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 Lance Donaldson-Evans, Box 12, College Hall/6303, or Kristine Kelly at (215) 898-6943 or by e-mail kellyke@pobox.upenn.edu.

Senate Executive Committee Actions

Wednesday, March 17, 2004

1. Chair's Report. Faculty Senate Chair Lance Donaldson-Evans informed SEC that the Senate Chairs are following up on the presentations regarding minority students on campus from last month's meeting. The Senate Chairs have scheduled a meeting with the minority student leaders, and will also invite them to meet with SEC in April. Professor Donaldson-Evans reminded SEC that the President and Provost will be attending April's Executive Committee meeting. Finally, Professor Donaldson-Evans informed SEC that the Senate Chairs will be meeting with President-Elect Amy Gutmann at the end of March. Professor Donaldson-Evans asked Committee members to forward him any topics they wish the chairs to discuss with the president-elect.

2. Past Chair's Report on Academic Planning and Budget and Capital Council. Past Chair Mitch Marcus updated SEC on the work of AP&B and Capital Council.

3. Update from the Vice Provost for Research.  The new Vice Provost for Research, Dr. Perry Molinoff, updated SEC on the current work of his Office, and the departments that report to him, including the Office of Research Services (ORS), the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), the Center for Technology Transfer (CTT), University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR), the Office of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS), and the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM). Dr. Molinoff also discussed his plans to review the way the Research Foundation internal research grant brogans structured in order to insure that the University is maximizing the use of its funds in support of faculty research. He also stated that there is a need to review Penn's Effort Reporting practices. SEC informed the Vice Provost that the correct use of Effort Reports has never been completely explained to the faculty. 

4. Faculty Senate Committees Election. Sherri Adams, Chair of the 2003-04 Senate Committee on Committees, reviewed the Faculty Senate Committees Ballot with SEC. SEC then voted on the 2004-05 Committees. 

5. New Business. Faculty Senate Chair-elect Chuck Mooney informed SEC that the Senate Chairs are considering creating an ad hoc committee to look at minority programs and life on campus. This committee would include members from existing Faculty Senate and University Council Committees. Professor Mooney asked SEC to think about the committee's structure and charge, and to get back to him with any thoughts and/or ideas.