Senate Meeting 1/9/17

Welcome back for our first Faculty Senate meeting of the quarter, Monday at 4:00 in OM 340.  Senate meetings are open, and all are welcome.

We have two discussion topics from the University Planning and Resource Council minutes approved last quarter:

  • Review the Mission Fulfillment Status Report, in preparation for the university-wide accreditation visit next quarter
  • Defining Graduate Faculty, specifying who can teach graduate classes and supervise graduate students

We also will be reviewing the final report and recommendations for compensating NTT faculty for service, as drafted by the NTT Service Criteria Work Group created in response to our most recent faculty collective bargaining agreement.

Upcoming meetings will include the ACC report on updating our general education lists and a status report from the Senate Extended Education Committee.  Stay tuned!

Senate Meeting 11/28/16

Monday’s Faculty Senate meeting will include selection of the faculty representatives for the Strategic Planning Team.

As time allows, we will also be considering a motion from Senate Exec to recommend to President Randhawa that Western be declared a sanctuary campus.  The motion proposes that university not act on behalf of federal agents to enforce immigration laws, not allow ICE to come onto campus without warrants or clear exigent danger, and not share confidential student information with federal government unless required by court order.

2016-11nov-28_senate_agenda

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Do you know… WWU State Government Relations?

Olympia Washington ~ Washington State Capitol ~ Historic ~

Washington State Capitol, by Onasill ~ Bill Badzo via Compfight

One of the officers of the Faculty Senate Executive Council is the faculty representative to the legislature.  This year, our faculty representative is Sara Singleton, and you may have seen her reports in the senate minutes.

But did you know that Western also has an office of State Government Relations?  A part of the  University Relations and Community Development division, the office of State Government Relations works to pursue and promote Western’s policy objectives to the Washington State Legislature. The Office works closely with state legislators and Western administrators, faculty, students and staff.  The Office also educates the campus community of legislation affecting the University.

To learn more about State Government Relations Team does down in Olympia, subscribe to their blog, the Western Legislature Review.

Support for Undocumented Students

Of all the members of our community impacted by the policies of the incoming presidential administration, it is our undocumented students who are feeling most at risk.

Do you know what DACA is?  If you don’t, you are not alone.  Now is the time to educate ourselves!

DACA is a government directive called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.  People who were brought to the United States as children can apply for benefits that allow them to stay, complete their education, and contribute as employees.

Here in Washington, undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition, but there are some open questions about what will change for students who are DACA recipients if the incoming presidential administration ends DACA as it has pledged to do.

Here is some reading that I have found helpful as I educate myself today:

Basic facts at the American Immigration Council

Advocacy through the Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Everyone Has Rights!  National Immigration Law Center

Guide for Teachers Helping Dreamers (PDF) at United We Dream

The Case for Undocumented Students in Higher Education (PDF) at Educators for Fair Consideration

Do you know of other helpful resources for faculty? Please post them in the comments.  Stay tuned for much more action from Western on supporting these students, including opportunities for those wishing to become an advocate.