MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE WITH FATHER PRESIDENT DONOHUE, O.S.A. ON
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2006 AT 2:30 PM IN PICOTTE HALL AT DUNDALE

SENATE Executive Committee Members: Dr. Susan Mackey-Kallis, Chairperson; Dr. Debra Arvanites; Fr. Peter Donohue, O.S.A.; Fr. James Flynn, O.S.A.; Dr. Helen Lafferty; Fr. James Flynn, O.S.A.; Father Gary McClosky, O.S.A.; Ms. Mary Quilter; Fr. Donald Reilly, O.S.A.; John Stack, O.S.A.; Mr. Gavin Tulley; Mr. John Stellakis, Executive Secretary; Mr. John Von Euw
1) Has a new Strategic Planning Facilities Committee been formed? If so, what is this committee’s charge?
Father Donohue stated that a formal committee has yet to be established in regards to the construction of the buildings and new flow of traffic – both automotive and pedestrian. Mr. Morro, Mr. Valosky and Mr. Cacciola and their hired consultants will be conducting a survey so that the entire community may have input and impact on the project(s). A company should be selected by the end of the 2006 fall semester. Father also believes that Villanova, as a campus, is growing and everyone should look beyond the Connelly Center for places to build and establish a presence. He also strongly advocated a timeline for both short term and long term projects.
Dr. Mackey-Kallis wanted to know if the formulation of this new committee would impact the timeline for Gary and St. Mary’s. Father indicated that is exactly why he wanted to do this so that we can really look at the buildings and see that we are going to have some empty space to facilitate our academic, faculty and staff needs. He said we really need to create a flow to the movement of bodies when a building is shut down for renovation. This would include the residence life situation as well, which is not really suitable to what modern day students are looking for. He would, at some point, like to form committees that would represent the different constituencies on campus.
Will this committee examine parking needs on campus and also address the current parking "crunch" on campus caused by, among other things, various building projects?
Dr. Mackey-Kallis provided a brief history of the Parking Committee that was formed as a result of a motion passed (# US 0506-1-1) in the Senate in spring 2005 regarding faculty, staff and student parking fees on on-campus parking. Dr. Debra Arvanites, who was chair of the parking committee formed by Father Dobbin in response to the Senate resolution (and who was invited to today’s meeting in order to provide background and expertise regarding this issue) stated that Father Dobbin established the parking committee in order to examine the issue of whether or not there should be parking fees and, if so, to examine the amount and yearly increases in these fees. She explained the final decision that was made by Father Dobbin regarding the parking fee once the committee issued it report in spring 2005. Father Dobbin decided that since parking fee had already been budgeted for 2005-2006 that he would proceed with the fees for 2005-2006, but that he would charge the committee with reexamining the issue of fees and the amount in five years. The Faculty Congress wanted to look into our peer schools and their parking fees. When they looked at the suburban campuses there were no parking fees. They also looked at the urban campuses and, typically, they are landlocked. So the fact that they would not offer parking at all is not really applicable. Dr. Mackey-Kallis pointed out that Drexel’s parking fee is half of our fee. Dr. Arvanites said there was a recommendation of prorating the parking fee for faculty and staff.
Dr. Arvanites said that it had been discussed briefly in the Senate and that they had looked at fifteen different schools and produced a large amount of data regarding parking fees at our "overlap" schools. Dr. Arvanites said she believed that the fee was frozen for the lower wage earners. Dr. Mackey-Kallis feels as though the faculty would be supportive of a sliding scale: one fee for staff vs. another for faculty. The students should expect to pay a fee. Fr. Donohue said that when Dave Mc Nichol gets back with that data he will report to the Senate on his findings.

Could some consideration be given to promoting public transportation alternative? Such as the institution of Septa’s "Transitcheck" program?
Dr. Robert Styer asked whether Villanova would ever considered partnering with SEPTA to participate in the "Transitcheck" program that would certainly alleviate the situation somewhat. Fr. Donohue commented that Human Resources is looking into that matter. The concern would be if it was built into the budget.
2) Would it be possible for the Library to remain open for 24 hours?

Fr. Donohue believes it is a staff issue. John Stellakis said he spoke to Joe Lucia regarding this issue. Joe likes the idea, but there are some obstacles. The library staff just underwent a management change. He commented that they do not need the Library staffed, but just to keep it open 24 hours. The Law School’s library is opened 24/7. Fr. Donhoue pointed out that the Law School’s library is much smaller. There is also the matter of liability and the possibility of vandalism. There would be the issue of security. There is also a staffing issue. A whole other issue is the layout of the building. There should be more places for teamwork. He said that corporations are encouraging team energy in groups and projects, and are encouraging universities to teach in that kind of model. New models create the variety.
John Stellakis said Joe Lucia would like to do an experimental "24 hour library" during finals and the week before finals. Fr. Donohue said if Joe wanted to organize it, then it is his choice. Father said he needs to have it within his budget. He said it would be unfair to Public Safety at the moment as they are understaffed right now to ask them to staff the library during this time. John Stellakis said that Joe Lucia would like to try the program beginning on December 3, but it looks much more feasible for the 2007 spring semester.
3) Has any consideration been given to establishing a location on campus for weekly or monthly informal faculty and staff or social gathering that might provide a venue for the President to meet with community members on a more informal and more frequent basis?
Right now the President is doing a great deal of traveling to all of the Alumni Associations all over the country. Father stated that we have a year to go with all of the Development things going on regarding the Capital Campaign. Finding the time to do it is somewhat of an issue right now. He has instituted it with the senior class and has about nine dates scheduled to meet with them.
Dr. Mackey-Kallis commented that when she and Lowell Gustafson, Faculty Congress Chair, met with Father Donohue this summer, Father had mentioned that he was interested in establishing a faculty and staff social and that it would not be just the President’s venue, but that once established, the gatherings could continue without his presence. Dr. Lafferty felt that such gatherings would be a real boost for the faculty to show that you are serious about them.