Committee Minutes ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center Drillfield Conference Room 9:00 11:30 a.m.

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1 Attachment A Committee Minutes ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center Drillfield Conference Room 9:00 11:30 a.m. November 5, 2012 Board Members Present: Robyn Jones (graduate student representative), Suzanne Obenshain (Chair), Paul Rogers, Dennis Treacy, Mike Quillen (Rector); also in attendance: Sarah Karpanty (faculty representative) Guests: CatieJo Bianco, Kevin Boyle, Kris Bush, Alicia Cohen, Randy Collins, Leanna Craig, Wanda Hankins Dean, Karen DePauw, Jack Finney, Larry Hincker, Amy Hogan, Don Leo, William Lewis, Perry Martin, Alison Matthieson, Mark McNamee, Jerome Niles, Kim O Rourke, Robin Panneton, Ellen Plummer, Keshia Pyles, Jadee Ragland, Katie Reaves, Karen Eley Sanders, Ken Smith, Susan Steeves, Judy Taylor, Barb Weimerskirch, Ashley Wood, Daniel Wubah, Judith Wubah OPEN SESSION 1. Welcome. Suzanne Obenshain welcomed committee members and guests. Prior to the meeting, the committee met over breakfast with students and employers engaged in Virginia Tech s Co-op and internships program. 2. Approval of Minutes. A motion was made and passed unanimously to approve the September 10, 2012 minutes of the committee. 3. Report of Closed Session Action Items. The committee approved a resolution to move into closed session to consider one emeriti resolution, three endowed professorships, and to ratify the faculty personnel changes report. All resolutions and the report were unanimously approved. The session was formally certified and the committee moved to open session. 1

2 Attachment A 4. Provost s Update. Dr. Mark McNamee, senior vice president and provost, provided information to the committee about two executive-level searches that are well underway. The search for the dean of the Pamplin College of Business has resulted in the identification of finalists who will be invited to campus in December. The search for the vice president of outreach and international affairs will begin soon, with interviews planned for early in the spring semester. Dr. McNamee shared with the committee information about the process by which new academic degrees are initiated, reviewed, and submitted to the Board for approval for submission to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). New degrees originate with the faculty in departments and curriculum committees. Discussions regarding new undergraduate and graduate degrees are driven by institutional plans that are used to initiate discussions and generate ideas. Curriculum committees work closely with the colleges and new degree proposals are introduced to either the Commission on Undergraduate Studies and Policies or the Commission on Graduate Studies and Policies for consideration by University Council. After approval by University Council, the degree proposal is presented to the Board for approval prior to submission to SCHEV. Coordination with SCHEV occurs throughout the process to ensure alignment with SCHEV expectations for degree approval. Dr. McNamee shared the list of new degree proposals expected to come before the Board at the March and June meetings. The committee discussed ways in which Board members might have the time necessary to review documents and ask questions associated with the approval of the anticipated degree proposals. 5. Faculty Affairs. Faculty research leaves. Dr. Jack Finney, associate provost for faculty affairs, reviewed the process by which tenured faculty members apply for research leaves after completing six years of service. Faculty members may apply for research leave to pursue intensive research and scholarship opportunities that advance the mission of Virginia Tech and their professional career. After review and approval by department heads and college deans, faculty research leaves are submitted to the Board in March for final review and approval. 6. Academic Initiatives and Administration. *a) Resolution to Approve the Bachelor of Science Degree in Real Estate. Dr. Kevin Boyle, professor of agricultural and applied economics, presented to the committee information on the proposal to offer a B.S. in real estate beginning in the fall of A six-college offering, this degree will offer courses designed to graduate professionals who are prepared to analyze and solve economic, social, and environmental problems associated with real estate. Strategic reallocation of resources supports current program needs such as the director, administrative support, and operating budget. Private gifts have been identified to support three new faculty positions at the rank of professor of practice. Student advising will be provided by faculty members in six colleges associated with the provision of the degree. The committee requested that a report on the progress of the degree be presented at a future meeting. 2

