GEORGE
MASON UNIVERSITY
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FACULTY SENATE
Robinson
Hall B113, 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.
Senators Present: Ernest Barreto, Sheryl Beach, Jim Bennett, Alok Berry, John Cantiello, Yvonne Demory, Betsy DeMulder, Robert Dudley, Susan Hirsch, Mark Houck, Linda Monson, Jean Moore, Star Muir, Paula Petrik, Frank Philpot, Peter Pober, Jim Sanford, Suzanne Slayden, Ray Sommer, Thomas Speller, Peter Stearns, Susan Trencher, Nigel Waters, Phil Wiest, Stanley Zoltek.
Senators Absent: Heibatollah Baghi, Doris Bitler, Jack Censer, Vikas Chandhoke, Rick Coffinberger, Lloyd Cohen, Jose Cortina, Maggie Daniels, Nicole Darnall, Kelly Dunne, Daniel Garrison, Mark Ginsberg, Jack Goldstone, Lloyd Griffiths, Jorge Haddock, Frances Harbour, Margret Hjalmarson, Dimitrios Ioannou, Dan Joyce, David Kuebrich, Howard Kurtz, Alan Merten, Adam Mossoff, Janette Muir, James Olds, Daniel Polsby, William Reeder, Earle Reybold, Edward Rhodes, Pierre Rodgers, Joe Scimecca, Suzanne Scott, June Tangney, Eva Thorp, Shirley Travis, Iosif Vaisman, Harry Wechsler, John Zenelis.
Visitors Present: Rizna Ahmed,
Director, Benefits and Absence Management, Human Resources/Payroll; Deborah Boehm-Davis, Professor and Chair,
Psychology; Delegate David Bulova; Esther
Elstun, Professor Emerita, Modern and Classical Languages; Dolores Gomez-Roman, University Ombudsman;
Betty Jolly, Director, State Government Relations; Linda Harber, Associate Vice President, Human Resources and
Payroll; Reuben Jones, Academics Editor, Connect2Mason.com; Della Patrick,
Staff Senate Liaison; State Senator Chap Petersen; Joy Taylor, Director, Learning Support Services, DoIT; Patrice Winter,
Life Planning Coordinator/Asst. Professor, CHHS.
Note: Only business included in the agenda can be transacted at the Special Meeting.
I.
Call to Order: The meeting was
called to order at 3:01 p.m
II.
New Business
Chair Peter Pober announced that in response to an invitation from the Faculty Senate Representatives to the Virginia General Assembly Senator Chap Petersen and Delegate David Bulova, are present and following introductory remarks, will address questions submitted in advance and then from the floor.
The meeting is intended to provide an opportunity for faculty to learn more about the legislative process, what they can do to support the interests of the University at the state level, as well as about our legislators’ roles on behalf of George Mason University in the past session
Chair Peter Pober
then welcomed Delegate Bulova and Senator Petersen. Professor Deborah Boehm-Davis, Chair of the
External Academic Relations Committee, presented a list of questions collected
from faculty and compiled by the committee. Copies of the highlights of the
2011 session were distributed by Representative Bulova and Senator Petersen.
Opening Remarks: Delegate David Bulova
Delegate Bulova
serves on the Higher Education Committee in the House of Delegates, which has 7
members. Much of the time in the past
session was spent engaged in the process of working out redistricting plans,
none of which had carried by the end of the session. It is possible that this
process will end up in court. (Bulova’s district includes areas of Fairfax out
to Centerville, including GMU but not some of the proximate areas to the east,
e.g. Mantua). There are only 7 on the subcommittee to understand all the
different issues.
Overall progress has been made toward new funding for higher education in
Virginia, but this in the context of serious erosion of earlier efforts to fund
higher education. For example, William
and Mary, previously 50% state funded, is now at 20% state funded. This year progress was made toward getting a
more stable plan in place. In past several years GMU was willing to accept
in-state students and continue to grow, thus got the lion’s share of available
funding compared to other state institutions
On the subject of
Virginia Retirement Systems (VRS): State
has really missed the mark in long-term funding of program. There is a lot going on in the General
Assembly that moves toward dismantling VRS over time. There is concern that if
we dismantle it too much, we’ll lose it forever. In current system, the state maintains
long-term risk. There has been a recent proposal to take state contribution
from 10% to 8%. GMU/UMW/NOVA push hard
to attract and retain faculty, studying and are looking at peer groups. A study will come out in late fall-early
winter. Representative Bulova requested (on behalf of himself and Senator
Petersen) that faculty to provide input they want passed to SCHEV.
Upcoming trends:
There is increased interest in investing in private universities to take
pressure off public universities.
For-profit higher education institutions are also a subject of
discussion re regulations and standards.
Issue of physical capacity of campus. Delegate Bulova reported that Governor
McDonnell wants 24/7 use of campuses/university; including shared resource
technologies, e.g. a professor at one college using videos rather than several
similar arrangements. Caution in proceeding on these issues is called for.
Delegate Bulova
invited faculty to contact him and reiterated his willingness to meet with them
one on one.
