The Senate Assembly will elect four members to the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs at its meeting today.

The three top vote getters will serve three-year terms, and the fourth-highest vote getter will fill the remaining two years of a seat left vacant when a member stepped down earlier this year.

The University Senate is scheduled to elect a secretary at a separate meeting, also today. The secretary serves a three-year term, and is charged with maintaining records for U-M’s faculty governance panels and with keeping the minutes of meetings of the University Senate, Senate Assembly and SACUA.

The Senate Assembly meeting is set for 3:15 p.m. in the Great Lakes Rooms of Palmer Commons and will be followed immediately by the University Senate meeting. Additional candidates for secretary and SACUA seats may announce their intent to run up to the time of the election.

The University Senate consists of all professorial faculty, librarians, full-time research faculty, executive officers and deans. The Senate Assembly consists of 74 elected faculty members from the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses. SACUA is a nine-member executive arm of the University Senate and Senate Assembly.

As of Record press time, one candidate has indicated he will run for University Senate secretary and nine candidates have entered the SACUA election. Biographical information and position statements supplied by the candidates follow.

Secretary election

• Bob Fraser, librarian, Mardigian Library, UM-Dearborn

Statement of candidate: “I accept the nomination as a candidate for the secretary of the Faculty Senate of the University of Michigan. I bring to the table broad experience in university faculty governance. I served on Faculty Senate for seven years, SACUA for one term (2008-11), including service as the vice chair, and served one year as interim secretary of the Faculty Senate. I was chair of the Faculty Senate Rules Committee and the CESF subcommittee on benefits. My involvement has included numerous Senate committees, including my current membership in the Advisory Committee to the General Counsel. While on SACUA, I served on the committee chaired by Bruce Frier that wrote the Statement on Academic Freedom, now part of the faculty handbook for the Ann Arbor campus. When I served as chair of the Administration Evaluation Committee, the group, joined by new faculty members from ICPSR and CSCAR, worked through the year to revise the questions to make them meaningful and in line with the best global standards for fairness. As a faculty member in Dearborn, I served on the Dearborn Faculty Senate for three years and its six-member council.  I wrote the charge and chaired the benefits committee on the Dearborn campus.  I am familiar with the final wall of faculty rights, the grievance process, on both the Ann Arbor and Dearborn campuses.  

“I view the person for this position as one who serves the faculty of all the university by providing unbiased records of the meetings of the Senate and an impartiality and fairness toward all. My agenda is to support the influence of the faculty at the ‘table’ for the primary decisions of the university that affect research, teaching and their compensation, whether salary or non-salary. We need to remain the leaders and the best.   I hope to work toward a commonality of the best of our faculty rights across the campuses that form the University of Michigan.”

SACUA election

• Sara Ahbel-Rappe, professor of Greek and Latin, and adjunct associate professor of Near Eastern studies, LSA

Education: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley.

Fellowships: Center for Hellenic Studies, Washington, D.C.; Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, Mellon Foundation, New Directions Fellowship; University of Michigan, Institute for Humanities, 2014-15 Fellow.

Faculty leadership: Senate Assembly member, 2010-13; served one year on College Nominating Committee; member, LSA College Curriculum Committee; member, LSA College Tenure Committee 2012; chair, SACUA nominating committee 2013.

Statement of candidate: “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHA) was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. Article 26 paragraph 2 states:

” ‘(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.’

“In my view, it is imperative to keep this directive in mind as the university continues to change and grow into its 21st century mission. Education in the humanities has a critical role to play in the well being of our future citizens.”

• Dan Burns, professor of mathematics, LSA

Education: Bachelor of Arts (mathematics), University of Notre Dame (1967); Ph.D. (mathematics), MIT (1972).

