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 Lance Donaldson-Evans, or Kristine Kelly, Box 12, College Hall/6303, (215) 898-6943 or kellyke@pobox.upenn.edu.

Senate Executive Committee Actions

Wednesday, October 22, 2003

Chair's Report. Senate Chair Lance Donaldson-Evans updated the Executive Committee on the work of the Faculty Senate Committees, including the Ad Hoc Committee on Faculty Development, the Senate Committee on Administration and the Senate Committee on the Faculty. Professor Donaldson-Evans informed SEC that at next month's meeting the Committee on the Faculty would be presenting their report on the School of Medicine's Academic Clinician Track, and that Dean Arthur Rubenstein and Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs Alan Wasserstein would be attending the meeting. It was also noted that Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush is also scheduled to give SEC an update on campus safety and security.

Past Chair's Report on Academic Planning and Budget and Capital Council. No report. Past Chair Mitch Marcus was out of town and could not attend the meeting.

Admissions Update from Lee Stetson, Dean of Admissions. Dean Stetson provided an overview of Penn's standing with regard to undergraduate admissions. Topics covered included the University's outreach and recruiting, multicultural recruitment and retention, and early-decision admissions. The Committee was also given updated data on applications, matriculations and yield. The Committee thanked Dean Stetson for his efforts and commented on the fine caliber of students now attending Penn.

Senate Committee on the Faculty Report on SEAS' proposal for Senior Lecturers. SEC approved SEAS' request for a Senior Lecturer track. The Committee noted, though, that it would like to be provided with some clarification as to whether the Senior Lecturer position is a full-time position. It was agreed that the Senate Office would contact the Associate Provost to look into this. If it is indeed intended to be a full-time position, SEC would like the Faculty Handbook to reflect this for all the Schools that currently have senior lecturers on staff.

Nominating Committee Elections. Elections were held for the 2003-2004 Nominating Committee. The results will be published for the faculty-at-large in an upcoming edition of Almanac.

Faculty Club Discussion and Questionnaire. The Committee held its initial discussion on its views on the use of the Faculty Club. It was agreed that the questionnaire would be distributed electronically to SEC to allow members to gain input from their constituencies. A follow-up discussion will be held at a future meeting.

Other New Business. SEC discussed the events concerning Rui DaSilva and Public Safety. It was agreed that the Senate Chair would send a letter to the Daily Pennsylvanian on behalf of SEC calling for an in-depth and impartial review of the events of October 11, and that the findings of this review be made to the Penn community. SEC will also express its support of Ann Farnsworth-Alvear and Rui DaSilva's request that the police department's policy regarding profiling and race-based stops be made public.

  Almanac, Vol. 50, No. 10, October 28, 2003