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University Faculty Council – September 16, 2026

Action Items

  • None

Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 3:32 p.m.

Chair Miriam Liss welcomed members, introduced herself, and reviewed general meeting guidelines.

Approval of Previous Minutes

The UFC considered the approval of the minutes from two previous meetings.

A correction was noted for the April 15, 2026 minutes to reflect the addition of one “No” vote on the Sustainability proposal. Following this amendment, the minutes were approved by unanimous vote.

 

Reports

President’s Report – President Paino highlighted several items from his written report, focusing primarily on enrollment and budgetary challenges.

Enrollment Update

  • Graduate student enrollment increased.
  • Transfer student enrollment remained relatively flat.
  • Traditional first-year student enrollment declined by approximately 50 students.
  • The university is drawing a larger proportion of students from the local area, resulting in increased commuter enrollment and fewer on-campus residents.
  • On-campus students generate additional revenue through housing and related fees.

Budget Outlook

  • The institution is projecting a budget shortfall of approximately $5 million by 2028.
  • Planning is underway to address potential deficits, although some contingency measures may ultimately prove unnecessary.

Questions and Discussion

  • A question was raised regarding a possible relationship between declining enrollment and the university’s discount rate.
  • President Paino noted that the university has reduced its discount rate by approximately 10%.
  • While no definitive data were presented, anecdotal evidence suggests a relationship between increased recruitment success and higher discount rates.
  • President Paino indicated that the thirty-mile housing exemption policy could be modified but cautioned that doing so could discourage some students from attending the university.

GW Hall Roof Project

  • In response to a question about solar panels as part of the GW Hall roof project, President Paino stated that no solar installation is currently planned.

Potential 5% Budget Reductions

  • Specific details are not yet available.
  • College Deans and Directors are currently developing plans and recommendations.

State Support and Richmond Updates

  • Virginia’s budget revenues continue to exceed projections, which may benefit higher education institutions.
  • The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) waiver has cost the university nearly $4 million.
  • The Commonwealth has not yet addressed these costs, although future action remains possible.

 

Provost’s Report – Provost Tim O’Donnell provided several updates and observations.

Recognition

  • He commended Miriam Liss for her leadership in reorganizing the UFC website and for serving simultaneously as UFC Chair and Department Chair.

UFC Chair Compensation

  • Compensation for the UFC Chair remains a topic of discussion.  Options include potentially providing a stipend instead of a course release.
  • As an example, UVA provides either compensation or a course release after service as chair has concluded.

Bookstore Concerns

  • Provost O’Donnell stated that he had been unaware of significant bookstore-related challenges until recently.
  • Issues appear to stem from students not understanding the new textbook ordering process, including the expected two-day delivery timeline.
  • Faculty commented that some materials, including lab manuals, have taken weeks to arrive and that costs have increased.

Honor Council Discussion

  • The Honor Council President has discussed academic integrity concerns with the Provost and requested a future meeting.

Faculty Engagement

  • The Provost has begun hosting dinners with faculty at Brompton and intends to invite all faculty members over time.
  • He also thanked President Paino for recognizing recently promoted and tenured faculty members.

Questions and Discussion

Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity

  • Faculty emphasized the need for a broader institutional conversation regarding AI and academic integrity.

UFC Chair Compensation Structure

  • Members discussed potential flexibility in compensation options, including course releases where feasible.
  • The UFC noted the importance of sustaining faculty governance while avoiding barriers that might discourage potential candidates, particularly those from smaller departments.

Faculty Information Sessions

  • Provost O’Donnell suggested brief, engaging presentations on important institutional topics such as discount rates or residence life.
  • UFC Chair agreed that UFC meetings could serve as an effective venue for sharing such information.

 

Dean Reports

College of Arts and Sciences

The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences did not add to the written report.

A comment was made that the Chinese and Arabic programs had been discontinued, and that substantial enrollment increases would be required to sustain such programs.

College of Education and Human Development

The Dean did not add to the written report, and no questions were raised.

College of Business

The Dean did not add to the written report, and no questions were raised.

 

UFC Chair Report

UFC Chair, Dr. Miriam Liss reported that she will address the Board of Visitors and provide an update on the redesign of the UFC website.

She expressed appreciation to Ryland Willis and the website team for their work on the project.

Additional website updates included:

  • UFC documents will be hosted through SharePoint.
  • Editing access will be maintained by the UFC Chair and Secretary.

Open Positions

UFC Chair reported vacancies in two important governance roles:

  1. UFC Vice-Chair
  2. Faculty Representative to the Faculty Senate of Virginia – Dr. Nabil Al-Tikriti was nominated and elected by a unanimous vote

 

Committee Minutes

The UFC acknowledged that committee minutes are received rather than formally approved by UFC.

WI/SI Committee Discussion

Discussion focused on language within the committee minutes concerning courses that fail assessment requirements.

Clarifications included:

  • Required assessment assignments must exist within a course for assessment purposes.
  • Courses may drift from approved learning outcomes over time.
  • There should be a process for removing designations when curricular outcomes are no longer being met.

A question was also raised regarding student speaking assignments in SI-designated courses. UFC Members were advised to consult the committee directly for clarification.

All University committee minutes were officially received.

New Course Designations

New course designations (outlined in the UFC Meeting Action Items) were approved by unanimous vote.

 

WI/SI Deadline Revision

The UFC considered a request from the WI/SI Committee to revise submission deadlines.

Motion: Approve revised WI/SI deadlines.
Result: Approved unanimously.

 

Emergency Approvals Motion

The UFC considered a motion from Dr. Jonathan Levin regarding emergency approvals.

Discussion included noting that the UFC Chair’s term extends through the summer months.

No further discussion occurred.

Result: Motion approved unanimously.

 

Vice-Chair Election

Dr. April Wynn nominated Ginny Morriss for the position of UFC Vice-Chair.

Ginny Morriss accepted the nomination.

Result: Ginny Morriss was elected UFC Vice-Chair by unanimous vote.

 

Announcements

  • The Elder Study organization requested assistance from UFC members in publicizing opportunities for faculty presentations.
  • UFC Members were informed that Dr. Chris Kilmartin will be honored at a memorial service on September 16.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:33 p.m.

 

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