Opening Remarks:
Senator Chap Petersen
Re redistricting: In
agreement with remarks from Representative Bulova about the turmoil surrounding
efforts to redistrict. Senator Petersen noted that Governor McDonnell had
vetoed two plans presented by the legislature.
Some people think the result will be that the courts will pick out a
plan which may result in different set of options.
Senator Petersen,
who has a long history of involvement with GMU, noted that the model of Higher
Education is literally changing before our eyes. People are coming to the U.S. to enroll in
colleges and universities to get immigration (status) and bring other members
of the family to the U.S. In his view the state has to be flexible, but it is
also clear that while the state will fund capital costs, there will be no
return to 40% funding. The new model is
much more diversified. Our public
universities need to stand out, better than our competitors and along these
lines, GMU has risen to point as a first choice university.
Re VRS: The model
for pension plans has changed. Everybody
has defined contribution plans. State
workers by and large (earn) lower salaries than private sector workers and have
been compensated by better benefits. We
did back off the 5% contribution by including a 5% salary increase.
In regard to
salaries: Universities have to pay for top talent. We have to pay for top talent. Since there is not state money, we have to
put up money ourselves. Senator Petersen
sponsored a bill to post (state) salaries on the internet. Some salaries are frozen, some are not. There needs to be communication where people
are not afraid to talk to authority.
QUESTION-ANSWER
Professor Boehm
Davis: Questions to Representative Bulova and
Senator Petersen from the faculty included questions re VRS issues, faculty
salaries, faculty expertise.
A group of faculty
has been asked to study retirement issues and wondered if the delegates would
support us in our request. For instance:
open enrollment system in which changes in choice of retirement system could be
made.
Senator Petersen asked if study included information about
affect on solvency of VRS
Professor Boehm
Davis: Affect on long-term
solvency is unknown, but possibility of swapping involving a payout/solution is
worth considering in the face of change in life situations.
Issue raised: People
are looking at 5% pay increases factored into raises for future. So people might want to make different
choices.
Senator Petersen Different groups may seek different
options. For instance, delegates met
with the firefighters union, they were against defined contributions. Professors may want defined contributions.
Professor
Boehm-Davis: Question not so much with defined
contribution (or) defined benefit plan, more inequities for 5% raise. Because we are 9-month employees, benefits
not taken out. People will earn different
amounts. 5% is a real raise for some
salaries. This creates problems for
Chairs trying to decide raises.
Professor Boehm
Davis: When you visited us
before you mentioned that the ARRA money was providing some security. Now that the AARA money is gone, what is the
situation?
Senator Petersen
and Delegate Bulova: We
(state of VA) took in neighborhood of $2 billion, about half went to Medicaid,
backfilled some money to higher education, but backfilled more into K-12
education. We relied on that money not
to raise taxes; did not have a catastrophic drop (in funding). We are in a completely different landscape
than 2-2 ½ years ago. FY 09, 10 negative
growth. There was 4% growth in FY 11,
revenues going up. We are coming back in
the Northern Virginia real estate market, unlike southern Virginia. Moving toward self-sufficiency at state
level. (Tax) Receipts are $1-2B higher
than recession, hopefully this will help to balance out. Hope that the cliff wouldn’t be so steep, but
not expected that we would be able to avoid a dip altogether. Into the next
budget year, where you had some relatively draconian cuts – rather than a
15-20% cut, was more like 5-7% cut for higher education. Not a great situation, but could be
worse.
Professor Boehm
Davis: What things could faculty members do to help
you in advocating for us, either during or between legislative sessions?
Senator Petersen:
First of all, continue what you’re doing right now, for example, the
pension issue. Meet with your representatives
individually, let us know your opinion on issues – try to get person-to-person
contact. In some areas delegates do not
receive feedback.
Delegate Bulova: Three things: If we don’t hear from you, we don’t know if
something is an issue. To get more than
3,4 issues on an email is difficult to engage. Constituencies are best
resources. Bills we introduce are from
constituents. I have to make the
decision whether to introduce a bill, a lot of times take it and run with
it. Noted Betty Jolly, as GMU’s
full-time representative at the General Assembly; a better situation than
previously when GMU used a lobbying, consulting firm. If we can get on the same
page, so Betty can carry a message, becomes a very powerful tool. We’re there for two months/year, but we
continue studying throughout the year.
JLAR, SCHEV, COLA reports are generated when we’re not in Richmond. Asks that people get in touch if there are. Let us know if there are things you want to
be involved with. If you are interested
in having a study done on an issue, let us know (so that we may request a
study).
Senator Petersen: A lot happens in Richmond. The.
Budget is put together by professionals; about 90% is completed before
December. At the Senate Retreat, all the
revenue numbers are reviewed; discussion held about needs. A lot of big issues are addressed at
session. Re University issues,
important to remember that there are four groups here: Students,
administrators, faculty, and neighbors and that not everyone is in agreement
about best practice or choices.
