The Provisional Faculty Senate Executive Committee (FSEC) has met on three occasions, and members are already engaged and working diligently on behalf of the faculty at large and our university with a regular cadence of weekly meetings.
After introductions, initial discussions centered on the charge of the committee itself — to write the rules and bylaws that will govern the Faculty Senate; to define how the Faculty Senate will collaborate with the Office of the Provost on educational issues or matters and establishing or closing programs; and to develop the processes centering around Faculty Senate nominations for university-wide and search advisory committees. Convening this group of faculty, representative of each college on campus, was a first step in that process.
The Provisional FSEC is a synergistic group — each individual brings a unique perspective to the table, and their collective expertise helps the group consider what is truly representative of all our faculty.
Throughout the first three meetings, key themes emerged: the idea that the Faculty Senate and its processes should be inclusive; the importance of openness and transparency to create that inclusivity; and the need to form a Faculty Senate that is agile to respond to the evolving needs of the university and Kentucky.
Each committee member is dedicated to ensuring that all faculty voices are heard and that the needs of each college and program and its faculty are considered. As rules and bylaws are developed — from those establishing election processes to those defining the responsibilities of the Faculty Senate chair — the Provisional FSEC is considering the ways in which transparency can produce inclusion. For example, the promulgation of its rules and bylaws can and will determine which faculty are even aware of the Faculty Senate and its work, let alone how to become an elected member. They must consider how faculty across the institution can be included in these conversations to ensure varied perspectives and voices are considered.
However, as exemplified by UK’s growth in terms of student body population and increasing offerings of programs and majors, the Faculty Senate must be able to move quickly to adapt to changes both internal and external to the institution. The Provisional FSEC must take into account how the Faculty Senate will respond quickly and effectively to future changes without losing any of the effectiveness and rigor required of a top-tier institution.
I value all faculty voices and faculty input and hold each committee member’s contributions in the highest regard. Through these discussions and debates trying to balance the needs to be both agile and inclusive, the Provisional FSEC seeks consensus on how the Faculty Senate should operate. And as the committee defines the bylaws and rules, the Faculty Senate is starting to take shape. The groundwork and the foundation for this new faculty body are included in the first articles discussed: election processes, the role of the Faculty Senate chair and rules for meetings and minutes.
This is an opportunity for the Provisional FSEC to determine what is vital for a Faculty Senate to be responsive to the needs of the university and Kentucky, and I am thankful for each member for their thoughts and their work as they build the future of faculty representation at UK.
The members of the Provisional FSEC are:
- Erin Abner, College of Public Health
- Becky Alley, College of Fine Arts
- Hubie Ballard, Faculty Trustee
- Emily Bergeron, College of Design
- Martha Biddle, College of Nursing
- Benjamin Commerford, Gatton College of Business and Economics
- Patricia Freeman, College of Pharmacy
- Sarah Hall, College of Medicine
- Stephanie Henderson, Libraries
- Melissa Henke, College of Law
- Vanessa Jackson, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- Aubrey Jones, College of Social Work
- Joneen Lowman, College of Health Sciences
- Kathleen Montgomery, Graduate School
- Justin Nichols, College of Education
- Kelly Pennell, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
- Nazmus Sakib, Lewis Honors College
- Hollie Swanson, Faculty Trustee
- Jessalyn Vallade, College of Communication and Information
- D. Stephen Voss, College of Arts and Sciences
- Alfred Wiemann, College of Dentistry