TSG isn’t the only one on campus trying to improve the university through a Senate. The first faculty senate meeting of the academic year was held Monday. Senate president Karen Turner conducted the meeting while guest speakers included President Ann Weaver Hart, Provost Lisa Staiano-Coico and Arthur Hochner, president of the Temple Association of University Professionals.
Hart spoke for the majority of the meeting and discussed topics that ranged from academic programs to contract negotiations. Among the first orders of business was to improve “how Temple looks and feels.”
She also demonstrated her concern regarding finances, asking the question, “How do we pay for this?” Hart explained with tuition likely to become a bigger part of its budget, the university would have to look elsewhere for private funding and urged attending faculty members to participate.
The new General Education program was applauded by Hart. She said she liked the incorporation of Philadelphia, a theme that was recently implemented into the GenEd curriculum.
Staiano-Coico reiterated the success and attention Temple was receiving for the GenEd program.
A unified gasp filled the auditorium when the provost announced the shocking statistic that high school graduates were expected to decline by 8 percent over the next five years. While she added that there was little Temple could offer high school students, it will work on academic issues with a steering committee.
Some of the questions addressed to Hart focused on the pressing contract date, Oct. 15. Faculty members expressed concern that they weren’t “being taken seriously.” Other questions included concerns about building development and parking. Plans include improving existing structures on campus.
Frustrated by the little progress being made during the last three months, Hochner spoke briefly toward the end of the meeting. TAUP’s is trying to get a contract by Oct. 15.
The “faculty was not being treated as respectfully as the president seems to think,” Hochner said.
After Hart left the meeting Hochner addressed several points she had made, such as the manner in which administration relations were being conducted. In addition, Hochner expressed concern for Temple’s policies not reflecting other research universities. Hochner didn’t give any indication to whether or not he thought things would work out.
“These things can happen quickly,” he said.
Valerie Rubinsky can be reached at valerie.rubinsky@temple.edu.
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