Campus News
May 3, 2010
University governance roundup
Faculty Council
In its last meeting of the year April 20, the Faculty Council sought feedback from its committees about the effectiveness of their structures and resources to fulfill their charges. Council president Ken Carter said activity reports had been filed ahead of time and posted on Blackboard for review. For example, he said, the Faculty Life Committee feels it needs a greater diversity of faculty from different schools and “we may be looking to expand that” at a later meeting. Carter turned over the gavel to next year’s president Steve Everett; Carter becomes chair of the Faculty Counselors Committee that solicits faculty to be advisers to Board of Trustees committees.
The Council also heard reports on the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Schools 5th Year Report, related to the University’s accreditation, and the Open Access project by the Library Policy Committee and the Center for Faculty Development and Excellence. The two groups are looking at ways to advance and promote faculty scholarship through digital, Open Access frameworks as a major issue for Emory faculty.
University Senate
The Senate got a first look at a proposed Tobacco Free Campus Initiative at its final meeting of the year on April 27. Human Resources Vice President Peter Barnes said the first step will be to form a committee to investigate the feasibility of a tobacco-free campus, working in partnership with the University Senate and other campus constituencies.
A map of bike-, wheelchair- and pedestrian-friendly spaces on campus is imminent as part of the Walk and Roll Campaign of the Office of Sustainability Initiatives, the University Senate learned in a presentation. Sustainability director Ciannat Howett also discussed an amendment to the safety policy prohibiting texting while driving a University vehicle or using a University-supplied communications device. And she noted the new policy on idling reduction for vehicles on campus.
The Senate also sought feedback on needs and effectiveness from its committees.
The Senate is wrapping up its year-long work on metrics of excellence, measuring areas where Emory excels. The Senate plans to distribute the findings to constituents, and ultimately to the Administrative Council. Ending his term as president, Ken Carter called the year “great” and praised the fantastic group he worked with both in the Senate and Faculty Council.
Employee Council
The Employee Council’s “community and safety”-themed meeting April 21 featured Cheryl Elliott of the Emory Police Department explaining the difference between the campus police and several neighbor institutions. Elliott also distributed copies of the “Emory University Emergency Information Reference Guide.” Topics addressed include fire, tornadoes and other weather-related emergencies, civil disturbances, hazardous materials incidents, violent or criminal behavior and more.
Jyotsna Vanapalli, program associate for Transforming Community Project, talked about how the TCP’s Community Dialogues provide an opportunity to have hard conversation in a safe space.
The Council also reviewed the upcoming Staff Fest on May 14. The Council sponsors transportation to selected projects that day with community nonprofits chosen by teaming with Volunteer Emory.
The Council’s final meeting of the year is May 19 and will be held at Grady Faculty Office Building, Room 101.
