Adjourned

Professor Jenn Goodnough, chair, Senate Consultative Committee and Faculty Consultative Committee

The spring semester brought interesting times to the University Senate. Multiple times throughout the spring we were “better together” as we saw the benefit of consultation and engagement between the various constituencies of the senates, as well as their individual consultative committee leaders. 

As noted in the Fall 2024 update, in December 2024 the University Senate overwhelmingly approved a draft policy on institutional speech, Position Statements on Matters of Public Concern. However, that policy did not move forward, as the Board of Regents (BOR) approved a resolution, “Response to President’s Task Force on Institutional Speech Report," at their March meeting, issuing their own guiding principles for the president to implement. In response to that resolution when it was first proposed in January, leadership of the Faculty Consultative Committee (FCC) and Senate Consultative Committee (SCC) sent a letter to the BOR and met with BOR leadership in February. In addition, before the March BOR meeting, the University Senate passed a resolution, authored by the Academic Freedom & Tenure Committee, to Request to Retract the [BOR] Resolution. The regents nevertheless approved their resolution, and statements have been taken down from official University webpages as a result. You can learn more on the provost’s website on Academic Freedom, Responsibility, Integrity, and Cooperation. Stay tuned, as the BOR has asked the president to provide a report in October 2025 with the stipulation, “the president shall also invite the members of academic and non academic units of the University to comment on the impact of these guiding principles and their comments shall be appended to the president’s report. The report shall provide any recommendations for refining these guiding principles.”

After years of work by the Core Curriculum 2025 Committee, the senates discussed and eventually voted on a framework to update the general education requirements with the Core Curriculum 2025. This proposed update was ultimately not passed by the Twin Cities Delegation of the Faculty Senate. The Big Issues section below contains a detailed account of the events leading up to and the aftermath of this vote.  

As is often the case, much work occurs out of the spotlight and doesn’t show up on the senate docket. Members of the FCC/SCC and senators have served in a variety of roles as the University has undertaken key searches (VP of communications, provost, VP of strategic initiatives) and embarked on Strategic Planning (as members of the Steering Committee). You can hear an update from the Steering Committee co-chairs at the May Board of Regents meeting. Senators have also contributed to the work of the AI Task Force. Finally, progress continues two years after the University Senate passed its Workforce Reinvestment Resolution (WRR), with senators involved in work groups for the next phase of the Workforce Reinvestment Resolution. At the April 24th University Senate meeting, senators were provided updates from the work groups established to implement recommendations from the WRR.

Policies often are on the senate agenda, but by the time these policies arrive at the senate, it often seems like there isn’t much left to talk about because of the behind-the-scenes engagement between senate committees and administrative offices. For example, the updated Phased Retirement Program policy saw some originally proposed changes taken out of the final version following committee-level consultation with the Senate Committee on Faculty Affairs (SCFA) and FCC. (For a full list of policies consulted this year, refer to the Senate Office’s Policy Tracker.)

What else has the Senate been saying?

• Term Faculty & Academic Professionals Subcommittee (TFAPS) Statement on Contract Faculty and Statement on P&A Instructional Staff
• Statement of Support for Washington Ave Bridge Funding
• Statement in Support of the Core Mission and Shared Values of Higher Education in the United States of America
• Resolution to Establish a Mutual Defense Compact for the Universities of the Big Ten Academic Alliance in Defense of Academic Freedom, Institutional Integrity, and the Research Enterprise

Vickie R. Courtney Award

The Vickie R. Courtney Award for Outstanding Service to University Senate Governance honors faculty, students, academic professional and administrative staff, and civil service staff systemwide who have made a significant impact on University Senate governance. This year’s recipients are Stacy Maher, Taiwo Aremu, and Tim Johnson.

