Recap of University Senate’s Jan. 28 meeting

President Mitch Daniels is asking Purdue University senators to help develop a civics test that could become a new graduation requirement for Purdue students.

At the Jan. 28 University Senate meeting, Daniels told the group that he wants Purdue students to have a basic knowledge about U.S. government before they graduate. He said he was unaware of any other universities in the U.S. with a similar requirement.

Senators asked Daniels if the test should be an admissions requirement rather than a graduation requirement, and several senators asked if international students would be required to take it.

Daniels said he wants to help answer those questions with the University Senate. No timeline was established, but Senate Chair Natalie Carroll said she hoped the Senate could work with Daniels to develop a test soon.

Also at the meeting:

* Carroll told the Senate that she, along with several committee chairs, is working on developing a University Senate email newsletter to facilitate communication with the rest of Purdue’s faculty and staff.

* Senator Deborah Nichols, co-chair of the Purdue Global Select Committee, provided an update about Purdue University Global and said the committee is continuing to make progress toward answering questions about the integration of Purdue Global into the larger Purdue system. Nichols said several “channel conflicts,” or duplications of existing programs across the four campuses, continue to be discussed and resolved. Nichols also said a new unified portal for online programs across all Purdue campuses (an interim page is available here) will be formally launched in late June or early July to help guide students in selecting an online program that meets their needs.

* Senator David Sanders withdrew his resolution that criticized Purdue Global’s rules on arbitration, non-disclosure agreements and a policy that would require faculty to notify administration within 60 minutes when contacted by media for official comments on behalf of the University. Sanders withdrew the resolution after acknowledging those concerns had been mostly resolved as a response of the Purdue Global administration to the Senate resolution.

* Chris Clifton, chair of the Student Affairs Committee, presented a resolution that would encourage the University to adopt a parenting leave policy for students. Under the policy, students can petition for a leave of absence through the Title IX coordinator in the Office of Institutional Equity. Students who have become a legal guardian or are pregnant, caring for a newborn or caring for a foster child can petition for the absence. Several members of the Senate voiced support for the policy, but added that there are ways to make the document more consistent before it is voted on. The Senate is expected to vote on the resolution at the Feb. 18 meeting.

* Felica Ahasteen-Bryant, director of the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, provided an update about the center. Ahasteen-Bryant said since 2014, attendance has increased by 20 percent at the center in terms of visits, tours and attendance of various programs. Ahasteen-Bryant said there has been a significant increase in classroom presentations across campus about the center. Throughout the year, Ahasteen-Bryant said, the center plans to continue scheduling presentations, lectures and workshops, as well as continuing to host Native American scholars, elders and speakers.

The next University Senate meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18.

Writer: Abbey Nickel, 765-496-1325, nickela@purdue.edu