[Uosenate] UO Senate leadership response to recent email posts to the Senate listserv

[Betina Lynn]

Sent on behalf of Senate leadership...

Dear UO Senators,



We are writing to you today as colleagues who care deeply about shared governance at the University of Oregon. We sincerely appreciate your demonstrated commitment to the important work that you do.  The purpose of this email is to address recent email posts to the Senate listserv as a misuse of a communication tool that is an extension of the Senate meeting's interactions.



First, we are disappointed that the Senate listserv was used to perpetuate misinformation.  The Academic Council needs flexibility in their scheduling because we do not know when or if the graduate student union will give notice to strike. And when or if they do - the UO President then declares a state of emergency - and the Academic Council needs to act fast to vote on the guidelines. And we assure the Senate that public notice and an opportunity to view the meeting will be announced.



Second, we have heard from several colleagues, including multiple Senators, who are concerned about the tone of the recent e-mail to the Senate's listserv. The negative tone of the e-mail sent to the listserv was not warranted and was intended to undermine our staff and the Academic Council's transparency.  We will not accept direct negative e-mails scolding our staff and making assumptions that they work in bad faith.



We remind everyone not to abuse our communication platform or scold our staff. Please help create an environment where everyone feels comfortable communicating their views and can debate essential issues with grace and a shared belief that everybody is trying their best to act in good faith and for the overall benefit of the University of Oregon.



At our next Senate meeting, we will re-affirm commitments to Senate decorum before discussing academic continuity.  As we look further ahead, there will be a formal debrief after the current negotiations are resolved.  We will then lead efforts to improve the academic continuity plan.



We are excited to move forward proactively.



Sincerely,



The University of Oregon Senate Leadership Team


Gerard Sandoval, Senate President
Alison Schmitke, Senate Vice-President and President-elect
Betina Lynn, Executive Coordinator
Sandy Weintraub, Senate Secretary


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