The U-M faculty’s Senate Assembly will choose at least four new representatives to the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs at its meeting March 21.
The assembly will elect three SACUA representatives to succeed members whose three-year terms expire April 30, as well as a representative to serve the remaining two years of a term that opened when a member left U-M earlier this year.
Also, it is possible two other vacancies may be voted on, for current members who may be going on sabbatical next year. A final decision on whether those positions will be on the ballot has not yet been made.
The top vote getters will begin their service on SACUA May 1.
The Senate Assembly meeting is set for 3:15 p.m. in Forum Hall of Palmer Commons. Additional candidates may announce their intent to run up to the time of the election.
SACUA is the nine-member executive arm of the Faculty Senate and Senate Assembly. The Faculty 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.
As of Record press time, 11 candidates have entered the SACUA election. Biographical information and position statements supplied by the candidates follow.
Sara Ahbel-Rappe
Professor of Greek and Latin, LSA
Education: Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1991
Faculty leadership: Served on college nominating committee and curriculum committee, Rackham diversity ally for Classical Studies, member of Senate Assembly
Candidate statement: I have been working with faculty to build outreach initiatives that serve members of our community who don’t normally have access to the privileges of higher education, including incarcerated people. I hope that we as a University can do more with the humanities to help our students become citizens and not just pre-professionals. I am also interested in seeing to it that we in the humanities fulfill our responsibilities to graduate students who might not end up securing a job in Academia. How do we garner and commit resources and expertise designed to help them with non-Academic job searches?
Michael Atzmon
Professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, and materials science and engineering, College of Engineering
Education: Bachelor of Science, mathematics and physics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1980; Master of Science, applied physics, Caltech, 1982; Ph.D., applied physics, Caltech, 1985
Faculty leadership: Director, Engineering Physics Degree Program; NERS Department Executive Committee; Senate Assembly; Board of Directors, Academic Freedom Lecture Fund
Candidate statement: The University has been on sound financial footing thanks to several factors, including strong leadership. However, the nature of faculty activity or core values of academia have not always received adequate consideration. This disconnect also influences symbolic messages communicated to the public at large. I believe SACUA needs to work with the university leadership on balancing financial considerations with scholarly values and faculty needs, so that the faculty can thrive, and, in turn, inspire the students. If elected, I would also aim for SACUA to communicate and work closely with the student leadership on academic and social issues.
Dr. Ruth C. Carlos
Professor of radiology, Medical School
Education: Bachelor of Arts, College of the University of Chicago, 1985; Doctor of Medicine, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 1989; Master of Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis, U-M School of Public Health, 2001
Faculty leadership: Senate Assembly member; Advancing Inclusive Leadership Subcommittee, Leadership Development Advisory Group, Medical School; Women in Academic Medicine Leadership Scholarship Program Evaluation Committee, Medical School; past president, Association of University Radiologists; executive council, American Roentgen Ray Society
Candidate statement: I am honored to be nominated for SACUA. As a member of SACUA, I will be committed to transparency, diversity and sustainability. Through my external leadership experiences, I have championed transparent communication, process and decision-making, a core function of faculty governance and critical to faculty and administration relationship. Diversity of faculty membership, opinion and experience and their integration has been in focus of my faculty committee roles. Sustainability of research and teaching missions during declining support remains a critical issue for faculty.
Beau David Case
Librarian, head of the Arts & Humanities Team, U-M Library
Education: Bachelor of Arts, English, UCLA; Master of Arts, comparative literature, Indiana University; Master of Library Science, Indiana University
Faculty leadership: Arts Consortium (2013-15); SACUA Tenure Committee (2008-10); Library Promotion Review Committee (2004-07); Library Forum Board Secretary (2003-04); Ohio State University Senate (1999-2001)
Candidate statement: The University Library supports and enhances campus research, teaching and learning. I have directly served several LSA departments over the past 15 years. I also have indirectly served all arts and humanities disciplines through my management and leadership of the Library’s Arts & Humanities Team, which provides expertise, collections, spaces and services in support of the University mission. I now am taking the opportunity as a faculty member to serve in the shared governance of the University. Librarians hold dear the principles of intellectual freedom, intellectual property rights, and access to information. On SACUA, I will defend these principles.
