UC hears Commission update

University President Judith Rodin and Provost Stanley Chodorow probably felt a little clairvoyant at yesterday's University Council meeting. In their opening reports, each anticipated many issues that would later be raised by Microbiology Professor Helen Davies as part of the Committee on Pluralism's continuing effort to track the implementation of recommendations made last year by the Commission on Strengthening the Community. Rodin spoke about the release of the Coopers & Lybrand administrative restructuring report earlier this week, said that planning for a campus center will finally "move aggressively forward," and reported on dean searches that were successfully concluded over the past few months. Chodorow brought the Council up to date on the University's progress in implementing an "arm's length" arrangement for its Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, and said he is pleased that the Provost's Council on Undergraduate Education has begun work on the 21st Century Project for Undergraduate Education. Chodorow added that deanship reviews will begin in about two months for Law School Dean Colin Diver, School of Dental Medicine Dean Raymond Fonesca and Annenberg School for Communication Dean Kathleen Hall Jamieson. The University should also be closer to having a new deputy provost at the end of the month, when the search committee appointed by Chodorow submits a list of candidates for the post to him. Search committees -- and their composition -- proved to be a topic of prime importance at yesterday's Council meeting. When Undergraduate Assembly member Dan Schorr, a College senior, asked Chodorow why there were no students on the deputy provost search committee, Chodorow said he was unsure whether such an appointment would be appropriate. And sixth-year Medical student Erick Santos, Representative to Council for the Medical School Student Government, asked Chodorow to look into Medical School Dean William Kelley's decision not to appoint a search committee to find a new Vice Dean of Education for the Medical School. Council Moderator Will Harris, an associate professor of Political Science, then turned the floor over to Davies. She said the Committee on Pluralism is "very pleased" with the University administration's efforts to implement Commission recommendations, citing the revamped Code of Student Conduct and increased involvement of faculty in campus life through courses offered in residences as examples of progress. Council next debated the proposed Student Judicial Charter and Code of Academic Integrity, aiming to resolve ambiguities in the appeal and sentencing processes they advocate. Before adjourning, Council also received updates from the Committee on Communications -- which endorsed the merger of Almanac and Compass, the Committee on Safety and Security, and Undergraduate Assembly member Lance Rogers, a College junior, who briefed Council on the activities of Ivy Council this semester.

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