Senators Present: Albanese, Bergmann, Blaisten-Barojas, Boileau, Crockett, De Nys, Deshmukh, Eagle, Elstun, Fuchs, Gantz, Hamburger, Hurt, Jensen, Manchester, Metcalf, L. Miller, O'Connor, O'Hara, Palkovich, Perry, Potter, Rine, Rosenblum, Ruhling, Ruth, Sanford, Sofer, Spikell, Taylor, Thomas, Wood and Zoltek.

Senators Absent: P. Black, W. Murray Black, Carty, Clements, Conti, Fulmer, High, Kaplan, Mellander, Merten, Mose, Muris, Tabak, Wilkie.

Attending Guests: J. Miller (AES), McKalip (Academic Advising), Segerson (UCIS), Zich, (UCIS), Scimecca (Sociology ), Cary (CNHS), Gillette (UCIS), Piccorossi (Modern/Classical Languages), Montecino (English/CAS), Drake (IDO), Burchett (Communications), Hennigan (Vice Provost), Swope (Vice Provost), Rootes (Faculty Senate Office)

I Call to Order

II Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the November 13, 1996 meeting were approved with a clarification to the October 9, 1996 minutes by Taylor. Taylor also reported an error in the Faculty Senate Charter dates as printed in the Faculty Handbook. Charter dates will be corrected in the final version of the Bylaws. I

II Announcements

1. In view of the full agenda the Senate may recess and reconvene Wednesday, December 11, 1996 at :3:00pm in Robinson B113.

2. President Merten has been invited to speak at the Senate Meeting January 22, 1997 concerning the administration's plans to document the need for GLBT funding to the BOV. He has accepted the invitation, indicating there are also other matters he would like to discuss.

3. An information item distributed at the Dec. 2 meeting of the President's Council will be distributed today, courtesy of the Provost Office: a project tracking timeline. It and "The George Mason Plan: Recasting the University," President Merten's annual report to SCHEV about the current status of GMU's restructuring plan will also be placed online on Masonlink.

4. Professor Roy Rosenzweig, who chairs the search for a new VP for Information Technology, would like recommendations of promising candidates from senators. The published announcement is available on the Internet at http://www3.gmu.edu. Prof. Rosenzweig may be reached at 993-1247 or via e-mail at [email protected].

5. Provost Potter and Vice President Scherrens have reported to the President's Council a proposal for a new budget process and schedule. The proposal calls for the establishment of a budget committee that will include faculty. VP Scherrens expressed hope that the Senate will assist in identifying appropriate faculty to serve on the committee.

6. Elstun apologized for the late receipt of the December 4 agenda and promised to do everything possible in the future to ensure it is distributed 7 days in advance, as required by the Senate Bylaws.

7. O'Connor reminded the Senate about the Festival of Lights beginning at 4:30 today at the Johnson Center and urged everyone to attend.

8. Zoltek said the holiday lock down policy for semester break would be distributed via e-mail to all faculty by the campus police.

IV Unfinished Business

A. Administrators' Response on Summer School Salaries
Scimecca summarized the promised meeting (see November minutes) with the administrators. He reported that although not complete, they have reached an agreement in principle. The tentative agreement is based on the current system with added incentives and no caps. Potter emphasized that incentives will be in the form of resources to the departments or academic units, not to individuals. Swope reported that targets will be established by the administration but that deans will have the right to negotiate. Swope indicated that the plan would be effective immediately for the summer of 1997. Scimecca reported that the agreement had been based on good faith from both sides. He said administration will draft the final document and present it to the Ad Hoc Committee. Spikell moved to endorse the agreement in principle as presented. Motion was seconded and passed.

B. Second Reading and Consideration of Changes to the Senate Bylaws
Friendly Amendment by Taylor to correct Charter dates referred to in Section I. Amendment accepted to correct the dates as follows: The Charter was adopted April 3, 1974 by the George Mason University General Faculty, clarified by the General Faculty May 21, 1975 and amended March 22, 1976, December 15, 1987, April 12, 1989, and March 30, 1994.

Spikell proposed changing Article IV section 10 b. to read "these shall be kept in the Fenwick Library." Friendly Amendment by Hamburger to read "University Library" rather than specifying Fenwick was accepted.

