From the Senate Office: Faculty Senate Executive Committee Actions
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, September 13, 2017
Chair’s Report. After introductions, Faculty Senate Chair Santosh Venkatesh welcomed the members of the Senate Executive Committee (SEC) and offered a brief review of the Senate and its structure. He indicated that the responsibility of SEC is to be the central mechanism for input and feedback for faculty at Penn. He especially encouraged the 36 “constituency members” of SEC to communicate the Senate’s work regularly to their Standing Faculty constituents; a full list of constituencies is available on the Senate’s website.
Past Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Past Chair Laura Perna reported that the Campaign for Community (C4C) is beginning its third year and is accepting applications for funding from organizations that are holding campus-based events aligned with C4C’s goals of promoting understanding of and respect for multiple points of view on important topics related to the University community, encouraging dialogue and discussion among members of the community about issues with the potential for difference and disagreement and creating opportunities for all members of the University’s community to participate in conversations about important topics. Applications are sought via the C4C website from faculty, students and staff this year on a rolling basis for both novel programming and for events already in the planning process.
Update from the Office of the General Counsel. Senior Vice President and General Counsel Wendy White informed SEC members of the status of the unionization effort being undertaken by some graduate and professional students.
Knowledge Teach-In Planned for the Week of March 19, 2018. Professor Venkatesh described the Senate’s plan to convene a pan-University “Teach-In” from March 19-22, 2018, organized around the theme of knowledge. He noted that this is the first time the Senate has planned such an event. SEC members discussed approaches to successfully convening the event. A planning committee (known as the “Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Engagement with the Academic Mission) will meet at the end of the month and includes participation from staff and student leadership groups. Professor Venkatesh invited any and all Penn community members to contact the Senate office at senate@pobox.upenn.edu and become involved in the effort.