At the request of Faculty Senate President Jyotika Saksena, “The Reflector” staff was removed from a Nov. 19 Faculty Senate meeting after attempting to cover its proceedings.
In the first paragraph of UIndy’s Faculty Constitution, it sets forth the following:
“The Board of Trustees, the Administration, the Faculty, the Staff and the Students are the five major constituencies that play significant roles in the functioning of the University of Indianapolis. Although the successful operation of the University depends upon the coordinated efforts of all five of these groups, each has its own particular functions, rights and responsibilities that differ from those of the others.”
Additionally, the constitution defines who is permitted to attend university meetings such as the Faculty Senate, and students are permitted to attend at senate leadership’s discretion. Members of staff sat outside proceedings and were approached by Saksena.
“Sorry we had to ask you to leave, but we have to first figure out if it’s unusual,” Saksena said. “We just have to follow policy, but we’ll figure out a way ….”
According to the Nov. 19 agenda, much of the senate’s discussion revolved around course and curriculum changes in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
On Nov. 20, “The Reflector” Editor-in-Chief Mia Lehmkuhl sent an email to the executive committee of the faculty senate. Saksena or the executive committee did not provide additional insight as to why “The Reflector” was asked to leave the room beyond Saksena stating students attending is not the norm. However, on Sept. 17, a “Reflector” staff writer attended a faculty senate meeting under the same circumstances and was not instructed to leave. Saksena said she regrets that the senate had to ask “The Reflector,” to leave. She also denied knowing of the staff member attending in September.
In addition to senate or university leadership having discretion over student attendance, the constitution states at any point during a meeting, it can be closed off to everyone other than ranked faculty members, defined as “any half-time or greater employee of the University who holds the academic title of Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, or Instructor in one or more degree-granting programs or units,” among others.
Saksena said it is clear the issue of access to Faculty Senate meetings is important to “The Reflector” staff and the broader UIndy community, adding that the Executive Committee of Faculty Senate will discuss a path forward.
Note: A list of university committee meetings can be found here.
