MINUTES THIRD MEETING of the Executive Committee of the Villanova University Senate for Academic Year 2007-08 on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 in CEER Room 210 at 9:30 AM.

PRESENT: Mr. Robert Dormish; Dr. Helen Lafferty; Dr.Susan Mackey-Kallis, Chairperson;

Mr. Brian M. Murray, Executive Secretary; Mrs. Mary Quilter; Fr. John Stack, OSA; Mr. John Von Euw

Ms. Helen Heron, Recording Secretary

ABSENT: Dr. Sohail Chaudhry (NIA); Dr. Lowell Gustafson

AGENDA:

I APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 MEETING

II ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

III PREPARATION OF SENATE AGENDA FOR THE OCTOBER 26, 2007 MEETING

IV CONSIDERATION OF SUGGESTED ITEMS for the NOVEMBER MEETING with the PRESIDENT and the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the BOARD of TRUSTEES

V NEW BUSINESS

I  The Minutes of the SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 meeting were moved, and seconded for approval, and unanimously approved as submitted.

II ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE

Mary Quilter pointed out that the original Agenda for the Senate’s Sept 14^th meeting incorrectly stated that Senator Styer would be presenting his Evaluation Report on the Senate. The correct wording should have stated that Senator Styer was presenting his report on the status of Rules and Reviews’ deliberation regarding increasing staff’s participation in Senate governance. Dr. Mackey-Kallis apologized to Mary Quilter for this mistake in the posted agenda.

III PREPARATION OF SENATE AGENDA FOR THE OCTOBER 26, 2007 MEETING

Invocation ~ Dr. Sarvesh Kulkarni

PLEASE SILENCE ALL CELL PHONES

1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2007

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE

a) For attendance purposes, it is very important that you have your name plate at your place and then returned at the end of the meeting

b) The bi-annual meeting with the President and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees will be held on November 29^th in Picotte Hall at Dundale

3. GUEST SPEAKER – Ann E. Diebold, Vice President, University Communications

4. OVERVIEW OF UNIVERSITY BUDGET FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2007-08

Frederick Sieber, Executive Director of Budgeting & Auxiliary Services

5. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND BLUEPRINT ARTICLES

6. NEW BUSINESS

IV BRIEF OVERVIEW OF UNIVERSITY BUDGET MEETING

Brian Murray stated that the Endowment and the current capital campaign were highlighted at the meeting. He stated that our campaign goal is 300 million dollars. The faculty/salary adjustment was also discussed. A goal is to move faculty/staff to third place in comparison to our benchmark schools. Dr. Styer asked if that would account for cost of living. He was curious to know if moving us to third place is realistic considering the where our school is located because of the high cost of living impact of this area. Mary Quilter asked if they were comparing us to benchmark schools. This is where the cost of living would be taken into consideration. Brian stated that the schools that were mentioned were Boston College, Bucknell, Holy Cross, Lehigh and Richmond University. Dr. Mackey-Kallis pointed out that we do not know the raise pool for other overlap schools.

He also pointed out that the University Budget committee is considering three or four different strategies for servicing the debt with tuition dollars. He noted that Dr. Styer brought up the fact that we have much less financial aid than other schools. In view of this, there was some discussion on whether or not we should take some of the money from the proposed freshman tuition “bump” and dedicate it specifically to financial aid for this incoming class. The Budget committee is projecting either 5.5 % with no bump or 4% with a $2,500 bump tuition increase for the incoming class of 2009.

Robert Dormish stated that there was a huge bump two years ago for all colleges. John Von Euw emphasized that Villanova’s tuition does include a laptop. He questioned as to why we need yet another bump.

Father Stack pointed out that the Board wants a balanced budget, which means there is very little “give.” He gave the example that the university would like to go wireless. This would be very expensive. He also pointed out that many of these old buildings need to be repaired. He noted that an immediate pay-off for students will be the opening of the Athletic building in the next few weeks. Dr. Mackey-Kallis agreed that if the students want these value-added services then they must realize that it is often wrapped into the tuition that students’ pay. Father Stack noted that every time we give a bump, some other schools would go up much higher. This puts Villanova in next to the last place in terms of price (i.e. very affordable by comparison), and our tuition includes a laptop. However, these other schools have much larger endowments.

Dr. Mackey-Kallis pointed out how valuable it is to get this input from the students that are on the Budget Committee. Father Stack agreed that these students would be able to offer suggestions as to where the money needs to be allocated, for example, for a mock trial or a major speaker. He also noted that we have had a freeze on the operating increases for years.

IV CONSIDERATION OF SUGGESTED ITEMS for the NOVEMBER MEETING with the PRESIDENT

The committee considered questions submitted from the community and sent them to

Mr. Ken Valosky to solicit answers from appropriate offices. These questions and answers, once received, will then be forwarded to the President. Additionally, answers to the question asked by each individual will be sent to them.

V DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE OF THE SENATE AS EITHER A LEGISLATIVE OR A RECOMMENDING BODY

Dr. Mackey-Kallis noted that Dr. Robert Langran argues that we should be keeping the legislative language. Although it is not binding legislation, it is legislation in the sense that when we vote it requires some response as opposed to a recommendation. Our Constitution states that within thirty days it must be accepted or rejected or sent back for further consideration. If the President rejects the motion, then the Senate has the opportunity of going to the Board.

Robert Dormish stated that he would like to see the Senate take a more active role and pass more legislation. He also would like to know what Father Peter thinks of the Senate. Dr. Mackey-Kallis feels as though we can have a very thorough discussion with Father Peter about the Senate at our upcoming meeting with him in regard to the Senate.

VI SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE NOVEMBER BI-ANNUAL MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT AT 2:30 PM ON NOVEMBER 29, 2007

Ø                  What is the President’s perception of the role of the Senate within the University?

Ø                  How effective does the President view the Senate?

Ø                  Are there things to be considered that we may or may not be doing?

Ø                  What role does the President see the Senate playing as the University advances?

Ø                  Could Father provide an update on the status of the Physical Facilities Committee of the Board of Trustees?

Ø                  Could Father provide an update on the working teams established during the Maryland retreat?

Ø                  What are Father’s reactions to the Definition of Collegial Governance and how it could be integrated into the governing structure of the Senate and possibly the university?

CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED WITH THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON NOVEMBER 29, 2007

Ø                  In light of the presentations by Dr. William Moury and Fr. John Fetterin to the board regarding the crisis in higher education, what strategies does the Board recommend for the administration to take regarding strengthening our catholic identity?

Ø                  What is the financial commitment necessary to position us where we want to be in regards to our competitors and other catholic universities?

Ø                  What can we do to make these meetings more effective?

VII NEW BUSINESS

Respectfully submitted,

Brian M. Murray

Executive Secretary

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