University Senate

MINUTES: FIFTH MEETING of the Executive Committee of the Villanova University Senate for Academic Year 2008-09 on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 in the Rosemont Room, at 8:30 a.m


PRESENT: Dr. Robert Styer, Chairperson; Mr. Walter Smith-Randolph, Executive Secretary; Dr. Sohail S. Chaudhry; Ms. Kelly Rose Maguire; Mrs. Mary Quilter; Fr. John P. Stack, OSA; Mr. Bryan Wagner; Dr. Barbara Wall

ABSENT: Dr. Lillian (Boots) Cassel

Ms. Helen Heron, Recording Secretary

AGENDA

I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 19, 2008 MEETING
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
III. UPDATE ON THE PARKING COMMITTEE
IV. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW STAFF COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
V. AMMENDMENT REGARDING FORMATION OF NEW STAFF COUNCIL
VI. PREPARATION OF THE SENATE AGENDA FOR THE FEBRUARY 6, 2009 MEETING
VII. CONSIDERATION OF SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR THE MARCH 30, 2009 MEETING
WITH THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VIII. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND ARTICLES FOR BLUEPRINTS
IX. NEW BUSINESS

The Executive Committee Meeting was called to order by the Chair, Dr. Robert Styer, at 8:30 a.m.

I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2008
The minutes of the November 19, 2008 meeting were moved for approval as written by
Barbara Wall; seconded by Mary Quilter and subsequently approved.

II. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
• Review of scheduled reports from the Standing Committees for the second semester

• It was unanimously decided that the Senate membership had strongly endorsed the Mission Statement. The Chair of the Senate, Bob Styer, will send a letter to the President of the University stating this. It was agreed that every senator will receive a copy of the Mission Statement at the March Senate meeting.

• The Chair confirmed that the bi-annual meeting of the Executive Committee of the University Senate and the Board of Trustees will be held on March 30, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. in Picotte Hall at Dundale

III. UPDATE ON THE PARKING COMMITTEE
Bob Styer listed the newly appointed members as follows:
Rick Eckstein: Chair Peggy Kivitz
Elizabeth Malinkowski Helen Tursi
Rob Dormish Michael Powers
Elizabeth Blunt David Tedjeski
Deborah Arvanites

IV. UPDATE ON STAFF COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
Election of new officers was held at the first meeting:
Chair: Meghan Mogan
Vice-Chair: Tom Carlin
Secretary: Lorraine Gallagher-Williams
Treasurer: Kevin Noller
Chair, Suggestion System: Teri O’Brien

V. AMENDMENT REGARDING FORMATION OF NEW STAFF COUNCIL

The Staff Council amendment will be presented after the next Board of Trustees meeting. The formal reading is as follows:

The Executive Committee shall consist of the Presiding Officer and the Executive Secretary of the Senate, the President of the Student Government Association, the Chairperson of the University Staff Council, the Chairperson of the Faculty Congress, and the President of the Alumni Association or delegated representative, all ex officio, plus one additional student, one additional staff member, one additional faculty member, and two administrators elected for one year terms by and from the membership of the Senate. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee shall be the Presiding Officer of the Senate.

VI. PREPARATION OF THE SENATE AGENDA FOR THE FEBRUARY 6, 2009 MEETING


INVOCATION –Senator Walter Smith-Randolph

Please turn off all cell phones. Please also place your nameplate at your seat to assist us in identifying all speakers and in building our community.


I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the December 5, 2008 MEETING

II. POWER OF INTERPELLATION (if any)

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

The Chair announced the bi-annual meeting of the Executive Committee of the University Senate and the Board of Trustees will be held on March 30, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. in Picotte Hall at Dundale

IV. UPDATE ON THE PARKING COMMITTEE

V. WELCOME NEW STAFF COUNCIL MEMBERS

VI. PROPOSED AMMENDMENT REGARDING NEW STAFF COUNCIL

The Staff Council amendment will be presented after the next Board of Trustees meeting. The formal reading is as follows:
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Presiding Officer and the Executive Secretary of the Senate, the President of the Student Government Association, the Chairperson of the University Staff Council, the Chairperson of the Faculty Congress, and the President of the Alumni Association or delegated representative, all ex officio, plus one additional student, one additional staff member, one additional faculty member, and two administrators elected for one year terms by and from the membership of the Senate. The Chairperson of the Executive Committee shall be the Presiding Officer of the Senate.

VII. UNIVERSITY ANNUAL BUDGET REPORT:

Guests - Mr. Ken Valosky, Vice President for Administration and Finance
Mr. Neil Horgan, Executive Director for Budgeting and Auxiliary Services
Dr. Wayne Bremser, Chair, Senate Budget Committee

VIII. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS and BLUEPRINTS ARTICLES

IX. NEW BUSINESS

X. ADJOURNMENT


The Annual Report of the Senate Budget Committee will be presented by Dr. Wayne Bremser, Chair of the Senate Budget Committee who will be joined by Kenneth Valosky, Vice President, Administration and Finance and Neil Horgan, Executive Director for Budgeting and Auxiliary Services. Dr. Styer stated that he will contact Dr. Bremser and Mr. Valosky asking if the Executive Committee could receive this report in advance of the Senate meeting.

VII. REVIEW OF QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING ON MARCH 30, 2009 AT 2:30 p.m. IN PICOTTE HALL AT DUNDALE.

TOPICS FOR THE PRESIDENT
What is the retention rate of students returning next semester considering the current financial situation?
How could the University be a greater force for justice and peace in the world? What are some of the initiatives that could take place to enable us to give us more vision and focus?

TOPICS FOR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

How does the current national economic situation in the world today relate to the University?
How can Villanova University take steps in internationalizing the campus? For example, we could start with five or ten scholarships for students from various underdeveloped countries.

Sohail Chaudhry has agreed to submit present a proposal addressing this issue to be presented to the Board of Trustees. In this proposal, he would present examples of people that would benefit from such action.

The Committee decided it would be beneficial not only to have questions to ask the Board, but to have a few brief presentations. It was decided that Bryan Wagner, Student Body President, give an update on the SGA. Dr. Cassel could provide an overview of what the Faculty Congress has been doing.

VIII. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS OR ARTICLES FOR BLUEPRINTS

STUDENT LIFE UPDATE
What are some of the achievements and challenges? Are there ways that we could assist
them in their endeavor?

CENTER FOR MULTI-CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Discussion of diversity issues. Is the current financial climate hampering our diversities?

IX. NEW BUSINESS
There being no further business, the committee adjourned at 9:25 a.m. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.

Sincerely,

Walter Smith-Randolph
Executive Secretary

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