Absent:
Prof. Kevin Hemker (Vice President)

Attendance:
Approximately 30 faculty and guests were in attendance.

1. Welcome

Prof. Bok opened the meeting at 3:00 PM by welcoming the faculty and guests. She entertained a motion to approve the minutes from the May 5, 2005. The motion was offered, seconded, and approved.

2. President Brody's remarks

Prof. Bok introduced President William Brody. Prof. Brody began his remarks by commenting that he continues to be perplexed by the low turnout by the faculty for assembly meetings, particularly among the junior faculty. Prof. Brody stated that the University is in good shape. The present fund-raising campaign has reached $1.9 billion of a $2 billion goal, with two years left to go.

President Brody indicated that the University, and higher education more generally, faces two principal challenges. The first of these is financial. The present situation resembles, in some ways, the 1970s, with increasing energy prices, inflation, and interest rates. The prospect for the immediate future is either flat NIH funding or an absolute cut in research dollars. He said that Elias Zerhouni (Director of NIH) stated that university deans and presidents are "in denial" about NIH funding; they are all planning on increasing their research budgets, even though NIH funding will be flat or decreasing. President Brody said that the first casualty is likely to be junior faculty; the University needs to allow for more support of junior faculty.

Although the federal budget outlook is bleak, there is good news in the State of Maryland, whose budget is in surplus this year and is likely to be in good shape for several years to come. President Brody anticipates that JHU will receive its full Sellinger aid funding this year, the same as last. President Brody said that he had met with the Governor's chief of staff who was "singing our praises." The Ehrlich administration has been very supportive and appreciative of late.

The second major challenge, according to Prof. Brody, is a creeping suspicion of higher education, as evidenced by the intelligent design controversy, legislation limiting stem cell research funding, and tuition caps. The University needs to convey to the public the true cost of education, although President Brody did suggest that a tuition cap is just one tool for some opponents to bring universities to bay.

President Brody briefly mentioned the higher security costs at Homewood Campus, and said that he is trying to help the deans cover those expenses.

President Brody went on to briefly describe the major construction projects at Homewood, including the Decker Quad, Charles Commons, and the start of planning for the renovation of Gilman Hall. He mentioned that the University has just received the first $1 million commitment towards the Gilman Hall renovation.

President Brody also mentioned that raising endowment money for endowed professorships and scholarships is a priority which he is working on.

Finally, President Brody mentioned that Ed Skrodzki is bringing a new vision to the security of the Homewood Campus.

President Brody then entertained questions from the faculty.

Q (unidentified professor): Can you expand on the "new vision for security"?
A (President Brody): One part of this is technology, such as security cameras. The software is quite sophisticated, allowing automatic detection of people who are loitering or "tailgating" into buildings. A rash of bike thefts was stopped when several individuals were identified using the cameras and then issued "no tresspassing" notices. Also, card readers for the entrances to more buildings are under consideration. Finally, more visible security (such as officers patrolling on bicycles) plays an important role.

Q (Prof. Karl Alexander, Sociology): Can you tell us how the Schools of Engineering and Arts and Sciences are doing with respect to the campaign?
(President Brody referred this question to Deans Douglas and Falk.)
A (Dean Andrew Douglas, WSE): WSE is not as close to its goal as the overall campaign is.
A (Dean Adam Falk, KSAS): KSAS is currently at $150 million of a $250 million goal.
A (President Brody): Noted that there has been a significant reorganization of development staff recently, which set things back because gift solicitation is just the last step in a lengthy process. Both KSAS and WSE got off to a slows start because of this, but are now doing well.

3. Provost Steven Knapp

Prof. Bok invited Dr. Knapp to make remarks, especially including comments on academic relations with government and specifically with regard to student visa issues and new Department of Commerce regulations.

Dr. Knapp reported that there is good news regarding student visas and issues with foreign nationals more generally. There had been apprehension about that "deemed export" regulations would make conducting research more difficult, such as requiring an export license to use certain export-restricted equipment in the presence of foreign nationals. His deepest concern had been signs of a turn against the "fundamental research exemption" for many university activities.