Faculty Leadership:  Senate Advisory Committees: Academic Affairs, Development (three terms, chair twice); LSA Executive Committee (1988-91), Mathematics Executive Committee (multiple times); Faculty Grievance Panels (multiple times); GEO Negotiating team (2004-05); Bioinformatics Graduate Program, co-director (2005-present), Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics Executive Committee (2005-present); African Studies Center Steering Committee (2010-12), STEM-Africa Initiative, co-Coordinator (2010-12), STEM steering committee (2009-present); American Association of University Professors, Ann Arbor Chapter, president (2008, 2011-present).

Statement of candidate: “Many of the crucial issues facing the university stem from financial pressures, and much of the response has been generated by a corporate model of management and governance, as witness the recent AST debacle. The university is very different from the standard corporation, and while financial pressures cannot be ignored, it is most important not to let the university be deformed into something it never was meant to be by these pressures. Specifically, what is the university’s commitment to academic freedom these days? How do contingent faculty share in the protections of academic freedom? Where does collegiality in governing the university stand now? What role does the faculty have in governance? The problem of access to the university is one of great importance to the faculty with wide ramifications for the faculty in issues like diversity of both faculty and student body. Finally, faculty interests in bread and butter issues such as health and retirement plans have to be defended. These are the issues I would be concerned with as a faculty representative.”

• Kimberlee Jane Kearfott, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, and biomedical engineering, College of Engineering; professor of radiology, Medical School; and a faculty fellow in the Graham Sustainability Institute and U-M Energy Institute

Education: Bachelor of Science, general engineering, St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1975; Master of Engineering, nuclear engineering, University of Virginia, 1977; Doctor of Science, nuclear engineering (medical physics and radiation safety), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1980.

Faculty leadership: SACUA chair 2012-13, SACUA vice-chair 2011-12, SACUA 2010-13, Senate Assembly, 2008-11; SACUA Committee for a Multicultural University, 2008-10; SACUA Government Relations Advisory Committee, 2008-10; executive council U-M American Association of University Professors, 2005-10; SACUA Grievance Procedures Task Force, 2006-07; U-M Radiation Policy Committee, 1999-present; adviser to U-M student Out in Science Technology Engineering and Math, 2008-present; College of Engineering Diversity Outreach Council, 2006-08; Arizona State University Faculty Senate and Chair of Committee on Committees; Arizona State University Executive Committee (equivalent of SACUA); board of directors, American Nuclear Society; board of directors, Health Physics Society; vice president, International Radiation Physics Society.

Statement of candidate: “The upcoming capital campaign, bicentennial celebration, a new provost and an incoming president open a huge opportunity for us to refine U-M’s identity and transform its operation to match that evolving self-definition. U-M, however, faces serious challenges, including:

“1. Exceptional U-M researchers struggle to achieve funding continuity in an intensely specialized, highly regulated competitive research environment complicates faculty creativity.

“2. Positive climate and true inclusivity are required for a healthy, diverse educational environment. Recent events at U-M indicate that new approaches are essential to address minority concerns.

“3. Continuing economic pressures strongly impact the well-being of all faculty, students and staff.

“Faculty governance must continue to enhance its input into monetary decisions, as these affect everything else, including who we are. Two years ago, I created the new Senate Assembly Committee on University Values, which examines U-M policies as they relate to our fundamental values. The Provost’s Advisory Committee on Budgetary Affairs, which I also created, provides input to the administration at the interface between money and policy. I promise to continue my work in an enhanced way while faithfully search for creative, faculty-informed approaches to U-M policy while serving again on SACUA.”

• John Lehman, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, LSA

Education: Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in biology, Yale (1974) and a Ph.D. in zoology from University of Washington (1978).

Faculty leadership: Recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Governance Award and the Henry Russel Award; chaired the AAAC, AEC and Rules Committee.

