SENATE: From the Senate Office


The following statement is published in accordance with the Senate Rules. Among other purposes, the publication of SEC actions is intended to stimulate discussion among the constituencies and their representatives. Please communicate your comments to Senate Chair Larry Gross or Executive Assistant Carolyn Burdon, Box 12 College Hall/6303, (215) 898-6943 or burdon@pobox.upenn.edu.

Actions Taken by the Senate Executive Committee

Wednesday, January 17, 2001

1. Chair's Report. Faculty Senate Chair Larry Gross reminded SEC that he is working with Paul Mosher to raise consciousness about the state of scholarly publishing. Appointment of the Joint Senate-Administration committee to assess methods of teaching evaluation is moving forward. Professor Gross noted that this is probably the last time SEC will meet at the Faculty Club and he thanked the Club for its help and for use of the space. SEC will begin meeting in a new conference room in College Hall.

2. Past Chair's Report on Academic Planning and Budget and Capital Council. Professor Phoebe Leboy stated that the December 12 meeting of Academic Planning and Budget was cancelled, and the next meeting is scheduled for January 23. The only action taken by Capital Council in the past month was consideration of the financial implications surrounding leasing of facilities for the planned "Wharton-West" in the San Francisco area.

3. Chair of the Senate Committee on Committees. Faculty Senate Chair-elect David B. Hackney was elected by acclamation.

4. Proposed Revision of the Almanac Guidelines. Martin Pring, Chair, Senate Committee on Publication Policy for Almanac, introduced the proposed minor and substantive revisions to the Guidelines. He drew attention to changes under the section "As Publication of Opinion" which provide that the Almanac editor can determine that part or all of a contribution is irrelevant or unsuitable for publication and can require appropriate changes. The other substantive revision limits letters to 400 words. These revisions call for the editor to consult with the Senate Committee on Publication Policy for Almanac. An appeal is provided for the contributor.

A motion was made to endorse the proposed revisions. The motion was adopted unanimously. The proposals will now go to the Almanac Advisory Board for discussion and action.

5. 1999-2000 Report and Recommendations and Policy Issues of the Senate Committee on the Economic Status of the Faculty. Committee Chair Ed Boe presented the documents (to be published in Almanac next month). Senate Chair Larry Gross emphasized that the administration is more forthcoming with more data than in the past and appreciates the committee's efforts. Professor Gross was encouraged by inclusion of the Faculty Senate Chair and the Committee Chair in discussions with the deans for the first time.

A motion was made to approve and endorse the report and the recommendations and policy issues. The motion was adopted unanimously.

Professor Gross extended appreciation and thanks to Ed Boe for his enormous amount of work and creativity, noting that he has raised the bar for faculty salary analysis.


Almanac, Vol. 47, No. 20, January 30, 2001

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