The Faculty Senate met on February 16, 2022, new business and important updates are included below.
Academic Freedom Committee
A committee has been formed to review university policies related to academic freedom
and plans to offer recommendations related to strengthening the policy, addressing
conflicts of interest, defining academic responsibility, and suggestions on adjudicating
issues. The committee includes full-time faculty, post-docs, and adjuncts.
MCOM Radiation Oncology Dept.
In accordance with USF Policy 10-055, a proposal to institute radiation oncology as
an independent department within the Morsani College of Medicine came before the Faculty
Senate. The new department aligns with a strategic priority for USF Health and TGH
and that the clinical and research enhancements through the department will enhance
USF’s education efforts. The senate confirmed that faculty within the unit and college
had been adequately consulted.
Updates from the Board of Governors
The BOG met in January and approved the USF Strategic Plan. In addition to approving
the university strategic plan, the BOG also released two reports that will be of interest
to faculty:
Civil Discourse Final Report
Taskforce on Academic and Workforce Alignment Recommendations
The ACFS is reviewing these documents and the USF Faculty Senate will also continue to share additional information about implications for faculty.
Negotiations
UFF President Shapiro shared that bargaining negotiations are on hold. Senate members
asked about administration needs, clarified the potential for raises, and asked about
the next steps. Bargaining and negotiations are confidential and information on any
specifics is limited.
Elections
Unit elections for the 2022/2023 academic year are underway – elections are handled
at the department level and forwarded to the Faculty Senate for review and confirmation.
There are 15 vacancies within Academic Affairs, seven for the Morsani College of Medicine,
and one for the Taneja College of Pharmacy - click here for a roster with the vacancies noted.