In this issue:  
DEI Workshops, Data Science and  Shared Governance Town Halls, COIA
 
Dear Colleagues:
 
As co-chairs of the Faculty Senate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, we write to encourage you to attend the faculty workshops being offered by the Office for Inclusive Excellence on Thursday, January 18. The morning workshop focuses on implicit bias in the search process, and the afternoon workshop is about climate issues in the classroom. Both are being presented by Cornell's Interactive Theater Ensemble. They should be engaging as well as informative events.
 
Please see the flyer for more information. We encourage you to join us at this valuable training.
 
 

Best,
Teresa Goddu and William Robinson
 

Faculty Input Sought at Big Data Town Halls

In partnership with the Faculty Senate, the Data Science Visions Working Group is gathering input from faculty and staff colleagues regarding leveraging Vanderbilt's assets and strengths. The Data Science Visions Working Group helps ensure that the university is positioned for continued success in the areas of "big data" and "data science".  
 
By engaging the Vanderbilt community, the working group will be better equipped to identify key thematic areas and educational programs to advance and identify opportunities for alignment and coordination across campus for greater impact.
 
To gather input from faculty and staff, the working group has scheduled a series of town hall-style conversations to hear feedback. All faculty and staff are invited to attend. For questions or more information, contact Andreas Berlind or Debbie Hayes.

Lunch will be served at noon meetings!

Upcoming meeting times and locations are as follows:

Thursday, January 18 at 4:00 pm in Engineering & Science Bldg. 048                               
Friday, January 19 at 12:00 noon in Peabody, Wyatt Center 050-3 (Pizza)               
Thursday, February 8 at 12:00 noon in Sarratt Student Center 325/327 (Lunch TBD)          
Friday, February 9 at 12:00 noon in MCE 8380-A (Lunch TBD)                                       
 

  
Shared Governance Town Halls: Please Save the Dates!
 
The Shared Governance Committee (SGC) was appointed by Provost Wente from Dean nominations received from each school. The Committee consists of eleven faculty members from the 10 colleges and schools of Vanderbilt. The Shared Governance Committee has been collecting information on peer school practices and meeting with faculty around campus. The Committee recently hosted a series of faculty conversations  in the Vanderbilt schools and colleges.
 
The Committee plans to release the discussion stage version of its report in early March 2018 for faculty review, comment, and feedback. The Committee will also host two town halls to discuss the report and receive feedback. The dates of those town halls have been set. Please make a note on your calendar and plan to attend one or both town halls to ensure your voice is heard.
 
Shared Governance Committee Town Halls
 
March 22, 2018 in Sarratt Cinema from 3:30 to 5:00 pm 
March 27, 2018 in Light Hall 214 from 12:00 to 1:25 pm

  
From the Floor of the Senate
 
At the January 11 meeting of the Vanderbilt University Faculty Senate,  
2 important motions were carried by vote.
 
1)  The Senate Affairs Committee put forward a motion containing changes in the formatting of the Faculty Senate Constitution. In addition, language was included which expands the voting membership of the Faculty Senate to include the Dean of Basic Sciences in the School of Medicine as well as the " Deans of the several Schools and Colleges". Faculty in 4 basic science departments (Biochemistry, Cell & Developmental Biology, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Pharmacology) are VU-employed VU faculty. Dr. Larry Marnett, Dean of Basic Sciences will now cast a vote in the Faculty Senate on their behalf. VUMC-employed VU faculty in the School of Medicine will continue to be represented by Dr. Jeffrey Balser, Dean of the School of Medicine. Ratification of the constitutional changes will occur at the Spring Faculty Assembly on April 5.
 
2)  The Faculty Senate voted to withdraw its membership from the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics (COIA). COIA formed in 2002 with the goal of providing a Faculty voice in collegiate athletics through a membership consisting of University Senates, with Vanderbilt involved in the earliest phases of the Coalition. Policy statements emerged in the initial years, but due to changes in bylaws, leadership, and lack of activity, the Faculty Senate of Vanderbilt chose to withdraw its membership.

 

  Faculty Senate Meetings in 2018  
 
                                                Flynn Auditorium - Law School 040  

                                            The meeting time is 4:10 pm - 5:30 pm.
  
Elected Senators Only
February 8, 2018  
Flynn Auditorium (Law School 040)
                    
March 1, 2018  
Flynn Auditorium (Law School 040)

April 12, 2018
Flynn Auditorium (Law School 040)    

May 7, 2018       
Flynn Auditorium (Law School 040) 
Reception to follow      
 
 
    Thoughts, Concerns, New Business:

 Please send your thoughts, concerns, or new business for the Executive Committee in
writing to the EC via email or anonymously via the

Your comments are appreciated.

                          
                                      Wishing you a safe, healthy and Happy New Year !  
                                        
From Your
                             
                          
                                                          

         The next Faculty Senate Meeting is on 
                        If you have any questions, please contact:                        
 
   Debbie Hayes
   Administrative Manager
   615-343-3841