University Council Minutes
11/29/2017 03:30 PM - Tate Theatre, Tate Student Center
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The University Council met on November 29, 2017 in the Tate Theatre. A quorum being present, President Jere Morehead called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
As the first item of business, the
minutes of the September 27, 2017 meeting were approved as distributed.
President Morehead then delivered the following report to the Council:
- The President opened the meeting by stating he hoped Council members enjoyed the Thanksgiving break and are ready for final exams and commencement. The President reminded the Council that commencement ceremonies will occur on Friday, December 15. University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley will deliver the commencement address at the undergraduate ceremony, and Dean Lisa Nolan of the College of Veterinary Medicine will deliver the commencement address at the graduate ceremony.
- Dean Craig Kennedy of the College of Education will be leaving the University soon to become the new Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Connecticut. The President congratulated Dean Kennedy on this new appointment.
- Dr. Sonia Hirt has been appointed to succeed Dean Daniel Nadenicek as the next dean of the College of Environment and Design. Dr. Hirt currently serves as dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Hirt's appointment is effective July 1. The President thanked Dean Nadenicek for his decade of excellent service as dean of the College of Environment and Design.
- The President also congratulated Dr. Michelle Cook on her promotion to Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and Strategic University Initiatives.
- The President stated that Dr. Cook and Assistant to the President Arthur Tripp are currently leading a committee that is reviewing applications for the new diversity grants program that was announced in August. Nearly 40 applications have been received for this program. Successful applicants will receive between $10,000 and $25,000 to support their proposals for the development of new ways to promote the recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented and underserved students at UGA. Funding for this initiative has been increased to $300,000. Grant winners will be announced in the next few weeks.
- Early admissions decisions were announced before the Thanksgiving break and were once again record-setting. UGA has offered admission to 8,000 students deemed academically superior. Their average GPA is 4.11, average SAT score is 1390, and average ACT score is 32. The deadline for regular applications is January 1, 2018, and decisions will follow for all applications in middle to late March.
- Graduation and retention rates at the University are at an all-time high. The freshmen retention rate now stands at 96%. Comparatively, the average freshmen retention rate at other SEC institutions is 88%. UGA's graduation rate remains at record levels as well with 66% finishing with a four year graduation rate and 85% at a six year graduation rate. Comparatively, the average four year graduation rate at SEC institutions is 45%, and the average six year graduation rate is 71%.
- The President reported to the Council in September regarding a significant growth in the productivity of UGA's research enterprise, surging 31% over the last four years. To further illustrate this point, UGA has launched a program to provide additional start-up funding to some departments so they can move forward with the recruitment of new faculty. Also, funding is being sought in the upcoming legislative session for the construction of a $65 million research building that will support the STEM disciplines on campus. Design funding has already been approved, and the design process is underway. The goal is to begin construction next fall.
- The other main budgetary priority that will be emphasized to Governor Deal and the General Assembly is the need for another year of merit-based raises. Salary increases have been provided the last four years. The President stated that he believes steady, sustained raises are the best way to recruit and retain faculty and staff at the University.
- The President stated that there are issues in the proposed federal tax bill that are deeply troubling to many in higher education. The President assured the Council that the University is working diligently to make its views known on this matter. The President called on members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation on Capitol Hill earlier this month and impressed upon them UGA's concern with taxing graduation tuition waivers and stipends and how this would present an undue hardship that would deter graduate students from enrolling, hampering scientific research, economic development, and student education. Further, the President expressed the University's strong reservations about the removal of tax deductions for some charitable contributions that universities receive. The President also discussed the University's objection to treating royalty income from licensing as unrelated business income and the negative impact this would have on the University. These messages are being reinforced by UGA's federal government relations staff, which is at work in Washington D.C. meeting with representatives and senators. Moreover, Chancellor Wrigley has sent a letter to members of the Georgia Delegation in which he has explained the negative impact some of the proposed tax legislative would have on all USG institutions. Specifically, he stated in the letter that the USG currently enrolls nearly 50,000 students in graduate programs, writing "I fear that dramatically increasing their taxes, resulting in higher out-of-pocket costs to attend USG institutions, would serve as a detriment to potential graduate students in the future." The President also stated that the APLU and the ACE are also actively lobbying on these issues.
