NUMBER 8A

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

FACULTY SENATE

MINUTES

Faculty Senate Meeting – April 28, 2005

1. Recess meeting of the Faculty Senate was called to order at 3:12 p.m. in the Cherry Auditorium, Chester Kirk Building, Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels presiding.

All members were present except Senators Adams, Babson, Carroll, Carson, Cohen, Conley, Dicioccio, Ferszt, Ginnis, Hufnagel, Hutt, Kirschenbaum, R. Lee, W. Lee, Lehrer, Logan, Manfredi, Manteiga, Oviatt, Rollo-Koster, Rossby, Thiem, Tyrrell, VanWyk, Wang and Welters; President Carothers, Vice Presidents Beagle, Dougan and Weygand; Vice Provosts McCray and Trubatch; Deans Farmer, Letendre, Mazze, Richmond, Seemann, Taggart and Wessells, (Dean Brownell was represented by her designee); Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Mills

Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels expressed her appreciation to those Senators whose terms would expire in a few days and especially thanked those who were present at the recess meeting.  She posted their names for the Senate’s information as follows

Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels reported that the Association of Professional and Academic Women had extended until May 2 the deadline for the May 20 reception honoring Woman of the Year for 2005, Dr. Grace Frenzel from the Counseling Center.  She said that flyers were available in the front of the auditorium for those who hadn’t already made their reservations.  

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels announced that when the March 24 meeting of the Faculty Senate adjourned the following amendment to Senator Leo's resolution was on the floor and was returned to the Faculty Senate for consideration at that time(Changes are in boldface):

WHEREAS

The University of Rhode Island is committed to furthering, to the fullest possible extent, the principles of full tolerance and respect for all individuals both on its own campus and in the state and nation beyond; and

WHEREAS

The University states, in its legally binding equal opportunity policy, that “The University of Rhode Island prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national origin, handicap, or sexual orientation, and discrimination against disabled and Vietnam Era veterans, in the recruitment, admission, or treatment of students . . . "; and

WHEREAS

There are questions and urgent concerns about our commitment to our principles when our policies are violated and not enforced with respect to sexual orientation, specifically the use of the office and services of Career Services on the URI campus by military recruiters and interviewers who must follow the so-called "Don't ask, don't tell" policy affecting gays in the military; yet

WHEREAS

The University is obliged to follow applicable Federal laws in this matter, putting us in conflict with our avowed principles;

THEREFORE

We urge vehemently that the President of the University inform the Rhode Island Congressional delegation of our  opposition to the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy and to work with them and other Federal lawmakers to eliminate this policy in favor of one which does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.  

Discussion ensued.

Following discussion, Senator Leo moved to amend the amendment by adding the following paragraph from the original motion:

THEREFORE

We urge vehemently that the President of the University reaffirm its current non-   discrimination policy and that he enforce its current prohibitions against discrimination to the fullest possible legal extent with respect to military recruitment on the campus.

Discussion ensued on the amendment to the amendment

After discussion, Senator Martin asked that the word “handicap” be replaced editorially with “disability.”

The change was not accepted as editorial because it referred to the University’s anti discrimination policy and could not be changed editorially. not the amendment

When the time for debate on the amendment to the amendment expired, a motion was made to extend debate for ten minutes.

Following discussion, the amendment to the amendment failed.

The Senate resumed discussion of the amendment.

Following discussion, the amendment carried.

Discussion ensued on the resolution as amended.

When the time for discussion expired, the Senate voted immediately on the resolution.  The resolution carried.  The vote was recorded as one opposed and five abstentions.

The approved resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS

The University of Rhode Island is committed to furthering, to the fullest possible extent, the principles of full tolerance and respect for all individuals both on its own campus and in the state and nation beyond; and

WHEREAS

The University states, in its legally binding equal opportunity policy, that “The University of Rhode Island prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national origin, handicap, or sexual orientation, and discrimination against disabled and Vietnam Era veterans, in the recruitment, admission, or treatment of students . . . "; and

WHEREAS

There are questions and urgent concerns about our commitment to our principles when our policies are violated and not enforced with respect to sexual orientation, specifically the use of the office and services of Career Services on the URI campus by military recruiters and interviewers who must follow the so-called "Don't ask, don't tell" policy affecting gays in the military; yet

WHEREAS

The University is obliged to follow applicable Federal laws in this matter, putting us in conflict with our avowed principles;

THEREFORE

We urge vehemently that the President of the University inform the Rhode Island Congressional delegation of our  opposition to the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy and to work with them and other Federal lawmakers to eliminate this policy in favor of one which does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.  

Chairperson Boudreaux-Bartels asked if there was any further unfinished business.

Senator Kowalski moved that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:58 p.m.

                            Respectfully submitted,

                            Sheila Black Grubman