April 22 Council Coverage |
|
April 28, 2015, Volume 61, No. 32 |
At the last University Council meeting of the semester, Penn President Amy Gutmann described the recently launched “Campaign for Community,” which featured a Town Hall that included six of Penn’s deans, as being an important enterprise (Almanac April 7, 2015).
Provost Vincent Price urged the students to complete the confidential, anonymous campus climate survey to help Penn learn more about the campus climate and shape future policies in the area of sexual misconduct.
The majority of the April 22 meeting was devoted to the annual reports of the Council Committees. Each of the five committees’ chairs provided a summary of their charges, focus areas and recommendations for the next academic year based on their deliberations this year. These reports will be published in the May 5 issue of Almanac.
Steven Kimbrough discussed Academic & Related Affairs. The Committee focused on the performing and visual arts at Penn, academic integrity and changes to Penn’s libraries.
Rebecca Maynard presented on Campus and Community Life. The Committee had numerous recommendations concerning Penn’s engagement with the Philadelphia Public Schools; as well as suggestions in regard to the Report of the Commission on Student Safety, Alcohol and Student Life, in particular, sexual assault, interpersonal violence and bullying. They also examined advising and support for international students and concerns related to off-campus housing.
Joseph Libonati summarized the findings of the Diversity and Equity Committee. They explored the University’s efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty and staff, as well as graduate students.
Eric Marsh reviewed the work of the Facilities Committee. They dealt with the traffic and transportation to Penn’s Innovation Works, classroom security and instructional spaces outfitted with appropriate technology, spaces for conferences and other special events and the progress of the Bike Plan.
Reed Shuldiner highlighted the charges of the Personnel Benefits Committee, which focused mainly on redesigning the University’s short-term disability policy. They also investigated other benefits and compliance with new federal regulations.
After those summaries, Reed Pyeritz, chair-elect of the Faculty Senate, reported that the Committee on Committees met three times this spring. Their report will also be published in an upcoming issue of Almanac.
Claire Finkelstein, chair of the Senate, announced that the focus issues for next year’s Council meetings will be determined by Steering and announced in the fall.
|