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December 3, 2007
Governance groups outline plans, meeting highlights

from staff reports

In its recent meeting, the University Senate reaffirmed its commitment to participating in community sustainability and outreach initiatives, including partnering with Director of Sustainability Initiatives Ciannat Howett on a major Universitywide recycling program. The Senate also plans to join with other Emory governance groups to engage in a community event in connection with the Classroom on the Quad. According to President Nadine Kaslow, the intent is to provide resources to service agencies that assist the Atlanta immigrant community.

Kaslow said the Senate also commended the work of Vice President of Campus Services Bob Hascall and his team, who responded to the Senate's request for a Web site to update the community on campus construction.

In its next meeting on Jan. 29, 2008, the Senate will join the President's Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns and the Office of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Life to receive Safe Space training, a program that advances Emory’s goal of creating a campus community in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

The Faculty Council emerged from its November meeting having prioritized several new goals for the academic year. The council set goals in accordance with the new report, “A Community of Excellence: Reflections and Directions from the Year of the Faculty,” which outlines actions suggested by Emory faculty members as the University continues to invest new levels of strategic resources to build and strengthen a faculty of excellence. The council will work to retain Emory's finest professors in keeping with Emory’s goal of being a destination university for instructors and researchers. Benefits are also an issue of focus. The council underscored the value of the Work-Life Task Force and expressed interest in that group's efforts on multiple topics, including family and maternity leave and partner hires. The Faculty Council’s next meeting is Jan. 22, 2008.

The Employee Council, which each month visits a different unit of the University to help staff become better acquainted with all aspects of Emory, convened at 1599 Clifton Rd. for its November meeting, where they learned from Vice President of Research Administration David Wynes about the life cycle of research. Also featured was Director of Forensics Melissa Maxcy Wade, who discussed the National Debate Project, which promotes debate as a tool for empowering youth living in socio-economically challenged communities. Council members also learned about the current Step Up Emory initiative on the fight against breast cancer. The next Employee Council meeting will be held on Dec. 12 at the School of Public Health.