Plans for proposed institute on the study of race, ethnicity and society move forward
Provost Persis Drell told the Faculty Senate Thursday that a committee has been charged with developing recommendations for a process to create a new institute on the study of race, ethnicity and society. The Faculty Senate also heard updates on the university’s response to COVID-19 and the state of graduate education and postdoctoral affairs, among other topics.
New Faculty Senate chair stresses importance of faculty voice at Stanford
The 54th Faculty Senate chair addressed civil discourse, and the senate voted to extend legislation allowing its Steering Committee to convene to make decisions on behalf of the full senate in administrative session during the COVID-19 crisis and heard from the Associated Students of Stanford University during its first meeting of the academic year on Oct. 7.
Expanded legal representation suggested by Senate committee
The Faculty Senate heard a report from an ad hoc committee that has been examining the university’s policies for providing faculty and staff with legal representation or indemnifying them for the cost of representation.
Faculty Senate approves early admission pilot for student-athletes
A more flexible enrollment process approved on a pilot basis by the Faculty Senate means that admission of potential athletes will be more in line with institutions with which Stanford competes for recruits.
Stanford can cover pandemic costs without further cuts, provost says
In her annual budget presentation to the Faculty Senate, Provost Persis Drell reported that unexpected market returns and strong university reserves mean Stanford can cover pandemic expenses and shortfalls without further program cuts.
Stanford student judicial process called ‘overly punitive’ and ‘not educational’ in report to Faculty Senate
In a presentation to the Stanford Faculty Senate on Thursday, the Committee of 10, charged with reviewing the Student Judicial Charter, recommended how the process might be refocused on education and made more efficient.
Report to Faculty Senate reveals stress around the issue of free speech on campus
The Planning and Policy Board Subcommittee on Campus Climate presented an interim report to the Faculty Senate on Thursday that highlighted students’ concerns about free speech and general campus climate.
New Stanford climate and sustainability school designed to achieve ambitious goals
The Faculty Senate heard an update on the structure of the new school for climate and sustainability and learned that it will include a Sustainability Accelerator that will translate policy and technology solutions.
Survey reveals COVID-19’s significant stress on Stanford faculty
Anne Joseph O’Connell, law, and Sara Singer, medicine, members of the Faculty Women’s Forum, presented to the Faculty Senate results of a survey that reflect the stress caused by COVID-19, particularly among women faculty, as well as those who are pre-tenure, at the lowest salary levels and with family obligations.
Stanford’s African and African-American Studies moves closer to becoming a department
At a wide-ranging Campus Conversation about the university’s racial justice initiatives, Provost Persis Drell announced that a committee will be formed to develop the details of making Stanford’s Program in African and African American Studies a department.
Faculty Senate seeks future report on increased collaboration between Hoover Institution and Stanford
The Faculty Senate will receive a report on efforts to increase collaboration between the Hoover Institution and the rest of Stanford as a result of a sometimes contentious debate involving issues of academic freedom and freedom of speech.
Stanford’s relationship to the Hoover Institution highlights Faculty Senate discussion
At its first meeting of the winter quarter, the Faculty Senate heard a presentation on the Hoover Institution and passed proposals intended to deemphasize the importance of wealth in undergraduate admission decisions.
Faculty Senate condemns COVID-19 actions of Hoover’s Scott Atlas
In its last meeting of the autumn quarter, the Stanford Faculty Senate condemned the COVID-19-related actions of Hoover senior fellow and presidential adviser Scott Atlas. The Faculty Senate also approved a new policy on Open Access to make scholarly works more widely available.
Faculty Senate hears fundraising approach to Long-Range Vision initiatives
The Faculty Senate on Thursday heard that, despite the pandemic, social unrest and the economic downturn, the Long-Range Vision initiatives are inspiring Stanford supporters even as the university adapts to a changed fundraising environment.
Faculty Senate urges acceleration of Stanford sustainability goals
Members of the Faculty Senate on Thursday encouraged the university to accelerate its target dates for completing its transition to at least net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations and endowment.
A political scientist at the helm of the Faculty Senate
Judith L. Goldstein, who is the Janet M. Peck Professor of International Communication in the Department of Political Science and a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, is serving as chair of the 2020-21 Faculty Senate of the Academic Council.
Faculty alter new first-year requirement because of continuing pandemic
The new two-course Civic, Liberal and Global Education Requirement for undergraduates approved in May has been reduced to one course for one year by the faculty because of disruptions caused by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
Academic freedom questions arise on campus over COVID-19 strategy conflicts
As Stanford faculty members disagree – often publicly – about the best way to confront COVID-19, questions about the responsibilities and limitations of academic freedom and the university’s relationship to the Hoover Institution have arisen.
Faculty Senate hears budget update, approves new unit-limit policy
At the Oct. 22 senate meeting, Provost Persis Drell provided an update on the university’s finances and the senate voted on a proposal to add exemptions and exceptions to a policy setting a 100-unit limit for undergraduate majors.
