University Council Minutes
12/01/2021 03:30 PM - Online, Zoom Webinar. Please email univcouncil@uga.edu for information.
View Related Documents Online
The University Council met on December 1, 2021, via Zoom Webinar. A quorum being present, President Jere Morehead called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Parliamentarian Usha Rodrigues provided a brief overview to Council members describing 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 September 29, 2021, meeting. A motion was made by Mennah Abdelwahab to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Janet Westpheling. A vote was called, and the minutes were approved with 167 in favor and 4 abstentions.
President Morehead then delivered his report to the Council:
- The president began his report by highlighting significant achievements at the university this fall semester.
- Low COVID-19 positivity rates continue on campus. Prior to the Thanksgiving break, the university expanded testing and vaccine opportunities to students. The president encouraged everyone to remain vigilant in precautions against COVID-19 and the flu, including wearing a mask, washing hands, and staying home if sick. The University Health Center remains prepared to administer COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters to members of the UGA community. The university is watching closely the developments related to the Omicron variant, but recognize vaccinations and boosters are the most important safeguards against COVID.
- The Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received more than 21,500 early action applications. Decisions were released on November 19, and the university extended more than 8,900 offers of admission.
- The president made Council members aware of the announcement made by the Board of Regents last week regarding the decision to not make changes to any building names at the 26-member institutions. The president stated that he recommended, and the University Cabinet approved, two new namings that will continue the work on campus to recognize true trailblazers. The first is the naming of the Science Library in memory of Dr. Shirley Mathis McBay, the first African American to earn a doctorate degree from UGA. The second is the naming of Black-Diallo-Miller Hall for the first three Black freshmen to attend UGA. This hall will house 525 students and open in the fall of 2022, the 60th anniversary of when Harold Black, Mary Blackwell Diallo, and Kerry Rushin Miller, enrolled as freshmen. Harold Black was the first African American male to graduate from the Terry College of Business; Mary Blackwell Diallo was the first African American student from Athens to enroll at UGA; and Kerry Rushin Miller was the first African American to earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. The president stated he is pleased to advance these namings to the Board of Regents as a way to acknowledge the contributions of these pioneers to UGA.
- On November 30, the I-STEM building was dedicated. This facility will be home to more than 30 faculty members and 100 graduate students and will fulfill the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary research in science and engineering.
- A formal dedication of the Delta Innovation Hub will occur later this month. This project, which was supported by a major gift from the Delta Airlines Foundation, was completed last Spring and has been a key addition to the footprint of the university's Innovation District.
- The renovation of the Holmes/Hunter Academic Building was recently announced. The renovation is being supported by a $15 million gift from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. The project has a $30 million budget and will provide much-needed updates and restore many of the building’s historic features, while installing tributes to Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault.
- The fall graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be held in Sanford Stadium on December 17. The undergraduate ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Jack Bauerle, Head Coach of UGA Swimming and Diving, will serve as the undergraduate commencement speaker. Dr. Michelle Garfield Cook, Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and Strategic University Initiatives, will give the commencement address for the graduate ceremony at 2:30 p.m.
- The president ended his report by stating he hoped that all of the faculty and staff received the token of appreciation for the work that they do to help fulfill the university’s mission. The president again extended his sincerest appreciation to all faculty and staff for their commitment to the institution.
- This concluded the president’s report to the Council.
The floor was then opened for the following reports:
The following action items were presented to the Council for consideration:
- Chair Susan Sanchez presented the following proposals from the University Curriculum Committee:
- Proposal for a new minor in International Human Rights and Security. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 174 in favor, 1 against, and 6 abstentions.
- Proposal for a new Graduate Certificate in New Media. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 177 in favor, 1 against, and 3 abstentions.
- Proposal for a new major in Biochemical Engineering (Ph.D.). A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 178 in favor, 1 against, and 3 abstentions.
- Proposal for a new major in Biomedical Engineering (Ph.D.). A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 177 in favor, 1 against, and 2 abstentions.
- Proposals, including the following, from the Mary Frances Early College of Education. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 168 in favor, 3 against, and 8 abstentions.
- Proposal to terminate the major in Education (M.A.) on the Gwinnett campus only
- Proposal to terminate the major in Education (Ed.S.) with an Area of Emphasis in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development on the Gwinnett campus only
- Proposal to terminate the major in Education (Ed.S.) with an Area of Emphasis in Workforce Education on the Gwinnett and Griffin campuses only.
- Proposal to terminate the Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia on the Athens campus only. Following discussion, a vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 160 in favor, 2 against, and 18 abstentions.
- Proposal to terminate the major in Consumer Economics (B.S.F.C.S.) with an Area of Emphasis in Financial Planning on the Griffin campus only. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 173 in favor, 3 against, and 8 abstentions.
