University Senate will address racial tensions

By Nadine Mahasneh

Assistant Campus Editor

Publication Date: 11/17/2008

Photo provided by Purdue News Service

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Following recent racial tensions, today's University Senate meeting is expected to introduce a resolution on respect and diversity.

Raymond Decarlo, chairman of the University Senate, said the nature of the resolution will be discussed during the senate meeting and will involve respect for diversity.

"It's the resolution of the president's message," he said. "It is expected that there will be a resolution in support of (Purdue president France C—rdova's) position on diversity and respect."

Decarlo said part of what catalyzed the introduction to this resolution were the incidents that took place on campus, including the expletive graffiti found on the tree adjacent to the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall.

Alysa Rollock, vice president for human relations, said introducing a resolution on respect would be helpful and well received by the Purdue community.

"The senate expressing its view regarding respectful dialogue on campus would certainly be appreciated," she said. "We certainly appreciate individuals' rights of expression; it's important for us to reaffirm our commitment to respectful dialogue."

One student thinks it is important that the University is working to eliminate discrimination and that creating a resolution is in the best interest of members of Purdue's campus.

"It's good to make sure there is no discrimination going on," said Ahmad Allen, a senior in the College of Liberal Arts. "With the election, emotions were running a little high."

Other expected items to surface are from what Decarlo dubs "Decarlo's 18," 18 issues voted on by the senate. The top four from the 18 are compensation, core curriculum, quality of life and budget transparency.

Decarlo said the core curriculum is an important factor that the senate is looking into, which is also a part of the strategic plan.

"Individual schools have looked at what they believe is core to their discipline Ð how does that take on a more universal form across the University?" he said. "What we want now, is senate input on the shape of the core curriculum."

The University Senate meeting will take place at 2:30 p.m. today in Stewart Center, Room 302. The meeting is open to the public.