Dear Faculty of Western Washington University,

I hope that the end of the quarter and finals week finds you well and excited for all that the summer can bring.  It has been both an honour and a pleasure to serve you this academic year, thank you so much for providing me with this opportunity.  Below please find my end of the year Faculty Senate report that I provided to the Board of Trustees this morning:

It has been an honour to serve the faculty of Western Washington University as their elected Faculty Senate President this academic year.  Our faculty, employees of the State of Washington, are truly at the heart of this institution and without them it would be lifeless; without mind, body, and soul.

As stated in the Faculty Handbook (Section 11.B.1), “It is the policy of Western Washington University that there shall be meaningful participation by the faculty, through the Faculty Senate or other recognized faculty bodies, in matters relating to university academics, budget, planning and policy at all levels of internal university governance. This is consistent with the University’s policy of open participation in governance.”  The Faculty Senate is empowered to speak and act for the Faculty with responsibility in the areas of curriculum, academic programs, scholarly activities, the education of students, the mission of the university, and institutional and administrative effectiveness.

Faculty Senate is comprised of  the Senate, ten senate standing and sub committees, nine college governance committees, and nine college curriculum committees.  Hundreds of dedicated faculty serve on these committees and I would like to thank all of them for their countless hours of service, for which they do not receive compensation and that is above and beyond their regular teaching, research, and service commitments.  ALL of this, while still being productive members of and raising families…WOW.  Perhaps our greatest feat as faculty is maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

This academic year the Faculty Senate continued to uphold the tenets of faculty governance, including shared governance between the administration and faculty of Western Washington University.  Through shared governance, Faculty Senate worked with administrators to bridge a difficult situation within Research and Sponsored Programs so that we could continue to best serve our faculty in their research, professional development, and teaching endeavors.  These efforts also brought about positive change to leadership within RSP and ensured fair and equitable representation of, and leadership by, faculty on the Research Advisory Council, Faculty Development Grants Committee, and Institutional Review Board.

Shared governance between faculty and administration also occurred during the transition of the Social Justice and Equity Committee to its new home within the President and Provost’s Office.  This change provided increased financial and logistical support structures to SJEC and ensured growth and expansion of the very important work they do in providing faculty grants, professional development opportunities, and forums that engage the entire campus community in critical issues related to social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.  Specifically I would like to speak to the exceptional work of Drs. Aric Mayer and Kevin Covey and Provost Carbajal in these efforts.

The Faculty Senate also appointed a Director of the New Faculty Mentoring Initiative, Dr. Shirin Deylami, and an Advisory Board of diverse faculty members to serve this important program that is the result of a Faculty Senate workgroup appointed to explore how Western could better support the retention and success of underrepresented faculty.  The workgroup’s recommendation for the creation of the program led to a strategic planning proposal to UPRC that was funded by the administration for a two-year pilot period.  The proposal also provided funds for a limited number of new faculty to participate in programs offered by the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity.  This program, and the process from which it was born, is yet again another example of successful shared governance between faculty and administration.  I would like to thank Dr. Deylami for taking on this enormous task and her positive response to it: “I am enthusiastic about leading the New Faculty Mentoring Initiative.  It is my goal to help facilitate a sense of community and belonging among new faculty so that they can thrive in their positions and make connections across their colleges and campus.  My long-term goal for the program is to help new faculty achieve success and see them become future leaders at the university.”

Western Washington University continues to grow its undergraduate and graduate curriculum and programs.  This year we transitioned the Linguistics Program to a new academic Department (under the leadership of Dr. Kristin Denham), developed a new academic Minor in Holocaust and Genocide Studies (under the leadership of Dr. Sandra Alfers), and created a College Governance Council for the Graduate School (under the leadership of Dr. Bob Mitchell).  At the root of this tremendous academic growth are, again, our dedicated and tenacious faculty.  These faculty leaders, and all who worked with them, exemplify the important value of faculty governance and engagement in shared governance between faculty and administration.  We must continue to support our faculty so that they will continue to endeavor to: think about, develop, create, expand, grow, and nurture invaluable opportunities for our students.  Integral to this support is the upholding of academic freedom.  The University, the Union, AND Faculty Senate agree that academic freedom is essential to the mission of the university and that providing an environment of free and honest inquiry is essential to its functioning. Academic freedom, as defined by the CBA between UFWW and the University and supported by the Faculty Senate, is the freedom to discuss all relevant matters in the classroom, to explore all avenues of scholarship, research and creative expression, and to speak or write as a public citizen without institutional discipline or restraint on matters of public concern, as well as on issues related to professional duties and the functioning of the University. All efforts should be made to be accurate and to show respect for the opinions of others and to make clear they are not speaking on behalf of the institution unless specifically designated to do so. Academic responsibility implies the faithful performance of academic duties and obligations and the recognition of the demands of the scholarly enterprise.

With Respect and Appreciation,

McNeel Jantzen

Dear Faculty of Western Washington University,

The final Faculty Senate meeting of the 2018-19AY is on Monday, June 3rd at 4pm in OM340.  At this meeting Senators will be voting on a motion to revise language in Section 2 of the Faculty Code of Ethics, which you have all had an opportunity to provide feedback on.  The feedback received thus far overwhelmingly and very clearly indicates the need for broader faculty involvement and engagement in further discussion.  The Faculty Senate does not make unilateral decisions, we represent and work on behalf of you our constituents.  I hope that you will all attend this meeting so that you may participate in the process of faculty governance, something we as faculty have fought long and hard for, and ensure your voices are heard by Senators.  Just in case you need a little extra incentive, we do have cookies, donuts, and coffee at Senate meetings.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  It has been my pleasure to serve you this academic year.  I want to thank each and every one of you for your grace, candor, and patience as we navigated the waters together this year.

With Much Respect,

McNeel

Dear Faculty,

Today the Western Front published an article about the Faculty Senate’s proposed revisions to language within Section 2 of the Faculty Handbook and Code of Ethics.  This article inaccurately represents the work of the Faculty Senate and the meeting this past Monday, May 20th.  The article comes on the heels of another inaccurate article published on May 8th regarding a motion proposed in ACC and the events of two ACC meetings.  Today the Western Front also published a revised version of the May 8th ACC article, including an acknowledgment of inaccurate reporting.

Below is the article regarding Faculty Senate that was published today and my comments to multiple statements within the article (they are bolded and placed between double asterisks):

The Faculty Senate unanimously passed a motion to revise the Code of Faculty Ethics to contain language that explicitly condemns racism in the classroom and pass it on for faculty comment period. Faculty will have a two-week period in which to comment on the revision before the senate’s final vote on the motion.

Following the faculty comment period, the revision of Section 2 of the code will go to a vote by the Faculty Senate on June 4. If the revisions are approved, it will be passed off for review by the Faculty Union to be ratified within the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the university and the United Faculty of Western Washington.

**The vote at the June 4th Faculty Senate meeting will occur after a discussion of faculty feedback received regarding the May 20th proposed revisions to the Faculty Code of Ethics language that all faculty will receive this week.  Based on the feedback from faculty the vote may be to accept the proposed revisions, reject them, or revise them. The vote is by no means a “final vote” on the motion nor continued efforts to revise the Faculty Code of Ethics as determined by the faculty of Western Washington University. The Faculty Senate does not “pass off” the revisions to UFWW. If Faculty Senate makes changes to the Faculty Handbook and the Code of Ethics they must be ratified by the CBA and thus any changes would need to be collectively bargained between UFWW and University Administration.**

On Monday, May 20, senators discussed the implications of banning the use of the racial slur for nearly two hours before they agreed to revise the language in the code of ethics.

Section 2 of the current faculty code of ethics states that faculty condemn sexual harassment, intimidation and the exploitation of students. According to meeting minutes from April 22, the proposed revisions would add the elements of racism and discrimination against students based on protected characteristics to the list of condemned behaviors, and would explicitly state that academic freedom does not excuse racism or other forms of discrimination.

**Faculty Senate did not discuss “the implications of banning the use of the racial slur”, we discussed feedback that was received from faculty regarding the language of proposed revisions to Section 2 of the Faculty Code of Ethics and also addressed questions (mainly from the gallery) regarding why we could not specifically ban the N-word from being said, or any other words, based on information received from and presented to us by EO, the AG, and Risk Management. Also, we did not “agree to revise the language in the code of ethics”, rather Faculty Senate approved a motion to further revise the proposed changes to Section 2 of the Faculty Handbook and Faculty Code of Ethics.**

According to Western’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, any changes to the code of ethics require full review by the UFWW. The university would then involve the risk management office and Assistant Attorney General Melissa Nelson to ratify their side of the agreement.

**I refer to my note above, If Faculty Senate makes changes to the Faculty Handbook and the Code of Ethics they must be ratified by the CBA and thus any changes would need to be collectively bargained between UFWW and University Administration. When UFWW President, Rich Brown, explained this to Senators and members of the gallery in attendance at the Faculty Senate meeting he indicated that the Administration would likely include the AG and Risk Management in the process.**

This week’s Faculty Senate meeting continued a conversation the senate has been facilitating since its Feb. 25 meeting on academic freedom and inclusive learning, focusing on whether faculty should have the freedom to say racial slurs in the classroom.

**The Faculty Senate has NEVER focused on NOR discussed whether faculty should have the freedom to say racial slurs in the classroom. We are vehemently opposed to racial slurs both in and out of the classroom. As explained to Faculty Senate by EO, the AG, and Risk Management the N-word on its own or in certain contexts is not a racial slur and it is only when it is used in a discriminatory manner that it becomes such. The discussion(s) that have been occurring within Faculty Senate are focused on balancing Western faculty’s deep commitment and desire to create inclusive and safe learning environments for our students while also maintaining academic freedom, especially when teaching difficult topics and content areas.**

Prior to passing the motion on Monday, senators read through statements submitted by individuals and departments. The senate also discussed the implications of banning the N-word in the classroom as it relates to the First Amendment, referencing an earlier motion passed in April that banned the N-word in the classroom.

The earlier motion, proposed by former Faculty Senate President Kristen Larson, was rescinded on April 30 following concerns that it would violate legal agreements with the university and First Amendment rights of faculty, according to meeting minutes.

Before being rescinded, Larson’s motion passed by a vote of 4-3, with the in-favor votes cast by three students and Larson, according to Levi Eckman, Associated Students vice president for academic affairs and AS student senate pro-tempore.

**Please read the revised Western Front article that acknowledges the inaccurate reporting of their original article and attempts to more accurately address this the motion and actions that occurred in ACC:
http://www.westernfrontonline.com/2019/05/08/a-decision-to-remove-n-word-slur-from-classrooms-reversed-by-academic-coordinating-commission/
Also please refer to the Faculty Senate website for accepted minutes of ACC and the most accurate information regarding specifics of the meetings.**

At Monday’s meeting, some faculty expressed concern about how a new rule would balance academic freedom against the need to address discrimination and racism in the classroom. Paul Mueller, director of risk, compliance, and policy services, sent an email cautioning senators about this point, which Faculty Senate President McNeel Jantzen shared at the meeting.

**Here is the exact language that Paul Mueller sent me via email,
“As we discussed, I completely support the proposed policy or value statements about discrimination that enhance and help clarify Section 2 of the Faculty Code of Ethics. However, I would strongly caution senators against connecting those statements to academic freedom, which Melissa mentioned is arguably faculty’s constitutional right within the education setting to teach, learn and research freely. I think this underlying right of all faculty should be preserved, while letting applicable case law, state and federal laws, University policies, employment contracts, etc. (and their related processes) govern alleged discriminatory behaviors of certain faculty.”**

Jantzen clarified his email, stating that discrimination is easier to prove legally than instances of racism. Other senators protested this distinction and called for explicit condemnation of racism.

**I explained to Senators that based on information received from, and presented by, EO, the AG, and Risk Management it would be difficult to prove an act of racism (which is also not illegal) whereas discrimination is more clearly defined and specific laws do exist.**

“Discrimination is the umbrella term. We are simply saying that racism is an egregious instance of discrimination,” Senator Babafemi Akinrinade said. “We are not creating a new class of discrimination; racism has always been.”

Other senators noted the need to move on from the discussion of which types of discrimination are easiest to defend legally.

According to parliamentarian Lizzy Ramhorst, there is another way to proceed with a change to the code of ethics besides a bargaining agreement. Ramhorst noted that the revised code language could be sent to all of Western’s faculty for a referendum vote, which would require the majority of respondents to vote in favor of the revised code before a final vote by the Faculty Senate.

**A referendum vote was suggested in lieu of a Faculty Senate vote, not in conjunction with it.**

“It would also be a stronger show of support on behalf of all staff,” Ramhorst said.

Ultimately, senators rejected that option. Akinrinade said a referendum might not encourage faculty who aren’t directly affected by the use of the N-word to vote.

“Sadly, many people will not care. It’s not their problem,” Akinrinade said.

Eckman shared similar sentiments, recommending a faculty review period followed by a senate vote rather than sending out the motion for a faculty referendum vote.

“There are a lot of awesome faculty on this campus but I don’t trust all faculty, and I don’t know what it would look like if this fails for the relationship between students and faculty,” Eckman said.

In the meeting, Jantzen shared concerns regarding most faculty members’ familiarity with the code of ethics.

“I have a feeling that most faculty don’t even look at this, that most of them honestly don’t even know the faculty code of ethics exists,” Jantzen said.

**This was in response to members of the gallery expressing concern that faculty don’t know what is expected of them or how to behave. I explained that many faculty are hired and come to campus not knowing that we have a Faculty Handbook, Code of Ethics, or even the CBA and that we need to work to ensure that all faculty are not only aware of, but familiar with all of these documents.**

After Monday’s filing, Eckman stressed the importance of faculty feedback and the vote to take place at the June 4 senate meeting.

“The next Faculty Senate meeting will be the last one that students who are currently in these positions will be sitting on, so I really hope we can honor the work of all the students sitting here in the gallery and that did all the work beforehand and we can pass that resolution,” Eckman said.

 

Dear Faculty of Western Washington University,

Please see the attached statement from the Faculty Senate Executive Council that was read at yesterday’s Faculty Senate meeting addressing racism in the classroom.  This is an extremely important, and time sensitive, issue that continues to affect our students and faculty of color.  It is the responsibility of each and every faculty member on this campus to help ensure that hatred and racism of any kind does not permeate our classrooms nor our larger campus community.  One very clear way that we can do this is by not using racially offensive language, such as the N-word, in our classrooms.

Thank you!

Best,

McNeel

 

Dear Colleagues,

The draft Policy for Requesting an Appointment of Opportunity is currently under review until March 9th.  I urge you to take some time to read over the draft policy and provide feedback to Policies@wwu.edu.

You can find a copy of the policy here:  https://policy.wwu.edu/policies-under-review

Thank you!

Best,

McNeel