Meeting Minutes

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Present:  Alatis, Arend, Bates, D. Betz, P. Betz, Breall, Brown, Campbell, Cohn, Davis, Fasold, Finkel, Fisher, Glazer, Goldfrank,  Haramati,  Jacobs,  Kellar,  Kelly,  Kopac, Kromer,  Lieber,  Martire,  McFadden,S.J.,  Moran Cruz, Morris , Mujal-Leon, Mujica, Murphy, A. Myers, Noyes , Oakley, O'Connor, Owen, Pinkard, Richardson, Schwartz, Scribanu,  Schuelein,  Soudee,  Spiegel,  Subramanian, Terrio,  Tracy, Viksnins, Vroman, Walsh,S.J. , Wiesel, Witek,S.J.

Excused:  Cole, Cooper, Fink, Nichols, Rameh, von Arx,S.J.

Absent: Areen, Earth, Byren, Cohan, DaSilva, Dover, Dretchen, Ferdows, Fekrat, Fort, Gallucci, Gerli, Haft, Harter, Hirsh, Lawton,S.J, K. Myers, McCabe, Nelson, Rothstein, Sara,S.J.,   Stent,  Wallace,   Walters,   Wasserstrom, Weidenbruch, Wientzen, Young

Guest: Father O'Donovan; Liane Nomura (President, Student Bar Association);  Kathleen Burns (Center for Australian & New Zealand Studies).

1. Minutes of the previous meeting will be approved at the next meeting.

2. Law Center

     Dick Bates announced that Father O'Donovan, Jack Murphy and a representative of the Student Bar Association would speak about the situation at the Law Center.

     Father O'Donovan stressed that while a public meeting is not a forum for making decisions, he hoped to learn from this meeting. He has already heard reactions from many faculty and students. He will also be meeting with the Law faculty April 15.

     Expressing gratitude  for  Judy Areen's  service,  Father O' Donovan nonetheless stated that there should be turnover in leadership.   This decision is not "an attack on three-campus budgeting."  Father O'Donovan also expressed his regret at not having consulted the Law faculty prior to his decision.

      Jack Murphy described learning on April 8 that the Dean would not be renewed.  The faculty met promptly the next day to draft a letter to Father O'Donovan.  Judy Areen, personally, is not the issue.  Many people have spoken out to support her.  The greatest problem here has been the process.  Money is, however, another issue especially in the context of the Medical Center with its acute problems and history of mismanagement.

     Jack Murphy stressed that Georgetown is a community and that the Law Center will be glad to help financially when they are consulted candidly about problems and when there is honest and open discussion.  Such discussion has been lacking in recent years.

     Despite  rumors,  Medical  funds have  never,  in Murphy's experience, supported Law.  But  now many Law dollars are being targeted to support Medicine.   Both Law and the College are exemplary schools and should be protected.

     Dick Bates has reestablished the Budget and Finance Committee which has been examining the situation.  The Committee helped forestall a cut in operating budgets of Law and the Main Campus. Jack Murphy expressed hope that further funds targeted might be restored, There are also threats of centralized decision making in other areas that have`been handled by separate campuses,  All schools should cooperate to preserve their campuses.

     Liane Nomura spoke on behalf of' the Student Bar Association. She described the large student turnout, over 600 students, who met during a holiday weekend to express concern over the decision to terminate Judy Areen.  Student groups are organizing petitions and a movement to withhold contributors' funds pending review of the decision.

    Miss Nomura cited the many advantages Judy Areen has brought to Georgetown in terms of fund raising and improved facilities.

     Dick Bates opened the floor to discussion.

     Bob Oakley noted Father O'Donovan's statement that he was here to learn and asked how that related to the Washington Post statement that he would not change his mind. Father O'Donovan said he would listen, but Sherman Cohn asked if this was a matter of placating the faculty.

     David Goldfrank asked for justification of the decision. but Father O'Donovan declined to comment on reasons.  Father O'Donovan also denied the interpretations in the Post that this was a matter of accessing money from the Law Center.

    Asked whether Medical faculty were still part of the University, Father O'Donovan said of course they were despite pressure to terminate them.

     Dorothy Brown asked about process. How should such a decision be made?  Father O'Donovan said the three-budget structure was not under attack but that if it were, this should be discussed. Before the decision about Judy Areen, he asked for input from students and faculty.

    Wayne Davis followed David Goldfrank's question asking what attributes in a dean were being sought that justified a change. David Goldfrank cited Areen's popularity. Still, Father O'Donovan declined to discuss reasons. David Goldfrank cited the atmosphere of crisis this has engendered.

     Paul Betz cited situations in the past where faculty objected to administrative decisions.  He noted that some confidentiality must be maintained but stressed that this need not preclude consultation with selected faculty representatives.  At least the faculty representatives could assure the rest of the faculty that adequate reasons exist.

    Father O'Donovan said this might be valid and  lack of consultation is "careless of faculty. "   But in response to a question he described the current governance of the Medical Campus as "appropriate."  Charles Keely stressed .that there was a pattern of ignoring faculty and that it should be changed.

    Mark Smulson asked whether Medical faculty had tenure on one campus or at the University.  Sam Wiesel said tenure was being defined differently at the Medical School.

     In response to a question about the message this sent about the employment of women, Father O'Donovan stressed support for women's role at Georgetown.  John Hirsh asked what other personnel cuts might be coming, but Father O'Donovan would not comment.

