VCU Faculty Senate http://blog.vcu.edu/facultysenate/ en Copyright 2008 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:12:26 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Senate Resolution on Academic Investigations Resolution to Establish Rules and Procedures Regarding Academic Investigations

Whereas the Academic Rights and Responsibilities document approved by the Board of Visitors on November 18, 1976 states:

“Membership in the academic community imposes on students, faculty members, administrators and members of the Board of Visitors an obligation to respect each other’s dignity; to acknowledge each other’s right to express differing opinions…

An academic community, ideally enjoying a high degree of protection from outside interference in the pursuit of its goals, cannot tolerate disruptive interference within. All elements of the University are committed to open and rational discussion as an instrument for the clarification of issues, the settlement of disputes and the solutions of problems.

In the past, academic institutions have achieved eminence to a large extent because they managed to provide their faculties with a climate blended of academic freedom, economic security, adequate resources and most importantly, goodwill, mutually shared and bestowed among all of their members. Virginia Commonwealth University cannot achieve its goal with less….”

Whereas recent events have called into question several of the expectations secured in the Academic Rights and Responsibilities document;

Whereas faculty deserve the right to due process and a fair, accurate investigation.

Therefore, Be It Resolved that VCU’s Board of Visitors and administration should work with representatives from the Faculty Senate to adopt rules and procedures concerning employee rights and protections in any VCU investigation that shall include:

--the right of faculty to have a witness or advisor or both (of their choice) during investigatory interviews;

--the right to have audio/video recordings made of such interviews;

--the right of the interviewed to read and sign a report of their testimony under such questioning;

--any reference to a faculty member’s tenure or future employment should not be permitted in any official VCU investigation;

--employees suspected or accused of misconduct have the right to receive a written statement of the charges made against them.

Passed by Vote of the VCU Faculty Senate, October 7, 2008

]]> http://blog.vcu.edu/facultysenate/2008/10/senate_resolution_on_academic.html http://blog.vcu.edu/facultysenate/2008/10/senate_resolution_on_academic.html rfc822 Oct 10 Resolution to Establish Rules and Procedures Regarding Academic Investigations Whereas the Academic Rights and Responsibilities document approved by the Board of Visitors on November 18, 1976 states: “Membership in the academic community imposes on students, faculty members, administrators and members... VCU President Search Open Forums October 6th and 7th Dr. Stephen Portch, search adviser to the Board of Visitors, is conducting
focus groups and open forums with faculty, staff, students, alumni and
community leaders about the upcoming search for VCU's next President.

Please remind your school's faculty staff and students of these upcoming
opportunities to express their views on what VCU should look for in its
next President

Open forum for faculty, students and staff – Oct. 6 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
in the Kontos Auditorium, MCV Campus

Open forum for faculty, students and staff – Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
in the University Student Commons Theater, Monroe Park Campus

]]> http://blog.vcu.edu/facultysenate/2008/10/vcu_president_search_open_foru.html http://blog.vcu.edu/facultysenate/2008/10/vcu_president_search_open_foru.html rfc822 Oct 3 Dr. Stephen Portch, search adviser to the Board of Visitors, is conducting focus groups and open forums with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders about the upcoming search for VCU's next President. Please remind your school's faculty staff and... Critique the VCU Corporate Research Task Force report draft The VCU Task Force on Corporate-Sponsored Research has appreciated
the involvement of the VCU community in its work. The two Town Hall
Meetings were well attended, and Town Hall remarks and written
comments have been carefully considered by Task Force members
as they have moved ahead in their work. You can view various materials
posted to the Task Force web site.

The Task Force Report will be delivered to Dr. Trani on October 1,
2008, as required. The Task Force has completed a draft of the report
that has been sent to external consultants for their review and
comment. These consultants will meet with the Task Force on September
24th and their input will help us refine the report constructively
before we submit it to the President. A roster of the consultants may be
found in Appendix C of the Report.

A copy of the Draft Report (Draft 4, 9-17-08) sent to the
consultants is available for you to read and comment on, if you wish.
You must use your eID to access it at the following address:

https://www.vcu.edu/research/protected/taskforce/taskforce.html

As you will read at the site, if you want to comment on the Draft
Report you may do so anonymously. Comments you type into
the text box are sent to the Office of Research email account with
no name in the Sender's line. Of course, you may elect to indicate
your name at the end of your comments. Please look at the Draft
Report and to provide comments if you wish.

The Draft Report is intended for the use of the VCU community and is
not meant for distribution outside of the institution. The final report
will be publicly posted on our web site shortly after it is submitted to
President Trani.

]]> http://blog.vcu.edu/facultysenate/2008/09/critique_the_vcu_corporate_res.html http://blog.vcu.edu/facultysenate/2008/09/critique_the_vcu_corporate_res.html rfc822 Sep 19 The VCU Task Force on Corporate-Sponsored Research has appreciated the involvement of the VCU community in its work. The two Town Hall Meetings were well attended, and Town Hall remarks and written comments have been carefully considered by Task Force...