Friday, October 23, 2009
Radford University's faculty senate: A primer
The group, which has few direct powers, has been in the spotlight recently for questioning the university's administration.
The Roanoke Times | File April
Sid Smith — a Radford University professor and faculty senate secretary — collects votes during an April meeting. Despite its influence on university life, the senate has few direct powers.
The Radford University Faculty Senate has commanded much attention the past year as it has struggled with the administration of President Penelope Kyle over issues ranging from curriculum changes to layoffs.
The Radford University faculty senate approved Thursday afternoon a motion expressing no confidence in the academic leadership of Provost Wil Stanton.
It's unclear what effect the vote will have.
But the senate does wield power.
With support from students and alumni, the senate recently fought for and won the reinstatement of Michael Dunn and Marc Jacobsen, two administrators abruptly terminated for budget reasons.
The men were reinstated after the senate voted to condemn the action and demand redress of the situation.
In April, the senate commenced a six-month investigation into allegations of wrongdoing by the administration and issued a report in early October. While the report found no violations of university policies, it reprimanded the administration for failures in communication, top-down decision making and other issues.
The Radford University Board of Visitors responded with a campuswide e-mail acknowledging the issues in the report and calling for unity.
Despite its influence on university life, the senate has few direct powers -- it cannot hire and fire or even censure administrators or faculty.
According to its constitution, Radford's faculty senate is a deliberative body that advocates for the rights of the faculty.
According to its constitution, "the faculty" include full-time tenured and research professors, as well as full- and part-time instructors. Senate members are elected to the body.
The senate "shall serve as the official voice of the faculty on all matters which fall within its jurisdiction. It may express an opinion or take a stand on any issue affecting the faculty, academic life, or the academic environment at Radford University.
"To be effective in their role, members must be willing to stand up, speak out, and take responsibility. In the absence of this sort of integrity, no governance system can be representative."
The senate's executive council also serves as the faculty liaison to the administration and the board of visitors. A faculty member sits on the board of visitors, but that member may or may not be a member of the senate.
The current board of visitors faculty representative is Steve Owen. Owen is the current president of the senate.
Administrators have a separate senate on which they may serve.
Virginia Tech also as a faculty senate, which participates in university governance.
According to its documentation, the senate's responsibilities include "advising and responding university commissions and councils, the administration and the board of visitors." The senate also participates in the "formulation of academic and educational policies that concern more than one college, division or center."
The senate also assists faculty who wish to file grievances and with other employment issues.
Explore documents and information on faculty senates:
