UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 2, Page 2
September 8, 1994
Work of the Faculty Senate

     To:  Members of the University of Delaware faculty
   From:  John P. McLaughlin, president
          University Faculty Senate
Subject:  New academic year

     It has become customary for the new president of the senate to
describe plans or goals for the upcoming year. To avoid undue
pretense, however, I will first point out that a good deal of the
senate's work is not originated by the president nor by the executive
committee. Rather, the senate receives matters brought by the
community, after due consideration and recommendation by relevant
senate committees. The most common business is curricular development,
which is originated by faculty across the University. However, the
senate often votes on matters brought by other segments of the
community, i.e., students, administrators, staff and other campus
groups.
     In this regard, prompt consideration by the system remains a
goal. For one example, I will ask committees involved with curricular
issues to examine their procedures and suggest ways to increase the
rapidity with which proposals are brought through the system.
Fortunately, the publication last year of the procedures for changing,
establishing and disestablishing programs should lead to reduced
uncertainty and improve the flow of business.
     Issues more general than specific curricular matters often come
before the senate, and this year will be no exception. Like many
institutions, our University has been occupied with attempts to
balance the oft-competing demands of personal freedom and the free
exchange of ideas on one hand and the need for personal security and
protection from harassment on the other. While the senate adopted a
statement on responsibility two years ago, and this year will consider
a report from an ad hoc committee on freedom of expression in public
events, we must continue to work to promote the spirit of a free and
civil community and to make its fruits as commonplace as potato chips.
     The senate acts in place of the whole faculty and should concern
itself with the quality of the entire spectrum of campus life. While
many of our concerns are focussed on the laboratory, library and
classroom, there are concerns that emerge from the community in its
entirety. The promotion of civility is one such concern, but we should
not lose sight of interest and interestingness, political or aesthetic
or whatever, as hallmarks of an academic community. The faculty should
be pressing students, each other and administrators to heighten the
level of intellectual interest within the community. An example of
this was the late Prof. Thomas Calhoun's efforts to bring sculpture to
the open spaces on the campus. One effort for this year's senate will
be an examination of the level of funding for exhibitions and cultural
events.
     I have been asked (and ask myself) why I agreed to do this job.
There is certainly a feeling of obligation to further the faculty's
role in the atmosphere and work of the University. I want the
University to be better next year than it is now and I think that the
senate can do some things to promote that goal. I believe, for
example, that the senate should review admissions policies and
procedures periodically. Concerns with class availability and
difficulties in interprogram transfer have become common, and, while
they are certainly resource issues, I have a hunch that they also may
be related to admission patterns.
     Many members of the community devote time to the senate and its
committees. Without their efforts, a prosocial academic community
would barely exist, if at all. Clearly, we must rely on each other for
ideas and energy, if the system is to flourish. I appreciate what you
are doing. Thank you.
     Finally, I take this opportunity to welcome our new provost,
Melvyn Schiavelli. We all hope that he will prosper here and that the
University will similarly profit from his tenure.