University Senate
Welcome!
We're still a work in progress -- and welcome your feedback as we build it all out.
The University Senate is where SDSU's major constituencies weigh in on an array of policy decisions. Senate members represent all areas of campus life and thus focus on issues that affect the University's general welfare---from curriculum to facilities ... and from admissions to administrator reviews.
The Senate meets the first Tuesday of the month (Fall: September thru December; Spring: February thru May). These are public sessions and guests are welcome (although they can't participate in our deliberations).
We encourage faculty, staff, and students to take a active role in policy-making; your voices make a difference! Contact the Senate Office or Senator Allison Vaughn if you're interested in serving on any of our many Committees, Councils or Boards.
Useful Resources
SDSU-related
- Center for Human Resources
- IT @ SDSU
- Center for Teaching and Learning
- Instructional Technology Services
- Zoom / web conferencing
- Qualtrics User Support (including account set-up and migration)
- Universal Design/accessibility
- Office of the President
- Academic Affairs / Faculty Advancement
CSU-related
Announcements
Get to know our incoming President -- Adela de la Torre
Adela de la Torre shared her guiding principles and priorities with the San Diego State University community during her first visit to campus Feb. 8-9 as president-designate.
She has already taken an active role in our several Dean searches (Health & Human Services, Education, Extended Studies) by chatting virtually with each of the candidates invited to campus.
Guidance for DACA students
DACA remains in limbo, as our federal legislators struggle to find solutions that President Trumps finds acceptable. In late February, the Supreme Court refused to hear a California case -- which ensured that DACA will survive at least through Fall 2018. This means DACA enrollees have a temporary reprieve from deportation and Congress has more time to craft a permanent solution for them.
The Chancellor's Office provides regular updates on this critical situation. Click Learn More for the latest news and advice for DACA enrollees seeking to renew their applications.
Aztec mascot/identity -- examining perspectives
The 17-member Aztec Mascot/Identity Task Force (students, staff, faculty, alums, community
members) continues to meet as its members examine an array of documents (including
a comprehensive report completed by a Task Force during President Weber's tenure),
meet with community members, survey key constitutient groups, etc. President Roush
committed to this comprehensive and inclusive discussion after the University Senate
approved a Resolution in November 2017 calling for the removal of the mascot and associated
symbols as well as a formal review of other issues related to the Aztec brand.
Shared governance -- be part of the conversation!
Working in collaboration with President Roush, the University's Senate Executive Committee recently convened a group of Senators and administrators with a mutual interest in strengthening the principles and practices of shared governance at SDSU. Participating Senators volunteered to be part of the group, and President Roush expanded membership by inviting an administrator (or designee) from each of the University's seven divisions.
The group's first meeting was held on March 16--and the document linked here provides a rough summary of what transpired and a list of members.
Click Learn More to share your thoughts; note that you may provide contact information or remain anonymous.
UPDATE: Dr. Eve Kornfeld selected to receive the Senate's Excellence in Teaching Award
The Faculty Honors and Awards Committee -- acting on behalf of the University Senate -- selected this year's recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award: Professor Eve Kornfeld. Dr. Kornfeld, Professor in the Department of History (College of Arts and Letters).
The award will be formally bestowed at a reception/presentation set for April 19 at the Faculty/Staff Club (Conference Rooms A and B). Dr. Kornfeld's interactive presentation (Transforming Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century) will feature the other six award nominees. Click Learn More to RSVP!