3 Attachment A The resolution to approve the B.S. in Real Estate was passed unanimously with the request to have a presentation about the progress of this degree by March *b) Pratt Fund. Dr. Mark McNamee presented the Pratt Funds activity statements for the College of Engineering, and Animal Nutrition in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The committee discussed the need to ensure that the colleges use all the funds available to support the needs of the students. The committee requested that it receive a report regarding college plans for fully expending all funds available in the Pratt Fund. The Pratt Fund activity statements were approved unanimously by the committee and will be reported to the full Board by the Finance and Audit Committee. *c) Resolution to Establish the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute (VTCRI) as an Instructional Facility. Dr. Ken Smith, associate provost for resource planning and management, discussed with the committee the intent to provide graduate credit-bearing instruction at to establish an extended campus site that includes the VT School of Medicine and Research Institute, and the Carilion Clinic. Board approval of this request will be shared with SCHEV and with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The resolution to establish a new extended campus site in Roanoke, Virginia was approved unanimously. 7. Inclusive Excellence. Veterans and Military Students at Virginia Tech. Dr. Karen Eley Sanders, associate vice president for academic support services, shared information about the university s efforts to support veterans and military students. As part of the university s goal to support a broadly diverse student body, these support efforts are coordinated university-wide to assist veterans and military students with information, their transition to the university, and to support their academic success. Veteran and military student programs promote the university s compliance with federal and state mandates and advance Governor McDonnell s goal to make Virginia the most military and veteran friendly state in America. 8. Adjournment. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. 3

4 Faculty Research Leaves Jack W. Finney, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Academic Affairs Committee, Board of Visitors November 5, 2012

5 Types of Faculty Leave All Faculty Educational Military Administrative Annual/holidays Sick, Family, Family Medical (FMLA) Leave without Pay Disaster relief Change of duty station Special leave Tenured Faculty Study-research leave Research assignment 2

6 Research Leaves for Tenured Faculty for research and/or advanced study necessary to enhance the competencies of those faculty members to carry out their obligations to the university. Covered by the Commonwealth s Educational Aid for State Employees Tenured faculty members At least six years of service Additional six years required before eligible again A privilege not a right Proposals were due November 1 Approved by department head, dean, and provost Board of Visitors March meeting 3

7 Faculty Activities During a Research Leave Grants Books Journal articles Performances and scripts Installations Innovative research methods National and international collaborations National laboratories National and international archives New courses and pedagogical approaches 4

8 Types of Research Leave Study-Research Leave Two semesters, half salary Research Assignment One semester, full salary For both: Return to Virginia Tech for one year or repay salary Letter of accomplishments 5

9 Research Leaves at Selected Peers University of Virginia - Research assignment One semester, full salary and one semester, no salary Two semesters, half salary Iowa State - Faculty Professional Development Assignment Priority to tenured faculty Full salary for 6 months, reduced salary up to 12 months Penn State - Sabbatical Leave Tenured faculty, six years of service Half-year at full salary, full year at 67% salary 6

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11 Ann Kilkelly, Theatre Arts Living Darwin Mike Hochella, Geosciences Environmental Nanoscience Bill Price, School of Education Outreach and Education in Zambia Giti Khodoparast, Physics Metallofullerenes Leigh McCue-Weil, Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Launch and recovery of unmanned surface vehicles Robert Dunay, School of Architecture + Design LumenHAUS 8

12 9 Questions?

13 Veterans and Military Virginia Tech October 17, 2012

14 Students Using VA Educational Benefits Veterans 55% undergrad/45% grad; 15% female/85% male Military Students VA Army National Guard Military Reserve Force 86% undergrad/14% grad; 17% female/83% male Dependents 95% undergrad/5% grad; 48% female/52% male Total

15 Student Concerns Information Resources available Points of contact Accessing services Transition Entry/re-entry to college and civilian life First-year freshmen and transfer student support in new environment Support Social Health and wellness Academic assistance 3

16 Working Groups Resources Transfer Credit Education & Advocacy Women, Spouses & Dependents Health & Wellness Grants / Legislative Issues

17 Addressing Student Concerns Information Office of Veterans Services Transition Support Orientation Collaboration with Virginia Wounded Warrior Program Faculty and staff training on veteran culture Student Veterans of America, Mentoring/Counseling/Academic assistance Collaboration with Virginia Wounded Warrior Program 5

18 Advancing Governor McDonnell s goal to make Virginia the Most Veteran Friendly State in America 6 Compliance with 2012 Presidential Executive Order 13607, Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions Serving Service Members, Veterans, Spouses and Other Family Members Compliance with new legislation (obligations of active duty military; academic credit for educational experiences in the military) Institutional recognition 2012 GI Jobs Military Friendly Schools List 2012 Guide to Top Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities, Military Advanced Education

19 Veteran Student Voices (L to R: Jaydee Ragland, Grayson Chretien, and Eric Hodges) 7

20 Questions?