University Council Minutes
02/24/2021 03:30 PM - Online, Zoom Webinar. Please email univcouncil@uga.edu for information.
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The University Council met on February 24, 2021, at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom Webinar. A quorum being present, President Jere Morehead called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m.
President Morehead asked Council Parliamentarian Usha Rodrigues to provide a reminder to members of how voting and discussion would be conducted during the meeting.
As the first order of business, the president asked for a motion to approve the
minutes of the November 18, 2020, meeting. A motion to approve was made by Jean Martin-Williams and seconded by Stuart Ivy. A vote was called, and the minutes were approved with 165 in favor and 1 abstention.
President Morehead delivered his report to the Council:
- The president began his report by recognizing several senior administrators who have recently assumed new roles at the University and congratulated them on their appointments:
- Qiana Wilson is the new director of the Equal Opportunity Office and UGA’s Title IX and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator.
- Josh Brooks has been named the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics. Darrice Griffin will serve as our new Senior Deputy Athletic Director.
- On January 1, Nick Place began serving as the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
- Barkley Barton II will join UGA as the new Director of Undergraduate Admissions on May 1.
- Dean Linda Kirk Fox of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences is retiring later this year. The president stated his appreciation to Dean Fox for her leadership of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences over the last decade. Provost Hu announced a 14-member committee, that will be led by Dean Kelly Smith, appointed to conduct a national search for the next dean of the college.
- The president offered his deepest gratitude to the UGA community for its efforts to ensure a successful fall 2020 semester. The president was grateful to everyone for responding to the challenges of the fall semester with remarkable flexibility, determination, and creativity.
- On December 18, UGA conducted its first ever virtual commencement, and over 4,400 graduates were welcomed as new alumni.
- Since the spring semester began, UGA has continued to make progress in stemming the spread of COVID-19. Case numbers and positivity rates from surveillance testing have declined significantly. In addition, the surveillance program is transitioning to a saliva-based test that is less obtrusive – yet just as accurate – as previous methods, and UGA is now offering 1,500 tests at Legion Field and pop-up sites throughout campus. The president urged everyone to take advantage of this resource.
- Applications for first-year admission continue to soar. More than 39,000 applications were submitted prior to the January 2021 deadline. This represents a rise of almost 38 percent over last year and an 80 percent increase since 2014.
- Two committees continue to work steadily to secure UGA’s reaccreditation in 2022. The Reaccreditation Compliance Committee is generating narratives that demonstrate our compliance with SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation, while the QEP Development and Implementation Committee is crafting UGA’s next Quality Enhancement Plan, which will focus on active learning.
- UGA will welcome its newest Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar, Dr. Robin Buell, in the fall. Dr. Buell will hold an appointment as professor of crop and soil sciences in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, where she will serve as UGA’s 20th eminent scholar and 8th since 2015.
- In the fall, Dr. Buell will be joined by yet another Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar, who will hold the Johnny Isakson Chair for Parkinson’s Research, an endowed chair honoring the former U.S. Senator and UGA alumnus. The search for the Isakson Chair has been completed as the first stage of a Presidential Cluster Hiring initiative, which aims to recruit five faculty members in the areas of brain and behavioral health. A public announcement regarding the search is expected soon.
- Construction on the first phase of the I-STEM research complex continues toward completion this fall, and construction of the adjacent second phase is now underway.Phase 3 renovations to the Driftmier Engineering Center are scheduled for completion this year, as well. Last month, the Innovation Hub opened on North Campus as the newest development in the Innovation District initiative.
- The General Assembly is back in session, and the House and Senate are in the midst of budget deliberations. The Governor's recommended budget includes several items that are top priorities for UGA, including funding for credit hour growth; funding for equipment to support Phase II of the I-STEM research complex; funding to renovate and modernize research and innovation space on and around Science Hill; funding for construction of a multidisciplinary greenhouse project; and funding for a new Poultry Science Complex, which has been in the design and planning phase for the past year. The Governor has recommended $70 million for major repairs and renovations at USG institutions.
- The president closed his report with an update on efforts to foster a more diverse and inclusive campus community. The Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community has completed its work. The Task Force has produced several additional recommendations that have been approved, including the installation of campus markers to recognize the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council; the establishment of a diversity, equity, and inclusion student advisory board; and the endowment of the Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander Inclusive Community Award to recognize faculty members who exemplify excellence in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness at UGA. In addition, the 60th Anniversary of Desegregation kicked off on January 9—the date in 1961 when Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter enrolled at the University of Georgia—with a special bell-ringing commemoration at the Chapel.
- This concluded the president’s report to the Council.