- Proposal to deactivate the minor in Leadership in Student Affairs. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 166 in favor, 2 against, and 9 abstentions.
- Chair Elizabeth St. Pierre presented the following proposals from the Committee on Statutes, Bylaws, and Committees:
- First Reading: Proposal to add a new duty for the chair of the Executive Committee to the Bylaws of the Executive Committee. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 169 in favor, 2 against, and 8 abstentions.
- First Reading: Proposal to revise the Bylaws for the Faculty/Staff Parking Appeals Committee. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 175 in favor, 1 against, and 4 abstentions.
- Second Reading: Proposals to elect chairs of standing committees by July 1 and to revise the Bylaws of the Program Review and Assessment Committee to elect a chair by July 1. A vote was called, and the first proposal was approved with 174 in favor and 2 abstentions. A vote was called, and the second proposal was approved with 174 in favor and 2 abstentions.
- Second Reading: Proposal for Executive Committee to review and recommend changes to public facing information on the University Council website. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 168 in favor, 4 against, and 5 abstentions.
- Second Reading: Proposal to add a new standing Committee on Information Technology. A vote was called, and the proposal was approved with 175 in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention.
- President Savannah Hembree presented the following proposals from the UGA Staff Council:
- Proposals for endorsement and support from the University Council for Telework Resolution 28-01 and Telework Resolution 28-02. A vote was called, and the first resolution was approved with 154 in favor, 11 against, and 17 abstentions. A vote was called, and the second resolution was approved with 137 in favor, 12 against, and 23 abstentions.
The following information items were presented to the Council:
- Phillip Griffeth, Director of the Office of Academic Honesty, answered questions concerning the 2020-2021 Academic Honesty Report.
- Dr. Meg Amstutz and Dr. Henry Munneke provided an update on SACSCOC accreditation.
During new business, a motion was made by Joseph Fu to add a resolution related to the recent USG Naming Advisory Group to the meeting agenda. The motion was seconded by Benjamin Britton. During discussion, a motion was made by David Shipley to close debate. The motion was seconded by Travis Glenn. A vote was called, and the motion to close debate was approved with 125 in favor, 13 against, and 16 abstentions. A vote was then called on the original motion, and the motion failed to receive the necessary two-thirds of those Council members present and voting to approve placing the resolution on the agenda, with 69 in favor, 62 against, and 27 abstentions.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fiona Liken, Registrar
Secretary to University Council
University Council Members Present
| Mennah |
Abdelwahab |
| Koushik |
Adhikari |
| Mary |
Ager Caplan |
| Sonia |
Altizer |
| Tessa |
Andrews |
| Rebecca |
Atkins |
| Matthew |
Auer |
| Ben |
Ayers |
| Kent |
Barnett |
| Joseph |
Bartges |
| Patrick |
Bewg |
| Laura |
Bierema |
| Barbara |
Biesecker |
| Danny |
Bivins |
| Sarah |
Blankenship (substitute Vince Du) |
| Marie |
Boudreau |
| Thirimachos |
Bourlai |
| Trisha |
Branan |
| Christopher |
Brandon |
| Benjamin |
Britton |
| John |
Brocato |
| wayde |
brown |
| Karen |
Burg |
| Sarah |
Burns |
| Jalen |
Burton |
| Taylor |
Cain |
| Tamora |
Callands (substitute Heather Padilla) |
| Al |
Camus |
| Tina |
Carpenter |
| Amanda |
Caulfield |
| Margaret |
Christ |
| Shelly |
Chummar (substitute Lauren Baker) |
| Ewan |
Cobran |
| Greg |
Colson |
| Kelly |
Cona |
| Joann |
Conner |
