From the Senate Office	Print Issue
October 12, 2010, Volume 57, No. 07

The following is published in accordance with the Faculty 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
Sue White, executive assistant to the Senate Office, either by telephone at (215) 898-6943, or by e-mail at senate@pobox.upenn.edu.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Actions
Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Chair’s Report: Faculty Senate Chair Bob Hornik reported that the Tri-Chairs have been discussing ways to address the agenda items that SEC members suggested at the September meeting. He asked SEC members to forward faculty names from the Schools of Nursing and Wharton to fill vacancies on the Senate Committee on Faculty and the Academic Mission (SCOF) since that committee will be looking at data from those schools. SEC member Barbra Wall volunteered to join SCOF and SEC representatives from the Wharton School offered to forward their suggestions to the Faculty Senate Office.

Past Chair’s Report: Faculty Senate Past-Chair Harvey Rubin explained that the Academic Planning and Budget Committee discussed a proposed new Masters program in the School of Design.

Ballots for the 2010-2011 Nominating Committee: SEC members voted for the 2010-2011 Nominating Committee.

Update on Faculty Affairs: Vice Provost Lynn Lees outlined the functions of the Faculty Affairs office including: responsibility for the overall management of the academic personnel process, including recruitment, retention, and retirement; appointments and promotions; enhancement of faculty diversity; and resolution of individual faculty issues, including grievances. Dr. Lees reported that the Minority Equity Report is in draft form and will come to the Senate for their review. She explained that a faculty climate survey pilot will go out this fall to a few select schools and, after review, is expected to rollout next fall to all faculty. She updated SEC on the progress of the new Faculty Information System (FIS) that will produce a link for faculty to get useful information about their academic career at Penn, including sabbatical credits. She outlined information provided by her office for training sessions for new department chairs. Dr. Lees circulated a brochure on Family Friendly Policies and encouraged SEC members to let faculty know these programs are available. SEC members inquired about sabbatical use, grievances, the faculty climate survey, faculty search committee practices, resources available for recruiting, switching faculty tracks in the School of Medicine and the specifics of the adoption benefit.

Update from the Office of the Provost. Provost Vincent Price reported he is currently working with all schools to discuss how they are managing the challenges they are facing as they develop their budget plans. He reported that Dr. Lees has launched training programs for department chairs and developed the Penn Fellows Program, a leadership-development program that recognizes faculty in mid-career. Provost Price reported that Vice Provost for Education Andy Binn’s portfolio focuses on education at all levels including the following recent initiatives: improving access to undergraduate students for research opportunities, conversations with schools concerning master’s program evaluation and oversight, and discussions about quality of life for graduate students. He noted that the Academic Theme Year intends to unite all students to focus on a common intellectual project and urged SEC members to forward ideas for future Academic Theme Years. Provost Price reported that Vice Provost for Research Steve Fluharty’s office shapes policy and advances administrative initiatives for the University’s $1 billion dollar research enterprise including recent work on some of the following: response to proposed changes in conflict of interest policies, the Translational Research Center facility, and collaboration with the Open Access Advisory Committee. Provost Price reported that the Office of International Programs is launching phase-one of a Global Activities Registry, a web tool for gathering information about Penn’s international programs and activities, as well as the itineraries and emergency contact information of individual travelers. SEC members asked questions about staff support for grant submission, balance of global educational activity and support for undergraduate research opportunities.