The following statement is published in accordance with the Senate Rules. Among other purposes, the publication of SEC Actions is intended to stimulate discussion among the constituencies and their representatives. Please communicate your comments to Senate Chair Mitchell Marcus, or Kristine Kelly, Box 12 College Hall/6303, (215) 898-6943 or kellyke@pobox.upenn.edu.

Actions Taken by the Senate Executive Committee

Wednesday, November 6, 2002

1. Chair's Report. Senate Chair Mitch Marcus informed the Committee that Provost Robert Barchi and Bonnie Gibson, Executive Director of Administrative Affairs in the Office of the Provost, will present a second Indirect Cost Recovery study to SEC in January. Professor Marcus then updated SEC on the work of the President, Provost and the three Senate chairs, working with Vice Provost for Research Neal Nathanson, to form a joint administration/faculty committee to review the University's Patent Policy. Professor Marcus then shared a program that he would like to see implemented at Penn--The Penn Fellows Program. The program (modeled on a similar, successful program at Stanford) would aim to broaden faculty and senior administrative staff members understanding of the University by addressing and discussing issues related to governance, institutional priorities, and relations with internal and external constituencies.

Professor Marcus next informed SEC that Secretary Louis Thomas has informed SEC that he cannot fulfill his duties as Secretary after the November meeting, and that he is therefore resigning as Secretary. In accordance with Faculty Senate Rules, Vincent Price, Secretary-Elect, will step into the role of Secretary to the Faculty Senate.

The Chair next discussed the vacancy in the Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility. According to the Faculty Senate Rules, Professor Marcus will contact the Committee on Committees who will then submit two candidates to fill the slot for the remainder of the year. Additional nominations may be made at the Executive Committee meeting at which the slate is being discussed. A mail ballot will follow to select the committee member.

Finally, it was approved that all future Faculty Senate agendas and minutes will be distributed via e-mail.

2. Past Chair's Report on Academic Planning and Budget Committee and Capital Council. Professor David Hackney was traveling and unable to report to SEC.

3. Update from President Judith Rodin. President Rodin met with the Committee and discussed the recent trustee meetings, issues surrounding minority recruitment and retention of students at Penn, faculty gender equity, and the effect on the University of post 9/11 government regulations and policies.

4. Update from Peter Conn, Deputy Provost, and Wendy White, Vice President and General Counsel. Peter Conn and Wendy White presented an update on issues surrounding the proposed graduate student unionization.

5. New Business. There is no new business at this time.

  Almanac, Vol. 49, No. 12, November 12, 2002