In the September issue of the Faculty Governance newsletter, Doug Fields writes about participating in Freshman Convocation as Faculty Senate president and carrying the University Mace, a traditional symbol of authority. “Without letting that go to my head, it surely reinforced the idea that the faculty of the university should be at the heart of decision-making and policies,” he said.
The newsletter addresses several issues of concern to faculty and ways to participate in decision-making.
Richard Wood, past chair of the Faculty Governance Committee, urges all faculty to get involved in Faculty Senate committees, a “primary vehicle through which faculty can have voice in strengthening UNM’s academic mission in all aspects of decision-making.” Fields suggests that the Faculty Senate Athletics Council, in particular, might be used to improve transparency, as well as shared governance over decisions with a university-wide impact, such as advertising.
Fields also discusses a proposal to contract with private developer American Campus Communities to build residence halls on main and south campuses. He urges faculty to contribute to discussions of this and other issues related to the pending campus master plan.
Past Faculty Senate President Howard Snell considers a review of university policies on the distribution of faculty’s teaching, research, student advisement and other responsibilities, part of the 2010 UNM President’s Work Plan. He invites comments to the Faculty Senate Operations Committee, which will recommend policy improvements.
Senator Mary Lipscomb writes about a proposed resolution advocating improved community involvement in campus planning and the creation of a UNM/Albuquerque Development Board with constituent voting members including faculty, staff, students and neighborhood associations. The resolution argues that “community engagement is crucial to institutional integrity” and “can mitigate costly delays, legal challenges and project cancellations that result from a lack of participation.”
Other issues addressed in the newsletter include possible faculty retirement incentives, the option to transfer to ERB from alternative retirement plans, progress on responding to the Higher Learning Commission’s recommendations for shared governance, and an update on the status of the faculty-requested audit.
For the complete newsletter and other information visit: Faculty Governance.