NATCHITOCHES – Chairs of faculty senates typically spend their time representing and involving faculty in shared governance, but Dr. John T. Dunn, associate professor of fine arts and Faculty Senate president at Northwestern State University, joined 21 other governance leaders in Houston to discuss national shared governance issues at the meeting of the National Council of Faculty Senates.
Dunn joined leaders from the Faculty Senate of Virginia, Ferris State University, Illinois State University, Mary Washington University, Nicholls State University, Sam Houston State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Stockton University, SUNY Faculty Senate, SUNY Oswego, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University at Kingsville, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of the District of Columbia, University of Houston, University of North Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Wisconsin Green Bay and Virginia Tech.
“This event allowed me to meet and network with other faculty senate presidents, compare organizational structure and commiserate about shared governance concerns including the reactionary nature of senates, academic freedom, free speech, intellectual copyright and committee membership reflecting employee percentages,” said Dunn. “My presence at the conference also expanded the regional and national footprint of the institution as we worked to create by-laws and policy which will influence the NCFS for years to come.”
The meeting was held at the University of Houston. This was the first face-to-face meeting of the National Council of Faculty Senates in three years. As president, SUNY Oswego professor Gwen Kay chaired the meeting. University of the District of Columbia professor Arlene King-Berry was elected vice president. University of Houston professor Wynne Chin was elected to replace the long serving treasurer, Martha Horst of Illinois State University.