The floor was then opened for the following reports:
The following action and information items were then presented to the Council for consideration
- Chair John Maerz presented the following proposals from the University Curriculum Committee:
- Proposal to deactivate the major in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development (Ph.D.) at the Gwinnett campus only. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 164 in favor and 4 abstentions.
- Proposal to terminate the major in Soil, Water, and Environmental Sciences (M.S.). A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 170 in favor, 1 against, and 4 abstentions.
- Proposal for a new Institute for Sports Media. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 163 in favor, 4 against, and 7 abstentions.
- Proposal for a new minor in Biomedical Physiology. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 168 in favor, 1 against, and 4 abstentions.
- Proposal for a new major in Biomedical Physiology (B.S.). A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 170 in favor, 2 against, and 4 abstentions.
- Proposal to offer the existing major in Marine Sciences (M.S., Ph.D.) at Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 169 in favor, 1 against, and 2 abstentions.
- Proposal to offer the existing major in Pharmacy (M.S., Ph.D.) with an Area of Emphasis in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics in Augusta. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 175 in favor and 3 abstentions.
- Proposal for the following changes in the Mary Frances Early College of Education. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 172 in favor and 3 abstentions:
- Change the name of the Department of Mathematics and Science Education to the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
- Move the administrative home of the Social Studies Education Program from the Department of Educational Theory and Practice to the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
- Move the administrative home of the Social Studies Education Program faculty from the Department of Educational Theory and Practice to the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
- Move the administrative home of the major in Social Studies Education (B.S.Ed.) from the Department of Educational Theory and Practice to the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
- Move the administrative home of the major in Social Studies Education (M.Ed.) from the Department of Educational Theory and Practice to the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
- Move the administrative home of the major in Social Studies Education (M.A.T.) from the Department of Educational Theory and Practice to the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
- Move the prefix ESOC, Social Studies Education, from the Department of Educational Theory and Practice to the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education in the course approval (CAPA) system
- Proposal to change the name of the Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Diagnostic Imaging to the Department of Biomedical Sciences. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 166 in favor, 4 against, and 4 abstentions.
- Chair Robin Shelton and members Stuart Ivy and Alexander Medina presented the following proposal from the Human Resources Committee:
- Chair Elizabeth St. Pierre presented the following proposals from the Committee on Statutes, Bylaws, and Committees:
- First Reading: Proposal to revise the University Council Bylaws to approve electronic meetings of the Council and its standing committees. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 167 in favor.
- First Reading: Proposal to add a sentence to the University Council Bylaws regarding the Faculty Conference. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 162 in favor, 1 against, and 3 abstentions.
- First Reading: Proposal to revise information in the University Council Bylaws regarding the UGA representative on the University System of Georgia Faculty Council. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 165 in favor, 3 against, and 3 abstentions.
- Second Reading: Proposal to add attendance requirement to University Council Bylaws. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 159 in favor, 10 against, and 2 abstentions.
