Executive Committee Minutes

02/04/2015 03:30 PM - Peabody Boardroom
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The University Council Executive Committee met on February 4, 2015 in the Peabody Boardroom in the Administration Building. With a quorum being reached, chair David Shipley called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Standing committee chairs in attendance to present agenda items included William Vencill of the University Curriculum Committee and Thiab Taha of the Faculty Affairs Committee. Visitors to the meeting included Stephen Berry, Sarah Covert, Richard Elliott Friedman, Nick Fuhrman, Alan Godlas, Toby Graham, Aaron Hale, Kathy Pharr, Katelyn Umholtz, Joanna Warren, Jace Weaver, and David Williams.

Professor Shipley opened the meeting by informing the Committee that Council member Ibigbolade Aderibigbe has been named to replace Jung Sun Lee as the University Council representative to the UGA Retirees Association.

  1. The minutes of the November 5, 2014 meeting were approved as distributed.
  2. Action Items:
    1. Proposals from the University Curriculum Committee:
      1. Proposal to terminate the degree in Master of Agricultural Extension (M.A.Ext.). A vote was called and the proposal was approved to be placed on the February 18, 2015 University Council agenda.
      2. Proposal for a new major in Religion (Ph.D.). A vote was called and the proposal was approved to be placed on the February 18, 2015 University Council agenda.
      3. Proposal for a new Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Certificate in Digital Humanities. A vote was called and the proposal was approved to be placed on the February 18, 2015 University Council agenda.
      4. Proposal to revise the Environmental Literacy Requirement and change the name from Environmental Literacy Requirement to Environmental Awareness Requirement. A vote was called and the proposal was approved to be placed on the February 18, 2015 University Council agenda.
    2. Proposals from the Faculty Affairs Committee:
      1. Proposal for a revision to the UGA Guidelines for Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure. An extensive discussion occurred regarding the proposed revision to the Guidelines' language regarding absentee ballots, specifically as to how the proposed verbiage relates to the portion of the Guidelines regarding abstentions. In order for the proposed revision's language to be better explained and for the Faculty Affairs Committee to clarify its proposal, a motion was made to table the proposal. The motion was seconded, and the proposal was tabled.
      2. Proposal to change the name of "Distinguished Research Professor" to "John and Joseph LeConte Distinguished Research Professor" at the University of Georgia. A discussion transpired regarding renaming the "Distinguished Research Professor" title in honor of John and Joseph LeConte. Included in the discussion was a dialogue on the criteria required to be named a Distinguished Research Professor and the merits of renaming this title after the LeContes. Also, the committee discussed looking at this award within the larger context of the University's awards structure,with the Provost suggesting that perhaps convening a group of faculty to review and assess the awards structure for professorships should occur and then any potential name changes to awards should be examined going forward. A motion was then made to table the proposal for this reason. The motion being seconded, the proposal was tabled.
  3. There was no Old Business to come before the committee.
  4. New Business: Executive Committee member Roxanne Eberle posed a question to committee members regarding consistency between promotion and tenure guidelines at the department, college/school, and University levels, asking what departments should do if they are seeking to be in line with promotion and tenure guidelines at the school/college level that are not in line with University guidelines. It was suggested that the question be referred to the Faculty Affairs Committee for guidance.

There being no further new business, the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Jan Hathcote, Registrar
Secretary to University Council


Executive Committee Members Present
Peyton Bell
Barbara Biesecker
Bonnie Cramond
Roxanne Eberle
Silvia Giraudo
Jan Hathcote
David Hazinski
Michael Lewis
Rodney Mauricio
Luke Naeher
Joe Nairn
David Shipley
Brock Tessman
Pamela Whitten
Lance Wilder
Jean Williams-Woodward

Executive Committee Members Represented by Proxy
Janet Frick (Steve Miller)
Drew Jacoby (Brittany Arnold)
Marisa Pagnattaro (Jim Carson)