Statement of candidate: “Although the Regents’ Bylaws create a framework for shared governance, recent decision-making has largely excluded faculty advice. I’ve had the honor of serving as your Senate Secretary, and I understand how faculty governance can more effectively exert influence through the Senate Assembly and the Assembly committee structure. Coordinating and exerting that influence takes commitment and experience. We have had successes: faculty now evaluate academic administrators; there is elected faculty representation for DPS oversight; grievance procedures have been reformed, and there is faculty governance oversight. I participated in these accomplishments. Now we face new challenges. A draft SPG on faculty lack of fitness for duty could threaten tenure by handing unprecedented discretion and latitude to administrators. Other ‘disciplinary’ policies absent appeal mechanisms do the same. Faculty need a strong voice on matters related to diversity and student athletes.

“The opportunity for a university to change comes with a change of president, and the best opportunities for faculty governance peak at that time. We should engage the new administration about a Covenant of Fair Dealing in which shared governance becomes a reality.”

• Janine Maddock, professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology, LSA

Education: Bachelor of Science in psychology, University of California, Davis (1980); Master of Science in biology, San Diego State University (1983); Doctor of Philosophy in biology, Carnegie Mellon University (1990); post-doctoral studies in developmental biology, Stanford University (1990-94).

Faculty leadership: Member, Academic Affairs Advisory Committee of the Senate Assembly, (2001-04); co-chair Dean’s Committee on Diversity in Graduate Admissions in the Natural Sciences (2003-04); member (and alternate) Senate Assembly (2004-08); MCDB associate chair, Graduate Admissions (2004);  University Shared Governance Task Force (2006-07); member, Student Relations Advisory Committee (2008-10); Faculty Ally for Diversity (2009-present); MCDB associate chair, Graduate Studies (2009-11)

Statement of candidate: “In order for this university to remain at the forefront of education and discovery, it is critical that faculty participate in all governance issues. As a member of SACUA, I will (1) advocate with a strong and informed voice the concerns of all faculty, (2) bring greater transparency to our shared governance, (3) promote better communication between the administration and faculty, (4) strongly support the goals of other university governance groups when possible, and (5) continue my commitment to academic freedom, academic excellence and equitable access to education for all our students.”

• Bill Schultz, professor of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, and naval architecture and marine engineering, College of Engineering

Education: Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering (1974), Master of Science in mechanical engineering (1976), Purdue University. Doctorate in applied mathematics and engineering sciences, Northwestern University (1982).

Faculty leadership: Undergraduate admissions faculty, 2003-05; Interdisciplinary Program adviser, 2001-06; undergraduate program adviser, mechanical engineering, 1995-97; director, Fluid Dynamics Program, National Science Foundation, 2006-09; U-M Engineering/Science/Mathematics Committee, 1985-87; ASME U-M faculty adviser, 1994-2004; MEAM Undergraduate Program chair, 1995-97; MEAM Advisory Committee, 1996-98, 2000-04; founder, Science Club for students at risk in Ann Arbor Public Schools, 1997; College of Engineering (CoE) MLK chair, 1997-98; CoE Curriculum Committee, 1998; CoE Rules Committee, member 1999, chair 2000-02; Center Research on Learning & Teaching Faculty Advisory Committee, 2000-02; Academic Affairs Advisory Committee, 2000-04, chair 2001-04; co-founder, Program for Civic Engagement in Engineering Design, 1998; Senate Assembly, 2004-07; Center for Institutional Diversity Steering Committee, 2004 to present; Ginsberg Center Long-Range Planning Committee, 2005; U-M Residency Appeal Committee, 2005-06; ME Undergraduate Program Committee, 2009 to present; U-M Research Policy Committee, chair, 2009 to present; CoE Nomination Committee, chair, 2009-10. SACUA Committees PABCA 2012-present, Committee on University Values 2012-present.

Statement of candidate: “I have been the chair of two SACUA committees, the Academic Affairs Advisory Committee during the U-M admissions Supreme Court decision and the Research Policy Committee during the NCRC move-in. While most of our senior administrators are faculty members, the spirit of the university bylaws is best met with regular consultation with faculty, having day-to-day teaching and research responsibilities. I believe that SACUA leads this important role — looking out for faculty interests as well as the university as a whole. I am especially interested in helping form policies on interdisciplinary initiatives, IT issues and sustainability.”

