October 24 Faculty Senate Meeting Summary

By 
Chair's Advisory Committee (see members listed below)

Hello Pacific University Faculty,

The Faculty Senate is working to enhance the breadth of communication and provide updates to all faculty. As seen below, we’ll be providing updates on the topics that come forward in each Faculty Senate meeting, with the associated goal of having your unit’s Faculty Senate members provide more detailed information in college-level meetings. We hope you enjoy this and see the value of all faculty having a shared understanding of the incredible work done across our campuses.

Several business items were covered at the Faculty Senate meeting on October 24, 2024. Saje Davis-Risen informed the Senate that the School of Physician Assistant Studies is proposing a name change to the School of Physician Associate Studies. The Academic Freedom Ad Hoc Committee also updated their progress, prompting senators to discuss and ask questions about the proposed Chapter 4 language in the University Faculty and Governance Handbook. Additionally, the University Personnel Committee’s Sabbatical Ad Hoc Committee shared insights on the consistency of current sabbatical procedures and suggested possible updates to the University Faculty and Governance Handbook language to ensure clarity and uniformity. The meeting also included a presentation from Pierre Morton of the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (EDIA), who highlighted trends in bias reporting and provided information about recent hate incidents on campus while sharing the office’s future aspirations. The Office of EDIA encouraged senators to look for upcoming training opportunities to foster a more inclusive campus environment.

Sincerely, 
Chair’s Advisory Committee of the Faculty Senate
Amanda Stead (Senate Chair), Mike Bridges (Chair-elect), Todd Duncan, Michela Kenning, Jennifer Lantrip, Hossein Rikhtehgar Berenji 

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On the Faculty Senate webpage, view Senate membership, upcoming meeting dates, and past meeting minutes. Also, faculty members are welcome to attend Senate meetings.

Monday, Oct. 28, 2024