Message From the
2011-2012
Faculty Senate/University Assembly Chairperson, Dr. Michael D. Murray
The Faculty Senate and University Assembly of the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) are designated by the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University to exercise the functions delegated to them by the faculty as a whole. The Faculty Senate meets four times each semester and the University Assembly meets at least twice. The members of both Senate and Assembly consider important issues and make relevant decisions on behalf of the campus community, as well as provide advisory roles for the Chancellor and the University senior administration. The two bodies collectively represent the interests of the Faculty, Students, and Staff of the University of Missouri-St. Louis -- a premier urban research university.
Our University has a proud tradition of shared governance and upon reflection, the past few years have provided a number of significant opportunities and important challenges for consideration. As with many if not most major universities, the economic downturn presented us with a series of significant fiscal and budgetary challenges. And the Faculty Senate and University Assembly have played a key role with respect to effectively addressing these challenges. The current Senate and Assembly pledge to continue to monitor areas in which the attractiveness and quality of what we do to help our students may come into play. We are dedicated to enhancing our national reputation as a leading urban institution and we owe a great debt of gratitude to those who provide important service to our campus community from the Senate office with the full-time staff assistance of the very capable Loyola Harvey.
The Faculty Senate and University Assembly play a critical role in such areas as curriculum development and institutional advancement, in faculty and staff benefits issues, technology related issues, and also in student recruitment and institutional research. We are committed to identifying important issues, addressing them in a timely and direct way with appropriate administrators; and also follow-up with necessary actions or decisions which require attention. We expect the University Assembly and in particular, the Budget and Planning Committee, to play a significant role addressing budgetary concerns and making recommendations.
We expect continuing issues to include the arrival of a key University asset, St. Louis Public Radio, KWMU, to the Grand Center; follow-up on the Strategic Plan; and many Student Enrollment and Marketing strategy-related issues. We look forward to serving the Faculty Senate and University Assembly in its mission in 2011-2012. If you have questions about the University Assembly or Faculty Senate, please contact us via senate@umsl.edu. We will continue in our efforts to support the University in service to St. Louis and the State of Missouri.
All best wishes,
Dr. Mike Murray, UM Board of Curators’ Professor
Chair, Faculty Senate and University Assembly
http://www.umsl.edu/~theater/bios/murray.html