changes � Julie Christensen to give a brief oral report; to be posted on website.� Dee Holisky (Sr. Associate Dean � CHSS) says �no opposition� to this.� All has been considered; recognizing there is a downside to this.

• (Earlier) changes made to General Education Program in which more full-time faculty participate in 100-200 level courses.� If 60% must be scheduled M-W-F, will drive full-time faculty away.�
• Classroom Advisory Committee advisory to Space Utilization Committee.
• FTE concerns:� If department cannot fill M-W-F slots, may lose FTE.� Also problem that students may choose T-TH courses in other departments over M-W-F courses; a reason why one department stopped offering Friday class slots.� Cliff responded T-TH seats will be limited.
• When a class is cancelled, will faculty �owe� university a course?� Will full-time faculty be bumped by adjunct faculty?� Concerns should be addressed to Classroom Advisory Committee.
• In some basic and large General Education courses (300 students), quality of educational experience� will decrease, �settling down� for� three instead of two sessions.� This observation is based on many years� teaching experience.�
• Where M-W-F classes may be smaller, student absence more noticeable.�
• Some students work and do not wish to come to campus a fifth day, some faculty prefer two day teaching schedules; energy savings in transportation costs.
• Much is student driven � will see more students at 3:00 p.m. than at 9:00 a.m.�
• Freshman composition classes and foreign language classes better to meet thrice weekly.
• SCHEV may think we are under-utilizing classroom space.�
• As freshmen get last choice in scheduling, they may choose all M-W-F classes.
• Could we have a three-hour class schedule on Friday?�
• Not sure there�s a viable plan B.� Students will vote with their feet.�

Other AP Committee work ongoing:� summer scheduling (Jim Willett); same paper submitted to two different classes (Dan Joyce); and overlap of credits in double-majors (Peter Pober researching what other Virginia universities do).

Budget and Resources � Phil Buchanan

Requests Provost�s assistance in posting of salary data � requires technical expertise beyond instructions we have unsuccessfully tried to carry out.

Faculty Matters � Jim Sanford

Motion:� Employment of Family Member/Partner includes new statements:

� �Appearance of exercising control� includes but is not limited to assigning responsibility for personnel actions or supervision to a colleague or subordinate.� � different from other Virginia university draft policy.

� In situation with two deans in which one has a family member applicant, the other dean could not take charge or charge a subordinate � decision must go to the Provost.

� New final sentence:� �Only after the Board is satisfied that the present policy was implemented and that safeguards were adequate should the personnel action be approved.�

Nominations � Jim Bennett

Jose Cortina (CHSS) nominated to serve on Policy Task Force Considering Clinical Faculty.

Old Business:� Copyright Policy � Suzanne Slayden

Two faculty members (representatives to the Copyright Policy Committee) adamantly opposed to some parts of policy.� One has asked to give a ten-minute power-point presentation.� �Significant Use of Resources� issue irreconcilable.� Recommendation not to disapprove entire policy, rather write exceptions to certain provisions as a separate document for presentation to the BOV.� Concern expressed about lack of time in which to vote on such an important policy.� Suggestion made to ask for summary of power-point presentation noted above to be distributed in advance of meeting, as well as to remind faculty to carefully consider this in advance of meeting.� Deans� positions on proposed policy unknown.

Other Agenda Items:�

• Rector Dewberry will attend March 7^th meeting.
• Carrie Meyer of Green Education Task Force will give a brief report.

Report on Virginia Legislative Session:� Provost Stearns

The budget has been tentatively approved, subject to governor�s approval.� GMU received � E&G(?) funding request ($1.2 million/not $2.4 million requested), did not fare as well as some universities.� Lack of evenhandedness very troubling.� Now gearing up for biennium budget next year; not happy with lobbying firm�s performance.� Too much effort directed towards governor, need to deal (more) with Northern Virginia delegation.� We need more presence in Richmond.�

A member of the Executive Committee expressed concern about impact of transportation bill endangering funding for education and public safety; surprised some in local delegation voted for bill; or failed to vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Meg Caniano

Clerk, Faculty Senate