Recap of University Senate’s March 21 meeting

Here is a recap of the University Senate’s meeting on March. 21. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Senate website closer to the next Senate meeting on April 18.

Chair remarks. In his remarks, Stephen Beaudoin, chair of the University Senate, gave an update on ongoing work regarding sexual violence prevention and awareness on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. Beaudoin also presented survey results regarding a proposed faculty lounge and reminded senators about their access to mental health services and encouraged them to use those resources.  

ITEMS FOR ACTION 

Bylaws change. Professor Signe Kastberg proposed two changes to the bylaws to align with the Senate’s recent reapportionment. Senators approved the changes.  

International harassment of Purdue students and family members. Kastberg presented a revised document stating that the faculty and student body of Purdue University were in agreement with President Daniels’ comments regarding the harassment of a Purdue international student and family in the student’s home country. The document, which includes a proposal, was approved.

Nominees for vice chair. For the position of vice chair for the 2022-23 academic year, the Nominating Committee proposed the following nominees: Matthew R. Conaway, Purdue Bands & Orchestras; David Koltick, Physics and Astronomy; and Brian Leung, English. After nominee presentations and a vote, it was determined that a runoff vote was needed between Koltick and Leung. Leung received the largest number of votes and will serve as the 2022-23 vice chair.  

Recognizing and valuing the voices and contributions of Black and underrepresented faculty and staff. Leung presented a document proposing that Purdue adopt policies to recognize and value the contributions of Black and underrepresented faculty and staff. The proposed policies are available in Senate Document 21-21. The document was approved.

Academic emergencies. Professor Thomas Siegmund and Professor Janice Kritchevsky presented a revised document requesting the University to adopt a systemwide policy for declaring an academic emergency in preparation for possible future events. The proposed policy can be read in Senate Document 21-22 and was approved.

Addition of a winter session to the academic calendar. Siegmund and Kastberg presented a document proposing a new, three-week winter session for the West Lafayette campus. The proposal was approved.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 

Authorship standard presentation. Jamie Mohler, associate dean and research integrity officer, gave a presentation about authorship issues and a desire to have a standard or policy for authorship approved by the University Senate and Purdue Graduate Student Government by the end of the semester.

Need for campuswide curricular treatment of diversity, equity and inclusion. Siegmund presented a document applauding the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee’s ongoing work on curricular treatment of diversity, equity and inclusion and directing the UCC to develop a formal framework to structure the initiative into Purdue’s Core Curriculum to be considered by the Senate in the fall of 2022. The proposed action can be read in Senate Document 21-29. The document will be voted on at the April meeting.

Shared governance at Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. Siegmund presented a document requesting that Purdue administration and the Board of Trustees meet with Senate leadership to consider adopting the American Association of University Professors statement on shared governance. The document will be voted on at the April meeting.

Investment plan for the Purdue endowment. Professor Janice Kritchevsky proposed for discussion that Purdue University (including all affiliated campuses) and the Purdue Research Foundation (including the Purdue Foundation endowment) develop an investment plan that will commit to a divestment from investments in fossil fuels and greenhouse gas contributors and instead shift to investments in renewable resources. The document, which includes a proposal, will be voted on at the April meeting.

SAT/ACT and undergraduate admissions. Professors David Sanders and Brian Leung presented a document urging the Office of Admissions to discontinue requiring standardized test results as criteria for admission to the undergraduate program at Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus beginning December 2023. The document will be voted on at the April meeting.