2015-2016 Legislative Actions

Faculty Senate’s Report on the Faculty Responses to the Recommendations of the Task Force on The Undergraduate Academic Experience 

The findings and recommendations contained in the report were ratified by the Faculty Senate at its meeting on June 8, 2016.

The report was submitted to Provost Linzer on July 28, 2016.

Motion to elect Professor Bob Hariman as Faculty Senate Vice President for the 2016-17 academic year and subsequently as Faculty Senate President for the 2017-18 academic year was adopted June 8, 2016.

Motion recommending the proposed changes to the Faculty Handbook was adopted June 8, 2016.

The changes focus on getting representation of Non Tenure Eligible Faculty in the handbook as well as on Committees that have to do with disciplinary actions.

Motion to adopt the recommendations of the Educational Task Force regarding their evaluation of the academic unit responses to the Report of the Task Force on Undergraduate Academic Experience was adopted June 8, 2016.

Motion to nominate Karen Springen as Chair of the Student Affairs Committee was adopted April 6, 2016.

Resolution in Support of Appointment of Karl Eikenberry as Executive Director of the Buffett Institute was adopted April 6, 2016.

Based on the presentations to the Faculty Senate on March 2, as well as continued review and deliberation by the Executive Committee, the Faculty Senate supports the University’s appointment of Karl Eikenberry as the Executive Director of the Buffett Institute for Global Studies.  The evidence indicates that the search committee adhered to standard procedures, conducted a thorough and thoughtful review of the candidates, and selected outstanding finalists for the position. Moreover, we believe that Karl Eikenberry is qualified to provide the leadership that can transform global studies for faculty and students at Northwestern University.

Motion to institute a Student Affairs Standing Committee as charged was adopted April 6, 2016. The committee will work collaboratively with Northwestern students on matters of mutual interest.

• Motion to affirm Kathleen Rundell, Emeriti Professor, as Ombudsman was adopted.
• Motion to nominate Larry Christiano as Chair of the Salary and Benefits Committee was adopted.

Statement of Support for the Faculty Senate of the University of Iowa

The Faculty Senate of the University of Iowa voted by a large majority at a September 8, 2015 meeting to issue a statement of no confidence in their Board of Regents. (*)

We, the undersigned representatives of faculty governance systems across the CIC, express our support for the faculty senate of the University of Iowa.

Principles of shared governance dictate that the voice of the faculty, which carries out the core mission of the university, is accorded considerable weight in all important decisions of university governance. In appointing Bruce Harreld as the President of the University of Iowa against overwhelming opposition from the faculty, the Regents of the University of Iowa appear to have violated these principles. We have a common interest in ethical conduct, honesty, open and effective communication, public accountability, stewardship and service, and transparency in the process of the appointment of University Presidents and Chancellors.

We call on the Board of Regents of the University of Iowa to adhere to the principles of shared university governance and to ethical behavior and transparency.

This statement will be communicated to campus, local, state, national, and education publications and to the Board of Regents of the University of Iowa.

*This is the text of the resolution voted by the University of Iowa Faculty Senate:

WHEREAS,the Board of Regents has failed in its duty of care to the University of Iowa and the citizens of Iowa and shown blatant disregard for the shared nature of university governance, and WHEREASthe Regents have failed to act according to their own strategic plan’s core values, namely ethical behavior, honesty, open and effective communication, public accountability, stewardship and service, and transparency, we therefore have no confidence in the ability of the Board of Regents wisely to govern our institution.

Motion to accept the slate of Standing Committee Chairs was adopted October 7, 2015.

Incumbents:

• Educational Affairs: Michele McDonough
• Faculty Handbook: Lois Hedman
• Governance: Carol Simpson Stern
• Non-Tenure Eligible: Heather Colburn
• Research Affairs: André Luiz de Gouvêa
• Social Responsibility: Marcus Moseley
• Secure Faculty Survey: Martin Block

Nominees:

• Cause: Charlotte Crane
• Faculty Rights and Responsibilities: Rives Collins
• Planning and Budgeting: Rob Hariman

Motion to fill the Office of Past President with Babette Sanders, Previously President and Past President, was adopted October 7, 2015.