Stacy Maher is the administrative director of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology and chair of the Civil Service Senate and Civil Service Consultative Committee (CSCC). She has been a member of the Civil Service Senate since 2015, and the CSCC since 2022, also serving as co-chair of the Compensation & Benefits Subcommittee. She has also served for many years on the University Senate, and on the Senate Consultative Committee (SCC) in her role as chair-elect and then chair of the Civil Service Senate. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Committees, which does the important work of appointing members to most of the committees in the senate system. Stacy's nominator writes, "Stacy is an unwavering ambassador for equality and consistently sends the message that everyone’s voice matters. She supports staff interested in pursuing this avenue and seeks to strengthen the governance system as well in this manner. Stacy is a perfect example of someone going way above and beyond to help, empower, inform and assist on every level. Her service has spanned years and touched many lives/minds. These seeds of trust, consistency and positive change are so vital to this system in such a time of swirling change and uncertainty for so many. She encourages all to utilize the system to improve things, share insights, and support meaningful change." Stacy is a wonderful colleague and champion for shared governance.

Taiwo Aremu is chair of the Student Senate and Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC). He has also served on the Health Sciences Student Consultative Committee (HS SCC), the Student Committee on Committees, and the Student Senate Nominating Subcommittee, as well as the University Senate and the SCC. "His contributions across these bodies," writes his nominator, "have strengthened shared governance, expanded student representation, and driven meaningful policy change. As chair of the Student Senate and the Student Senate Consultative Committee, Taiwo has worked tirelessly to ensure that student voices are heard across all University of Minnesota campuses. Under his leadership, the Student Senate has advanced critical initiatives on basic needs access, mental health services, and community building. He played a pivotal role in securing support from the SCC and advocating for legislative attention to enhance suicide prevention measures on the Washington Avenue Bridge, demonstrating his deep commitment to student well-being. Beyond advocacy, Taiwo has institutionalized long-term improvements in student governance. Recognizing the importance of continuity and informed leadership, he introduced a first-of-its- kind Canvas course for student senators, equipping them with essential knowledge and facilitating smooth transitions into governance roles. His proactive approach to recruiting and retaining student senators has ensured that student representation remains robust and impactful in University decision-making."

A participant in University Senate governance since 2007, Professor Tim Johnson, Horace T. Morse Distinguished Teaching Professor of Political Science, is known for being an engaged participant and leader who is always willing to step in where needed and go the extra mile. He was a member of the Faculty Academic Oversight Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics (FAOCIA; now known as FAOIAC) from 2007-12, serving as chair from 2008-12. In 2015, he became a member of the All-University Honors Committee (AUHC), serving until 2021, and then resuming his service after a 1-year break. He chaired that committee from 2019-21 and 2022-24, also serving on the Namings and Renamings Work Group, which was tasked with coming up with guidelines on the naming and renaming of University buildings, as well as considering namings and renamings themselves. His nominator writes, "standing up the new work group required extensive consultation with the Office of the President while navigating many complex political realities. As part of this delicate task, Professor Johnson attended countless meetings, reviewed correspondence, communicated with the affected parties, and fulfilled other related responsibilities." This work was fraught and delicate, and Tim navigated it with grace. This year, Tim was asked to stand for appointment to the FCC and agreed to do so, which also made him a member of the SCC and University and Faculty Senates. He was recently elected to serve as FCC vice chair in 2025-26. His nominator describes Tim as "an exemplary University citizen" and praises his caring and engaged leadership style and ability to facilitate respectful conversations on difficult issues.

The Big Issues

Core Curriculum

Charged in January 2022 by the Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP) and Provost Croson, the Core Curriculum 2025 Committee brought its proposal for a new general education program for Twin Cities undergraduates through shared governance this year. Professors Kathryn Pearson and Will Durfee, co-chairs of the committee, visited SCEP and the FCC three times each (in November, January and February). The proposal was discussed at the University Senate in December, and at the Faculty Senate in February and March. The committee made a number of amendments to their proposal based on feedback from senators and other consultations with faculty. These changes included dropping an introductory, 1-credit, multidisciplinary approaches course; making Global Perspectives a requirement; and renaming a number of the proposed Foundations categories. A vote was held on April 3, 2025, and the Twin Cities Faculty Delegation did not approve the proposal.

On April 25, a group of 16 Twin Cities faculty senators called a special meeting to reconsider the proposal in light of what they saw as procedural errors preceding the vote on April 3. The first motion on the floor at the special meeting was “to establish revised general education requirements, to take effect for the undergraduate class incoming in Fall 2027,” not specific to the current proposal. Subsequent motions would have addressed whether to move forward with the current proposal or to task a group to come up with revised recommendations. However, after a heated debate, the body voted down the initial motion, which essentially precluded the others. The meeting was therefore adjourned.