Weiyun Chen
Associate professor of kinesiology, School of Kinesiology
Education: Bachelor of Pedagogy, Beijing Sport University, 1984; Master of Pedagogy, Beijing Sport University, 1987; Ph.D. in Physical Education Pedagogy, University of Alabama, 1997
Faculty leadership: 2014-present, Senate Assembly; chaired American Education Research Association-Special Interest Group(AERA SIG) in 2011-12; president of American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) — National Association for Sport and Physical Education: Curriculum and Instruction Academy; chaired AERA SIG Senior Scholar Lecture Committee, AAHPERD Research Writing Award Committee, and AAHPERD Pedagogy Panel Review Committee
Candidate statement: I believe my ethnic and professional background and experience will help bridge connections between international/minority faculty’s and students’ emotional and professional needs and the university policies and needs. I will work with SACUA to make three contributions if elected:
1. Promote academic equity for international/minority faculty regarding promotion, services, and leadership roles at departmental and school levels as well as university level.
2. Promote academic equity for international/minority students regarding sense of the university community in academic and emotional aspects.
3. Promote academic collaborations among different departments and schools for faculty and students in terms of research and joint programs.
Robert (Bob) Fraser
Librarian and lecturer, UM-Dearborn
Education: M.A., M.Div., M.LIS., M.A., Ph.D.
Faculty leadership: UM-Dearborn: Faculty Senate, Faculty Senate Council (three years); chair, Benefits committee (four years); Information Technology Advisory Committee (three years); Faculty Senate Appreciation Award for Faculty Governance. U-M: Committee on the Economic Status of the Faculty (four years); chair, Subcommittee on Benefits (three years); budget committee (two years); Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the University (one year); chair, Administration Evaluation Committee (one year); chair, Rules Committee (one year); chair, Faculty Perspectives Page Committee (two years); General Council Advisory Committee (seven years); Senate Assembly (eight years); Senate Assembly Advisory Committee (three years); vice chair, Senate Assembly Advisory Committee (one year); interim secretary, Faculty Senate (one year); Jackie Lawson Faculty Governance awardee
Candidate statement: I offer myself for this service to: (a) integrate the needs and perspectives of the regional campuses into the deliberations of central faculty governance; (2) to revisit faculty issues about benefits, particularly since their value has sunk to 95 percent of that of our peers; (3) to bring a faculty perspective to the issues of the disabled and diverse; and (4) to sound out opportunities to highlight and enhance the benefits of a single university with three campuses. I am a voice of experience in a dynamic time for SACUA.
Kimberlee Jane Kearfott
Professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, biomedical engineering, College of Engineering; adjunct professor of radiology, Medical School
Education: Bachelor of Science, St. Mary’s University, 1975; Master of Engineering, University of Virginia, 1977; Doctor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1980
Faculty leadership: Co-director Medical Physics Certificate Program (CoE/MedicalSchool); SACUA chair (2012-13); SACUA; Senate Assembly (SA); chair, SA Committee on University Values; chair, SA Provost’s Advisory Committee on Budgetary Affairs; ad hoc Committee Representing Petitions on Administrative Services Transfer/Shared Services (2013-14); Advisory Board on Intercollegiate Athletics, College of Engineering Pool of Grievance Hearing Board Faculty
Candidate statement: Declining administrative support dramatically diminishes faculty research productivity. Finances tax the traditional delivery of courses by tenure-track faculty to students who face nontrivial debt. The environment is increasingly threatened while income gaps widen: society desperately needs independent faculty expertise in its service to address such problems. Innovative technology promises only partial solutions. I believe that people and ideas are the most critical cornerstones of the universe-city and are the keys to facing challenges. As a member of SACUA, I pledge to place academic values first and listen to diverse voices. I approach my own life with both humor and hope.