New discussion began with Article V. There was extensive discussion concerning changes to the Nominations Committee. The O&O Committee maintained the need for experienced senior senators on the Nominations Committee. Concern was expressed regarding the relationship of the Executive Committee and the proposed Nominations Committee and also about the need to increase participation in the Senate, rather than limit the participation on committees. Palkovich proposed the following amendment to the proposed changes:

ARTICLE 5 Committees of the Senate Section 1 substantive F. The committee on nominations shall consist of one member of the e xecutive committee and four senators each of whom will have completed at least one year' s service on the faculty senate by the beginning of his or her term on the nominations committee. Term of election to the nominations committee shall be one year. Candidates for the four general places on the nominations committee shall be nominated from the floor and elected at the May meeting.

After much discussion, Boileau (parliamentarian) called for the question on the amendment. Amendment was defeated.

Hamburger proposed an amendment that the Chair of the Nominations Committee would not necessarily sit on the Executive Committee. Amendment called out of order by the chair.

Sanford moved that all proposed changes to Article V Section 1 substantive F be deleted. Motion was seconded and passed. The Nominations Committee remains as currently defined.

Friendly Amendment by Sanford to change wording in Section 2 stylistic>B accepted. The section should read "The Nominations Committee shall make one nomination for each available position." Elstun called for a correction of a typographical error in Section 3 stylistic a. Sentence should read " Whenever the Senate shall determine by its vote that the creation of an ad hoc committee or of a new standing committee is a matter of urgent necessity, nominations shall be made from the floor following that determination." Correction made.

The proposed changes to the Senate Bylaws were accepted as amended by a show of hands. A two thirds majority is required to approve. The vote passed with a count of 31-0.

V New Business

A. Senate Committee Reports

1. Executive Committee
Handbook interpretations will be published as an appendix to the Faculty Handbook. The Provost is continuing a search for appropriate academic department placements for programs currently housed with the Provost. In the future, executive committee announcements or reports will be sent via e-mail to save time at meetings.

2. Academic Policies Committee
DeNys announced that the last committee meeting will be December 9. He reported that the committee is still researching the conversion of PAGE to an honors program and that this is still a priority item. On December 9 they will be discussing the University Honor Code and appeals, as well as academic standards.

3. Faculty Matters Committee

Boileau asked that several editorial changes be made to the Motion by the Faculty Matters Committee on Salary Equity. (Attachment A, revised) There was extensive discussion regarding the need for a new standing committee and questioning the results of both equity studies presented at the Open Forum.

At 4:25 Taylor moved to continue the meeting to December 11, 1996. Seconded and passed.

Senators Present: Albanese, Bergmann, Boileau, Conti, Crockett, DeNys, Deshmuhk, Elstun, Fuchs, Gantz, Hamburger, Jensen, Kaplan, Manchester, Miller, O'Hara, Palkovich, Perry, Potter, Rine, Rosenblum, Ruhling, Sanford, Sofer, Spikell, Taylor, Thomas, Wilkie, Wood, Zoltek

Senators Absent: P. Black, W. Murray Black, Blaisten-Barojas, Carty, Clements, Eagle, Fulmer, High, Hurt, Mellander, Merten, Metcalf, Mose, Muris, O'Connor, Ruth, Tabak

Guests Present: Bafundo (University Scholars), L. Lurie, Quinn (Law School), Massie (Media Relations), Urda (Student Senate), Graffius (OASIS), Wilkinson (Student Senate), Rubin (Student Senate), Maddox (CNHS), Liu (CNHS), Rootes (Faculty Senate Office)

I . Call to Order

Elstun proposed a reordering of the remaining agenda to accommodate invited guests. This was accepted without dissent.

V. New Business

B. Other Reports

1. Approval of BIS and BAIS Candidates
D. Bafundo (Director, University Scholars Program) presented a list of BIS candidates to the Senate for approval (See Attachment E). Rine moved that BIS candidates be approved contingent on completion of studies and subject to silent correction. Motion was seconded and passed.

Bafundo also asked that 2 BAIS candidates be added as an addendum to the BIS list. Sanford moved that BAIS candidates be approved contingent on completion of studies and subject to silent correction. Motion was seconded and passed.

2. UCIS
K. Segerson (Director, TCS) presented an informational report regarding the consolidation and improvement of the university's file server environment. Funding and plans are in place to begin conversion over spring break with completion over the summer. All conversions will be advertised to assure smooth transition with minimal disruption.