QUESTIONS FROM
THE FLOOR
Question 1: Debt
is going to be a really major issue at all levels of government. I am concerned about unfunded federal
mandates to the state, as you see in Maryland counties. Thinks we have not seen
anything like what we will see in the next 5-7 years. Article VIII, Section I
requires each locality to (fund) education for each school child. There are times government tries to increase
its influence, but there are those who will push back. Some mandates have run their course. Our debt in Virginia is far less than typical
(for) states. Suggests going to
self-paying mode for roads and transportation.
Delegate Bulova:
Agrees it is a huge national issue.
Proud that the Virginia model is to have a balanced budget. Debt in Virginia is for capital projects, not
for operations. Noted that there are things over the last few years which are
of particular concern: e.g. protection of VRS; issues of accelerated sales tax
that make things tough on business (most of this was shifted in last session;
push issues for Virginia because no federal funding partner, What will push
issue for Virginia – because you won’t have federal partner for funding. The Dept. of Justice review of
Treatment/Training Centers means that Virginia is under the gun; have to
provide millions of dollars to support people with intellectual disabilities if
we’re not to go back to the 1960s model. There’s also the Chesapeake Bay clean
up: The EPA is using the Federal Clean
Water Act requiring clean-up, not withstanding what it will cost. It’s the right thing to do, but it represents
an enormous hurdle. We also need to protect our local governments – need to
give them tools and provide adequate funding.
Question: What about
tax increases, also known as “raising revenue”?
Have there been ideas about raising revenue of various kinds?
Senator Petersen: Not at this time. I was in the House of Delegates in 2004 when
the sales tax was raised and eliminated some loopholes. $1Billion more revenue/offset reduced car
taxes by about $1Billion; they about matched.
In Fairfax City we get the best deal, we get better yield on this
here. In the Special Session 2008 a bill
was passed on a party-line vote to raise the gas tax one cent/per year for five
years and raised the sales tax for transportation funding. I voted for the bill because I thought it was
a good deal for my constituents, but the bill was killed in the house. The last major revenue bill was in 2005; Tim
Kaine proposed a 1% tax increase.
Otherwise, incremental bills here and there. I put in a bill to index gas tax differently that would raise $150 million for
transportation; Right now we’re taking
general funding, but haven’t increased the revenue stream.
Delegate Bulova: The Governor has said he would veto an
increase in the gas tax, but we need to adequately fund transportation.
Delegate
Petersen: There is a
consistent percentage of each dollar (about 10 cents) for taxes raised by the
state; about 20 cents per dollar in federal tax. But the allocations of monies
need to be shifted; for instance, in my view in Virginia we spend too much money on prisons, not
enough on mental illness. There ought to
be a five-year review of loopholes and incentives.
Delegate Bulova: It
would be useful to be able to show that there are tangible benefits to these
incentives to make better decisions about their worth.
Comment and
Question: Thank you for coming to the aid of local
citizens in the initiative to bring the Fairfax City tank farm up to higher
standards. Question about ways in which the university can have a more level
playing field when bidding for projects in Richmond which often go to local
profit making consulting firms. No fair hearing of alternative bidders given
local networks.
Delegate Petersen: The written RFP must have specific
details. You could file a grievance.
If you file a grievance they have to show you
how they rated it.
Comment and
Question: Globally, U.S. and
Virginia gas taxes are very low, as are the local alcohol taxes. U.S. incarceration rates very high instead of
fines. European countries – day fines –
you lose one day’s salary, which would help keep incarceration rates lower. I receive emails from people in the state
that I ignore because I don’t agree with them, but would be interested in
replying to emails from the two of you.
Delegate Bulova: The
high incarceration rate is a real problem for Virginia; it’s very
expensive. The question is: What are you trying to get out of it? A new bill was passed establishing veteran’s
courts. Statistically about 20% of
solders return with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries. Often they don’t seek treatment until
something bad happens. This is not a good practice, but in Virginia we are very
proud that we able to pass a bill that provides courts for veterans that help
to avail them of services.
REQUEST FROM DEBORAH
BOEHM DAVIS FOR CLOSING COMMENTS
Senator Petersen: Noted
he is up for re-election. Grew up here
and is aware of all the talented people who come to Fairfax County to educate
their kids, start businesses etc. Finds
it incredibly exciting to represent constituents in this area; seeks to listen
and learn; and encourages people to stay involved, and hopefully vote for him
in November. Incredibly exciting for me
to represent this area. I have always
tried to listen to people, encourage you to stay involved, participate, and
hopefully vote for me.
Delegate Bulova:
Amazing to represent such a dynamic community – GMU very important to
greater development. Does not go down there alone, his job is to listen and to
facilitate…I am your delegate whether you live near here or not. He has (served in the General Assembly) for
six years and hopes you will be part of process.
Deborah Boehm Davis
thanked Senator Petersen and Delegate Bulova for coming to the Faculty Senate.
Betty Jolly praised
the work that both the Senator and Delegate do in Richmond, and noted that they
are consistently interested in representing the interests of the University and
the university community.
III
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at
approximately 4:10 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Susan Trencher
Secretary