SENATE From the Senate Office

Senate Executive Committee Actions
Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Approval of Minutes. SEC approved the minutes of the meeting of October 27, 2004, with some corrections and additions.

Chair's Report. Faculty Senate Chair Charles Mooney updated SEC on the work of the Tri-Chairs.  Professor Mooney reported, based on consultations with the President and Interim Provost, that (i) the appointment of a new Director of International Programs would not foreclose consideration of a Vice Provost position for international programs, (ii) the strict prohibition of the Past Chair reporting to SEC on the discussions of the Academic Planning and Budget Committee will be relaxed, and (iii) in the future University participation in on-campus commercial promotions will be subject to approval by the Provost's office. Professor Mooney then informed SEC that appointments have been confirmed for almost all of the University officials that SEC had decided to invite to future meetings. Professor Mooney also reported on conversations with the Undergraduate Admissions office concerning family incomes of Penn undergrads.

Past Chair's Report on Academic Planning and Budget and Capital Council. Past Chair Lance Donaldson-Evans informed SEC that the Academic Planning and Budget Committee had discussed the various building projects on campus and in particular the proposed residential development on the northwest corner of Chestnut and 34th Streets (Almanac November 9, 2004).

Update from Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police. The Vice President for Public Safety, Maureen Rush, introduced to SEC the University's new Chief of Police, Mark Dorsey. Vice President Rush and Chief Dorsey presented an informational report to SEC, including a report on crime statistics, and participated in a Q & A session with SEC members.

Discussion with Members of Provost Search Committee. Dean Arthur Rubenstein, chair of the Provost Search Committee, three other members of the committee (Lance Donaldson-Evans, Mary Naylor, and Harvey Rubin) and Stephen Steinberg, of the Office of the President, met with SEC to discuss the work of the Committee. SEC members expressed their views on the important qualities for a provost, among other things.

Discussion of Undergraduate Students with Low to Moderate Family Income. SEC discussed the benefits of attracting and matriculating students from families with low to moderate family income. It was agreed that this topic warrants further attention, including discussion with the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions.

Consultation topics. SEC members identified several topics for consultation among the Tri-Chairs and the President and the Provost.

New Business. SEC agreed to allocate time at its December 15, 2004, meeting for a discussion of President Gutmann's Penn Compact.

  Almanac, Vol. 51, No. 12, November 16, 2004

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