3. Presidential Task Forces
Potter presented and distributed copies of the GMU project tracking timeline mentioned in the December 4 announcements. Wood discussed the strategic plan review also mentioned in the December 4 announcements. He reported that the task force was charged to develop a set of alternative futures for the university. Consequently, the task force will produce options but not definitive conclusions. The task force options will not preclude initiatives from other university units. Both the Project Tracking Timeline and "GMU Plan- Recasting the Future" will be available on Masonlink.

A. Senate Committee Reports

3. Faculty Matters Committee
Wood withdrew the previous motion (Attachment A, revised) presented at the December 4 meeting. Rosenblum presented a history of the issue as background for continued discussion. Rosenblum explained that while two differing methodologies were used, both equity studies used the same data base. Authors of both reports agree that the database is flawed, and that neither reports attempt to explain the findings. The reports also raised other questions such as the need to construct and maintain an appropriate database, as well as determining the appropriate research design. Rosenblum stressed the need to include part-time and restricted faculty in addition to full-time faculty. In addition to reviewing both reports, the Faculty Matters Committee conducted an Open Forum to discuss the issue of Salary Equity. After reviewing the reports and discussion at the Open Forum, the Committee felt they had two choices, either endorse one report over the other, or recommend a standing committee structured to include expertise in the study areas. Wood then presented a substitute motion (see Attachment F).

BE IT RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate establish a salary review committee as a university standing committee and that the committee be composed of 5 members. The composition of the committee must include members with a knowledge of statistical measures and with a knowledge of university compensation policies. The Faculty Senate shall elect 3 members one of which must be a senator; the provost and equity offices will appoint one member each. The committee shall be responsible for systematically reviewing annually the distribution of faculty salaries at all ranks as identified in Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the Faculty Handbook. The committee is further charged to systematically review salaries by gender, by race/ethnic divisions, and by local academic unit and to examine frequencies of men/women and of members of different race/ethnic categories within local academic units. The committee shall monitor the establishment and maintenance of a database of faculty compensation including all categories and ranks of faculty. The committee shall report its aggregate findings on salary and on the status of the database annually to the faculty senate and provide specific data to the Provost, Deans and Directors, and to local unit administrators.

After discussion Perry proposed a friendly amendment to add the Equity Office as another recipient of the committee findings. O'Hara proposed a friendly amendment to change all instances of the word "review" to "study". She said doing so would remove some of the liability issues for the University and present a more constructive approach to the Administration. Sanford questioned the composition of the proposed committee. Elstun explained that the bylaws allow a university standing committee to include members of the university at large, not just senators. She also clarified that the nominations committee would prepare a slate of three nominees for the Senate to vote on, i.e., one nominee for each position. The other two committee members will be appointed rather than elected--one by the provost and one by the equity officer. Gantz questioned if the committee would be required to analyze the data. Rosenblum answered yes, that was the Committee's intention. All friendly amendments were accepted by the committee. Taylor moved the question. Motion was passed as amended. (See Attachment F)

4. Organization and Operations Committee
No report submitted.

5. Facilities and Support Services Committee
Zoltek had announced the University Lockdown at the December 4 meeting. (See Attachment G for a report of other committee business).

6. Nominations Committee
No report submitted.

B. Other Reports (continued)

3. Diversity Issues Committee
Wood presented a motion from Senators Fuchs, Wood, Rosenblum, and Albanese as follows (See Attachment B)

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Senate expresses grave concern at the appearance of the BOV's undermining President Merten's authority, setting small-scale budget priorities, and micromanaging the University, while targeting a vulnerable portion of the GMU community; and Calls upon the University Administration to reintroduce the question of GLBT resources at the March meeting of the BOV, after having documented via MSA and any other relevant groups whether the increased and unfunded task assigned to MSA can be accomplished with the resources available to it; and Calls upon the Board of Visitors to keep to its claim that it will reconsider the vote in light of any further new information provided to it by the University Administration and community.

Rine proposed a substitute motion (See Attachment C). Boileau (Parliamentarian) recommended that the motion was not germane to the topics of the proposal and should be considered as an additional motion under Other New Business. Chair Elstun so ruled.

The Motion was passed.

4. Senate Liaisons to the Board of Visitors
Ruhling presented a report of the November 20, 1996 meeting of the Board of Visitors. (See Attachment D)

5. Faculty Senate of Virginia
There was no report.

VI Other New Business

Motion by Rine (Attachment C) previously held in abeyance:

Be it resolved that the GMU Faculty Senate condemns invidious discrimination in all its forms, and urges the Board of Visitors and the University Administration to work together to make sure that skilled professional counseling services are available to all students who request them on an equal basis. Sanford moved to refer the motion to the Faculty Matters Committee. Motion to refer failed.

