REGULAR MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE November 2, 1992 MINUTES Senators excused were: Kenneth Biederman, Charles Boncelet, Alexander Doberenz, Jeffry Fuhrmann, Beth Haslett, Rob Palkovitz, Kent Price, Peter Roe, David P. Roselle, Stanley Sandler, Michelle Shapiro, Stuart Sharkey, William Stanley, John Wehmiller I. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The Senate approved the Agenda as printed and distributed. II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES The Senate approved the Minutes of the Meeting of October 5 as distributed. III. REMARKS BY UNIVERSITY PROVOST PIPES and/or VICE PROVOST ANDERSEN Vice Provost Andersen spoke about racism, anti-semitism, homophobia, and sexism and how the University might encourage both the open exchange of ideas and its acceptance of diversity. Citing sociological research, Vice Provost Andersen outlined several planned educational efforts, including the "Delaware Dialogues" and "University Forum," that will provide an opportunity for discussion about controversial current issues. Provost Pipes reiterated the importance of the role of the faculty in the University and the necessity for regaining the trust of society in higher eduction. He then discussed the budget for 1993-94, possible increases and reallocations. IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS Senate President Lomax had no announcements. V. OLD BUSINESS Item A. Resolution, introduced by Senator Stuart Sharkey at the October 5, 1992 Faculty Senate meeting, to appoint an ad hoc task force to prepare a statement that expresses the ideals to which the University community should aspire. After ascertaining that freedom of speech also means freedom of expression, the Faculty Senate approved the following resolution: WHEREAS, the University does not have a concise statement that communicates ideals to which the community should aspire, and WHEREAS, the University Faculty Senate is interested in the campus community as it influences the learning and social growth of individuals, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the University Faculty Senate authorize the Executive Committee to appoint an ad hoc task force to prepare a statement that expresses the ideals to which the University community should aspire, and be it further RESOLVED, that the ad hoc task force prepare this statement for the February meeting of the University Faculty Senate. VI. NEW BUSINESS Item A. Senator Roof introduced the following resolution from the Executive Committee: WHEREAS, a traditional role of the University is to be a locus for free inquiry, the interchange of ideas, and the acquisition and generation of knowledge, and WHEREAS, the preservation of academic freedom and First Amendment rights is crucial to those endeavors, and WHEREAS, the University has a duty to guard against abuses of those rights and the disruption of the environment of collegiality and respect for differences that enables open exchange, and WHEREAS, recent incidents of verbal abuse, assault, and intolerance in the campus community have insulted and injured many members and have jeopardized the University's ability to maintain a safe and open environment, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Faculty through the Faculty Senate hereby denounces the attitudes that generate enmity and discord and the lack of judgment, self-control,and understanding that condones aggressive, intolerant, and destructive behavior, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Faculty through the Faculty Senate exhorts all in the University community to improve the climate of respect, tolerance, and intellectual richness by educating and learning about the sources and forms of all kinds of bigotry and the ways in which intolerance and ignorance limit and hurt us all. Senate President Lomax adjourned the meeting at 4:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judith Roof Senate Secretary