Provost Croson presented to the Board of Regents about the status of the proposal on May 8. Although no action was taken, the Board expressed disappointment over the results of the votes and discussed the possibility of setting a deadline for approval and implementation of revised general education requirements.

Floating Holidays for Twin Cities and Rochester

Many people are not aware that the Civil Service Consultative Committee (CSCC) recommends the floating holiday schedule to the president for the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses. This year, when setting the floating holidays for academic year 2026-27, the CSCC made a conscious effort, within the confines of the academic calendar, to decouple the floating holidays from the Christmas holiday. During the discussion, the committee acknowledged the difficulty of selecting floating holidays that are not Christian-centric, due to the timing of winter break and the requirements that floating holidays be during the regular 9-month academic year and on a day when there are no classes. The committee ultimately decided on the Friday after Thanksgiving; December 28th; and the Friday of spring break. The committee is also advocating for equity-based adjustments to the academic calendar; however, as discussed at SCEP and the P&A Consultative Committee (PACC), such adjustments depend on a variety of factors and are not easily accomplished. The committee hopes that discussions on this topic will continue.

Federal Landscape

Committees and senates addressed and received updates regarding a number of developments related to federal policy this semester. A few are highlighted below:

• The Student Senate heard an update from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) that included resources such as support for students in crisis and a new after-hours emergency crisis line. Student Legal Services (SLS) and the Binger Center for New Americans are two possible resources for students who may need access to an immigration attorney.
• On April 3, in the wake of a University of Minnesota graduate student being detained by ICE, the University Senate held a listening session for senators to voice their concerns and provide advice to senior leaders. A number of senior leaders were present to listen. Senators voiced concern for the safety of international students, scholars, faculty, and staff; DACA students and undocumented individuals; and members of the University community from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Many senators urged senior leaders to take decisive action to help protect vulnerable groups. Senators also expressed concern over changes to grant funding; the future of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; and reproductive rights.
• On April 10, the CSCC discussed this topic (as well as a number of others) with Regent Kodi Verhalen.
• On April 24, the University Senate approved a Statement in Support of the Core Mission and Shared Values of Higher Education in the United States of America and a Resolution to Establish a Mutual Defense Compact for the Universities of the Big Ten Academic Alliance in Defense of Academic Freedom, Institutional Integrity, and the Research Enterprise. Both of these legislative actions originated with other institutions in the Big Ten Academic Alliance and call for cooperation among universities in light of the federal landscape.

The Senate Committee on Student Affairs (SCSA); Equity, Access and Diversity (EAD); AF&T; and the FCC had discussions on the implications of and concerns related to federal changes.

Term Faculty and P&A

This year, a number of groups have been working on efforts to improve the experience of term faculty and P&A lecturers at the University. At the recommendation of the Fixed Term Faculty and Teaching and Research P&As Task Force, which was charged in 2019 by the FCC and finished its work in September 2021; the Term Faculty and Academic Professionals Subcommittee (TFAPS) was created in 2022 as a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Faculty Affairs (SCFA). TFAPS is concerned with systemwide matters related to term faculty and academic professionals, including, but not limited to, the review of and advocacy for policies, practices, and procedures that impact them. The subcommittee’s initial work culminated on April 3, when it brought two statements to the Faculty Senate for discussion: a Statement on Contract Faculty and a Statement on P&A Instructional Staff. 

Convened in fall 2022, following approval by the Faculty Senate of a resolution from the Academic Freedom & Tenure Committee (AF&T), the AF&T Task Force on Academic Freedom Protections for Non Tenure-Track Faculty Appointments presented its report to the Faculty Senate on February 6, 2025. The task force’s recommendations include discontinuing use of the P&A lecturer and teaching specialist tracks and bringing all faculty appointments under Board of Regents Policy: Faculty Tenure; developing clear policies on hiring, evaluation, and retention for term faculty, as well as introducing longer-term contracts for those individuals; and making academic freedom protection for librarians explicit. 

The Faculty Senate held votes on both the AF&T task force report and TFAPS’ two statements at its meeting on April 24. TFAPS’ statements were approved; the body voted to postpone the vote on the AF&T task force report until the fall. 

