What other issues do you deem particularly important?
Other issues of importance are the concept of shared governance, i.e.,
the roles of the faculty and the administration and where these areas
intersect. The senate also will consider how the current environment
acts to promote or inhibit faculty creativity and incentive. On Nov.
6, Douglas Lederman, managing editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education,
will be addressing an open session of the senate. He will discuss many
of these issues, as well as what it means to be a research university
.
What is your long-term vision of the senate?
The charge of the senate as found in the senate resolutions and charter
is to comment on all aspects of university life, but not to make policy.
Hence by its very nature, the senate is a reactionary body. This role
is an important counterbalance to the oligarchic governance systems
found on many campuses. Although this role cannot be abrogated, I would
like to see the senate play a more proactive role in the life of the
university. I am hopeful that the administration will charge the senate
to provide resolutions and directions involving university policies
and initiatives. In this way, the senate becomes a participant in university
policy decisions, rather than a reactor to events already put in place.
Do you think the senate has been as effective as it can be? If not,
what can be done to improve its effectiveness?
An often-heard criticism is that the senate is a self-flagellating,
debating society. Contrary to this opinion, many senate resolutions
have become university policy. The senate needs to stay away from the
trivia and primarily address issues of substance that resonate in a
significant way with its constituency.
It seems that the senate, particularly the Executive Committee,
features the same cast of characters year after year. What can be done
to attract some new blood?
I have sent a letter to the entire voting faculty, as well as to the
deans of each of the organized academic units on the campus, describing
the activities of the senate and the ability of the senate to impact
significantly on the life of the university. With the above in mind,
I have invited and urged all faculty members to either stand for election
to the senate or participate on its committees. In particular, I will
be asking all newly tenured associate professorsÑas part of their service
obligation to the universityÑto participate in senate activities.
Why did you want to become chair of the Faculty Senate?
Several of my colleagues in the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
suggested that since I have had prior administrative experience on this
campus, as well as in national organizations, I would be a good candidate
for this job. Upon their encouragement, I agreed to run. Since I received
something like 65 percent of the vote, there must be some out there
who think I can do the job.
