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 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, May 1, 2002

1. Chair's Report. Professor David Hackney reported on the University's Emergency Energy Program for this summer. There may be a need to limit air-conditioning during the hotest days, as was the case last summer. Electric bills for 12 months are based on the Univerity's consumption during peak periods. Limiting air-conditioning and turning off air handlers for periods of 30 minutes can save the University millions of dollars. He urged faculty to contact their dean in advance if problems are anticipated. He noted that it is hoped that the Report on Teaching Evaluations will be available in the fall. The Minority Equity Committee has received data and will finalize their plans in the fall. Graduate student unionization is still under discussion and at this point no vote has been taken. The Committee on the Faculty's recommendations on the Gender Equity Report were enthusiastically received by the administration.

Professor Hackney extended thanks to Carolyn Burdon, executive assistant to the Faculty Senate Chair, chairs of Senate committees, Sarah Kagan, Past Secretary of the Faculty Senate, Edward Rubin, Secretary of the Faculty Senate, Gerald Porter, Past Chair of the Faculty Senate and Mitchell Marcus, Chair-elect of the Faculty Senate.

2. Past Chair's Report on Academic Planning and Budget Committee and Capital Council. Professor Gerald Porter stated that there was one meeting of the Academic Planning and Budget Committee since the last SEC meeting. At that meeting, held on April 23, Omar Blaik, Vice President for Facilities and Real Estate Services, reviewed the FY03 Capital Plan. The final meeting of the committee for this academic year is scheduled for May 7. There is a meeting of Capital Council scheduled for May 31.

3. Faculty Liaisons to Trustee Committees. Professor Porter, faculty liaison to the Trustee Committee on Budget and Finance, described changes that will be made beginning this month to improve communications between faculty and trustees.

Old Business

4. Task Force on Retirement. Associate Provost Barbara Lowery announced that this was a preliminary report. Professor Jerry Rosenbloom outlined the proposed recommendations growing out of the year-long work of the task force.

5. Proposed Revised Procedures Regarding Misconduct in Research. Professor Vincent Price presented the report of the Senate Committee on the Faculty (see report and procedures in this issue). He reminded SEC that several revisions were reviewed by the Faculty Senate, dating back to 1997. The Committee on the Faculty believes the latest revision is a fair and sensible approach within the Federal guidelines that retains the rights of the respondent, the University and confidentiality. Several SEC members expressed concern that there had been no review of the proposed revised procedures by the Senate Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility.

It was moved and seconded that the Senate Executive Committee endorse the Proposed Revised Procedures Regarding Misconduct in Research [dated April 15, 2002], pending review by the Senate Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility. The motion was adopted by an overwhelming majority. Faculty Senate Chair-elect Marcus said he will ask SCAFR to expedite their review.

6. Proposed Revised Policy for Postdoctoral Fellows. Committee on Administration Chair Dennis Yao noted that SEC had referred the policy back to committee to consider whether the expanded policy applied to postdoctoral fellows in the humanities. The Provost's Council on Research recommended and the Senate Committee on Administration concurred that the proposal be cut back to the original scope, that is, for the physical, biological, health sciences and engineering. Concern about the requirement that all research materials must remain at the University in the event a postdoctoral fellow leaves has been revised so that this is negotiated on an individual basis. The revision also broadens mentoring policies.

Professor Yao moved adoption of the proposal [dated April 24, 2002] (in this issue). The motion was seconded and adopted unanimously.

7. Report of the Senate Committee on Administration. Professor Yao drew attention to the annual report (in this issue), emphasizing the section on the Cost of Research. The Provost's ongoing study of the matter presents an opportunity for the faculty to institutionalize a review of the issue, to form a partnership with the Provost, to provide input, and report to the faculty.

Professor David Hackney turned the chair over to Professor Marcus.

New Business

Professor Mitchell Marcus took office as Chair of the Faculty Senate. He thanked Carolyn Burdon for her 30 years of service, noting that she is the heart and soul of the Faculty Senate.

8. Election of Four SEC Members to the Council Steering Committee. Nominations were made and ballots were circulated.

9. Chair of the Senate Committee on the Economic Status of the Faculty. Professor Eric Bradlow was reappointed chair of the committee.

10. Optional June 5, 2002 meeting. It was agreed to cancel the June meeting.