03/22/16, SENATE From the Senate Office: Faculty Senate Executive Committee Actions

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 Patrick Walsh, 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, March 16, 2016

Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Chair Reed Pyeritz reported that the annual Faculty Senate Symposium is scheduled for April 6, at 4 p.m., in Houston Hall’s Hall of Flags: “The Role of the Faculty in the Evolution of US Research Universities” with a number of senior university leaders from around the region (see below). All members of the University community are welcome to participate; SEC members are encouraged to invite their colleagues.

Past Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Past Chair Claire Finkelstein reported that the Campaign for Community Steering Committee has increased the small grant award maximum from $1,500 to $3,000, and the deadline has been extended to April 15, 2016, for events through June 30, 2016. A few major grants valued up to $10,000 will also be rewarded to address “difficult interactions on campus.” The grant program is expected to continue during the upcoming academic year.

Update from the Office of the Vice President for Public Safety. Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush reported that crime within the Penn “Patrol Zone” has dropped 59% since 1996, while retail, residential and institutional space has increased significantly since then. The Division of Public Safety follows a crisis management plan that includes a network of emergency alert systems, called UPennAlert; faculty and staff may choose to opt out of this program. The Penn “Rave Guardian” Safety App, available at no cost, allows Public Safety to geolocate phones and contact emergency services in times of distress. She described the work of the Alcohol Task Force and Mental Health Task Force and noted that the HELP line (215-898-HELP) may be reached 24/7 for any campus-related reason.

Update from the Office of the Vice Provost for Research. Vice Provost for Research Dawn Bonnell reported that research awards at Penn have increased by 61% since 2000, and industry-sponsored research has doubled relative to the total percentage since then. There are approximately two dozen faculty conflict of interest disclosures every year, of which most are handled administratively and determined not to have a conflict. Others are handled by an expedited review, and only 9% of disclosures go before the Conflict of Interest Steering Committee for in-depth review. To reduce administrative burdens associated with research, the Office is working to develop a single portal in which all faculty may input information for all programs, track agreements and approvals, and allow for cross-population of data into parallel external systems. Input from faculty and administrative stakeholders is being solicited as this system is developed. “Pennovation” is a key focus of the Office, which includes the Penn Center for Innovation (which facilitates commercial partnerships with Penn), Pennovation Works (a Penn real estate project that develops new research facilities) and the Pennovation Center (an incubator for start-up companies).

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