We have not been hard enough on ourselves in evaluating our performance, rethinking our role and judging how well we use the autonomy and job security that we do have. Consequently, in partnership with the UUP, I propose establishing a joint UUP-Faculty Senate Task Force on Faculty Responsibilities. Within a year of its formation that Task Force would issue a statement proposing how faculty in each department or professional school should develop a faculty-controlled mechanism for identifying faculty responsibilities and monitoring how and whether faculty meet those responsibilities. I recognize that many of my colleagues will oppose this idea. Yet it is in our interest to evaluate ourselves both because it is the right thing to do and because if we do not, we can be sure that others, less understanding of what we do, will press to do that job for us.
Accountability is central to leadership in an academic setting.
Accountability should be a general principle in our University. I believe that accountability includes evaluation of performance. Accordingly, I intend to stress, within the areas of responsibility given by custom and University policies, meaningful assessment of how well all members of the academic community perform. If elected Chair, I would be responsible for the Senate's effective operations, in particular for its committees, their reports, and the overall conduct of Senate business. Times of cuts threaten the basic academic fabric.