UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – During its final meeting of the 2024-25 cycle, the University Faculty Senate passed two reports updating its standing rules on committee structure, as well as a positional statement expressing unconditional support for Penn State’s non-tenure-line faculty members. The senate also heard updates from Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Tracy Langkilde.
A video recording of the full meeting can be found on the senate’s website.
The senate voted by unanimous consent in favor of updating its standing rules related to two of its committees. The changes include expanding the membership and purview of the Committee on Educational Equity and Campus Environment and adding a representative from the Office of the Vice President for Research to the Committee on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities.
Senators also voted 88-7 in favor of a nonbinding resolution expressing unconditional support for the University’s non-tenure-line (NTL) faculty, in conjunction with its commitment to tenure-line faculty, staff and students.
This meeting marked the final with Josh Wede, teaching professor of psychology, presiding as chair. Incoming chair Frantisek Marko, distinguished professor of mathematics at Penn State Hazleton, and the other newly elected officers officially begin their terms on July 1.
Updates from University leadership
In her final Faculty Senate meeting as interim executive vice president and provost, Langkilde shared updates on the transition process following the approval from the Board of Trustees in May of the University’s recommendation to close seven Commonwealth Campuses following the spring 2027 semester, while continuing investment in 13 others.
Langkilde thanked the faculty members who have been working on the transition process for the closing campuses, in particular the Curricular Affairs, Faculty Affairs and the Inter-University Relations committees, whose members she said have been working in close collaboration with the administration over the past few months.
“Your expertise and partnership in making sure that we navigate this appropriately has really been invaluable,” Langkilde said. “We look forward to your continued engagement to support our people through this process.”
Langkilde noted that the priority hiring consideration processes to support affected NTL faculty and staff would be announced soon, and will begin July 1. More information is available on Penn State’s Road Map website and has been communicated directly with NTL faculty and staff at impacted campuses, and with managers University-wide.
Langkilde also shared updates on two initiatives – the formation of a university ombuds office representing faculty, staff and postdocs and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Coordinating Council – both of which arose in part from senate recommendations.
The search will soon begin for a director and a supporting staff member for the new ombuds office, which Langkilde said will complement, not replace, the senate’s ombuds system. The AI Coordinating Council is also moving forward, Langkilde said, as Senior Vice Provost Kathy Bieschke is working to form a group to help increase AI literacy among faculty and raise awareness of resources to support students, as well as provide opportunities to help faculty explore uses for AI in their educational, research and operational activities.
Committee reports
Senate committees and individuals tasked with working in tandem with University leaders on various initiatives also reported on their progress. Highlights of the reports include:
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The Senate Committee on Curricular Affairs reported a change to how academic programs within the University College’s 14 campuses can be approved for relocation, following the decision on the future of the Commonwealth Campuses. The change would allow the dean of the University College to approve the relocation of academic programs within the college. Changes to curriculum or relocation of programs to another college at a location outside of the University College would still require approval from the Committee on Curricular Affairs.
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Daniel Jackson, associate professor of physics at Penn State Lehigh Valley, faculty co-chair of the Academic Portfolio and Program Review (APPR) and member of the Senate Committee on Intra-University Relations, reported that the last data reports from Hanover Research, an outside research firm contracted to assist with the data collection, arrived last week. He said those reports will soon be published on the APPR website and that the final report is being prepared and will be shared when the APPR executive sponsors and the incoming provost have had an opportunity to review.
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The Committee on Faculty Benefits is preparing a report on the status of retiree health care plans, which the committee intends to present during the senate’s September meeting.
The next regular meeting of the senate will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 10 via Zoom and in person at 112 Kern Building.
About Faculty Senate
The University Faculty Senate is a legislative body comprised of 200 faculty, elected by their peers from each college and campus. The senate also includes representatives from the undergraduate and graduate student body and University administration. The senate holds legislative authority on educational matters including curriculum, student policies, admissions, and retention/graduation requirements. The senate also serves as an advisory and consultative body to the University administration, a process referred to as shared governance.