Remarks from University Senate President Ann Tedards
University Assembly meeting October 15, 1997
 
Good afternoon.
 
I have been asked to speak today about the work of the University Senate. First, I am happy to report that the decision to reconstitute the Senate as the legislative body in our system of shared governance has proven to be a good decision. Under the able leadership of Paul Simonds during its first year and last year under Carl Bybee, the Senate has accepted its charge to provide a forum for open debate and to reach consensus on issues that matter to the University community. We look forward to another year of productive work.
 
At its next meeting on November 12, the Senate plans to act on four motions brought to us from the Committee on Committees which propose some revisions in the structure of our standing faculty committees. This new legislation seeks to streamline the committee appointment process and make more efficient use of faculty time in governance. One proposal also addresses the need for a strong, faculty-based, committee to act as an overview body with regard to matters of concern to undergraduate education. The need for this particular revision has not only been articulated within various corners of the University, but also in the report of the accreditation team last spring. In addition, during this quarter, individual Senators have also agreed to serve on seven task forces initiated by the Provost's office to identify major issues of immediate concern to the University. The Senate will act as one of the overview bodies in that process as well.
 
I would like to applaud all of the Senators who have served and who are serving, for their willingness to ensure that the decisions we reach are well researched and thoroughly debated. We embark upon this academic year in the midst of discussion about change, from the Governor's Task force on Higher Education all the way to the issues our student senators bring to the floor. I invite you to support the work of the University Senate, to communicate with the individual Senators who represent you, and to participate in the transformation that may be ahead of us. Speaking specifically to the faculty, may I remind you that the Charter of this University, dating from 1876, states that we, the faculty, have the "power, subject to the supervision of the board of regents, to prescribe the course of study to be pursued in the University." As president of the Senate, I ask you to take that charge seriously and to personally be involved in the process in order to ensure that the vision, and especially the curriculum, of this institution meet your own high expectations.
 
Thank you.