The Record

September 20, 2024 University Senate Plenary Record

On September 20, 2024, the University Senate held its first plenary of the 2024-2025 academic year. As a reminder, all Plenary material can be accessed through this link for the University community.

Senator Jeanine D’Armiento, Chair of the Executive Committee, welcomed Senators and affiliates to the first plenary of the year and the first in-person University Senate plenary since March 2020. After brief introductory remarks and reminder of parliamentary procedure, Sen. D’Armiento turned over the meeting to Interim University President Katrina Armstrong.

Updates from Interim University President Armstrong

Interim President Armstrong began her welcoming remarks by discussing campus access entering the school year. President Armstrong emphasized the “strong sense of pride of Columbia as part of the City of New York.” President Armstrong emphasized the historical nature of Columbia as an open campus, participant in the local community, and as a contributor of the faculty leading dialogue at the national level. President Armstrong relayed the feelings of uncertainty for the coming weeks felt by many in the University community. President Armstrong additionally acknowledged concerns and questions about the role of Public Safety in fostering a safe and supportive campus culture.

President Armstrong took questions from Senators, including about the President’s Advisory Committee on Institutional Voice and whether decisions will be made with input from the University community. President Armstrong replied that she welcomes feedback regarding this topic from any member of the University community. Senators asked about security amid concerns raised from social media. President Armstrong responded by stating that the University is currently gathering more data in order to best provide safety and a conducive University environment. She additionally emphasized reporting any concerns to the Office of Institutional Equity.

Welcoming and Formal Confirmation of New Senators

Sen. D’Armiento welcomed all new Senators and members approved nominations to committees. As of September 20, 2024, 105 out of 111 Senator seats have been filled. For more information on Senate Committees, please click here.

Update on the Senate’s Resolution Addressing Current Events

Sen. D’Armiento provided an update on the resolution Addressing Current Events passed by the University Senate on April 26, 2024. Following the passage of the resolution, the University Senate has decided to produce a report on the events and hopes to have the report presented at the next plenary.

Update from the Senate Rules Committee

Sen. Jaxon Williams-Bellamy provided an update on the work of the Rules of University Conduct Committee. Sen. Williams-Bellamy announced that there will be different Q&A sessions throughout the coming weeks for University community members to ask questions and gather feedback while the review of the Rules is ongoing. Further information about the Rules of University Conduct can be found here.

Asked how the revised Guidelines to the Rules of University Conduct related to existing University policies, particularly regarding the timeline and exception to a 10-day registration policy, Sen. Williams-Bellamy responded that event registration and management dictated certain University policies, while the Rules provided guidelines for appropriate demonstration policies.

Overview of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Accreditation Process

Sen. D’Armiento invited Dana Palmer to provide an update on the Middle States Commission on Higher Accreditation occurring during the 2024-2025 academic year. Senior Associate Provost Palmer gave an overview of the history and purpose of accreditation, before going into the seven standards that the
University must demonstrate over the course of reviews. As part of the review, there will be two site visits. To find more information about the seven standards of accreditation and the review process, please visit this site.

Senators asked how students and faculty will be able to give feedback throughout the accreditation process. Senior Associate Provost Palmer restated the opportunities for student engagement in April 2025, as well as encouraging students and faculty to reach out directly if they have feedback. Senior Associate Provost Palmer explained the three potential outcomes and feedback that the University will receive at the conclusion of the accreditation process. All Columbia schools will be included in the report, and affiliated institutions such as Barnard College and Teachers College undergo their own separate accreditation process.

Presentation of the Second Report from the Task Force on Antisemitism

Sen. D’Armiento then introduced the three Co-Chairs of Task Force on Antisemitism (Professor of International and Public Affairs Ester Fuchs, Professor of Journalism and Dean Emeritus Nicholas Lehmann, and Professor of Law and Economics and Dean Emeritus David Schizer). The three Co-Chairs gave a presentation on the Task Force’s recent second report, which can be accessed here. Co-Chair Fuchs explained the process by which the Task Force held listening sessions and drafted their reports. Co-Chair Lemann emphasized that the Task Force’s primary objective is to “study, speak, and
recommend” policies and ideas to the wider University community after its founding in October 2023. Co-Chair Schizer emphasized the principles of the Task Force on Antisemitism surrounding free speech. Co-Chair Fuchs then went over the recommendations in the Task Force’s second report around the following: anti-bias training, intrajudicial mediation and fair conduct resolution, bias in student clubs. Co-Chair Lemann then mentioned the survey administered by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago over the summer and an ongoing survey run by sociologist and Columbia Postdoctoral Research Fellow Ryan Hagen.

Senators asked about the representation within the Task Force and its range of opinions. Sen. Howley read a letter from Jewish faculty from Columbia and Barnard in response to the Task Force’s recent report. Senators asked how students wanting to raise diverse opinions in listening sessions should proceed and the recommendations for student groups. Senators asked about the Task Force’s upcoming report on the faculty and academic freedom.

Establishment of the Office of Institutional Equity

Sen. D’Armiento spoke briefly on the establishment of the Office of Institutional Equity. A representative from the Office of Institutional Equity will speak at the next plenary to introduce the office and take questions.

Announcement of Senate Manager Retirement

Sen. D’Armiento ended the meeting by announcing University Senate Manager Tom Mathewson’s retirement from the University Senate. Tom has been with the University Senate for decades, and the entirety of the Senate and wider Columbia community thanks him for his service and integrity.