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, October 13, 2021

Report from the Senate Tri-Chairs. Faculty Senate Chair William Braham reminded SEC members that the revised Faculty Senate Rules permit constituency representatives to name alternates. He reported that the feedback generated from SEC to the Consultative Committee for the Selection of a President was conveyed to it and that the faculty representatives highlighted that feedback during Consultative Committee discussions. 

Nominations sought for the 2021-2022 Senate Nominating Committee. Prof. Braham described the nominations process for the Senate Nominating Committee and invited nominations. The process is detailed in the Faculty Senate Rules (Section 9.C.). Standing Faculty members interested in being nominated should contact their SEC representative. 

Update from the Office of the Provost. Interim Provost Beth Winkelstein expressed her gratitude to all faculty for continuing to support Penn’s teaching and research mission during the past two challenging academic years including the ongoing campus repopulation effort. Provost Winkelstein offered updates in three areas: pandemic-related notices, a forthcoming faculty climate survey, and the launch of the reaccreditation process. 

Resolution from CIRCE: The Faculty Senate Select Committee on the Institutional Response to the Climate Emergency. SEC members were invited to offer feedback on the Resolution draft approved by the Senate Select Committee on the Institutional Response to the Climate Emergency (“CIRCE”) during the previous meeting. Additional time will be provided for SEC members to review the contents of the resolution with their constituents. The Resolution will be returned to CIRCE for further revision. In addition, a reminder was given of the Resolution on the Individual and Institutional Responses of Faculty in the University of Pennsylvania to the Global Climate Emergency, endorsed by SEC in May 2020, which is still accepting individual signatures by Penn faculty and staff.

Moderated Discussion. SEC members were invited to propose issues for deliberation by SEC during the upcoming months.