After much discussion concerning the implication of, and availability of "counseling services" to both the GLBT community and other groups on campus, Elstun reminded the Senate that the "whereas" statements are not part of the motion. Thomas questioned if the Senate had already passed a resolution condemning discrimination. Elstun answered affirmatively, and called for the question. Motion was defeated with voice vote.

VII Adjournment at 4:50pm.

ATTACHMENT A REVISED: Motion by Faculty Matters Committee Regarding Salary Equity

Whereas, two university reports have identified several factors contributing to salary differences between females and males so that the complexities of salary differences require on-going study,

Whereas, George Mason University leadership commits the university to a standard of social justice among all faculty and therefore disseminates clear and timely communication to faculty of the outcomes of current compensation practice,

Whereas, solutions and resolutions to inequitable problems of compensation will occur if the will to diagnose and correct inequities is sufficiently strong;

Whereas, compensation practices reflective of social justice principles promotes an exemplar, institutional and industry model in which George Mason University can demonstrate global leadership capacities,

and Whereas, George Mason University needs to be reviewing its compensation practices in the broad perspective of potential differences between racial/ethnic groups as well as compensation practices for different categories of employment such as restricted and part-time teaching faculty,

BE IT RESOLVED:

1. That the Faculty Senate set up a University Standing Committee to systematically review annually the faculty and administrators salary compensation in a variety of agreed upon methodological approaches (such as methodologies for inclusion and exclusion of personnel compensation need to be measurable and consistent with good research practices appropriate to this type of measurement) and to monitor an accurate data base of faculty compensation;

2. That this database include all faculty (full-time, part-time, restricted full-time) in selected categories for particular analyses.

3. That this committee report annually in the spring of the year on the following situations:
a) The compensation means of all local academic units and colleges/institutes;
b) Analysis of specific categories of racial/ethnic groups appropriate to GMU in consultation with the Equity Office.
c) Plot pairs of individuals within local academic units;
d) Analysis of various department groupings that indicate concentrations of females concentrated in lower paying department;
e) Analysis of potential issues such as people stuck in rank, relationships to achievement measures, and salary compression.

4. That this committee identify for the Provost annually a list of individuals, men and women, whose salaries have the appearance statically to merit further review to determine if inequities are present. The Provost will then evaluate that list on a case by case basis.

5. That individual faculty members should have the right to provide the committee with any relevant information about specific conditions.

6. That this committee be composed of five people selected for their knowledge about statistical measures of compensation and /or ability to develop policy and interpretations university activity about compensation. The Faculty Senate shall vote on members for three positions, one of which must be a Senator, and the Provost will select two people.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

1. That the University undertake a review of hiring procedures and affirmative action requirements for all positions, especially among the eminent professors, part-time, and restricted positions.

2. That attention should be paid by responsible administrators to working with Colleges and Individual Local /Academic Units to examine specific compensation practices and procedures.

3. That academic units be encouraged to determine how compensation procedures take place, such academic advisory committees to chairs, dean, and directors.

Whereas, at its first meeting of the academic year the Board of Visitors (BOV) voted to freeze funding in the amount of $15,000 for a stand-alone Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) center, originally approved by then-provost Fred Rossini, pending further information; and

Whereas, on 13 November 1996 the Faculty Senate voted to endorse a proposal for a stand-alone center dedicated to GLBT issues, following on a similar endorsement from Student Government; and

Whereas, in the face of these votes of sentiment and despite having received information about hate crimes committed against GLBT students on campus, on 20 November the BOV voted against appropriating the $15,000 to fund services for GLBT students; and

Whereas, despite the testimony of President Merten, the BOV deemed the present staff, programming, educational and counseling resources in Minority Student Affairs (MSA) adequate for GLBT services as well, pending still further evidence of the "demonstrated rather than perceived" need to fund GLBT services separately or additionally; and

Whereas, the BOV decision represents a rejection not only of the original proposal for a stand-alone center, but of the compromise proffered by Provost Potter and President Merten, to hire a half-time counselor expert in GLBT issues for that $15,000, and to house that counselor in MSA; and

Whereas, MSA has historically not been defined to encompass GLBT students, so that expanding its mission necessitates increasing its budget, as the University compromise was intended to do; and

Whereas, the BOV vote represents in effect an unfunded mandate, in that it adds considerably to MSA's workload without increasing its resources; and

Whereas, the Board's vote also suggests an inclination to oversee University management at unprecedented levels of expenditure and policy-making;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Senate: Expresses grave concern at the appearance of the BOV's undermining President Merten's authority,setting small-scale budget priorities, and micromanaging the University, while targeting a vulnerable portion of the GMU community; and

Calls upon the University Administration to reintroduce the question of GLBT resources at the March meeting of the BOV, after having documented via MSA and any other relevant groups whether the increased and unfunded task assigned to MSA can be accomplished with the resources available to it; and

Calls upon the Board of Visitors to keep to its claim that it will reconsider the vote in light of any further new information provided to it by the University Administration and community.

