UC DAVIS: ACADEMIC SENATE
May
20, 2002
RE:
June 5, 2002 Meeting
Dear
Colleagues:
Enclosed
is the call for the regular meeting of the Representative Assembly scheduled
for Wednesday, June 5, 2002 at 3:00 in MUII.
This call is also posted on the Academic Senate web site
(http://www.mrak.ucdavis.edu/senate/repassembly.htm). Individuals may request a paper copy of the agenda from the Academic
Senate Office (2-2231).
As
you know, this is the final regular meeting of the Representative Assembly for
the 2001-2002 academic year. We will
hear brief remarks by the Chairs of the Academic Federation and the Staff
Assembly on the activities of their organizations. In addition, most standing committees of the Division are
required to file their annual reports for presentation at this meeting. The report of the Committee on Distinguished
Teaching Awards and the announcement of this year’s award recipients are of
special interest to all of us. The
Committee on Committees will also report their nominations for committee
members and chairs for the 2002-2003 academic year. This report requires approval of the Assembly in order for the
Senate to conduct normal business in the Fall.
A
number of bylaw changes that would affect the functioning of Senate committees
are on the agenda. Of particular note
is proposed Bylaw 121 that would establish an Undergraduate Council. This new body, derived from the current
Committee on Educational Policy and incorporating the Committees on Preparatory
Education and Teaching, would provide the Senate with a mechanism to focus
greater attention on undergraduate education.
It would also create a structure that closely parallels the Graduate
Council. Finally, the Representative
Assembly is being asked to endorse the principles that BOARS has developed
regarding the use of standardized tests in determining eligibility and
admissions of undergraduates. As a
corollary of their proposal, the University would replace the SAT I test with a
new array of tests of academic achievement.
This
complete agenda package is being sent to all departmental, at-large and
ex-officio members of the Representative Assembly and to department
Chairs. I urge you to check the
membership list included with the meeting call to determine whether you are a
member of the Assembly. We need all
members to attend meetings to enable the Assembly to accomplish its
business. This year, we have shifted
the meeting time to start at 3:00 PM to ensure that we can complete our business
by 5:00 PM. The sign-in sheet will be
available at 2:45 and roll will be called at the start of the meeting. Please arrive on time so that we may start
and end the meeting on schedule; your prompt arrival also shows respect for
your colleagues. Any departmental
representatives who are unable to attend must ask their alternate(s) to attend
in their place.
As
we approach the end of the academic year, I would like to thank you for your
contributions to the work of the Academic Senate this year. I look forward to seeing you on June 5th.
Sincerely,
JEFFERY C. GIBELING, Chair
Davis Division
of the Academic Senate