Faculty senate discussed immigration concerns, diversity initiatives on campus and potential new changes for tenure and promotion at Monday’s meeting.
Faculty senate brought in University Council, Jason Rogers, to discuss some concerns from faculty regarding recent executive orders affecting universities across the country.
The two primary concerns from faculty were about the potential impact to students from immigration law enforcement coming to campus and diversity initiatives in scholarships.
Rogers discussed outlines for what faculty should do if they interact with an immigration officer or someone posing as an officer.
“Rather than risk violating our obligations to our students under federal law FERPA to maintain the privacy of their records. We want you all to direct them to us so that we can make sure that we handle that according to compliance with our obligations under federal privacy law,” he said.
Currently, there have not been any instances or issues on Belmont’s campus, Rogers said.
“We're not in this alone, and I think that's important, specifically with regard to immigration and the announcements that have come out there. I think it's important for you to know that today we have received no reports of any immigration law enforcement personnel coming to our campus to request information,” he said. “But with the advent of the new immigration policies, they may come to our campus… I think we have to expect it.”
Rogers also noted that diversity initiative programs are currently not being investigated or reconsidered at Belmont.
“Nothing has changed about who we are as a university, about our commitments to serve all of our students so that we can fulfill our aspirational language that has not changed,” he said.
“Our student organizations are open to all students to join. You don't have to be of a particular interest group or particular racial identity, a particular gender to join the student group. So, you know, we have a very open and inclusive system, and I think that's going to really serve as well.”
While the executive orders have caused concern for some, Belmont is attempting to keep up with them as they are made and the implications they may have on campus, said Rogers.
The faculty senate also discussed some potential changes being made to the tenure and promotion process for faculty based on new language regarding hiring faculty of all faiths that was implemented at the start of the year.
Changes are being proposed to give a more consistent reference point for credit years towards a promotion or tenure.
It will primarily be based on the contract the faculty member signs with the Provost or the President.
The proposed changes were unanimously voted to be postponed until the next faculty senate meeting to allow faculty to review the changes.
Provost David Gregory also spoke at the meeting and updated the Faculty Senate on enrollment numbers which have not exceeded where they were last year, although it was a down year enrollment.
“Good news on the enrollment front, we finally got into what I call green territory about 4.6% over last year. But last year remember was a down year. I don't want you to think I can't accept good news,” said Gregory.
There are also increased efforts going into marketing Belmont to continue to reach out to prospective students.
“There's been a lot of effort, as we know, as we've talked about, we've invested this year over $600,000 in marketing,” he said.
Faculty senate will meet again on March 17 after spring break.
-
This article was written by Braden Simmons
Comments