If you missed the Academic Senate meeting on Nov. 2, 2020, or need a refresher, then keep reading for the highlights from the meeting. For more information on the Academic Senate, click here.
Consent Calendar
Passed
Passed
Passed
Passed
Passed
Reports
President Ruth Watkins reported on Election Day participation and accommodations; the meeting with Dr. Deborah Birx and CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield; the McCluskey settlement; the Nov. 7 Utah Football game; Thanksgiving and winter break planning and preparations; the Indigenous Land Acknowledgement; joining the lawsuit on new federal rules; the most recent U.S. Presidential Executive Order.
Debate Calendar
Approved
Michelle Valdes, ASUU vice president of student relations, and Wanda S. Pillow, professor and chair of the Division of Gender Studies, School for Cultural & Social Transformation presented the following:
In the face of recent White House moves to defund anti-racism and diversity training and disparage those who conduct this work, we request that the Academic Senate approve a clear statement (1) to affirm the importance of supporting anti-racism, diversity and inclusion scholarship, teaching and training at the University of Utah and (2) to call for leadership to protect and extend this work on our campus. The proposed resolution was developed by campus community members and is jointly proposed by ASUU, the University of Utah Staff Council and the School for Cultural & Social Transformation.
Approved
Information and Recommendations Calendar
Kate Charipar, associate athletics director of compliance provided an update on violation, investigation and education data from the 2019-20 academic year. And touched on two nationally significant issues: changes to name, image and likeness legislation and the Alston court case decision.
New Business
Senate Resolution on DSU Name Change
Passed
"Considering that on 12 July 2020 the DSU Faculty Senate passed a resolution requesting that the name of the institution will be changed and that the word 'Dixie' no longer be included (see Appendix).
Considering that the Utah Council of Faculty Senate Leaders on its meeting 13 October 2020 passed a resolution to 'support DSU in its efforts to change its name.'
It is proposed that the University of Utah Academic Senate pass the following resolution in support of our colleagues at DSU.
On behalf of the faculty and students of the U of U, the Academic Senate endorses the efforts of the faculty senate of Dixie State University to pursue changing the name of the institution, in accord with the resolution adopted by the Faculty Senate at DSU."
Appendix: DSU Faculty Senate Resolution
The Faculty Senate hereby resolves that the name of our institution be changed and that the word “Dixie” no longer be included in its name.
As the great entrepreneur and educator Roger W. Babson stated, “I more and more see the need both of courage to stand fast and the willingness to change. Even though these two characteristics seem contrary and paradoxical, a successful life demands a proper mixture of them both. One is the lock and the other is the key; either without the other becomes useless.” Just so, we respectfully and gratefully acknowledge the many alumni, faculty, staff, and community who built this institution, often at great sacrifice, and who contributed to its growth and success. We stand fast to their legacy and many wholesome traditions and practices of our past - the lock. We also express our resolve and commitment to make this important change—the key.
Specifically, we hereby call for our new strategic plan, “Stature to Distinction,” to incorporate an institutional commitment to complete the process of renaming our institution within the 2020-21 academic year.
We believe this change will be of great benefit to our students, faculty, staff, athletic programs and community, and help lead us to a distinguished future.