Emory Report

May 3, 1999

Volume 51, No. 30

Issues in progress: University Senate President Virgil Brown convened the semester's final Senate meeting April 20 in The Carter Center's Day Chapel. Provost Rebecca Chopp announced that the University Teaching Council is sponsoring a May 24 seminar on the topic of teaching portfolios. She praised the recent Student Government Association/Campus Life-sponsored Crystal Apple teaching awards banquet. Chopp said Emory has made great strides in its efforts toward internationalism but said the University is now entering "phase two" of this process, in which it must begin to focus more clearly, develop signature programs, determine which languages to teach, and expand existing programs, resources and services for international faculty and students. Finally, Chopp said she hopes to bring an initial proposal regarding research at Emory West to the Senate as "one of the very first things" in the fall. Gary Hauk, at the request of the SGA, reported on the state of communications on campus. SGA recently passed a resolution calling for the establishment of "communications office" and implementation of new campus communication methods. Hauk said he felt the existing methods of communication are adequate, though the University could better educate the community about them. He added that Curt Carlson, associate vice president for public affairs, is considering convening an internal communications advisory group to discuss these matters. Brown informed the Senate of the special May 4 meeting called to discuss the University's difference of opinion regarding the proposed University Apartments parking deck and shuttle road along the edge of Lullwater. The meeting will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Grace Crum Rollins Room on the eighth floor of the Rollins School of Public Health. In his final meeting as president, Brown thanked the Senate for a "relatively calm but productive year," and extended special thanks to Employee Council President Ron Foust and outgoing Senate officers David Pacini and Bill Cody. Brown then inducted John Boli, Claire Sterk and Robin Blaetz as the Senate's new president, president-elect and secretary, respectively. Boli's first action as president was to preside over year-ending committee reports: Traffic and Parking: John Magnotta said the committee's purpose is shifting from simply locating safe and adequate parking to searching for alternatives to parking and single-car commuting. He also encouraged more faculty and students to join the committee. Safety and Security: Tommy Cutts said Roger Worrell will take over as chair next year, and that the committee is pleased to be included in Facilities Management's new capital development review process. Library Policy: Steve Kraftchick said Steve Strange will take over as chair. This year the committee discussed the renovation of Candler Library, how to divide resources between new collections and electronic media, and implemented new procedures making available to library users the EndNote software, additional copying services and item recall processes. Honorary Degrees: Rudolph Byrd reported on the committee's work regarding next year's degree recipients and also the expedient addition of Charles Yates and Commencement speaker Robert Reich to the 1999 list. Fringe Benefits: Sid Stein reported on the committee's work on the issue of lowering the qualifying age for matching retirement contributions from 26 to 21. Stein also said he expects the question of long-term health insurance to resurface next year. Environment: Bill Size said so many capital projects have come online recently that his committee does not have enough time to properly consider the long-term effects of their construction, but he praised FMD's new project review and approval process. Campus Development: Ray Duvarney said 1998-99 was by far the busiest year his committee has ever had. He also applauded FMD's new process. Campus Life: Robin Thomas reported on a number of ideas the committee is considering to address alcohol abuse among Emory students. After installing the new senators for next year, Boli adjourned the final regularly scheduled meeting of the year. --Michael Terrazas Return to May 3, 1999, contents page