SENATE From the Senate Office |
|
November 13, 2012,
Volume 59, No. 12 |
The following is published in accordance with the Faculty 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 Sue White, executive assistant to the Senate Office, either by telephone at (215) 898-6943 or by email at senate@pobox.upenn.edu
Faculty Senate Executive Committee Actions
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Chair’s Report: Faculty Senate Chair Susan Margulies reported that the Senate Committee on the Economic Status of the Faculty has been meeting frequently this fall and has received additional data that will be included in this year’s report. She stated that the Senate Committee on Faculty Development, Diversity, and Equity will review the draft Gender Equity Report later this month. She reported that the Senate Committee on Students and Educational Policy (SCSEP) had a discussion with Ed Rock, director of open course initiatives at Penn and noted that a Call for Coursera Course Proposals was published in the October 30th issue of Almanac. She reported that the Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (SCOF) met with administrators from the Perelman School of Medicine and the Wharton School to discuss a centralized resource system for dual career recruiting and retention. She noted that the December SEC meeting will feature conversations with Vice Provost for Global Affairs, Zeke Emanuel and chair of the Ad Hoc Sabbatical Committee, Tom Sollecito. Dr. Margulies explained that SEC will discuss the Ad Hoc Sabbatical Committee Report which will be sent to SEC members prior to the December meeting.
Update from the President: President Amy Gutmann presented the strategic priorities for the Office of the President for fiscal year 2013. Dr. Gutmann discussed evergreen ongoing efforts for the first four priorities: to continue to strengthen student financial aid, maintain faculty support for recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, address the challenges of research funding and fundraising, and streamline Penn’s operational efficiency to advance sustainability goals. Dr. Gutmann reported on the success of Penn Connects Phase 1 that resulted in 3.8 million gross square feet of new and renovated space. She outlined projects that are underway or have been completed for Phase 2.0 including: Shoemaker Green, Singh Nanotechnology Center, and the ARCH (Arts, Research, and Culture House). She noted that the construction of a new college house is included in the Phase 2.0 plan. Dr. Gutmann reported that Tech Transfer and Commercialization has improved and is more user-friendly; however, there is still room for further improvement. She outlined Penn’s Global Initiatives under Vice Provost Zeke Emanuel, including: increased international study; research and internships; advancement of select regional initiatives; development of a World House as a campus center and the recently launched Center for the Study of Contemporary China. She reported that Coursera, Penn’s experiment with online education, is going well, pointing out that 54,000 people have signed up for SEC member Peter Struck’s Greek and Roman Mythology course. Dr. Gutmann reported that kindergarten slots at the Penn Alexander School have been expanded and the school has recently won an award for the Middle School Science category at the Intel Schools of Distinction Awards.
Vote for the 2012-2013 Senate Nominating Committee Chair: SEC members voted for the chair of the 2012-2013 Senate Nominating Committee.
Discussion on Academic Integrity: Michele Goldfarb, director of the Office of Student Conduct (OSC), and Kent Peterman, associate dean of the College, led a conversation on academic integrity. Dr. Peterman updated SEC on the SAS Committee on Undergraduate Education (CUE) discussions over the past two years concerning policies, procedures, and practices with a focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the response by instructors and by the institution as a whole to students who commit academic dishonesty. He explained that CUE is developing suggestions for improvement which include: amending the Charter to align policy with practice; improving student and faculty knowledge of the Code of Academic Integrity; expanding OSC’s consultative role with faculty, and improving processes within the Office of Student Conduct. SEC members had a robust discussion on how faculty can effectively communicate clear expectations on academic integrity to their students and reasonable and fair methods to track repeat offenders. SEC members noted that most faculty have little knowledge of how the Office of Student Conduct deals with violations of academic integrity.
|