Hello Mohan and colleagues,
First, thanks Mohan for the summary which is useful. Since I also attended the entire meeting, here I would like to make a
correction and an addition.
On the issue of the University Committee Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Just Societies, the Board was clear that it is not voting
for the approval, but voting to accept the report and indicating the committee has completed its work. The motion was modified and removed the statement to approve the recommendations provided in the report and leave it to the provost to handle the status
of the courses as Mandatory (core). Further, the board did not buy the reasoning as to why these courses must be mandatory, while giving the green light to offer them as electives. Interim Provost Ken Walsh got to the podium and declared to the Board that
the Board’s point on these two courses not being mandatory is very well taken. This can be viewed in the recording whose link you provided.
On another matter, the Board approved the two new degree programs: 1) PhD in Robotics and 2) MS in AI.
Great weekend!
- Bijan
The following are a few of the most important board actions taken at yesterday's (May 2nd) eventful BOV meeting.
- All faculty personnel actions, including promotion and tenure recommendations (about 70, which is the largest ever in Mason history.)
Congratulations to all those who got tenure and/or promotions.
- The Board voted in favor of the administration's proposals for a 3% increase on tuition and board, and a 3% annual rise for faculty and staff (contingent
on final approval by the legislature and the Governor). However, during the discussion in the Finance and Lang Use committee (on which I am one of the faculty reps), Chairman Pence floated an alternative proposal on tuition and board increase. The ensuing
discussion was animated and at times contentious.
- With regards to the controversy surrounding DEI and Just Societies flag in Maso Core courses, the University Committee on Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion and Just Societies presented its report to the Board. The Board voted to approve the committee report. The discussion on this matter was very spirited and at times contentious. For the time being, no actions were proposed or taken up on making a
minimum number of courses with Just Societies flag as a requirement for Mason Core. It appears likely that this controversy will linger for a while.
Finally,
I was in the room for most of those board meetings during the day. Numerous times I observed loud gasps and stunned faces. In the spirit of being vigilant on the impact of board actions on faculty at large, I once again
encourage you to take some time to watch the BOV proceedings at
https://gmutv.gmu.edu/live/. Specifically, you might want to watch the proceedings of the Finance and Land Use Committee (from time mark 1:14:00 to 2:35:00) and Full Board Meeting (from time mark 5:10:00 to ).
- Mohan Venigalla, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE; Professor
Faculty Representative, BOV Committee on Finance and Land Use
Faculty Senator
CEIE, Volgenau School of Engineering
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