Recap of University Senate’s March 22 meeting

Here is a recap of the University Senate’s meeting on March 22. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Senate website closer to the next Senate meeting on April 19.

Chair remarks. In her remarks, Deborah Nichols, chair of the University Senate, read an excerpt of a statement by the National Women’s Studies Association on Asian American women’s deaths by homicide in Atlanta. She also noted the changing guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination eligibility. She remarked on factors that hinder or help the effectiveness of shared governance. And she read “Don’t Hesitate,” a short poem by Mary Oliver.

President's remarks. President Mitch Daniels reviewed some figures from the recent COVID-19 vaccine survey at Purdue, which he said drew 26,700 responses for a very good 47% response rate. Of respondents, 80% to 90% had received a vaccine or planned to do so when eligible. He invited ideas, including incentives, to persuade even more to be vaccinated.

Daniels also addressed remote work and campus office space. In the past year, network logins are down 57%, some buildings have 10% of desk spaces occupied, and parking garages are at 41% of capacity. He called for use of the current performance review process as an avenue for input from any and every employee about the best way to use space for their job -- remote, hybrid or in-person -- or maybe what related factors are in play. He also said one idea is that jobs directly serving students might do well to consider maintaining hours outside the standard 8 a.m.-5 p.m. office hours.

ITEMS FOR ACTION

University Senate vice chair nominations. For the position of vice chair for the 2021-22 academic year, the Nominating Committee proposed the following nominees: Colleen Brady, Department of Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication, and David Sanders, Department of Biological Sciences. Nominee profiles are available in Senate Document 20-33. In a virtual ballot, Brady won election as vice chair.

Expanding advisor representation on the Educational Policy Committee. Erik Otárola-Castillo, chair of the Educational Policy Committee, presented for action a change to Senate Bylaw 5.60 defining the composition of the Educational Policy Committee. The change would increase the number of advisors on the EPC from three to four, appointing an additional advisor to the committee with full voting rights. Rationale for the proposed change is available in Senate Document 20-34. This is a revision to the proposal submitted at the Feb. 15 meeting. The measure was approved by the necessary two-thirds vote for a bylaw change.

Revisions and updates to the University Senate bylaws. Alexander Francis, chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee, proposed for adoption a revised version of the Senate bylaws. The proposed revisions address a variety of obsolete, redundant and confusing inconsistencies noted in a review initiated by the 2018-19 Senate. Details of the revision process as well as a full list of proposed changes are available in Senate Document 20-35. This is a revision to the proposal submitted at the Feb. 15 meeting. The measure was approved by the necessary two-thirds vote for a bylaw change.

Purdue-affiliated and on-campus child care principles. Alexander Francis, chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee, and Audrey Ruple, chair of the Equity and Diversity Committee, presented for action a list of principles by which to make decisions regarding on-campus and Purdue-affiliated child care services. Including issues of cost, quality and availability, the principles ask that adequate child care be made accessible to the full range of positions and salaries held by Purdue employees. The full rationale and proposal are available in Senate Document 20-37. Senators voted to approve the document.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

These items normally will be eligible for action at the next meeting.

Process for documenting discovered or uncatalogued art items on campus. Janice Kritchevsky, chair of the University Resources Policy Committee, presented for discussion a set of guidelines for documenting art items on campus. No such process currently exists. The proposed process, relevant definitions, and a rationale are available in Senate Document 20-40.

Increased access to menstruation products on campus. Audrey Ruple, chair of the Equity and Diversity Committee, proposed for discussion the inclusion of menstruation products and disposal bins in all University bathrooms. The University already makes menstruation products and bins available in women’s and gender-neutral bathrooms. The full rationale and proposal are available in Senate Document 20-38.

Funding for the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. Audrey Ruple, chair of the Equity and Diversity Committee, proposed for discussion a reversal of the intended funding cuts and restructuring of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. The proposal also requests that all 16 directors of SIS programs be included in future planning meetings regarding SIS. The full rationale and proposal are available in Senate Document 20-39.

Standardized tests and undergraduate admissions. David Sanders, chair of the Student Affairs Committee, and Audrey Ruple, chair of the Equity and Diversity Committee, proposed for discussion the temporary continuation of the University’s “test flexible” approach to evaluating standardized test scores in undergraduate admissions until Fall 2022. The rationale cites inconsistent evaluation of standardized test scores across units as well as effects of COVID-19. The full rationale and proposal are available in Senate Document 20-19.

Introducing a January term (J-Term) to the academic calendar. Erik Otárola-Castillo, chair of the Educational Policy Committee, presented for discussion the introduction of a January term (also called a winter term or J-Term) to the University’s academic calendar. Having received a proposal from a dedicated working group, the EPC has asked the Senate to develop those findings with a goal of initial implementation during the 2022-23 winter term. Rationale for the proposed change is available in Senate Document 20-43, and the working group’s full proposal is available here.

Resolution about increased aid for public higher education from the U.S. government. Erik Otárola-Castillo, chair of the Educational Policy Committee, presented for discussion a resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to allocate increased emergency funds to public higher education. The proposal cites the United States’ recent economic stimulus efforts and findings by the American Council on Education. Several officials said it is not yet clear how much the newly passed stimulus law will help higher education. The resolution’s rationale is available in Senate Document 20-41.

Addition of an Election Committee to the University Senate. David Sanders, chair of the Student Affairs Committee, presented for discussion the addition of an Election Committee to the University Senate structure. The committee would oversee and conduct all elections and reported findings. The primary reason for the proposal is to separate the nominating and electoral functions. The proposal is available in Senate Document 20-42.