- Lastly, the President addressed the new procedure for setting the academic calendar. At its October meeting, the Board of Regents approved a new policy to provide clarity and consistency in the administration of the academic calendars at all USG institutions. The new policy states the "President of a USG institution or his or her designee has the authority to set the Academic Calendar for the institution." The President stated that he still desires the engagement of key faculty on this issue as well as some student input. The President stated that this change in policy follows the rather protracted debate in the University Council surrounding the development of UGA's academic calendar that occurred during the last Council term. Those discussions demonstrated how very complicated the development of the academic calendar can be. The President stated he values broad input in this process and trusts that the Educational Affairs Committee is gathering data and speaking with campus constituents as they develop the best options for consideration. Vice President for Instruction Rahul Shrivastav has been delegated the responsibility for recommending the academic calendar to the President for approval. The President has asked Dr. Shrivastav to consult with, and seek counsel from, the EAC in this process. The President informed Dr. Shrivastav, Dr. Mark Farmer, chair of the EAC, and Executive Committee chair Dr. Scott Pegan of this change following the new policy announcement made by the Board of Regents. The President commended Dr. Farmer and the EAC for their collaborative efforts to speak with many faculty, administrators, staff, and students as they have explored various options for the 2019-2020 academic calendar. The President encouraged anyone with thoughts on the calendar to bring those to the attention of the EAC. The President stated his goal is to come to a consensus on the calendar and avoid a repeat of the very divisive process that occurred last year. The President stated he is confident the new system can work while continuing to consider the input of faculty and student representatives on this matter that is of great importance to many individuals on campus.
- This concluded the President's report to the Council.
The floor was then opened for the following standing committee reports:
- Executive Committee, presented by chair-elect Andy Owsiak, substituting for chair Scott Pegan
- Committee on Statutes, Bylaws, and Committees, presented by chair David Shipley
- Strategic Planning Committee, presented by chair David Shipley. The minutes of the committee's meetings are also included.
- University Curriculum Committee, presented by William Vencill, substituting for chair Alison Alexander
- Educational Affairs Committee, presented by chair Mark Farmer
- Staff Council, presented by chair Michael Lewis
- Student Government Association, presented by president Cameron Keen
- Graduate-Professional Student Association, presented by president Johnita Daniel. During Ms. Daniel's report, a motion was made to put on the agenda a proposal for the University Council to endorse a letter written and endorsed by the GPSA and other graduate school associations across the state addressed to the University System of Georgia regarding proposed federal tax legislation and its effect on graduate student tuition waivers and stipends. The motion was seconded. A vote was called and the Council approved placing the proposal on the agenda. There being no discussion on the proposal, a vote was called and the Council approved the proposal.
