The Faculty Senate will discuss several special reports at their 591st meeting this afternoon.
The Rules Committee has released a document entitled the “Search for a Permanent Chancellor” which urges the President’s office to “act expeditiously in the appointment of a search committee to select a permanent Chancellor for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.”
The Rules Committee is made up of the Presiding Officer, Professor Frank Hugus, the Secretary Professor Ernest May, the delegate and the associate delegates to the Board of Trustees, and four elected Senators. It is charged with both organizing the Senate’s many councils and committees and also advising the President’s Office. The administration can solicit the advice, but the Rules Committee acts in advisory role during winter break and summer.
The report described the current Whitmore jumble of resignations and appointments as a hindrance to filling certain administration positions. The report asserts that it is because of the lack of a concrete administration that the Vice Chancellor for Research remains unfilled.
“It is almost certain that the most recent search for a Vice Chancellor for Research failed because candidates were uncertain about administrative arrangements on the campus,” the report states. “Moreover, it is now clear that a decision on a permanent Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will be delayed until a permanent Chancellor is in place.
“A lengthy delay in the appointment of a permanent Provost or a permanent Vice Chancellor for Research, or both, will not be good for a campus committed to becoming a first rate, research university.”
Also on the agenda is a Special Report of the Health Council. The Council is calling for the establishment of a “Prevention of Alcohol Abuse Task Force (PAATF).”
“In accordance with the cooperative agreement of the Statewide College and University Coalition on Underage and Problem Drinking,” the report reads, “The PAATF will monitor the implementation of recommendations for improvement of policies and strategies for the reduction of alcohol abuse.”
The General Education Council will present its Special Report for discussion only. The report requests the “deans of the schools and Colleges to provide faculty resources dedicated to the ensuring that General Education is explained and championed in advising during the New Students Program and other advising services.”
Further, motions asking the Provost to “promote the importance of the General Edcation Program” and to change the diversity requirement are attached to the report. The second motion would require that all new students and transfers “complete one of their two Social ‘ Cultural Diversity requirements with a course that focuses on diversity outside the United States.”
The Senate will also be asked to approve two extensions in international exchange agreements with two Japanese universities. Osaka University’s and the University of Tsukuba’s agreements will be extended until August 31, 2004 and August 31, 2006 respectively if the motion passes.
Today’s meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. in Herter room 227.