In an update to the University Senate on April 24, Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs Beth Lewis reported that the Faculty & P&A Instructor Success work group, created to implement recommendations from the Workforce Reinvestment Resolution (2023) and the Workforce Reinvestment Resolution Task Force (2024), had been in discussion with Katherine Dowd, chair of TFAPS, to address differences between the instructional P&A and contract faculty tracks in terms of promotion, salary, professional development, and participation in unit governance. Lewis also said that work was underway to track and determine guidelines for when to utilize a P&A lecturer or teaching specialist appointment versus a contract faculty appointment. Finally, Lewis said that her group is working on a way to allow for part-time instructional staff to retain access to email, Canvas, and other University systems over the summer.

Senate Office Mailbag

In this section, we provide answers to frequently asked questions about University Senate governance. Given that senators called three special meetings this semester, the current group of questions relate to that process.

Q: What happens when 10% of the body calls a special meeting?

When 10% of the body calls a special meeting, the appropriate consultative committee (FCC for Faculty Senate; SCC for University Senate, etc.) has no discretion on whether to hold the meeting. The SCC and FCC relinquished that power in early 2024, as some senators were upset that the consultative committees did have such discretion at the time. The senate constitution dictates that upon such a request, the University Senate Office sets the date and time of that meeting “as soon as is reasonably practicable.” This depends primarily (though not exclusively) on the availability of essential personnel—notably, someone to chair the meeting; the parliamentarian; a senate associate to run the Zoom meeting, and a representative from those calling the meeting.

Q: Who sets the agenda for special meetings?

Although a call by 10% of the body compels a special meeting, the bylaws still stipulate that the appropriate consultative committee sets the agenda with the caveat that only topics on the proposed agenda may be addressed at the meeting. In practice, upon receipt of a call for a special meeting, the University Senate Office prepares a draft agenda in consultation with leaders of the appropriate consultative committee and those calling the meeting. The consultative committee has the discretion to designate introductory speakers, determine materials to include in the docket, etc. If the senators calling the meeting include a motion or proposal for a vote, that motion is typically not altered, as long as it is allowed under the senate Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules and Robert’s Rules of Order. If adjustments are necessary, or if no specific motion is provided, the Senate Office works with consultative committee leaders; the parliamentarian; and those calling the meeting to arrive at a final motion. The appropriate consultative committee then votes on whether to approve the agenda before it is distributed.

Q: Do Robert’s Rules allow a body to revisit something it has already voted on?

The University Senate bylaws address this issue for committees in University Senate Rules, Article II, section 6(d), which specifies that "the chair or a committee member who voted on the prevailing side, or had an excused absence as described in University Senate Rules, Article II, Section 2(f)(1)(i) may move, by electronic communication, that an action taken by the committee be reconsidered. The motion to reconsider, including a proposed disposition, must be made to or by the chair within two business days after the meeting was adjourned." (The same provision exists for committees of all other senates.) However, University Senate governing documents are silent on the issue with regard for senates. Therefore, procedure defaults to Robert's Rules of order. According to Article VI, section 38, Renewal of a Motion, “when an original main motion or an amendment has been adopted, or rejected, or a main motion has been postponed indefinitely, or an objection to its consideration has been sustained, it, or practically the same motion, cannot be again brought before the assembly at the same session, except by a motion to reconsider or to rescind the vote. But it may be introduced again at any future session.”

Spotlight on: Taiwo Aremu, chair, Student Senate and Student Senate Consultative Committee

Senate Associate John Lof interviewed Taiwo Aremu, chair of the Student Senate and Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC) about his interest in governance, future plans, and more.

What sparked your interest in shared governance?

My interest in shared governance began about 15 years ago, during the 2009-2010 academic year, when I served as president of the Ilorin University Medical Students’ Association (ILUMSA), leading an organization of over 1,500 future physicians. That experience instilled in me a deep appreciation for the importance of shaping policies that affect not just individuals, but entire systems of care and service. Looking back, I recognize the hand of God in opening doors that allowed me to lead, learn, and grow in ways I never imagined. Over the years, as I became more engaged in medicine, public health, clinical research, pharmacoeconomics, and global development, I remained drawn to spaces where thoughtful leadership and collaborative governance could drive meaningful change. At the University of Minnesota, I saw shared governance as a unique opportunity to elevate student voices in shaping decisions at the highest levels—and I was eager to be part of that process.

