From the Senate Office |
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October 1, 2013, Volume 60, No. 7 |
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 Vicki Hewitt, 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, September 25, 2013
Welcome and Introductions: Faculty Senate Chair Dwight Jaggard welcomed the 2013-2014 Faculty Senate Executive Committee and brief introductions from members in attendance followed.
Chair’s Report: Faculty Senate Chair Dwight Jaggard gave a brief overview of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, Senate Committees and University Council. He noted that the orientation meeting for the Senate Committee Chairs will be on Friday, September 27. He reminded the committee that the October meeting will have two guests, President Amy Gutmann and Vice Provost for Education Andy Binns. He asked committee members to contribute suggestions for topics for their presentations. He reminded committee members that the October SEC meeting will be held at the University Club, with a reception following the meeting at 5 p.m. He reported on the Tri-Chairs’ summer meetings, and announced the hiring of a new Executive Assistant for the Faculty Senate, Vicki Hewitt. He asked the committee for ideas for a spring symposium theme. He notified members of a new Faculty Award of Merit, sponsored by Penn Alumni and the Office of the Provost.
Past Chair’s Report: Faculty Senate Past Chair Susan Margulies was not able to attend the meeting. She will report on her council meetings at the October SEC meeting.
Update from the Provost: Provost Vincent Price updated SEC on recent activities in the offices under his purview. The new Vice Provost for Faculty, Anita Allen, has been working on progress reports for Penn’s Action Plan for Faculty Diversity and Excellence and for the Minority Equity Report. There is also a new Vice Provost for Research, Dawn Bonnell. Her office has been engaged in the implementation of recommendations to reduce the regulatory burden on faculty. The Vice Provost for Education has been involved in the Middle States Commission on Higher Education reaccreditation process, in addition to encouraging new educational innovations using technology. The Vice Provost for Global Initiatives has been moving forward with plans for Perry World House, the Penn Wharton Center in Beijing and a November conference on “India as a Pioneer of Innovation: Constraints and Opportunities.” The Vice Provost for University Life has been working on the renovation of the ARCH building, which includes space for student cultural and research activities. The Libraries have been involved in implementing Canvas as the University’s new learning management system and the renovation of the new Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. The Museum has proposed new initiatives to more closely align their research work with the interests of Penn faculty.
SEC members and the Provost then discussed the following topics: proposed revisions to the faculty handbook, risk management in global initiatives, the current dean searches and Penn’s efforts to address climate change.
Discussion and vote on the draft 2013-2014 Senate Committee Charges: Faculty Senate Chair Dwight Jaggard asked SEC members for comments concerning the draft 2013-2014 charges. SEC members approved the charges with minor revisions.
Discussion on issues to shape the 2013-2014 SEC Agenda: SEC members had a robust discussion and suggested a range of topics that might be added to this year’s SEC agenda.
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