Opening reports were brief. President Judith Rodin's was a call for input (see Almanac December 5) on the Agenda for Excellence (published November 21/28). Provost Stanley Chodorow was away on University business. Dr. William Kissick reported that Steering will review the UTV experience in Council coverage. GAPSA's Victor Prince raised cautions on the implementation of the policy on Consensual Sexual Relations, and described national activity to oppose federal cuts in funding for graduate education. The UA's Lance Rogers praised the resubmission of Dr. Gregg Camfield's nomination for tenure, and said the UA will follow this and other tenure decisions involving faculty with high ratings as teachers. He also said the UA is trying to identify 24-hour study space.
PPSA's chair-elect Marie Witt reported that meetings on restructuring are in progress between the A-1 group's leadership and Executive Vice President John Fry. A-3 Assembly Spokesperson Karen Wheeler raised objections (see Speaking Out) to published characterizations of layoffs as "firing."
Professor David Hildebrand called graduate students, particularly teaching fellows, "uniquely able to give still another perspective on teaching ability," and also proposed the use of syllabi and exams as a "written record of the rigor and substance" of candidates' teaching.
To a query on similar input with respect to visiting faculty, Mr. Debicella said the need was perceived but he could see no practical way.
President Rodin reminded Council that at the time of Ms. Vick's initial presentation, and until a few weeks ago, there was no vice president for human resources. "As you recall we were very eager to accept the recommendation of the committee last February, and to commend to the new vice president, when he or she was appointed, that it be taken up with the full consideration of benefits. It is still our intention to do that; nothing has changed with regard to our recognition of the seriousness of the request and the effort to review benefits."
Mr. Nadel's overarching proposal--that Council should discuss the proposed Charter at least one more time--led to another straw poll, with a substantial number in favor of returning the Charter for discussion.
President Rodin noted that the Provost has been revising the document in the light of earlier Council discussion and numerous suggestions of the community at large. It is the Provost's intent once again to publish a draft charter, she said. "The thought was to do this in January since December does not provide a good time for comment. The Charter goes to the Schools, and what they accept as final will give some variety to procedures on a school by school basis. So if Council wants to discuss what will surely be a revised charter, it should be in January."
Penn Watch's Mr. Brightbill supported semiautomatics Penn police, listing incidents in recent weeks in which possession or use of such weapons was reported by Penn Police. He also recalled assaults in recent years on Samir Shah and Keith Campell and the shooting death of Moez Alimohamed. He said other campuses are converting to semiautomatics including Harvard, Yale and Amherst.
On behalf of Public Safety's Managing Director Thomas Seamon, Maureen Rush conveyed support for conversion from revolvers to semiautomatic weapons, both to protect the Penn community and officers, and to meet industry standards as Penn officers undergo annual training and certification in the Policy Academy.
Dr. Helen Davies urged "careful discussion" and consultation with Penn experts Marvin Wolfgang, the internationally-known criminologist; William Schwab, chief trauma surgeon at HUP and expert on gunshot wounds; Donald Schwarz of pediatrics, an expert on youth and violence prevention. Among questions she listed: Does the use of semi-automatic weapons raise the stakes? How much is such a change needed? Have semiautomatic weapons been used on the Penn campus in the past? What is the experience of other campuses' police who are using semi-automatic weapons such as Yale and Harvard? Where do officers keep their weapons when not on duty? How will the West Philadelphia community view such a change? And, can Philadelphia do better than New Haven and Boston?
The moderator confirmed for the record that the Council Committee on Safety and Security is considering this issue, that the Committee's report would come back to Council before a decision is made, and that the Committee is willing to consider the options for discussion and consultation which Professor Davies raised. Added to these in the meantime was Mr. Gray's request that David Rudovsky, a senior fellow in the Law School, also be involved in any discussions.
President Rodin addressed the issue as Council was adjourning, noting that several bodies of university presidents are supporting affirmative action nationally, making their position known "very loudly, nationally" to the Executive Branch and the Congress. "Our own Affirmative Action Council will continue to monitor the national debate and report to the University Community as that debate starts to move in one direction or another. That's not to shortcut discussion by Council or the community at large, but I just want to underscore that there is great attention to these issues in the University and nationally."
Almanac
Tuesday, December 12, 1995
Volume 42 Number 15