Recap of University Senate’s Oct. 17 meeting

Here is a recap of the University Senate’s meeting on Oct. 17. Minutes from the meeting will be posted on the Senate website closer to the next meeting on Nov. 21.

Chair remarks. In her remarks, Colleen Brady, chair of the University Senate, congratulated faculty who received named appointments at the Oct. 7 Board of Trustees meeting and thanked senators for supporting students and other faculty members following the loss of a Purdue student earlier this month.

President’s remarks. In his remarks, President Mitch Daniels presented the results from the Gallup free speech survey that was distributed to all undergraduate students enrolled at Indiana’s public universities. Daniels said there were more than 11,000 responses from Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, which accounted for 60% of the state’s responses.

Equity Task Force Update. John Gates, vice provost for diversity and inclusion, gave an update on the work of the Equity Task Force and how it has been focusing on improving the representation, experience and success of Black Boilermakers.

Athletic Affairs Committee report. Professor Kathy Abrahamson provided the annual report from the Athletic Affairs Committee. The report gave an academic performance overview of athletes for the 2021-22 academic year, as well as cumulative GPAs for each athletic team.

ITEMS FOR ACTION

Educational Policy Committee nomination. The Senate Nominating Committee approved the following nominee for the committee: Lee Artz, Purdue Northwest.

Steering Committee nomination. The Senate Nominating Committee approved the following nominee for the committee: Katie Jarriel, Honors College.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Indiana Senate Bill 1. Professor Alice Pawley presented a document proposing ways that the University can support Purdue faculty, staff and students who may be negatively impacted by Indiana Senate Bill 1. The document will be voted on at the Nov. 21 meeting.