March 14, 2013
A meeting of the University Council was held on Thursday, March 14, 2013, at 3:00 p.m. on the Medical College Campus in the Larrick Center.
The following members and alternates were present:
Officers: Dr. Beverly Warren, Vice Chair
Administration: Dr. James Coleman, Dr. Nancy Langston, Dr. Christine Walther-Thomas, Dr. Daniel Salandro, Mr. Tom Burke, Dr. David Hanson, Dr. Henry Rhone, Dr. Cecil Drain, Dr. Laura Moriarty
Faculty: Dr. Stacey Dusing, Dr. Gloria Bazzoli, Dr. Allen Lee, Dr. Robley Wood, Dr. Joan Pellegrini, Dr. Raj Rao, Dr. Ramana Pidaparti, Dr. Robert Andrews, Dr. Linda Corey, Dr. Steven Crossman, Dr. Angela Starkweather, Dr. Mary Jane Kennedy, Ms. Denise Branch, Dr. Danail Bonchev, Dr. Maryanne Collinson, Dr. Patricia Cummins
Classified staff: Mr. Jose Alcaine, Ms. Danielle Ransom, Ms. Christine Costello, Mr. Jonathan Orr, Ms. Elizabeth Woodhead
Students: Mr. Joseph Stemmle
Guests: Dr. Napolean Peoples, Dr. Reuben Rodriguez, Dr. Mary Secret, Dr. R. McKenna Brown, Dr. Amber Hill, Dr. Leslie Bozeman, Dr. Mary Slade, Dr. Jan Cheblowski, Dr. Monica Markowitz, Dr. Sue Robb, Ms. Jacqueline Kniska.
I. Minutes of a Meeting held February 7, 2013
The February 7, 2013 University Council meeting minutes were approved.
II. For Action
A motion was made and seconded to approve a proposal to rename the Center for Human Needs to Center for Society and Health.
III. Policies/Proposals for Review
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University Faculty Promotion & Tenure Policy and Procedures – Dr. Mary Secret – The P&T document is in line with Quest and has been submitted to the Provost. It has been vetted by the university community through a number of public forums and will come up for approval at the April UC meeting.
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Conflict of Interests in Research Policy – Dr. Monika Markowitz – The Conflict of Interest policy has been tentatively finalized; there were dramatic changes. It applies to research as well as to all sponsored projects.
IV. Curricular and programmatic proposals
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New degree programs
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Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Community Engagement – Students who are engaged are more likely to be retained.
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Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Global Education – Students graduating with this certificate will graduate with the ability to navigate other cultures in a global community. Certificate programs are not attached to a specific academic program. Certificate of completion is not a degree, they will live in the Provost’s office.
- Closure of degree programs
- Renaming of degree programs
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Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology to Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology and Biophysics – This is consistent with the change in the department name.
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Department of Film to Department of Cinema – This name change will reflect the fusion between fine arts and humanities.
- New dual degree program
- Organizational Changes
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Renaming the School of Mass Communications to the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture – The new name would represent the transformation of mass communications occurring in society and the recent planned gift by alumnus Richard T. Robertson provides a unique opportunity to consider this change.
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Creation of an Independent Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs –An independent school will have a much greater platform and visibility as a stand-alone unit increasing alumni and development support.
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Moving the Brandcenter from the College of Humanities and Sciences to the School of Business – The focus will be on brand strategy and will move the program from Advertising in Mass Communications while maintaining a close link to the Mass Communications program. It will further the university’s initiatives in the area of marketing, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the School of Business.
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Creation of a Department of Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics - The proposal is to divide the Department of Management into the Department of Management and this new department of Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics. The new department allows for better alignment of faculty and programmatic strengths in each unit.
V. For Information
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Code of Conduct – A draft is already out in the VCU community and available online to employees. Leadership is currently soliciting feedback.
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Intellectual Property Policy and Distance Education – The policy is currently being rewritten.
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Updates
VI. President’s Report – Dr. Beverly Warren: President Rao was in New York for the Atlantic 10 tournament but will return to the next University Council meeting. Dr. Warren reported on the Great Place Initiative, which had outstanding support from campus faculty and staff. The next steps will include focus groups and town halls in April. There was mention of faculty and staff salary increases from the state.
