As the University begins a new semester, leadership of the Faculty Senate has shifted to newly elected Chair Robert E. Davis.
An associate professor in the environmental sciences department with a concentration in climatology, Davis previously served as the chair of academic affairs, a division of the Faculty Senate that deals primarily with issues of curricular and academic program review.
"I'm definitely looking forward to it," Davis said.
As chair of academic affairs, Davis and his fellow council members did significant work on graduate student issues that received much attention from the Senate, he said."It was an important topic for the Senate to deal with," Davis said.
Davis was elected by a majority vote of the Senate last year and will serve as Chair until 2005.
One of the first items on the docket for Davis is a University retreat this Friday.
Deans, vice presidents, and other administrators will attend the meeting with a goal of examining many important topics -- specifically curricular issues and research.
In addition to his role as associate professor and chair of the Faculty Senate, Davis currently serves as editor of the journal "Climate Research" and is chair of the committee of biometeorology and aerobiology of the American Meteorological Society.
Davis said his new position is a big responsibility, one that will undoubtedly prove to be time consuming with long nights and myriad meetings.
However, in an effort to accommodate his new schedule, Daivs said he is reducing his teaching load.
Despite the impending hectic schedule, Davis said he is very excited about the position.
"It's a great opportunity to move programs forward," Davis said. "It's a way to make U.Va. a better place for everybody."
The Faculty Senate is a representative body responsible for faculty participation in University planning and governance.
Davis described the Senate as a primary conduit for interaction with University administration.
"It handles curricular matters across colleges," he said.
The Faculty Senate also works closely with the Board of Visitors.
Board Secretary Sandy Gilliam described the relationship between the two bodies as extremely close.
"Chairs attend all Board meetings," Gilliam said. "They are called upon for comments or advice on which the Board heavily relies."
Gilliam, who knows Professor Davis personally, said that Davis is the right man for the job.
"He's a good guy," he said.
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