• David Smith, John G. Wagner Collegiate Professor of Pharmacy, professor of pharmaceutical sciences and chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy

Education: Bachelor of Science in pharmacy, State University of New York, Buffalo (1975); Doctor of Philosophy in pharmaceutical chemistry, University of California, San Francisco (1981); visiting scientist, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, (1996-1997); visiting professor, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco (2011). 

Faculty leadership:  Founding chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (1999-2010); fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2012); fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (1998); regular member of the Pharmacology Study Section of the National Institutes of Health (1998-2002); editor of the journal Pharmaceutical Research (2001-present); Editorial Advisory Board of the journals AAPS PharmSci (1999-2006) and Fluids and Barriers of the CNS (2010-present); and member of numerous college, university and professional committees such as the Executive Committee (1984-87, 1999-2010) and Research Resources and Shared Equipment Committee (2000-11) of the College of Pharmacy, the General Clinical Research Center Advisory Committee (1994-2008) of the Medical School, the Senate Assembly (2013-present) of the University of Michigan, and the Undergraduate Education Committee (1995) and Fellows Selection Committee (2001-2008) of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.

Statement of candidate: “SACUA members have a unique opportunity to engage constructively with University Executives and, thereby, help influence policies and procedures that improve the research, teaching and service commitments of our faculty and students. It is imperative that faculty stand strong for shared governance, the fidelity of tenure and the tenure process, the protection of university benefits especially as related to retirement and health care, while realizing that the larger goal is for the University of Michigan to extend excellence and access for all citizens.  I am committed to securing, if not advancing, the scholarly and educational opportunities at this great academic institution.

• Stefan Szymanski, professor of kinesiology, School of Kinesiology

Education: Bachelor of Arts in politics, philosophy and economics, Oxford University (1983); Master of Science in economics, Birkbeck College, London University (1985); Doctor of Philosophy in economics, Birkbeck College, London University (1988).

Faculty leadership: Full-time MBA program director, Imperial College Business School (2003-06), MBA dean, Cass Business School (2008-10), Senate Assembly 2011-present, Senate Assembly delegate to MHealthy committee “Keeping the well and at-risk healthy.”

Statement of candidate: “Many faculty feel distant from the decision making processes of the university and it is the responsibility of SACUA to create an effective channel of communication between faculty and the university administration. I will work the other members of SACUA and the Senate Assembly to improve communications, obtain timely faculty input on important issues and on this basis to provide clear advice on university policy to the president, provost and executive officers.”  

• Silke-Maria Weineck, associate professor of Germanic languages and literatures, and comparative literature, chair of the Department of Comparative Literature, LSA

Education: Master of Arts in German literature, The Johns Hopkins University; Ph.D. in comparative literature, University of Pennsylvania.

Faculty Leadership: Chair, Department of Comparative Literature; associate chair, Department of German Languages and Literatures; SACUA committee, Economic Status of the Faculty; Faculty Ally for Diversity; Steering Committee, Contexts for Classics; Dennison Renovation Advisory Group.

Statement of candidate: “After 16 years at the University of Michigan, I know this place well, and to the extent that it makes sense to love an institution (rather than, say, your children or your dog), I love it well. It moves me to remember that the idea of faculty governance took root in Paris and Bologna roughly a thousand years ago, and I would be honored to do my part in keeping it alive. And much as I admire my friends and colleagues in the natural and social sciences, in engineering, the medical school, and all the other fine places that make us who we are, I think it is high time that the humanities, who have been so noticeably underrepresented in the university’s governance, contribute their expertise and their passion to a shared vision of our community’s future while guarding tenaciously all that is valuable about our past.”

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• SACUA