2012-2013 Report of the Committee on Open Expression |
|
August 27, 2013,
Volume 60, No. 2 |
Committee Charge
The Committee on Open Expression is a standing committee of the University Council, and its charge is described by the Guidelines on Open Expression: “participating in the resolution of conflicts that may arise from incidents or disturbances implicating these Guidelines; mediating among the parties to prevent conflicts and violations of these Guidelines; interpreting these Guidelines; advising administrative officers when appropriate; and recommending policies and procedures for the improvement of all levels of communication” (http://provost.upenn.edu/policies/pennbook/2013/02/15/guidelines-on-open-expression).
Number of Meetings
The committee met three times during the 2012-2013 academic year.
Major Points Addressed by the Committee
This year, the Vice Provost for University Life implemented a reporting system for the monitors who observe events on campus and implement the Guidelines on Open Expression on behalf of VPUL. The reports are intended in part to improve communication with the Committee on Open Expression and to bring any issues of concern to both VPUL and the committee. The committee reviewed the monitors’ reports at its meetings this year. The committee also invited VPUL’s open expression monitor team captains to its meetings, as it did last year, to maintain a continual dialogue about events involving open expression and the implementation of the Guidelines.
In addition, the Committee on Open Expression undertook in a thorough review of the Guidelines on Open Expression. The committee engaged University partners, including VPUL and the Office of General Counsel, in considering how well the Guidelines meet the University community’s contemporary needs.
Recommendations of Topics to be Addressed in the Following Year
The Committee on Open Expression intends to continue its review of the Guidelines on Open Expression, in consultation with University partners, in the coming year. After completing its review and consultation, the committee may determine whether to recommend any changes to the University Council.
Committee Members
Chair:J. Matthew Hartley; Faculty: Eiichiro Azuma, Stephanos Bibas, J. Margo Brooks, Cindy Christian, William Ewald, Kurt Hankenson, Lauren Ristvet; Graduate students: Suzanne Bratt, Palvi Raikar, Luyao Wang; Undergraduate students: Duncan Hamilton, Ernest Owens, Kiara Vaughn; PPSA: Louis Acevedo; WPPSA: Donna Gladstone. |