[phas-faculty_staff_others] News from the Senate

[Kurtis Williams]

Just to add to what Carlos said about the math department:

They are indeed being relocated to Journalism, but not until 2026.  The dean is pushing hard for renovations and renaming of the Journalism building, similar to what was done for Ferguson, but no money has been allocated for that yet.  Binion, however, will be renovated fully into a dorm.  Computer Science is currently located in Journalism and so there is some thought behind the move.  But, yes, it is not a good situation.

As for the summer pay model, this coming summer adjunct-taught classes will be considered in the department-by-department accounting of profit and loss.  But independent studies and thesis still do not count, even though the students pay tuition and fees and even though we get formula funding.

Finally, according to various online non-governmental agencies, you are not required to identify suspected illegal immigrants, and they may only enter a classroom without permission with a warrant signed by a judge.  Administrative warrants (those signed by ICE officials and not active judges) are not sufficient, allegedly.  In the absence of guidance from our office of general council, in my role as department head I will make no suggestion as to what you should do other than to follow the law.  

In my role as a private citizen, I would beg you to show mercy and understanding to all students.

If you have suggestions on solutions to any these issues, please let Carlos and/or I know.  We are two separate and independent lines of advocacy for you here at the university.

Thank you, Carlos, for your faculty senate report and for your voice for our department!

Kurtis