- Faculty Affairs Committee minutes (submitted but not presented)
The following Action Items were presented to the Council for consideration:
- William Vencill, substituting for chair Alison Alexander, presented the following proposals from the University Curriculum Committee:
The following Information Item was presented to the Council:
- Mark Farmer, chair of the Educational Affairs Committee, presented the following item:
There being no old or new business, the meeting adjourned at 4:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fiona Liken, Registrar
Secretary to the University Council
| University Council Roster |
| Adams, Malcolm |
Jarrett, Carla |
Phillips, Dennis |
| Ahern, Christine |
Jordan, Brian |
Poulsen, Annettee |
| Allen, Wesley |
Keen, Cameron |
Prasad, Gurazada |
| Auer, Matthew |
Kelley, Laura |
Prentiss, Amber |
| Barbour, Suzanne |
Kennedy, Craig |
Reinberger, Mark |
| Biesecker, Barbara |
Kong, Fanbin |
Rhicard, Laura |
| Black, Joel |
Kostovetsky, Kathryn |
Rizer, Jasmine |
| Bliss, Thomas |
Lai, Ming-Jun |
Rosemond, Amy |
| Bray, John |
Lastrapes, William |
Roulston, Kathy |
| Brooks, Kay |
Leigh, David |
Rutledge, Bo |
| Brown, Mark |
Lelito, Hannah |
Saleh, Eman |
| Burke, Kevin |
Leo, Donald |
Santesso, Esra |
| Byers, Rachel |
Lewis, Denise |
Sawhill, Ronald |
| Cade, Jason |
Lewis, Michael |
Scartz, Christine |
| Camus, Al |
Lewis, Steven |
Scheyett, Anna |
| Camus, Melinda |
Li, Changying |
Schuttler, Heinz-Bernd |
| Cheypyator-Thomson, Rose |
Li, Ke |
Secrest, Scott |
| Dahlen, Joseph |
Liggett, Sharon |
Shaffer, Anne |
| Daniel, Johnita |
Liken, Fiona |
Shepherd, Shelley |
| Dellaria, Nancy |
Little, Elizabeth |
Shetterley, Karen |
| DeMaria, Don |
Magnan, Nicholas |
Shipley, David |
| Devaney, Sheila |
Malone, Barrett |
Shrivastav, Rahul |
| Dougherty, Anjali |
Mao, Leidong |
Siry, Jacek |
| Dove, Robert |
Marotta, Anthony |
Slater, Elizabeth |
| Durham, Stephan |
Martin-Williams, Jean |
Smith, Amanda |
| Dvoracek, Douglas |
Masciadri, Milton |
Speakman, Jeff |
| Edwards, Claire |
Mattern, Susan |
Steele, Jada |
| Epstein, Kira |
Matthews, Paul |
Sumner, Maxwell |
| Evans, Jonathan |
McClung, James |
Taha, Thiab |
| Farmerk, Mark |
Medeiros, Patricia |
Thomas, Paul |
| Felt, Anderson |
Michaelis, Vicki |
Tobin, Beth |
| Fox, Linda |
Miller, Deborah |
Tolley, Beth |
| Fresk, Kara |
Miller, Shari |
Tompkins, Mark |
| Gabara, Rachel |
Moore, Mary |
Villari, Caterina |
| Garvin, Chris |
Morehead, Jere |
Vining, Richard |
| Gaver, Jenny |
Munneke, Henry |
Viveiros, Maria |
| Greene, Dale |
Muszynski, Artur |
von Waldner, Trina |
| Greene, Erik |
Naghepour, Roya |
Whitman, William |
| Gupton, Timothy |
Nelson, Scott |
Whitten, Pamela |
| Hamstead, Griffin |
Nesbit, Ryan |
Williams, Jennifer |
| Hansen, Nathan |
Nesbit, Scott |
Williams, Phillip |
| Harman, Ruth |
Nibbelink, Nate |
Williams, Susan |
| Hunt-Hurst, Patti |
Nimkar, Santosh |
Williams-Woodward, Jean |
| Jackson, Chandra |
Okech, David |
Wilson, Mark |
| Jackson, David |
Oliver, Kerry |
Wilson, Victor |
| Jackson, Stan |
Owsiak, Andy |
Yabsley, Michael |
| James, Kevin |
Parker, Kevin |
Zheng, George |
| |
|
Øie, Svein |
| Represented by Proxy |
| Babiarz, Patryk |
| Birch Suzanne |
| Cabrera, Miguel |
| Cona, Kelly |
| Diaz-Perez, Juan Carlos |
| Dorsey, Alan |
| Gomez-Lanier, Lilia |
| Grahan, Toby |
| Grey, Timothy |
| Herist, Keith |
| Holmes, Callie |
| Hoyt, Rob |
| Ivy, Stuart |
| Joye, Samantha |
| Mandal, Abhyuday |
| Meadows, Laura |
| Nolan, Lisa |
| Pardue, Samuel |
| Parks, Andrew |
| Pegan, Scott |
| Richards, Patricia |
| Sweigart, Andrea |
| Zheng, George |