Senators Present: Black, Blaisten-Barojas, Boileau, Buckley, Chung, Clements, Elstun, Hamburger, Hammond, Jensen, Kaplan, Metcalf, Mose, Sanford, Spikell, Tabak, Taylor, Thomas, Torzilli, and Zoltek.

Senators Absent: Albanese, Carty, Conti, Crockett, De Nys, Eagle, Fuchs, Fulmer, Gantz, Hurt, Johnson, Lont, Manchester, Manne, Mellander, Perry, Potter, Robbins, Rossini, Ruth, Sage, Sofer, Todd, Tongren, and Wright.

Attending Guests: Cameron Quinn (Law School) and Bill Lash (Law School).

I. Call to Order

The Chair, Anita Taylor, called the meeting to order at 3:02 P.M.

Ms. Taylor introduced Ms. Jennifer Lee. Ms. Lee is serving as Faculty Senate Office Secretary.

II. New Business

Ms. Taylor announced that this special meeting was called for the sole purpose of approving a set of procedures to guide the election of faculty to be appointed by the Rector of the Board of Visitors to serve on the Presidential Search Committee. The Rector has authority to determine composition of the Committee. He has requested four faculty, including one alternate, be recommended for appointment. Section 1.2.5 of the Faculty Handbook specifies that faculty be peer elected.

Ms. Taylor presented the motion from the Executive Committee. (See Attachment A.) She announced that the subsections of the motion would be considered ad seriatim.

Mr. Buckley called for a quorum. Ms. Taylor announced that a quorum was not present; but, according to Robert's Rules of Order, the meeting could continue provided that any actions were ratified at a subsequent meeting at which a quorum was present.

Part A of the motion was discussed extensively. Mr. Buckley proposed that faculty on different campuses elect their own representatives. Mr. Hamburger pointed out the large differences in number of eligible faculty in local academic units (LAU's) on the Arlington Campus as compared to the Fairfax campus. Ms. Elstun questioned whether such "slotting" would be consistent with Section 1.2.5 of the Faculty Handbook. Part A of the motion PASSED by voice vote, Mr. Buckley dissenting.

Part B of the motion was discussed. The Executive Committee and the Nominations Committee combined include eleven Senators. The screening committee will have fewer members when some recuse themselves because they are potential candidates for election. Part B PASSED by voice vote without dissent.

Part B.1 of the motion was discussed. The issue of "slotting" candidates was again raised. Ms. Elstun suggested that faculty serving on the Presidential Search Committee should represent faculty interests in general, rather than parochial interests of faculty within specific LAU's. A general election in which all faculty elect all nominees would help ensure such an outcome. Part B.1 PASSED by voice vote without dissent.

Part B.2 PASSED by voice vote without dissent.

Mr. Boileau assumed the chair for discussion of Part B.3. Mr. Clements suggested that the Chair of the Faculty Senate be designated to serve on the search committee by virtue of office. Several Senators agreed that the Chair should serve, but questioned whether this would violate the "peer election" directive of the Faculty Handbook. There was general consensus that Section 1.2.5 of the Handbook should be further discussed after this election. Part B.3 PASSED by voice vote without dissent.

Ms. Taylor resumed the chair. Parts C and D PASSED by voice vote without dissent.

Mr. Sanford requested guidance regarding information that should be included on the ballot. Mr. Hamburger MOVED and it was SECONDED that the ballot include name, rank and affiliation (by school, college, institute) of each nominee. Mr. Buckley MOVED and it was SECONDED that the main motion be amended to include graduate degrees earned by the nominees. The motion to amend FAILED by voice vote. Mr. Spikell MOVED and it was SECONDED that the main motion be amended to include the designation "Chair of the Faculty Senate" with Ms. Taylor's name. The motion to amend FAILED by voice vote. The main motion PASSED by voice vote without dissent.

III. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

James F. Sanford
Secretary, Faculty Senate

Return to Archives