The Faculty Senate approved a motion at the previous Faculty Senate meeting, November 21, 1996, that supports a point of view where persons of the GLBT orientation could seek care, comfort, advice, or resources. The motion suggested a way to assist GLBT students that supports inclusive/positive attitudes. Staffing a center that professionally works with GMU students who are dealing with discrimination and sexual orientations is important. To be a first class center or point of focus one would assume that there would be a search for a staff with high, profession credentials. For example, does a candidate have advanced education and training in the areas of human sexuality, and is this candidate familiar and practiced in the latest results about human sexuality, discrimination, and the sources of concerns, problems, etc. of our students in the GLBT community and other equally important communities where sexual orientation or discrimination are issues? Studies indicate that some students, like other students we counsel/help, need more than a friendly pat on the back with a few words that say 'you're OK'. One would hope that we could find such staff who could clearly differentiate what is needed in the area of care from some political or social agendas. The existing facilities at GMU have had a good record of giving counseling, advice and care to our students. Why not give them a chance to expand and improve their professional capabilities. Why cannot our students who have chosen a GLBT orientation, or whose environment has moved them into a GLBT orientation, be cared for within an evolving, improving, existing infrastructure. Why do we need a 'stand-alone' center for this? This is a question that some GMU students have asked. Isn't it more financially and professionally sound to have a really high quality multi-faceted, multi-dimensional facility, rather than an expensive, stand-alone center? Look at the way good health care has moved? We are looking at a holistic approach to care and comfort. That is the state-of-the-art approach in today's high quality care, support and resources facilities. Can't we learn from them? Do we have to repeat use of expensive, overly specialized, failed enterprises? One of the ideas that came from President Merten is the concept of integrating talented professionals in our teaching and research environment into multi-faceted, multi-dimensional facilities and centers, and not create any more expensive, overly specialized, narrowly-focused centers. We should not be tempted to fall away from this good idea. The concept of a single, stand-alone facility that is very narrowly focused and narrowly staffed provides isolated care and advice to GMU students. In summary, let's keep working on this GLBT care and support issue but try to keep the very best of what we have to offer in the long run in mind.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the GMU Faculty Senate condemns invidious discrimination in all its forms, and urges the Board of Visitors and the University Administration to work together to make sure that skilled professional counseling services are available to all students who request them on an equal basis.

The George Mason University Board of Visitors Committee Meetings and Board Meeting took place on Wednesday, November 20, 1996 in Mason Hall. The Faculty Senate was represented at the Faculty and Academic Standards, and Student Affairs Committee Meetings as well as the Board of Visitors Meeting.

During the Faculty and Academic Standards Committee Meeting, Vikas Chandhoke, Ph.D. was elected Associate Professor of Biology without term. Clark Tibbetts, Ph.D. was elected Professor of Microbiology without term, Director of the Molecular Bioscience and Technology Institute, and Professor of Computation and Scientific Informatics. Helen Jenkins, Ph.D., College of Nursing and Health Science had the title of "Emerita Associate Professor" conferred upon her. A Board member raised the question of when the process for conferral of emeritus status is started. The Faculty Handbook indicates that it can be started upon retirement (George Mason University faculty Handbook, 1994, Chapter II, Section 2.2.6 EMERITUS STATUS, p.12). The Board member thought it should be possible to start it earlier so that the title is awarded upon retirement. The routine faculty actions regarding appointments, renewals, terminations, etc. were presented and approved.

Committee members expressed concern about the pace of progress regarding resolution of the crisis in business education.

During the Student Affairs Committee meeting, Dean John O'Connor reported on the present and proposed future uses of the Johnson Learning Center in response to students' perceptions of not having privileges to use all the facilities of the building.

