Academic Senate dispute

New bylaw changes spark disagreement

VICTOR RODRIGUEZ Opinions Editor @VRodriguez2100

The Academic Senate saw points of contention arise during discussion about approving the proposed bylaws by the Academic Senate Executive Committee.

A bylaw regarding voting rights for adjunct professors was among the most deliberated topics. ASEC had requested feedback about the revision of bylaws from all senators. Some members said ASEC had gone about it the wrong way.

“The adjuncts aren’t getting fair representation on this campus,” said Michelle Meyer, an assistant professor-adjunct of physics and planetary science.

Angela Belden, instructor of psychology, disagreed with Meyer.

“I feel like the process was very transparent,” Belden said. “ASEC informed the body and the school as a whole about when we would be meeting, about when we would be discussing.”

Anna Bruzzese, president of the academic senate, addressed the purpose of revising senate bylaws.

“We felt this was our best attempt at creating an improved, updated document. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect,” Bruzzese said. “It should be changed. It’s supposed to be changed every two years.”

According to Bruzzese, it is challenging to create a document that includes everyone’s ideas equally.

“The thing is, it’s not a document that reflects any individual’s views. It reflects something that the committee agreed on,” Bruzzese said. “That doesn’t prevent anyone from coming to the next meeting and making some kind of amendment.”

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