The faculty senate model, one of two alternatives for the University Senate, did not fare well during its debut performance.
Eight faculty from the College of Architecture and Planning attended the forum, the first of several formal discussions about the possible restructuring of university governance. When an informal vote was taken, none of them approved it.
The faculty senate model partitions university governance into three different legislative bodies: the Student Senate, a faculty senate and professional personnel senate.
Landscape Architecture Chairman Malcolm Cairns said he was not in favor of the faculty senate model. Cairns, a member of the task force, expressed concern about representation of the students and professional personnel.
"Currently we meet at one place and one time," Cairns said. "Everyone hears everyone else's opinions."
Professor of Landscape Architecture Jeffrey Hall said he thinks it is important to hear the ideas and opinions of different groups.
"Many of the issues discussed crossed boundaries of different constituencies," Hall said. "To hear the perspectives of several constituencies, rather than one pure voice, is very helpful."
The model also calls for each senate to elect two executive officers to a proposed executive committee. The committee would send final legislation to President Blaine Brownell and the Board of Trustees.
The executive office provides equal representation for each branch, something architecture professor Andrew Seager said was unfair.
"Students, faculty and professional staff have an equal voice," he said. "Academic policy is given equal voice to parking policy."
University Senate Chairman John Emert and Governance Task Force member Renee Twibell represented University Senate at the discussion.
As explained by Twibell, legislation can be discussed by the executive committee, but not changed. If there are any discrepancies, legislation can be sent back to their respective senates once.
Before the forum, Twibell said she was unsure how successful it would be, but she said she was pleased with the results.
"The comments were substantial and are going to help us take a good hard look at the university and make a good decision," Twibell said.
Emert said he anticipates the opinions from this and future forums will be discussed at the February University Senate meeting. He encouraged those concerned to attend the meetings forums.
"There is always space for visitors," Emert said. "If a senator does not recognize a visitor, the chairman will."
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