University officials have been in extensive talks with government officials, including an October 5, 2005 meeting with the Secretary of State. The University is also working with the American Association of Universities and the American Council on Education. These efforts seem to be having an effect; Maggie McIntosh is "getting signals" from the Department of Commerce that new rules to be issued shortly will incorporate many of the proposals from institutions of higher education. In particular, individuals here on student visas will not be treated as foreign nationals for the purposes of conducting research. However, we still need to be vigilant on these issues.

Dr. Knapp went on to say that there is also good news regarding student visas. He read a letter from Nick Arrindell (International Students and Scholars Office), which stated that visa processes have largely returned to their pre-9/11 status. For this year, every Homewood F and J visa application was processed successfully. However, deadlines remain important. The Department of State security review process, which had been taking 4-6 months, is down to about 14 days. Also, the EB2 process for permanent residency has changed; departments should contact Nick Arrindell for more details.

Dr. Knapp concluded by saying that the upper levels of the Bush administration seem more sensitive to the concerns of higher education.

Q (Prof. Jason Eisner, Computer Science): What about issues regarding foreign students who leave the country to attend conferences?
A (Dr. Knapp): Not sure, need to check, but should be OK.

Dr. Knapp also commented briefly on the status of several University personnel searches. For the KSAS dean, next week they will conclude the first round of interviews (there were eleven first-round candidates). This is in line with the expedited schedule to finish this search in one semester and have the new dean in place early next year. The search for the new directory of the Peabody Institute is not as far along; a committee has been established, and Dr. Knapp anticipates that they will have a replacement identified by April. Another important position is the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, as Robert Lindgren recently left to become president and Randolph Macon College.

4. Larry Kilduff, Executive Director of Facilities

Dr. Bok introduced Larry Kilduff for an update on capital projects. Mr. Kilduff in turn introduced Mr. Jim Miller, Senior Director of Design and Construction to make a presentation. Dr. Miller handed out a list of current projects and their status:

a. Bologna Center Renovation and Expansion - SAIS
- Library renovation complete October 2005
- Planning underway for Phase 2 and possible Phase 3

b. Charles Commons - HSA
- Concrete topped out on St. Paul Building
- Concrete complete on Charles Street Building by December 2005
- Framing and mechanical / electrical systems construction proceeding
- Exterior precast concrete underway, masonry to begin soon
- Floor / Unit mock-ups underway
- August 2006 completion

c. Decker Quadrangle - WSE, HSA & UA
- Excavation underway
- Concrete package bid results due next week
- Remainder of work to be bid in November / December
- Occupants include:
   WSE - Computational Sciences
   UA - Admissions
   UA - Parking
- Summer / Fall 2007 completion

d. Dormitory Access Control - HSA
- AMR guardhouses and access control complete, landscaping remains
- Wolman and McCoy Halls access control complete

e. Gilman Hall Renovation - KSAS
- Architect and Constructor selection processes underway
- Design effort to begin in January 2006
- Construction schedule to be developed
- Phase 1 includes code and infrastructure upgrades and ground floor renovation
- Post Office to vacate July 2006
- Bookstore and Credit Union to Charles Commons in Fall / Winter 2006
- M&T Bank negotiating lease near campus
- Ground floor occupants to include:
   Archeology
   Classics
   History of Art
   Near Eastern Studies

f. Homewood Field / Practice Field Resurfacing - HSA
- August 2005 completion

g. Hopkins Nanjing Center - SAIS
- Concrete structure complete
- Framing and mechanical / electrical systems construction proceeding
- Exterior skin construction to begin soon
- August 2006 completion

h. Jenkins Lab Renovation - KSAS
- Phase 1 complete
- Phase 2 construction underway, completion January 2006

i. Library Service Center - SL
- Completed October 2005
- Shelving installation and moving of books underway
- Moravia facility sold, JHU to rent-back until January 2006 book move completion

j. Maryland Hall Classroom Renovations - WSE
- Upgrade of furnishings, fixtures, finishes and lighting
- Includes 104, 114, 201, 202, 217, 301 & 309
- Work to take place over Intersession

k. San Martin Center - UA
- September 2005 completion
- Carnegie Institute of Washington has occupied their space
- Old CIW building is mothballed, future use has not been determined

l. Seton Building Renovation (SPSBE Education Center) - SPSBE, JHP & SL
- Renovation is underway
- New occupants include:
   SPSBE (2nd & 3rd floors)
   Johns Hopkins Press (4th floor)
   Sheridan Libraries (5th floor)
- Occupancy January 2006 through March 2006