- Second Reading: Proposal to add special meetings for standing committees to University Council Bylaws. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 161 in favor, 3 against, and 5 abstentions.
- The following information item was offered to the Council from the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost:
There being no old or new business, the meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fiona Liken, Registrar
Secretary to University Council
University Council Roster
| Koushik |
Adhikari |
| Asim |
Ahmed |
| Alex |
Anderson |
| Rebecca |
Atkins |
| Matthew |
Auer |
| Ben |
Ayers |
| Shuyang |
Bai |
| Joe |
Bartges |
| Randy |
Beck |
| Erin |
Benson |
| John |
Bergstrom |
| Laura |
Bierema |
| Barbara |
Biesecker |
| Trisha |
Branan |
| Benjamin |
Britton |
| Tamora |
Callands |
| Alvin |
Camus |
| Mary |
Caplan |
| Jim |
Carson |
| Jennifer |
Ceska |
| Shira |
Chess |
| Ewan |
Cobran |
| Lindsay |
Coco |
| Greg |
Colson |
| Kelly |
Cona |
| Julian |
Cook |
| Michael |
Cotterell |
| Melanie |
Crawford |
| Markus |
Crepaz |
| William |
Curvin (substitute for Bryston Henriott) |
| Marcus |
da Cunha |
| Joe |
Dahlen |
| Carolina |
Darbisi |
| Charles |
Davis |
| Marsha |
Davis |
| Nancy |
Dellaria |
| Don |
DeMaria |
| Paul |
Demere (substitute for Tina Carpenter) |
| Erin |
Dolan |
| Alan |
Dorsey |
| Devin |
Dumont |
| Puneet |
Dwivedi |
| Juliet |
Eden |
| Lillian |
Fant |
| Mark |
Farmer |
| Patrick |
Femia |
| Isabel |
Flanagan |
| Alisa |
Fountain |
| Linda |
Fox |
| Jennifer |
Frum |
| Nick |
Fuhrman |
| Lisa |
Fusillo |
| Ted |
Futris |
| Jim |
Garrett |
| John |
Gittleman |
| Gary |
Glasser |
| Morganne |
Goddard |
| Leslie |
Gordon |
| Toby |
Graham |
| Connor |
Green |
| Dale |
Greene |
| Timothy |
Grey |
| Mary |
Guay |
| Mussie |
Habteselassie |
| Carla |
Hadden |
| Lindsey |
Harding |
| Richard |
Harris |
| Bridget |
Helms |
| Savannah |
Hembree |
| Kyle |
Hensel |
| Keith |
Herndon |
| Nik |
Heynen |
| Janette |
Hill |
| Itai |
Himelboim |
| Sonia |
Hirt |
| Steven |
Holladay |
| Bradley |
Howard |
| Jack |
Hu |
| Mark |
Huber |
| Stuart |
Ivy |
| Angel |
Jackson |
| David |
Jackson |
| Rene |
Jagnow |
| Kevin |
James |
| Beverly |
Johnson |
| Laura |
Kelley |
| David |
Key |
| George |
Krause |
| Paula |
Krimer |
| Cheryl |
Kwapong |
| Shayla |
Lee |
| David |
Lee |
| Casie |
LeGette |
| Derrick |
Lemons |
| Zachary |
Lewis |
| Fiona |
Liken |
| Elizabeth |
Little |
| Anthony |
Madonna |
| Sharina |
Maillo-Pozo |
| Anish |
Malladi |
| Anthony |
Mallon |
| Chad |
Mandala |
| Sudhagar |
Mani |
| Michael |
Marshall |
| Jean |
Martin-Williams |
| Ann |
Massey |
| Mandy |
Mastrovita |
| D. Ray |
McClellan |
| Matthew |
McDaniel |
| Daniel |
Mead |
| Alexander |
Medina |
| Kristina |
Meichner |
| Sheba |
MohanKumar |
| Myra |
Moore |
| Jere |
Morehead |
| Emily |
Mouilso |
| Tiffany |
Mukundi |
| Amy |
Murphy |
| David |
Mustard |
| Luke |
Naeher |
| Ryan |
Nesbit |
| Stacey |
Neuharth-Pritchett |
| Lisa |
Nolan |
| Michelle |
Nuss |
| David |
Okech |
| Kerry |
Oliver |
| Joseph |
Olmsted |
| Andrew |
Park |
| David |
Peterson |
| Mary |
Poland |
| Annette |
Poulsen |
| Catherine |
Pringle |
| Ramaraja |
Ramasamy (substitute for Donald Leo) |
| Tarun |
Ramesh |
| Fred |
Reifsteck MD |
| Margaret |
Renwick |
| Lisa |
Renzi-Hammond |
| Chris |
Robinson |
| Eric |
Rubenstein (substitute for Abigail Borron) |
| Amanda |
Rugenski |
| Bo |
Rutledge |
| Robert |
Sabatini |
| Eman |
Saleh |
| Ann Hollis |
Sanders |
| Esra |
Santesso |
| Nina |
Santus |
| Anna |
Scheyett |
| Robert |
Scott |
| Yoo-Kyoung |
Seock |
| Robin |
Shelton |
| David |
Shipley |
| Rahul |
Shrivastav |
| Ashfaq |
Sial |
| Jacek |
Siry |
| Kelly |
Smith |
| Tim |
Smolko |
| Denise |
Spangler |
| Elizabeth |
St. Pierre |
| Alexander |
Stelzleni |
| Stevie |
Stigler |
| Donnie |
Summerlin |
| Sarah |
Sumners |
| Thiab |
Taha |
| Li |
Tan |
| Lili |
Tang |
| Ciera |
Thomas |
| Olga |
Thomason |
| Lori |
Tiller |
| Cynthia |
Tope |
| Bram |
Tucker |
| Kari |
Turner |
| Pamela |
Turner |
| Ron |
Walcott |
| Gerena |
Walker |
| Avery |
Warner |
| Joseph |
Watson |
| Richard |
Watson |
| Janet |
Westpheling |
| Victor |
Wilson |
| Montgomery |
Wolf |
| Beth |
Woods |
| C. Brock |
Woodson |
| Sheri |
Worthy |
| Xiaoyu |
Xu (substitute for Tracey Tuberville) |
| Angela |
Yao |
| Umit |
Yilmaz (substitute for Rosanna Rivero) |
| Jason |
Zastre |
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Voting Results of February 24, 2021 Meeting