Academic Senate
Minutes from May 7, 1997

The meeting was called to order at 1:45 p.m. by Senate President, Erwin Chemerinsky.

Agenda Item #1. Announcements

Senators were thanked for attending an early meeting, and President provided a summary of the meeting’s agenda.

Agenda Item #2. Approval of the minutes

The minutes were approved as presented.

Agenda Item #3. Report on the Task Force on the Future of the Health Sciences at USC.

Prior to a discussion of the Report on the Task Force, the Council of Past Presidents recognized Jean Keene for her accomplishments and for her ability to navigate effectively through the University in order to "get the job done."

The Report on the Task Force on the Future of the Health Sciences at USC was discussed and two friendly amendments were added to section on Governance. The report was voted on and approved unanimously by the Senate.

Agenda Item #4. Non-Tenure Track Faculty Issues.

Resolution 96/97-15. Emeriti Faculty Status. Resolution 96/97-15 passed unanimously.

Resolution 96/97-16. Non-tenure track Faculty Amendment. Resolution 96/97-16 passed without abstentions and no opposition.

Resolution 96/97-17. School Policy on Appointment and Promotion of Non-Tenure Track Faculty: Faculty Input. Resolution 96/97-17 was amended and passed with two opposed votes, no abstentions.

Agenda Item #5. Rules Membership and Elections Committee

Resolution 96/97-13. Standing Rules. Resolution passed without amendment.

Resolution 96/97-14. Amendment to Constitution. Presented to the Faculty; a vote will not take place until the September meeting.

Agenda Item #6. Report on Election Results.

With 63% of ballots returned, the following were elected to offices:

         Academic Vice-President: J. Lawford Anderson
         Administrative Vice-President: Silvia Formenti
         Members-at-Large: Robert Farley, Judith Grant, Thomas Hollihan and
               Carmen Silva-Corvalan

Agenda Item #7. Senate President’s Comments

President Chemerinsky thanked Senators for their support during the year and listed noteworthy accomplishments. Emphasis was placed on the matter of being vigilant on matters pertaining to tenure and to the Health Care Benefits for Domestic Partners. President Chemerinsky emphasized the fact that the Senate accomplished many tasks and tackled many issues in the last year, and he noted that the main failure of the Senate deals with the need to communicate with the Faculty at large. We need to involve others in our debates, and get information to others via the Chronicle, the Daily Trojan or other avenues and channels. President Chemerinsky also expressed appreciation to Provost Lloyd Armstrong and   Barbara Solomon, and characterized them as "caring, concerned, and committed to Faculty Governance." President Chemerinsky reflected on the discrepancy between the Faculty orientation toward governance with that of the University President’s views. It is regrettable that the President of the University places little value in the Academic Senate. President Chemerinsky concluded: "We are the only elected Faculty body. We can not give up."

The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

Submitted by: Michael Cody
Editor, Academic Senate Forum