Nathan French, vice chair of the University Senate, addressed Associated Student Government (ASG) about the purpose and efficacy of the University Senate, after becoming aware of a resolution calling for the disbanding of the senate.
French said Student Body President Daniel Martin made the University Senate’s executive committee aware of a resolution one day before the ASG meeting on Tuesday evening. The proposed resolution had not been officially presented to ASG.
“To be asked to dissolve the central shared governance body at this institution is no small matter,” French said. “In my work researching the history of crises of higher education, it's not clear whether such a request has ever been made by one shared governance body against another at an institution of higher education in the United States.”
Although French focused on defending the purpose of the University Senate, he acknowledged that they are in a period of reform and internal rearrangement in the wake of Senate Bill 1, which restricts the power of faculty governance bodies across the state of Ohio.
“Though the University Senate is in significant need of reform, and I'd be the first to agree, this is not the time to destroy or discredit the body,” French said.
French also emphasized the importance of ASG’s resolution on a larger scale. As universities across the nation attempt to navigate changes in the department of education, changes at an institution like Miami University could set a precedent for actions at other colleges and universities.
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“Right now, across the state of Ohio, there are senators at other institutions, faculty, students and staff, who are deeply concerned about what's occurring here today,” French said. “They have been emailing our Ohio faculty council representative … What happens here will be watched closely by other campuses.”
After French’s remarks, ASG entered executive session to discuss introducing the resolution to the floor. After the session concluded, Senator Nicholas Barry, the author of the resolution, said he would not be bringing it to the floor at that time.
“I do not plan to introduce this legislation tonight,” Barry said. “I anticipate a lot of engagement at the public hearing on the enabling act next Monday, and it is important to have an honest conversation about how it will be best for us to all move forward. My intention is to make sure that faculty have representation that is being heard by decision makers.”
The University Senate’s next meeting is Monday, Nov. 3. Currently, the senate is slated to discuss and vote on revisions to its enabling act. Because of the immediate response of the senate’s executive committee, the ASG resolution may be brought up during the meeting in conversation with the senate’s restructuring.
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