Recap of University Senate’s May 3 continuation of year’s final meeting

Here is a recap of the University Senate’s May 3 continuation of its April 19 meeting, which could not complete its agenda for reasons of time. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Senate website when that is feasible.

Each of the proposals in the continuation was being brought for discussion. Items for discussion normally are eligible for a vote at the next Senate meeting, which is scheduled for Sept. 13.

Election Day as a no-instruction day of civic service. Assata Gilmore, Purdue Student Government president, presented for discussion a proposal that on Election Day, Purdue not hold classes and instead arrange opportunities for civic service. Discussion had begun in the April 19 meeting and continued on May 3. PSG expects to work on refining the proposal over the summer. The proposal is available in Senate Document 20-57.

Academic regulations update. Hannah Darr, Purdue Student Government vice president, presented for discussion a proposal that the University Senate request requiring faculty to provide up-to-date grade status twice during a semester, including once before the final date to withdraw. Also, the change would expand the range of courses subject to the regulation to all 10000-59999 courses. PSG and officials in the Office of the Provost plan to work on the wording over the summer with others who wish to be involved. The proposal is available in Senate Document 20-58.

Academic regulations update for reading week policies. Assata Gilmore, Purdue Student Government president, presented for discussion a proposal to alter regulations about academic work and reading week — the week before finals — for the purpose of relieving heavy demands and bringing about consistency in the use of reading week. The proposal would define types of “assessments,” regulate lecture time in the final week of classes and prohibit comprehensive final examinations for all courses except during the regular final examination period. The proposal is available in Senate Document 20-59.

Sustainability report. Jay Akridge, provost, and Michael J. Gulich, director of campus planning and sustainability, summarized a report on a sustainability master plan. The plan incorporates recognized standards into strategies for energy, water, materials, buildings and grounds. Graphics in the presentation are in a sustainability PDF file on the Senate meeting site.

On the need to demonstrate civics literacy through shared governance. Under new business, Professor Alice Pawley presented for discussion a proposal regarding an announcement of plans for the Board of Trustees to approve a civics literacy graduation requirement. The proposal, from Pawley and seven other faculty members, is that the University Senate request that the board ask the provost to bring a revised proposal before the Senate for discussion, improvement and a vote. A motion by another senator to suspend the rules and vote on the eight faculty members’ proposal was narrowly defeated. The faculty members’ proposal is available in Senate Document 20-60.