Q (Prof. Howard Egeth, Psychology): Will there be a bridge across Charles Street to the Charles Commons?
A (Mr. Miller): No; we are working with the city to slow traffic on Charles Street. Changes are currently under design, with completion for an unspecified future date. The possibility of a bridge was examined, but discarded as impratical. The problem is that the long axis of campus is parallel to Charles Street, making it difficult to funnel pedestrian traffic onto a bridge. Also, the city was opposed to a bridge. Mr. Miller stated that 14,000 pedestrians cross Charles Street each day.

Q (Prof. Egeth): Why are conveniences (post office, etc) being moved off campus, across Charles Street?
A (Mr. Miller): To free up academic space in the heart of campus.

Q (Prof. Steven David, Political Science): With local communities restricting parking, where are graduate students to park?
A (Mr. Larry Kilduff): Capacity is not the problem; convenience is. There is space available at both the San Martin and Eastern lots. Opening of the Decker Garage in about two years will help with this, and free up capacity in other places. There will be 150 spaces in the garage reserved for daily visitors.

Q (Prof. David): But what about the students?
A (Mr. Kilduff): There are parking spaces available in commercial garages near campus.

Q (unidentified professor): How about parking in what was formerly the intermittent south-bound lane on Charles Street? Can that be made available to the university?
A (Mr. Kilduff): The city is already planning to install parking token machines there.

Q (Prof. Alan Goldman, Mathematical Sciences): Where will services currently offered by the post office in Gilman, such as registered mail, be provided?
A (Mr. Miller): Incoming mail is handled at Mt. Washington and will not be affected. Other services will be provided by a private vendor (UPS) who is in negotiations with the developers of the project on the east side of St. Paul street to open a facility there.

Q (Prof. Goldman): Will the rooms in the Charles Common project have internet access?
A (Mr. Miller): Yes, Ethernet in the student rooms and wireless access in the common areas.

Q (Prof. Alan Shapiro, Archaeology): Is renovation of Villa Spelman being considered?
A (Mr. Miller): Yes, we are working on it.

5. Other business

Prof. Bok opened the floor to general discussion and questions.

Q (Prof. Goldman): Is there any update on issues regarding cheating on the GRE and TOEFL exams in the People's Republic of China?
A (Dean Falk): There is no new insight; this issue has not been raised by faculty recently, so it seems to be less of a problem. The TOEFL was recently changed to make it more difficult to cheat.

Q (Prof. Richard Conn Henry, Physics and Astronomy): Expressed disappointment at the flu vaccine shortage, and expressed a hope that he would like to see better performance on avian flu.
A (Prof. Bok): The vaccine shortage seems to be due to an outside supply disruption (general agreement).
A (Dean Falk): The Flu Mist vaccine is still available from Occupational Health.

Q (Prof. Bruce Barnett, Physics and Astronomy): Is the University doing anything to help victims of Hurricane Katrina?
A (Dr. Knapp): Yes; the university is following recommendations established by AAU, which encourage member institutions to admit students who are from their regions. This helps with shortages of dormatory space (as presumably these students do not need housing). Tuition will be collected and sent to the students' home institution. There are presently 21 such students enrolled at Homewood and 36 in Public Health. We are also providing some space to faculty displaced by the hurricane. Tulane plans to reopen in spring; of 13,000 students only 150 have indicated that they do not plan to return. The Tulane campus was not damaged, although the medical school was extensively damaged.
A (Dean Douglas): A big challenge for Tulane is housing for students in the fall. Tulane only provides on campus housing for freshman; all upper-level students rent in the surrounding community, and there is a fear that rents will skyrocket once the current leases expire.

5. Adjournment
Hearing no other new business, Dr. Bok adjourned the meeting at 4:10 PM.

© 2005 The Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore, Maryland. All rights reserved.
Last updated 13Nov05 by dgips@jhu.edu