SENATE: From the Senate Office	Print Issue
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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 24, 2014

Welcome and Introductions: As the first order of business, Faculty Senate Past Chair Dwight Jaggard turned the meeting over and presented the key to the Senate Chair’s office to the new Faculty Senate Chair Claire Finkelstein. Professor Finkelstein welcomed the 2014-2015 Faculty Senate Executive Committee and introductions from members in attendance followed.

Chair’s Report: Professor Finkelstein gave a brief overview of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, Senate Committees and University Council. She reminded the committee that the October meeting will have three guests, Provost Vincent Price, and Rebecca Bushnell and Anthony Rostain, co-chairs of the Task Force on Student Psychological Health and Welfare. She asked committee members to contribute suggestions for topics for their presentations. She 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. She reported on the Tri-Chairs’ summer activities, including meetings with the President, Provost and other University administrators. She asked the committee for ideas for a spring symposium theme. She notified members of the Faculty Award of Merit, sponsored by Penn Alumni and the Office of the Provost. She informed SEC members of the trustees’ declining to vote on the tobacco divestment proposal over the summer.

Past Chair’s Report: Professor Jaggard reported that he attended an Academic Planning and Budget Committee and a Capital Council meeting.

Discussion and vote on the draft 2014-2015 Senate Committee Charges: Professor Finkelstein asked SEC members for comments concerning the draft 2014-2015 charges. SEC members approved the charges with several revisions.

Discussion on Proposed New Student Disciplinary Protocol for Sexual Assault, Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence and Stalking: Vice Provost for Education Andy Binns, Vice President for Institutional Affairs Joann Mitchell and Senior Vice President and General Counsel Wendy White discussed proposed changes to how the University handles student-on-student sexual misconduct cases. Ms. White noted that the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and the White House have made the issue of sexual assault on campus a high priority, and that OCR believes that Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on gender in organizations that receive federal funding, mandates that universities adopt certain procedures for handling such cases. The primary change proposed to the new protocol governing the handling of these cases is to move from an adjudicatory model to an investigative model. The proposal recommends hiring a Sexual Violence Investigative Officer experienced with Title IX issues to manage the disciplinary process for these cases. This office will be separate from the Office of Student Conduct, which handles other student disciplinary cases. The University believes the proposed changes will make the process easier for both the complainant and respondent, result in more fair and consistent sanctions and better comply with federal Title IX requirements. Ms. White stated that the full details of Penn’s revised procedures will be shared with the University community in the near future.

SEC members and the guest speakers then discussed the following topics: the different standards of evidence for a University disciplinary case versus a criminal case of sexual misconduct; campus resources for students and how cases will be brought to the attention of the Investigative Officer; ensuring the Investigative Officer and faculty panel members are trained to deal with issues of same-sex sexual assault; oversight and review procedures; the appeal standard and the role of lawyers in the proposed protocol; the training and composition of the faculty pool for the hearing panels; and training for the faculty on these and related issues.