October 20, 2020
Dear Chair Erickson and Board of Trustees Members:
I appreciate this opportunity to submit a brief overview of the activities of the Faculty Senate since the last Trustees meeting in July 2020. Since that time, the Executive Committee has been busy, along with the Senate Standing Committees, working diligently on the charges for this academic year. In addition, the Executive Committee has continued their work with different stakeholder groups at CWU to implement policies and initiatives to support students and faculty members during the COVID-19 crisis. Some of these initiatives are focused on several areas, including: curriculum, general education, instruction modalities, faculty evaluation, diversity and inclusivity, and advising. The Executive Committee has worked with Provost DenBeste and the President Gaudino to enhance the communication between the administration and faculty members. What follows is a brief overview of the work the Executive Committee is doing during the fall quarter and the priorities for the winter quarter. Faculty Code Changes One of the highest recognitions a faculty member could receive at the end of her/his career is the title of Emeritus Faculty. This title remains a mark of excellence awarded only to a few on retirement. A faculty member receiving such recognition has demonstrated a life of distinguished service to the University and the discipline, contributed to knowledge production through scholarship or creative expression, and inspired many students through excellent academic instruction. What resources should Emeritus Faculty expect from CWU after retirement? The Bylaws and Faculty Code Committee have been charged with revising the language regarding benefits and privileges for Emeritus Faculty as outlined in Faculty Code. The goal is to clarify these expectations and to align the language in Faculty Code with the Revised Code of Washington and the Washington State Constitution. Diversity, Inclusivity, and Antiracism Task Force We are navigating a difficult time in the history of the United States. The tragic events that led to the unjust death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have triggered a series of protests taking place across the country demanding social justice and racial equality. In response to these events, Vice President of Inclusivity & Diversity, Kandee Cleary, sent an email to the campus community on June 2 nd titled Time for Action . The communication outlined a series of goals that she set for herself, two of which involves the Faculty Senate. The first goal states that she “will work with the academic leadership, faculty senate, and departments to integrate the topics of equity, bias, discrimination, structural racism, and restorative justice throughout their curricula.” The second goal indicates that she “will work with the Faculty Senate’s General Education core to more directly address issues of race and ethnicity, not as simply an academic course, but as an ethos that runs throughout CWU education.” In response to this communication, the Executive Committee proposed the creation of the Antiracism, Diversity, and Inclusivity Ad hoc Committee , which was approved by the Faculty Senate on October 7 th . This ad hoc committee will identify the main issues associated with diversity, inclusivity, inequality, discrimination, and racism at CWU. In particular, the ad hoc committee will seek full consultation at all levels including, faculty members, students, and administrator to gather input about the best ways to address issues of racism, diversity, and inclusivity in policy and curriculum. They will use surveys and listening sessions to gather opinions and recommendations and will communicate the results at the
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