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

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Chair Jennifer Pinto-Martin reported that a “Your Big Wellness Idea” contest will be launched later in the spring 2019 semester. Faculty are encouraged to help with the planning and the judging efforts by contacting the Senate Office. When the contest launches, anyone may submit a “Big Wellness Idea” for consideration by a review committee. Entries will be ranked by a judging panel and at least one idea will be funded for roll-out during the next academic year. Dr. Pinto-Martin also reported that a mini Penn Teach-In event will be held at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Parkway Central Library branch on Wednesday, April 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. Faculty and students are encouraged to attend.

Past Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Past Chair Santosh Venkatesh reported on the renovation of the Penn Museum.

Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures. Senior Vice President for Institutional Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer Joann Mitchell and Senior Vice President and General Counsel Wendy White reviewed the status of the Sexual Misconduct Policy, published as a supplement in the January 22 issue of Almanac, which is open for comments through February 22. Ms. Mitchell and Ms. White will review all comments to determine whether and how the policy draft should be amended. The new policy consolidates six individual policies into one and prescribes a set of procedures to be followed if a member of the Penn community seeks to file a complaint that falls under the new policy. A new office, led by an “Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Officer” (“AVP”) will oversee the implementation of these policies and will also serve as Penn’s Title IX coordinator, a responsibility that is currently managed by the Office of Affirmative Action. The AVP will serve as a central point of contact who will direct complainants to the appropriate resources on campus. A search to identify the first AVP will begin soon. Penn is participating via the Association of American Universities and the American Council on Education in commenting on new proposed regulations from the US Department of Education on how institutions of higher education will be required to handle cases of sexual misconduct.

Conflict of Interest Guidance. Ms. White shared a brief document that articulates four principles to clarify Penn’s existing conflict of interest policies related to individuals’ investments in Penn technology (such as Penn start-up companies) and their corresponding fiduciary obligations. The document will soon be published in Almanac.

Moderated Discussion. SEC members discussed ongoing efforts by the Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (SCOF) to review the composition and teaching contributions of Standing Faculty, Academic Support Staff and Associated Faculty. A goal of these efforts is to identify best practices for promoting representation of Academic Support Staff and Associated Faculty within departments, schools and the University.