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

October 14, 2020

Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Chair Kathleen Hall Jamieson reported on a number of matters:

• A “Resolution for Election Day” was circulated for a vote by SEC via email because of the time-sensitive nature of the Resolution. By an email vote of 33 in favor, 2 opposed, and 20 not voting, the resolution was adopted on October 1, 2020, and appeared in Almanac on October 6, 2020.
• On a question from a SEC member regarding faculty ownership of online instruction materials, Prof. Jamieson reminded the group that no use will be made of faculty members’ online materials without specific permission of the instructor: https://almanac.upenn.edu/articles/guidance-on-recording-classes.  
• Prof. Jamieson announced two forthcoming Faculty Senate Seminars, both on October 22, which are available on the following webpage: https://provost.upenn.edu/senate/faculty-senate-seminar-series.

2021 Senate Nominating Committee.  Pursuant to the Faculty Senate Rules, the members of SEC were requested to submit the name of a member of the Standing Faculty to appear on the Nominating Committee ballot.

Resolution on Engaged Scholarship. Following a motion and discussion, SEC members voted to adopt a “Resolution on Engaged Scholarship” by a vote of 41 in favor, none opposed, and 14 not voting. The Resolution appears in this issue of Almanac.

Update from the Office of the President. President Amy Gutmann expressed gratitude to the numerous faculty members who are keeping teaching and research activities thriving at Penn and the support and partnership provided by the Faculty Senate in navigating the challenge of the year.  President Gutmann summarized the 2020 Silfen Forum, held on October 13, which addressed timely topics related to the importance of civic engagement.  She then shared a presentation on her goals and priorities for the academic year. 

Update from the Center for Teaching and Learning. Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Bruce Lenthall, shared a report on the resources available to faculty for online instruction.  CTL supports all aspects of teaching at Penn across the spectrum of those struggling with teaching to those seeking new and innovative enhancements.  Recent seminars have been delivered on topics such as “building community in your online course,” and “effective use of synchronous and asynchronous engagement,” “managing academic integrity,” and “using relevant technologies for your instruction.” Penn instructors are invited to register for a two-week course on “Course Design for Whatever the Spring Brings: Engagement, Community, Flexibility, Academic Rigor and Remote Teaching.” Dr. Lenthall highlighted an upcoming seminar on “Teaching While Exhausted,” which will highlight the unique challenges that instructors are facing currently and how they can address them. CTL is beginning to develop more programs addressing “burnout” and suggested that all instructors would benefit from acknowledging burnout and identifying accomplishable expectations for teaching and research during this challenging period. A full recording of the 32-minute presentation and discussion is available on the Faculty Senate website: https://provost.upenn.edu/senate/center-teaching-and-learning.