By Kelly Canright
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The UA Faculty Senate will hear the provost's report on proposed changes for general education requirements today.
Provost Paul Sypherd said he will be in California and unable to attend today's Faculty Senate meeting. His report, briefly summarizing what was said at a previous open faculty meeting, will be read, Sypherd said.
Sypherd said he thinks that the content urges the faculty to play a part in making the University of Arizona a successful research institution.
"The research mission has much to offer in providing that spirit of discovery so that not only students but faculty are making discoveries as well," Sypherd said. "That's the flavor of what a research university offers to the undergraduate student."
Much of the discussion will be focused on the proposed measurable goals for linking faculty teaching efforts to the improvement of the quality of undergraduate education. The Academic and Personnel Policy Committee and the Committee of Eleven have read and discussed Sypherd's proposals.
Marketing Professor Dipankar Chakravarti, chairman of the committee, said he believes the basic issues are in reasonably good shape. The intent will be to discuss the recommendations. He said the proposals "will be discussed in great detail. There will be discussion of the linkage of the documents, our comments and the ideas the Provost has."
Faculty Chairman J.D. Garcia said the Board of Regents received the Provost's proposals for the faculty workload very well. He said, "These changes are something we've discussed for quite some time. There is a social contract between the university and the public and between the faculty members and the public. So, the university must change their social contract. Most faculty members welcome change. The problem is each one has its own definition about that change. We need to come to a consensus."
Another agenda item is the merger of the American Indian Studies and Office of Indian Programs, and the transfer of the combined unit to the graduate college.
"There is broad-based support both from the people being transferred and the people being received. All are in agreement," Chakravarti said.
The Faculty Senate meeting starts at 3:15 p.m. in Room 146 of the College of Law.