University of Connecticut
University Senate
Summary of Action, 2015-2016
September 2015:
• Election of University Senate Moderator and Secretary
• Approved motion from Student Welfare in support of Open Textbook Initiative
• Received Annual Update on the Diversity Plan
• Received Enrollment Update
• Received Report of the University Ombudsman
October 2015:
• Senate Executive Committee (SEC) issued three charges to Faculty Standards Committee
o Teaching Effectiveness
o Free Speech and Civility
o Academic Freedom
• In cooperation with the Provost’s Office, assisted in forming Common Schedule Task Force
• Approved motion to amend the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the University
Senate, II.B.10 Adding and Dropping Courses
See University Senate By-Laws at senate.uconn.edu
• Approved motion to amend the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the University
Senate, II.G.1 and 2 University Scholars
See University Senate By-Laws at senate.uconn.edu
November 2015:
• Received Report of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on the University’s Budget
• Received Report on the UConn Foundation
December 2015:
• Received Update on Projects, Design and Planning
• Received Report of the Vice President of Communication
February 2016
• SEC issued charge to Student Welfare regarding Fraternity and Sorority Life
• SEC issued charge to Growth & Development Committee to review the current by-laws related to election constituencies
• Approved motion to amend the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the University
Senate, II.A Admissions
See University Senate By-Laws at senate.uconn.edu
• Approved motion to amend the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the University
Senate, II.B.10 Adding and Dropping Courses
See University Senate By-Laws at senate.uconn.edu
• Received Annual Report on Undergraduate Education and Instruction
• Received Report of the Provost on Regional Campuses
March 2016:
• Approved motion from Diversity Committee to add Diversity Statement to the University By-Laws Preamble
• Received presentation from Office of Emergency Management
• Received Annual Report of the Dean of the Graduate School
• Received Report on Research
April 2016:
• Approved motion supporting Women’s Basketball team in their quest for a fourth consecutive National Championship
• Received Annual Report on the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
May 2016:
• By way of Consent Agenda, received Annual Report from all Senate Standing Committee and Subcommittee Reports
• Received Annual Report of the Honors Program
• Received Report on Financial Aid and Retention
• Received Annual Library Advisory Report
• Approved motion from Growth & Development recommendation to update University By-Laws related to Senate constituencies
• Approved motion to endorse the resolution offered by the Undergraduate Student Government regarding Bill Cosby’s Honorary Degree from the University of Connecticut. Forwarded resolution to the University Administration and the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees for consideration.