| Michael |
Cotterell |
| Laura |
Crawley |
| Markus |
Crepaz |
| Marcus |
da Cunha |
| Carolina |
Darbisi |
| Charles |
Davis (substitute Maria Len-Rios) |
| Marsha |
Davis |
| Don |
DeMaria |
| Travis |
DeVault |
| Erin |
Dolan |
| Alan |
Dorsey |
| Kylee |
Duberstein |
| Stephan |
Durham |
| Puneet |
Dwivedi |
| Jonathan |
Eggenschwiler |
| Kerstin |
Emerson |
| Ellen |
Evans |
| Mark |
Farmer |
| Susana |
Ferreira |
| Morgan |
Finch |
| Tim |
Foutz (substitute Nathaniel Hunsu) |
| Jennifer |
Frum |
| Joseph |
Fu |
| Nick |
Fuhrman |
| Lisa |
Fusillo |
| Jim |
Garrett |
| Brenna |
Gassman |
| Chris |
Gerlach |
| Travis |
Glenn |
| Cari |
Goetcheus |
| Leslie |
Gordon |
| Toby |
Graham |
| Dale |
Greene (substitute Robert Bringolf) |
| Timothy |
Grey |
| Mary |
Guay |
| Mussie |
Habteselassie |
| Rebecca |
Hallman Martini |
| Lindsey |
Harding |
| Stephen |
Harvey (substitute David Stallknecht) |
| Savannah |
Hembree |
| Kendall |
Henry |
| Keith |
Herndon |
| Nik |
Heynen |
| Daniel |
Hill |
| Janette |
Hill |
| Sonia |
Hirt (substitute Ron Sawhill) |
| S. Jack |
Hu |
| Hilary |
Hughes |
| Alli |
Injaian |
| Kevin |
James |
| Sarah |
Jantzi |
| Kristina |
Jaskyte Bahr |
| Diann |
Jones |
| Stephanie |
Jones |
| Nassim |
Joorabchi |
| Yuan |
Ke |
| Laura |
Kelley |
| Haley |
Klass |
| Paula |
Krimer |
| William |
Lanzilotta |
| Erin |
Leach |
| Brendan |
Leahy |
| Monique |
Leclerc (substitute Wojciech Florkowski) |
| Derrick |
Lemons |
| Donald |
Leo |
| Fiona |
Liken |
| Laura |
Little |
| Mary Nichols |
Lollis |
| Grayson |
Loudermilk (substitute William Turner) |
| Anthony |
Madonna |
| Sharina |
Maillo-Pozo |
| Anish |
Malladi |
| Anthony |
Mallon |
| Chad |
Mandala |
| Daniel |
Markewitz |
| Carter |
Marks |
| Michael |
Marshall |
| Jean |
Martin-Williams |
| Walt |
McBride |
| D. Ray |
McClellan |
| Jamie |
McClung |
| Bill |
McDonald |
| Brittany |
McHale |
| Danny |
Mead |
| Alexander |
Medina |
| Khushi |
Mehta |
| Kristina |
Meichner |
| Aaron |
Meskin |
| Kristen |
Miller |
| Marie |
Mitchell |
| Chris |
Mojock |
| George |
Moore |
| Myra |
Moore |
| Jere |
Morehead |
| Alison |
Morrison |
| Emily |
Mouilso |
| Artur |
Muszynski |
| Ryan |
Nesbit |
| Jeff |
Netter |
| Bart |
Njoku-Obi |
| Lisa |
Nolan |
| Shelley |
Nuss |
| Joseph |
Olmsted |
| Chad |
Palmer |
| Andrew |
Park (substitute Alex Strauss) |
| Parth |
Patel |
| Chad |
Paton |
| Alicia |
Peduzzi |
| John |
Peroni |
| Sam |
Perren |
| Joe |
Phua |
| Stacey |
Piotrowski |
| Nick |
Place |
| Jennie |
Pless |
| Mary |
Poland |
| Ruth |
Poproski |
| Catherine |
Pringle |
| Rachel |
Reed |
| fred |
reifsteck |
| Margaret |
Renwick (substitute Chad Howe) |
| Lisa |
Renzi-Hammond |
| Jessica |
Roberts |
| Bo |
Rutledge |
| Corey |
Saba |
| Eman |
Saleh |
| Tim |
Samples (substitute Alex Reed) |
| Esra |
Santesso |
| Christine |
Scartz |
| Anna M |
Scheyett |
| Yoo-Kyoung |
Seock (substitute Vladimir Reukov) |
| Paul |
Severns |
| Kisha |
Shelton |
| Robin |
Shelton |
| David |
Shipley |
| Rahul |
Shrivastav |
| Ashfaq |
Sial |
| Rakesh |
Singh |
| Jacek |
Siry |
| Kelly |
Smith |
| Timothy |
Smolko |
| Denise |
Spangler |
| Elizabeth |
St. Pierre |
| Benny |
StaRomana |
| Stevie |
Stigler |
| Rebecca |
Stone |
| Carson |
Story |
| Elizabeth |
Swift |
| Thiab |
Taha |
| Olga |
Thomason |
| Nick |
Toebben |
| Bram |
Tucker |
| Pamela |
Turner |
| Alejandra |
Villegas Lopez |
| Jacob |
Vrolijk |
| Ron |
Walcott |
| Isabelle |
Wallace |
| Joseph |
Watson |
| Richard |
Watson |
| Jan |
Westpheling |
| Elizabeth |
White |
| Victor |
Wilson |
| Richard Dien |
Winfield |
| Bartosz |
Wojdynski |
| Montgomery |
Wolf |
| Beth |
Woods |
| C. Brock |
Woodson |
| Sheri |
Worthy |
| Bradley |
Wright |
| Beth |
Wuzburg |
| Qian |
Xiao |
| Xiaobai |
Yao |
| Y. George |
Zheng |
| |
|
Voting Record of December 1, 2021, Meeting