University of Virginia Library

Students, Faculty Confer Over Senate

By Peter She
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Separate student and faculty groups,
both aiming for the revitalization of the
University Senate, met jointly last Wednesday
only to discover that their
individual proposed plans differed drastically.

According to Bud Ogle, informal
chairman of the student committee, the
student group envisions the revised
Senate as a student-faculty-administration body
which would determine University policy
concerning all matters of a University-wide
nature or affecting more than one faculty or
school of the University.

However, Mr. Ogle fears that the faculty
committee has not been considering granting
such wide power to the body. He said that the
faculty group feels the Senate should evolve
into a predominately faculty body with the
students filling lesser rather than equal roles.

The student committee, recognized in
October by the Student Council, includes
members Jim Boniface, Ron Cass, Whitt
Clement, Ed Finch, Phil Harper, Chuck Hite,
Bill McManus, Mike Morgan, Jim Roebuck,
Judy Wellman, Ed Wells and Mr. Ogle.

Working Paper

At Wednesday's meeting the students
present a "Working Paper and Draft Constitution
of the University Senate" to the faculty
group which includes Chairman Laurin Henry,
David Flaberty, J.C. Levenson, R. Bruce Martin
and Marvin Colker.

The preamble that the student group put
forth following closely the wording of the
original petition circulated by Mr. Flaherty last
fall to bring attention to the shortcomings of
the current Senate and the changes desired by
the proponents of the revised Senate.

The preamble reads in part:

"Whereas the increasing size and diversity of
activities at the University makes it desirable
that a body exist which draws upon the
resources and wisdom of the University,
expresses the opinions of the University
community, improves communications, and
brings new ideas to bear on problems of a
University-wide nature:

Be it therefore resolved that a University
Senate be established ... by administration,
faculty staff, and students together, it being the
right and responsibility of each group to find
ways to further the pursuit of a liberal
education.

Recognition of this right and responsibility
is necessary if an air of cooperation is to
pervade ... and if the University is to maintain
itself as an institution which recognizes the
need of a free exchange of ideas within the
academic community as well as its commitment
to society at large.

Focal Point

While serving as the focal point of
University-wide government, if shall recognize
the individual autonomy of decision making
bodies which deal with problems specific to
each school of the University ..."

Section 4 of the students' proposed
constitution for the revamped Senate details
the powers which they feel the Senate should
wield. Although not limited by enumeration,
these powers include:

To develop and review plans and policies to
strengthen the educational system of the
University;

To work for the promotion of student
welfare and the enhancement of student life;

To initiate and review policies to govern the
University's-outside relations with agencies for
research, instruction and related purposes;

To work for the advancement of academic
freedom and the protection of faculty interests;

And to foster policies for cooperative and
mutually beneficial relations with the neighboring
community.

Final Say

According to the student proposal, all
actions taken by the revamped Senate would
become final upon passage unless concurrence
of the Board of Visitors is required, as in fiscal
matters.

The student plan is based upon a Senate of
101 members, to be composed of 17
administrators, 10 staff, 37 faculty members
and 37 students. The faculty representation
could be apportioned by department or school
and could be further divided by tenure and
non-tenure.

The student membership would be apportioned
by schools according to size. It is
expected that the student group would also
suggest that the representatives of the individual
schools be those students elected as
Council members of the Council of the school
in question.

A President of the Student Body who would
be elected by the student population would
also sit on the revised Senate under the student
committee's plan.

Mr. Ogle reported that, despite the similarity
in objectives, the faculty group will probably
differ quite radically when it makes its report
to the faculty at one of its future meetings.

No Set Constitution

Mr. Ogle said that, at the Wednesday
meeting, Chairman Henry "indicated that the
faculty committee felt that there should not be
a set Constitution for the revised Senate but a
brief statement of principles under which that
body would act, without being subject to the
Board of Visitor's approval."

This statement would empower the Senate
to act "for the welfare of the University," but
Mr. Ogle felt that such a version of the Senate's
authority would not accomplish the proponents
true objectives of forming a body which would
have power to determine University policy in
many important matters.