Although many are not aware of it, the University of Miami’s Faculty Senate plays a vital role in keeping the institution moving forward.
Sharing governance of the University with the president and the Board of Trustees, this group of 51 faculty representatives from each school and college maintains the Faculty Manual for all faculty members, which also serves as their contract with the University. In addition, through several subcommittees—which include more faculty members than the 51 senators—the body also reviews all the necessary changes for every major and degree program. These committees also review and approve the creation of new centers and institutes across the University. And these committees also decide the outcome of student grade appeals and faculty tenure issues through a hearing process.
“We are the voice of the faculty,” said JoNel Newman, a professor of law, who is in her third term as chair of the Faculty Senate, representing the University’s nearly 2,000 faculty members. “Our faculty are represented by the senate through their representative colleges.”
The core Faculty Senate has representatives from each school, based on the size of the school; however, most committees are open to anyone who is a member of the University faculty, said Maryann Tobin, secretary of the Faculty Senate.
In the coming year, Newman and her vice chairs, Scotney Evans, associate professor of community psychology from the School of Education and Human Development, and Albert J. Varon, professor of anesthesiology from the Miller School of Medicine, hope that even more faculty members will engage with the senate, either through one of their 17 standing committees or simply by attending one of their monthly meetings. They also hold one meeting per semester hosted by the University president, in which the faculty have an open forum for discussion with the president. That meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 2.
“We exist to ensure that the faculty are treated fairly, and we welcome even more participation in the senate processes because it makes it that much more representative,” Newman said.
Tobin agreed, adding that each spring the Faculty Senate recruits new members to get involved in shaping the University’s future.
“There are ways to be involved in the Faculty Senate, even at the committee level, and being involved in the senate is a fantastic way to network,” Tobin said. “It’s the only place where you’ll find faculty from every school and college in a single room, so it is a great way to make connections. Plus, if you are interested in the big picture topics being discussed across the University, as well as keeping a pulse on what’s going on, these are all part of serving in the senate.”
Learn more about Faculty Senate and find the calendar of upcoming meetings and opportunities to engage.
