Faculty Senate Meeting May 8, 2025

Steven D. Brewer, of Biology, was re-elected as Presiding Officer of the Faculty Senate for AY25-26.

A Special Report of the Deputy Chancellor and the Campus Planning and Resources Committee (CPARC) regarding "Strategic Plan 2034: For the Common Good Objectives, Strategies, and Metrics" was delivered to the Senate by Deputy Chancellor Nandita Mani and Senior Associate Dean William Brown, CPARC Chair.

The Annual Report of the Athletic Council for AY 2023-2024 was received by the Senate.

The Annual Report of the Undergraduate Education Council for AY 2023-2024 was received by the Senate.

The Senate heard the third of three readings of the amended Bylaws, and accepted additional amendments. The Bylaw changes were approved by the Senate.

The following courses were approved by the Faculty Senate:

• COMPSCI 412
• GEOGRAPH 663
• HT-MGT 380
• MANAGMNT 357
• MARKETNG 438
• M&I-ENG 386H
• NURSING 424
• OIM 340
• POLISCI 788CI 
• SOCIOL 336

The following academic program proposals were approved by the Faculty Senate:

• the Creation of a Graduate Certificate in AI Engineering
• the Creation of a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Energy 
• the Creation of a Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Business
• the Creation of a Graduate Certificate in Public Interest Technology
• Revisions to the Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• Revisions to the PhD in Resource Economics
• Revisions to the PhD in Political Science
• Revisions to the PhD in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
• Revisions the Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
• Revisions to the Bachelor of Science in Managerial Economics
• Revisions to the Bachelor of Science in Statistics and Data Science 
• Revisions to the Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

The Faculty Senate approved the Guidelines on Unit Statements, as presented in Sen. Doc. No. 25-096.

The Faculty Senate approved the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee on Coordinating Academic Alliances (CCAA), as presented in Sen. Doc. No. 25-097.

The Faculty Senate approved the Resolution to Affirm the Essential Contributions of International Students, Faculty, and Staff to the Mission of the University and its Research & Creative Activity, as presented in Sen. Doc. No. 25-098.

The Faculty Senate approved the Resolution by Senator Sarah Patterson regarding Supporting Food Security and Community Service Initiatives Sponsored by the UMass Food Pantry and the Amherst Survival Center, as presented in Sen. Doc. No. 25-099.

The Faculty Senate referred the Resolution by Senator Gonen Dori-Hacohen regarding Solving the Hunger Problem, as presented in Sen. Doc. No. 25-100 to the University Relations Council.

The Faculty Senate approved the Nominations to Faculty Senate Councils and Committees, as presented in Sen. Doc. 25-101.