     Father O'Donovan reported cautious progress in turning Medical problems around.  Asked what improvements he sought for Law, he cited greater student aid and faculty support.

     Sherman Cohn cited Father O'Donovan's past praises of Areen which make the present decision seem "irrational" or an arbitrary exercise of power.  He said, "This is a question of your integrity too, and of our belief in you.. The damage done.. is tremendous... There must be some good reason." Father O'Donovan replied that he did not feel he was being irrational but still declined to give reasons.

    Leona Fisher deplored the lack of process.  Was there some alternative process? or was this a subjective decision?   This undermines the ideas of Centered Pluralism.  Father O'Donovan said this was not a whim and that he had discussed it with people both in and out of Georgetown.

     Wayne Davis said this was no mere personnel decision.  There should be some statement of a vision for the School. Again, Father O'Donovan declined to give reasons.

     Wayne Davis proposed a resolution urging Father O'Donovan to reconsider.

RESOLUTION:  In recognition of her reputation for academic distinction and administrative excellence, of her leadership in moving the Law Center into the top rank, and of her support among the Law Center faculty,  students and alumni,  the  Faculty  Senate urges  the  President  to reconsider his decision not to renew Judith Areen for an additional term as Dean and Executive Vice President for the Law Center.

There was a call for a written ballot on the resolution.  The resolution was approved:  45 yes, 1 no, 2 abstentions.

    Leona Fisher called for a reaffirmation of process.  Dick Bates suggested the Senate study this.  Paul Bets felt the present meeting had already communicated this need to Father O'Donovan. Susan Vroman spoke of great outrage among the faculty and said the point should be driven home more strongly.  Jack Murphy said the meeting had well conveyed the faculty's feelings, but that the Law faculty will continue "for the long haul."

    Wayne Davis suggested a resolution stating faculty outrage. Colin Campbell noted that similar outrage had not accompanied a similar change at the Medical Center.   This is,  however,  a "pervasive management style" at the University.

    Jo Ann Moran Cruz suggested setting a time frame for a response from Father O'Donovan.  Suggestions were made to schedule a meeting.

    A voice vote overwhelmingly endorsed conveying the results of the Senate' s resolution to Father O'Donovan.   Ellen Henderson announced that the group of women faculty she heads will also be writing to Father O'Donovan and perhaps to the Board of Directors.

     The resolution was passed by a vote of Senators. Jo Ann Moran Curt asked for a further endorsement from the numerous visitors. The Senators present unanimously endorsed this.  Among visitors there were: 25 yes, none opposed and 2 abstentions.

    Dick  Bates  announced  that  the  Senate  would  meet  in approximately two weeks to discuss Father O'Donovan's response.

3. Medical Center

Sam Wiesel affirmed the continuance of three-campus budgeting.  But he cited the excessive volatility of revenues on his campus where payments from insurance plans have dropped from about 60% to about 25%.  He suggested that the proposed "faculty buy-out plan" will give an option to those who do not wish to work in the newly restricted circumstances.

    Mark Smulson clarified that this is being offered to all Medical faculty. Dr. Wiesel said federal rules compel offering the same options to all.  Some 10 to 15 people have already accepted buy-outs.  These will be funded from the Medical budget but should pay for itself.  Sherman Cohn asked whether these people would be replaced at lower cost.  Dr. Wiesel said most would not.  Dick Bates said he had been unable to compute how this would help the Medical deficit.  Meanwhile, it may cripple some programs.  Does this not also have to be overseen by a third party?  Dr. Wiesel replied that this is only one of a long list of economy measures. There was some debate about the requirement for oversight by a third party.

    Colin Campbell asked what deficit was now anticipated.  This year, about $25 million;  next year it is hoped it will be under $20 million. Dr. Wiesel hoped it would be revenue neutral by 2000. Mark Smulson referred to Medical support of central administration in the past.  Dr. Wiesel said he did have partial records of this. Could this be paid back?  This is up to Father O'Donovan.  Wayne Davis cited numbers from Nicole Mandeville that are supposed to be cumulative.  Dr. Wiesel said he was not sure the record was yet clear.

    Richard Schwartz said his understanding was that the only transfer had been to fund the positions of O.B. Hardison and Anthony Hecht.  He asked what other charges could be documented.

    Mark Smulson cited a $20 million fund that Tim Mealy had asked to use for undocumented expenses.

     Another  proposal  for  Compensation  Standards  has  been circulated at the Medical Center.  This will require cuts this year.  Dr. Wiesel advocated an open statement of how salaries would be calculated.  'Arbitrary allocations by chairmen should not be tolerated.   Faculty should   discuss appropriate calculations their proposals should be reviewed by the administration.

     A discussion in Pharmacology was described as excluding some areas of activity.  Dr. Wiesel said departments might wish to use varied formulae.  He asked for suggestions of how to fund such things as graduate teaching and service that are not generating revenue.  The question was thus raised of how administrators are paid.  Dr. Wiesel replied that the numbers of administrators were low at Georgetown and that salaries are set at competitive market levels.

     About $2 million was spent last year for consultants on how to balance the budget.   Meanwhile, many other things go unfunded. There are also about six full-time attorneys and other legal consultants impacting the budget at the Medical Center.

     Mark Smulson reviewed levels of Medical tuition and suggested that it could be raised.  It will be raised this year:  5% for continuing and 10% for new students.

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