To have say in governance faculty must get involved
Politicians (particularly at the state government level), citizens and various commentators (writers and speakers) have discovered “the faculty” as an object of criticism. Do the faculty work hard enough? Do they abuse the privilege of tenure? What can be done to monitor and control the faculties of institutions of higher learning? These are familiar and pointed questions that are being raised and being raised in centers of decision-making power. There are those who would strengthen the bureaucratic mechanisms for disciplining and punishing faculties and who would, in the process, weaken the strength and sap the vitality of great faculties, including our own faculty at the University of Washington.
My first-hand knowledge of the work of the faculty at the University of Washington provides a clear picture of women and men who work long and hard, who achieve distinction as scholars, artists and teachers, and who serve unselfishly their university community and the larger local, national, and international communities. For such a faculty to make the best contribution it can make to the university and to the larger society, that faculty should govern itself, in cooperation with the university administration and the duly elected and appointed officials who participate in the university’s governance.
How can the faculty take and use its proper share of the responsibility and privilege of governing the university? This is a timely question because recently calls have gone forth to all UW faculty to volunteer to participate in faculty governance. Calls have been issued for nominations and applications to serve on the councils and committees of the Faculty Senate, to serve as faculty legislative representative, and to serve as secretary of the faculty.
I encourage all members of this faculty to consider carefully one or more these calls. If we are to have and to exercise our share of the responsibility for governing this university, we must have participation by many faculty. In the past six months, Senate Chair Ted Kaltsounis and I have visited some 20 department meetings as well as several other groups of faculty to talk about the work of the Faculty Senate. Our visits have provided us with an important insight into the faculty of this university. We see a faculty that is concerned about the state of the faculty at this institution. At every department we have visited there has been an expression, in one way or another, of a concern that the faculty be assured its proper share of the governance of this university. There is no better way to assure that this faculty will continue to enjoy its privileges of participating meaningfully in governance of this university than for members of the faculty to volunteer to join faculty committees and councils.
All members of the faculty have recently received a letter from Miceal F. Vaughan, secretary of the faculty, inviting them to volunteer themselves or nominate a colleague for membership on a council or committee. Calls have also been issued for nominations, applications, or expressions of inquiry regarding selection of a new secretary of the faculty, deputy legislative representative, and legislative representative. How the faculty respond to these calls will shape the future of faculty participation in university governance here.
If you have any questions about the duties and responsibilities of the secretary of the faculty or of members of councils and committees, please call Miceal F. Vaughan, secretary of the faculty, at 685-2702, or e-mail him at secfac@u.washington.edu. Details about the membership and activities of the councils and some of the committees can be found easily on the faculty home page: http://weber.u.washington.edu/fachome. Questions about the Faculty Legislative Representatives may be directed to Senate Chair Ted Kaltsounis, at 685-2703, or e-mail at senchair@u.washington.edu or to Senate Vice-Chair Gerry Philipsen, at 685-2703, or e-mail at gphil@u.washington.edu. ¶
Gerry Philipsen, Faculty Senate Vice-Chair
Senate Meeting Agenda
2:30 p.m. today, 301 Gowen Hall
Senators are encouraged to submit requests for information in writing to the Senate chair prior to meetings. Responses will be provided by the appropriate persons.
Volume Two, Part II, Chapter 24, Appointment and Promotion of Faculty Members
Legislation changes various sections of the Faculty Code pertaining to the appointment and promotion of faculty members.
Action: Conduct first review of proposal to submit this legislation amending the Faculty Code to the faculty for approval or rejection.
Faculty Senate seeks ‘rep’ nominations
The Senate Executive Committee is accepting nominations for faculty members to serve as Faculty Legislative Representative and Deputy Legislative Representative during academic year 1999-2000. The deadline is tomorrow.
Duties of the faculty representatives include participating with the special Committee on Legislative Matters in formulating the faculty’s legislative initiatives and its positions on pending legislation, and representing the faculty before the State Legislature and its committees.
The Office of the Provost provides the elected representatives with one summer month’s salary and negotiated release time during the legislative session. Other arrangements are possible for those on 12-month appointments.
If you would like to be considered for one of these positions, or if you would like to nominate a colleague, please send a letter of application or nomination to Theodore Kaltsounis, Chair, Faculty Senate, Box 351271, or by e-mail to senate@u.washington.edu. ¶
University Week
The faculty and staff publication of the University of Washington
uweek@u.washington.edu
March, 11, 1999