In 1995, the University of Oregon's governance was restructured and the University Senate was created. Note the term "University Senate." The University Senate was to be inclusive. Faculty, Officers of Instruction, Librarians, Officers of Administration and Students were included in the membership. For some reason, Classified Staff was not included. We suspect that this was an oversight.

This omission was partially correct in 2002 when three Classified Staff were added to the Senate membership. They were added, however, without voting privileges.

There are 1,300 plus Classified Staff at the UO. Classified Staff are vital members of the campus community. We generate power and heat, answer the telephones, process the payroll, clear the leaves and ice from the sidewalks, etc. We serve on Senate and University committees.

I urge you to make us full partners in the University's governance structure by giving voting privileges to the three Classified Staff members of the University Senate.

Ed Singer
Academic History Specialist
Office of the Registrar (retiring 01/01/2008)
UO Senator 2002/03 through 2005/06