September 21, 2020

Recap of University Senate’s Sept. 14 meeting

Here is a recap of the University Senate’s meeting on Sept. 14. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Senate website closer to the next Senate meeting on Oct. 19.

Chair remarks. In her remarks, Deborah Nichols, chair of the University Senate, introduced herself to senators and outlined her goals for the 2020-21 academic year. Nichols reflected on the work accomplished over the summer to prepare Purdue for students to safely return to campus this fall – as well as how virtual Senate town halls and surveys helped address questions and concerns the Purdue community had regarding COVID-19.

President's remarks. Purdue President Mitch Daniels revealed Purdue’s latest census figures, reporting that total enrollment at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus reached a new record of 46,114 students. A news release contains more enrollment details.

Virtual Senate meetings. Alexander Francis, chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee, presented a resolution that the University Senate shall meet remotely through the end of the Spring 2021 semester, due to local, state and federal guidelines suggesting that in-person meetings are unadvisable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senators voted to suspend the rules so that they could vote on the matter after a discussion. Senators passed the resolution.

Equity and Diversity Committee nomination. The Senate Nominating Committee approved the following nominee for the committee. The nominee and the proposed term of service: Ximena Bernal, College of Science, three years.

University Resources Policy Committee nomination. The Senate Nominating Committee approved the following nominee for the committee. The nominee and the proposed terms of service: Kathleen Abrahamson, College of Health and Human Sciences, one year.

Faculty Affairs Committee nomination. The Senate Nominating Committee proposed the following nominee for the committee. The nominee and the proposed term of service: John Springer, Purdue Polytechnic Institute, three years.

Student Affairs Committee nomination. The Senate Nominating Committee approved the following nominee for the committee. The nominee and the proposed terms of service: Alexander Kildishev, College of Engineering, two years.

Steering Committee nominations. The Senate Nominating Committee introduced the following nominees for one vacant spot on the committee: Jessica Sturm, College of Liberal Arts, one semester; David Sanders, College of Science, one year. After a vote, senators elected Sturm, who will serve for the fall 2020-21 semester.

Nominations for student members of standing committees. The Senate Nominating Committee approved 16 nominees as student members of committee openings. The nominees, proposed committee and proposed terms of service are recorded here.

Nominations for student members of Grade Appeals Committee. The Senate Nominating Committee approved the following nominees as student members for committee openings. The nominees, their represented body and their proposed terms of service: Evan Chrise, Purdue Student Government, one year; Saul Guzman, Purdue Student Government, one year; Brooke Hopfer, Purdue Student Government, one year; Sarah McGovern, Purdue Graduate Student Government, one year; Halak Mehta, Purdue Graduate Student Government, one year; Camilo Torres, Purdue Graduate Student Government, one year; Ali Alkhaleefah, Purdue Graduate Student Government, one year.

Maintaining an inclusive community. Audrey Ruple, chair of the Equity and Diversity Committee, presented a proposal for a commitment to University Policy III.C.2. The proposal asks the University to “actively uphold” the existing policy through visible promotion of inclusion efforts for all campus and community members who are Black, Indigenous and people of color. The Senate voted to suspend the rules so that it could vote on the matter after a discussion. Senators passed the resolution.

Athletic Affairs Committee report. Steven Scott, chair of the Athletic Affairs Committee, presented a report on Intercollegiate Athletics and student-athlete affairs during the 2019-20 academic year.


Faculty-Staff News

More News

Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907, (765) 494-4600

© 2015-22 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Office of Strategic Communications

Trouble with this page? Disability-related accessibility issue? Please contact News Service at purduenews@purdue.edu.