Faculty Senate Council

The Faculty Senate Council of Washington University is the elected governing body of the Faculty Senate (all university faculty members). Representatives serve three year terms. The nine divisional representatives are elected by their respective schools, and the five at-large representatives are elected by the whole faculty senate.

The Faculty Senate consists of all faculty members at the university. Meetings are held twice a year. The Faculty Senate Council is the governing body.

Meeting Minutes, November 29, 2007

Faculty Senate Council

Attending:
Representatives: Jeff Lowell, chair, Gar Allen, Susan Appleton, Nancy Berg, William Bottom, Elizabeth Childs, Laureen Hill, Janet Rader, Leila Sadat, Carl Safe, Andrew Sobel, Bradley Stoner, Jay Turner, Pamela Woodard
Ex officio: Mark Wrighton, Mark Rollins, Gerhild Williams
Guests: Jose Bermudez, Mike Dunlap, Barbara Feiner, Martin Israel, Amanda McBride, Bruce Backus

The meeting was called to order at 4:32

  1. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
  2. Chancellor's report:
    The fall semester is coming to a nice conclusion.
    The women's volleyball team won the national championship.
    On Monday the chancellor hosted a dinner for key members of the boards of BJC Healthcare, the University and Barnes Jewish Hospital to celebrate the $30 million gift from BJC Healthcare toward the new building on the medical campus. The attendees heard presentations from David Holtzman and Dan Kelly.
    In honor of the $10 million gift from Harry and Susan Siegle toward the new Social Sciences and Law Building it will be named Siegle Hall. This is the first such gift from donors who live outside of St. Louis.
    Hank Weber's appointment has been announced and he will join the university late February.
    At the next board of trustees meeting (December 7th) the first of the strategic plans – from the School of Law and the G. W. Brown School of Social Work – will be discussed. An appetite for growth - the development or redevelopment of facilities and expansion of the faculty – is common to the planning of each school.
    In the meantime the university is not just waiting for the plans to be completed, but continuing to move forward. Following St. Louis University's decision to keep their School of Public Health, the G. W. Brown School of Social Work and the School of Medicine are moving quickly toward establishing an Institute of Public Health with an emphasis on community health. The School of Arts and Sciences has already established a minor in public health through the program in medical anthropology.
    ICARES has received its first major grant ($3 million) from the State of Missouri Life Sciences Trust Fund. Himadri Pakrasi is the PI (Principle Investigator) on the grant. It will be used to support regional collaborations among the University, St. Louis University, University of Missouri - Columbia, University of Missouri – St. Louis, and the Danforth Plant Center to develop biofuels.
  3. Travel Policy: Jose Bermudez, Mike Dunlap, Barbara Feiner, Martin Israel, Gerhild Williams
    The revised policy presented was approved by the committee convened by Gerhild Williams November 19th. Highlights of the policy: no formal approval required before travel; no deadline for travel advance; and methods for payment include personal credit card, corporate travel card (replacing American Express and Diner cards) and procurement card. The procard cannot be used for local social and entertainment expenses nor for unallowable expenses. Business class tickets may be purchased for travel segments longer than five hours. Only actual expenses will be covered; per diem accounting is not allowed. Individual schools and departments may set more restrictive policies.
    Gwin's is still the travel agency for all travel covered by the central fiscal unit. The data collected will be used to negotiate better deals and discounts for university travel. The council expressed sincere gratitude that faculty comments and concerns were taken into account in formulating this revision. It was suggested that there be web-based annual training for employees who frequently use the procard and travel expense reports. In the meantime, there will be training sessions offered in January before the effective date of February 1st. The new policy will be widely distributed and appear as an action item for the full Faculty Senate meeting in December.
  4. Gephardt Institute: Amanda McBride
    Founded in 2005 with a gift from the former congressman, the Institute is charged with promoting civic engagement and active citizenship for our students. The goals of the institute include: Promoting community based teaching and learning;
    Increasing global service and cross-cultural learning;
    Supporting civic life and public service careers;
    Bolstering meaningful volunteer opportunities for the entire university community (including alumni and ermeriti); Centralizing all the university service programs and supporting initiatives.
    The Institute plans to hold several annual events to further these goals (career fair, showcase of service), and also to take an annual inventory of service programs. The website, currently under construction, will be published in April.
  5. Revised non-discrimination policy:
    The policy was distributed in advance and discussed at the last meeting. There being no new comments or discussion, the council voted on the policy, and accepted the revisions. The new policy will be widely distributed and appear as an action item for the full Faculty Senate meeting in December.
  6. Disaster Preparedness & the new Department of Homeland Security Chemical Facility Anti- Terrorism Standard: Bruce Backus The Department of Homeland Security has issued new standards for companies, universities and colleges' inventories of 350 chemicals (including some common chemicals that might be found in the School of Art, the athletic complex, or the airbag of most automobiles). The DHS is allowing 60 calendar days for compliance; while the University has requested an extension (a maximum of 60 additional days) there is no guarantee it will be granted. Communications will be multi-pronged. All deans, directors and department heads will receive the memorandum, and all business managers of their respective departments will be called. Sam Stanley and Michael Cannon will appear before the University Council on Monday (December 3rd). The executive faculty and the “usual partners” will also be personally contacted.
  7. Other business:
    The council members were encouraged to attend the full Faculty Senate meeting December 12th, and were reminded of the gala to be held this Saturday (December 1st).

The meeting was adjourned at 5:40.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy E. Berg, Secretary

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