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, May 11, 2016

Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Chair Reed Pyeritz reported that the first cadre of Faculty Wellness Ambassadors completed a training session the week prior and will begin serving their roles in the fall. The Office of the Vice Provost for Education is coordinating the training sessions and implementation of this pilot program across the four undergraduate schools. He encouraged SEC members to volunteer to receive the training and serve as Ambassadors. After the first year, the program will be assessed for its effectiveness and may be expanded to include the other eight Penn schools. Dr. Pyeritz noted that the launch of the program is a major accomplishment for SEC this year and offered credit to Claire Finkelstein who led during the initiative’s formative stage. Dr. Pyeritz requested that next year SEC consider a number of other issues, including an examination of the roles and sizes of the Standing Faculty, the Associated Faculty and Academic Support Staff.

Past Chair’s Report. Faculty Senate Past Chair Claire Finkelstein reported that the Campaign for Community (C4C) Steering Committee met on May 10 and that C4C will continue for the 2016-2017 year. She encouraged SEC members to plan events related to open expression, difficult conversations, and diversity and inclusion in the coming year and submit applications for grant funding. She especially encouraged SEC members to consider planning events that involve multiple gatherings about difficult issues that might be confronted in departments or schools. The events do not need to be student-based or involve large numbers of participants, but they do need to maintain the spirit of C4C by providing opportunities to open dialogue and conversation on the campus. She further reported that the Provost’s Academic Planning and Budget Committee and Capital Council have met. She expressed gratitude to the Tri-Chairs with whom she served and to Paulo Arratia for his leadership in developing the Faculty Ambassador Program proposal; she also encouraged SEC members to become future Ambassadors.

Senate Committee Reports. SEC heard and briefly discussed annual reports given by the chairs of Senate Committees. Senate committee reports can be found in the supplement to the May 10, 2016 issue of Almanac.

Confidentiality and the Ombuds. Lynn Hollen Lees, professor of history emerita and University ombudsman, and Marcia Martínez-Helfman, associate ombudsman, discussed issues of sexual misconduct and the confidentiality that their office affords to those who come to them to discuss these matters. Dr. Lees noted that with the promulgation of “Procedures for Resolving Complaints Against Faculty of Sexual Assault, Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence and Stalking,” which took effect March 1, 2016, the Office of the Ombudsman was designated a “confidential resource.”  This designation enables Ombuds staff to refrain from disclosing incidents of sexual misconduct unless the reporting individual gives them permission to do so, with the sole exception of cases in which there is a reasonable belief of imminent risk of serious harm to someone. Dr. Lees and Ms. Martínez-Helfman also reported that the University has released two additional draft policies relating to sexual misconduct, with a request for comments that must be submitted on or before May 27, 2016. These draft policies are “Sexual Violence, Relationship Violence and Stalking Policy” and “Sexual Harassment Policy.” Dr. Lees shared copies of the Office handout that is provided to each visitor, which speaks to the standards of practice for the Office and follows best practices as articulated by the International Ombudsman Association.

Issues Requiring a Vote. SEC members approved the 2016 Senate Committee on Committees slate as presented. SEC members voted for the faculty representatives on the 2016-2017 University Council Steering Committee.

Passing the Torch. Remarks were given by each of the Faculty Senate Tri-Chairs thanking Claire Finkelstein for her service as Past Chair, thanking Reed Pyeritz for his service as Chair, and welcoming Laura Perna as the 2016-2017 Faculty Senate Chair. Dr. Pyeritz announced that Santosh Venkatesh will serve as Chair-Elect of the Senate for the 2016-2017 year.