What has been your favorite memory in governance?

One of my most meaningful memories was delivering the student address at the inauguration of the University’s 18th President, Dr. Rebecca Cunningham. Speaking on behalf of more than 70,000 students across our campuses, I called on every stakeholder—students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, unions, government officials, and community leaders—to support her vision for a bold, inclusive, and student-centered future. It was a moment of unity and shared purpose that reminded me how powerful governance can be when it brings diverse voices together in service of the common good.

What advice do you have for future governance leaders?

Lead with humility, courage, and a systems mindset. In governance, every decision creates ripple effects—so think critically, anticipate unintended consequences, and always keep the people you serve at the center. Respect established procedures, but don’t be afraid to question or improve them. Seek guidance when needed. Strive to understand and to be understood. As Proverbs 2:11 reminds me, “Discretion will preserve you, and understanding will keep you.” Document your efforts and progress. Listen more than you speak. And above all, lead with empathy. Governance is not just about policy—it’s about people, purpose, and legacy.

What are your future plans?

I plan to continue working at the intersection of medicine, public health, pharmacoeconomics, and global systems strengthening—particularly in ways that improve health outcomes and expand access to care, both locally and globally. Whether through academia, clinical research, or public service, I remain committed to driving individual, community, and institutional transformation. I'm also deeply passionate about mentoring the next generation of leaders—those who believe, as I do, that inclusive governance can move institutions and societies forward. Through it all, I remain profoundly grateful to God for the strength, wisdom, and opportunities that continue to guide my journey. One verse that grounds my approach to leadership is Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” It reminds me that true leadership is rooted in humility, accountability, and service.
 

Message from the Director

Laurie Cooper Stoll, director, University Senate Office

As my first year as director of the University Senate Office comes to a close, I am reflecting on another busy year for shared governance. Senate associates organized and facilitated over 230 senate and committee meetings this year, not including planning and strategy meetings, Student Behavior and Judicial Committee hearings, Civil Service Employment Rules hearings, professional development opportunities, and senate retreats. A milestone occurred in March when the University and Faculty Senates held their first in-person senate meetings in over 5 years! 

One very important responsibility of senate associates is providing guidance to senates and committees on legislative actions. This past year, legislative actions taken by governing bodies included 5 resolutions, 2 statements, and 4 letters. Senate associates also ensure governance bodies review and provide substantive feedback on administrative and Board policies. This year, senates and committees consulted on 34 policies.

Two significant accomplishments in the Senate Office this year that directly benefit senates and committees include the creation of a shared drive and the elimination of the backlog of minutes. At the start of the fall semester, senate associates started utilizing a shared drive, which ensures our office will not lose any important documents when transitions in staffing and governance occur. We also began transferring past documents over to the shared drive. Because of the rich history of shared governance at the University this has been an arduous process; however, the transfer will be complete by the start of the fall 2025 semester.

The Senate Office is happy to end this academic year without a backlog of minutes. The minutes produced by our office are not what most people typically think of as meeting minutes; they are detailed historical records that are frequently utilized within and outside of governance. In 2024-2025, senate associates worked diligently to clear the backlog of minutes from the previous year while remaining current on this year’s minutes. For context, senate associates produce more than 200 sets of robust, accurate, and timely minutes annually.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude to the faculty, staff, administrators, and students who served in or contributed to shared governance this year. Thank you for your service to the University of Minnesota! I also want to thank my team in the Senate Office for their dedication, ingenuity, and collaboration - as well as for their patience and kindness as I navigated my first year as director. I wish everyone a fun and rejuvenating summer and look forward to working with you to support shared governance in the fall!

University Senate Governance Working 4 U

The University Senate and Senate Consultative Committee have general legislative authority over administrative matters concerning more than one campus or the University as a whole. In addition, each constituency (student, faculty, civil service, and P&A) has a separate senate, as well as an executive—or "consultative"—committee. Members of the consultative committees are elected to represent the respective bodies.