The UW-Madison Faculty Senate heard a presentation from the Associated Students of Madison University Affairs Committee Monday regarding how it can aid the committee’s campaign for textbook affordability.
University Affairs presenters focused on what Faculty Senate members and their departments could do to aid the textbook buying process, especially when it comes to providing students with information on the necessary books for their courses.
The main focus was to ask Senate members to speak with their departments about providing students with a list of necessary class materials at least two to three weeks prior to the start of instruction. ASM presenters proposed this would allow students ample time to find the best prices on materials, wait for shipping and exchange books with other students.
In addition, the presenters noted the University Book Store pays students an average of about $34 for adopted textbooks, as opposed to about $13 for books that are not officially adopted, but may be used the next semester.
Citing the 27,804 books bought back last semester, University Affairs members proposed the measure could save students large amounts of money.
In addition to hearing from ASM committee members, the Faculty Senate also passed a measure discussed in a previous meeting regarding hostile and intimidating behavior between faculty members.
University Committee Chair Jo Ellen Fair presented a final version of the measure, which provides faculty with a way to document instances of intimidating behavior from other faculty members that could affect their reputation or work within the university.
Fair said the proposal “carefully safeguards free speech and the high value we put on academic freedom.”
Faculty Senate members also voted to remove specific language from the university’s Diversity Framework that was passed in May and used words such as “controversial” to discuss the “concept of diversity and its implementation.”
The removed wording also mentioned discussing “the pros and cons of the concept and its implementation.” Faculty Senate members voiced concern over this wording, saying it could come across as insensitive toward diversity on campus.
The Faculty Senate will hold its next meeting Dec. 1.
