The current leadership and immediate past leadership of the University Senate continue to work toward open dialogue, conversation and collaboration on all matters of University-wide concern in our advisory capacity.

There is a great diversity of viewpoints among faculty, staff, students and postdocs on many issues, including many brought up in Omid Shekari’s letter, and not all issues are resolved to all members’ satisfaction every time. We would encourage all who are interested in shared governance to participate in the University Senate and note that Senate bylaws outline processes by which leadership elections are open to any faculty member. We wish to draw attention to a recommitment of shared governance principles passed by the Faculty Assembly in late 2022.

Affirmation of the Principles of Shared Governance

• In order to foster public discussion and debate, and individual participation, requisite to fulfillment of any community's life and purpose, the University Board of Trustees authorized the creation of the Senate in 1941.

• The Senate of the University of Pittsburgh is an official University body for shared governance. Through its various organs, it considers and makes recommendations concerning policies and other matters of University-wide concern. 

• The Senate fosters discussion and maintains adequate communication channels among students, staff, faculty, administrative officers, and the Board of Trustees on all matters affecting the welfare of the University or its constituent members. (See Bylaws of the University Senate)

• Recommendations from Senate bodies are made to the chancellor or other appropriate University officers on policy matters including (but not limited to): education; tenure; academic freedom; student affairs; physical plant (including expansions); substantive and procedural budgetary matters; health and welfare of the faculty, students, and staff; athletics; admissions; equity, diversity, inclusion and nondiscrimination; creation, termination or merger of schools or major academic divisions; creation or termination of major administrative units; the University-wide mission and plan; and other matters of university shared governance. While these recommendations are advisory in nature, they are most often arrived at through a transparent, constructive, and collaborative dialogue between the parties involved. (See About the University Senate)

• 11/30/2022 Revised and passed by Faculty Assembly; First drafted by volunteers from the Expanded Executive Committee, the Senate officers, and Faculty Assembly

Kris Kanthak, president of the University Senate

Robin Kear, immediate past president of the University Senate