Paul R. Kileny
Professor of otorhinolaryngology, head-and-neck surgery; director, Academic Program (Audiology), Medical School; research professor, Center for Human Growth and Development
Education: B.A., communication sciences and disorders, 1972, and M.S., communication sciences and disorders, 1974, Tel Aviv University, Sackler School of Medicine; Ph.D., audiology and neurophysiology, 1978, University of Iowa
Faculty leadership: 1985-present, administrative and clinical responsibilities for the Division of Audiology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, including three satellite clinics; 1992-95 director, Cochlear Implant Program; 1987-present, Department of Otolaryngology Executive Faculty Committee; 1985-89, Department of Otolaryngology Public Communication Committee; 1985-89, chair, Department of Otolaryngology Public Information Subcommittee; 1991, Department of Otolaryngology Internal Review Committee; 1988-95, Medical School Admissions Committee; 1991, Committee on Medical Students with Disabilities, subcommittee of Medical School Admissions Committee; 1997-02, chair, Research Committee, Department of Otolaryngology; 1998, Internal Review Committee, Department of Otolaryngology; 1998-2003, chair, Otolaryngology Department Lamberson Lectureship; 2003-15, Communication Advisory Committee of SACUA; 2006-09, Alternate Representative to Senate Assembly; 2009-15, Medical Affairs Advisory Committee, Office of Executive VP for Medical Affairs; 2014, Medical School representative to Senate Assembly; 2015, Rules Committee of SACUA
Candidate statement: Today’s higher education institutions face multiple challenges of a broad, national scope. These challenges include the perceived value of a college degree, the impact of online learning, especially when provided by for-profit educational institutions, and the impact of reduced educational and research funding. Faculty governance is very important in such times. As a SACUA member, I will advocate for direct and transparent communication with University leadership. I will also promote an environment of innovation and adaptation in today’s highly competitive market, without sacrificing diversity, excellence, and fair treatment of active and retired faculty.
Neil Marsh
Professor of chemistry, LSA, and biological chemistry, Medical School
Education: Bachelor of Arts, natural sciences, University of Cambridge, 1985; Doctor of Philosophy, biochemistry, University of Cambridge, 1988
Faculty leadership: Senate Academic Affairs Advisory Committee, 2015-present; Dow Distinguished Faculty Fellow in Sustainability, 2015-present; LSA curriculum committee, 2009-11; chair, Undergraduate Advising, Department of Chemistry; Executive Committee, Department of Chemistry 2012-15; Dean’s Task Force on Team Science, Medical School, 2006
Candidate statement: Faculty governance is most effective when speaking with the strength of many voices. However, many Faculty feel excluded or ignored in decisions made by the University administration. I will work to improve channels of communication between SACUA, Senate Assembly and the Faculty, and press for more transparency in decision-making. I will facilitate broader participation from all faculty constituencies on matters of concern to the University community. I have found constructive engagement with University administrators is the most effective way to facilitate change. In that spirit, I will be a vigorous advocate for the Faculty in SACUA’s dealings with the administration.
Robert M. Ortega
Associate professor of social work, School of Social Work
Education: 1977, A.B., psychology, U-M; 1983, M.S.W., U-M School of Social Work; 1987, A.M., psychology, U-M; 1991, Ph.D., social work and psychology, U-M
Faculty leadership: Vice Provost for Equity, Inclusion and Academic Affairs, Faculty Advisory Group, present; chair, Senate Assembly, Committee for an Inclusive University, 2012 –present; Senate Assembly, SSW representative, 2015-present
Candidate statement: The emerging global reality requires a new scholarship to synthesize disciplinary diversity, and make relevant connections. The University’s current commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) positions us to both promote individual faculty talents and scholarly interests while simultaneously engaging faculty in a climate and culture that recognizes DEI as a primary source of strength. The Senate Assembly and SACUA have played an essential role in balancing individual faculty pursuits with a collective exchange of ideas. If elected, my pledge is to serve as a voice on SACUA that represents our commitment to diverse and talented faculty.
William Schultz
Professor of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, and naval architecture, College of Engineering
Education: B.S., M.S., mechanical engineering, Purdue University 1974, 1976; Ph.D., applied math, Northwestern University, 1982
Faculty leadership: Chair, Academic Affairs Advisory Committee; chair, Research Policy Committee; Fluid Mechanics Program Director, National Science Foundation; faculty director, Ginsburg Center, co-chair of SACUA
Candidate statement: I am running for re-election (I was elected to a two-year term) because, in part, I am concerned about the large turnover at SACUA this year. If elected, I would seek a shorter term to allow the two possible SACUA allotments to Engineering to be de-synched. I have enjoyed interacting with the administration and working with Silke as SACUA co-chair. U-M faculty governance is not given as much power as many of our peers. I am and would continue to work hard to improve shared governance and increase the diversity of thought at our great university.