Committee Chair DiGennaro reported on a special meeting, which was conducted on November 11, involving members of the committee and interested students. During the September BOV meeting ,this committee recommended that funding for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) Center be placed in abeyance until further information could be shared with the committee, so it was during this November 11 meeting that much information was presented to the committee concerning the needs of students and the fact that the creation of the GLBT Center was in the best interests of the university. Subsequent to that meeting President Merten met with Rector Murray. Provost Potter decided "to place the services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students within the Office of Minority Student Affairs." (Potter Memorandum dated November 14, 1996 to K. Bumgarner and M. Tapscott). The co committee chose to debate and vote on provost Potter's decision. The committee approved his Memorandum sans the following, "The GLBT staff member will be located in Student Union I so that convenient access to other related support services is available."

Shortly thereafter, the Board of Visitors met in the Board Room of Mason Hall. Following the Rector's and President's Reports, the Student Affairs Committee report was presented. Visitor Richards moved that the report be amended to include the entirety of Provost Potter's Memorandum. Prior to the vote, President Merten made a responsible and reasonable request that the Board support the amendment. The amendment was defeated. The original committee report was accepted by a vote of 8Y, 2N. The Board will revisit this issue once it is demonstrated that a need exists which cannot be handled by the staff of the Office of Minority Student Affairs.

Other items presented for review and approval were okayed with minimal discussion. The next meeting of the Board of Visitors was scheduled for Thursday, January 16, 1997 ( a change to accommodate the legislative sessions).

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert O. Ruhling

BIS Candidates

Alzamora, Raymond J.
Avolt, Glynnis R. 
Barbaro, Nick W. 
Bassett, Claudia M. 
Blankenship, Ellen F. 
Sharsky, Carol M. 
Croisetiere, Paula L. 
Dollard, Ann M.  
Dunbar, Warren R. 
Ellison, Alberta E. 
Fabian, Yolanda M. 
Ferguson, Daniel J. 
Garza, Ruth M. 
Giarratana, Melanie Y. 
Huckabee, Chrysti S. 
Kern, Zandra Irene 
Kimble, Beverly J. 
Leatherman, Julie K. 
Mills, Marion B. 
Owens, Cheryl A. 
Page, Stephen R. 
Pettirossi, Deborah J. 
Pine, Patricia D. 
Plues, Linda P. 
Regan, Alice 
Roberts, Tam T. 
Rogan, Kimberly A. 
Roussos, Sarah Lynn 
Said, Amiza S. 
Sullivan, Richard M, III 
Sweeney, Mary E. 
White, Ronnie L, Jr. 
Wotring, Daniel, R.
Wright, Bridgette  

BAIS Candidates
Vanhook, Jennifer
Grosso, Matthew

BE IT RESOLVED that the Faculty Senate establish a salary study committee as a university standing committee and that the committee be composed of 5 members. The composition of the committee must include members with a knowledge of statistical measures and with a knowledge of university compensation policies. The Faculty Senate shall elect 3 members one of which must be a Senator; the provost and equity Offices will appoint one member each. The committee shall be responsible for systematically studying annually the distribution of faculty salaries at all ranks as identified in Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of the Faculty Handbook. The committee is further charged to systematically study salaries by gender, by race/ethnic divisions, and by local academic unit and to examine frequencies of men/women and of members of different race/ethnic categories within local academic units. The committee shall monitor the establishment and maintenance of a database of faculty compensation including all categories and ranks of faculty. The committee shall report its aggregate findings on salary and on the status of the database annually to the Faculty Senate and provide specific data to the Provost, Deans and Directors, Local Unit Administrators, and the Equity Office.

2. A faculty complaint about travel funding. The faculty member was to pay part of the travel fare, but had to pay the full fare in advance, and was not reimbursed until after travel took place. Complaint is related to Travel Office/Airline not accepting partial payment from two sources. (Travel Office has been contacted. Committee waiting for more information)

Old Business:

1. Early Retirement: The committee received the following response from Dr. Potter "We are still pursuing the possibility of an "early retirement" option. Dave Rossell is authoring it, and plans to present it to the president's executive council in January. If approved then, we would take it to the board, probably in March. I would expect it to be offered for a limited time period, and for faculty who qualified on some designated number of years of service at GMU and age. I'm not sure of the other parameters yet, but they would include a period of "reassignment" from teaching to research at full pay or some step-by -step reduction in teaching and pay over a one or two year period."

2. University Poster Policy is now available at the following web site: Http://www3.gmu.edu/facstaff/policy/administrative/54.html

3. Campus Lockdown: See announcement on December 4.

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