Faculty Senate reaches out to students

By Justin Katz | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Flagler College’s Faculty Senate and Student Government Association (SGA) teamed up in a new effort designed to better reach out to students with a recent question and answer session.

Students presented Senate Chair Barbara Blonder and Vice Chair Allison Roberts with questions throughout the session, ranging from possible policy proposals to the functionality of the Senate.

When asked what can students expect from the Faculty Senate, Roberts replied, “Meetings are once a month, and are open to everyone. The senators are all elected by their colleagues.” She continued by explaining that some of the proposals made will go on to be presented to the Board of Trustees or President William T. Abare. “The purpose of the Faculty Senate is to give a voice to the faculty about what is happening academically around campus, and that is a voice we didn’t have a few years ago,” she said.

Blonder was asked how students can get involved with the Faculty Senate: “Students bring proposals to the proper committee and encourage a resolution … Every committee has a student representative, and insight on student life is always welcomed,” she said.

The session was attended by students, as well as members of SGA. “The [SGA] president wanted to give students the opportunity to learn more about the Faculty Senate by giving them an hour to get one-on-one time with a couple Faculty Senate leaders,” said David Arreola, SGA Treasurer. “I thoroughly enjoyed the event, Professor Blonder and Professor Roberts are inspiring leaders and gave me some ideas to think about.”

Faculty Senate meetings take place at 3:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month, and the agenda is sent out via e-mail on the Monday before it.