Princeton Weekly Bulletin May 3, 1999
CPUC: forum on University issues
By Caroline Moseley
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Provost Jeremiah Ostriker (r), Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel and Vice President for Finance and Administration Richard Spies respond to questions at the April 14 meeting of the CPUC. (photo by Denise Applewhite) |
That's how Professor of History Daniel Rodgers describes the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC), of which he is currently a member.
Janet Makuchowski, secretary in Romance Languages and Literatures, sees the CPUC as "a place to take questions, suggestions and issues that are of a University-wide nature -- rather than individual issues that would be handled through the ombudsperson, for instance. It brings together diverse segments of the University as one body, to listen and respond to each other."
An office staff representative to the group, she says that being on the CPUC "has made me aware of how many different outlooks must be taken into consideration before a final decision is made on any issue. I've always been curious about how decisions were made and implemented. It has been interesting actually watching the process." She has also enjoyed feeling "a part of the large PU community. I want my work to be more than 8:45 to 5:00."
"The CPUC is valuable because it works," states Amanda Teo '99, a student representative to the group. In CPUC meetings, whether dealing with "the diversification of the campus community, the curriculum, the state of teaching and learning here, the policy toward licensees -- all members of the campus community have contributed enthusiasm, interest and invaluable insights."
And, Teo believes, "The fact that the President seeks advice and recommendations from the council suggests that better decisions are really made on a collaborative basis."
Investigate, recommend
The creation of the CPUC was proposed in May 1969 by the Special Committee on the Structure of the University, chaired by Professor of Politics Stanley Kelley (now emeritus). The council first met in October 1969.
The CPUC charter gives the group authority to "consider and investigate any question of University policy, any aspect of the governing of the university, and any general issue related to the welfare of the University; and to make recommendations regarding any such matters to the appropriate decision-making bodies ... or to the appropriate officers of the University."
Membership includes six senior officers of the University, 15 faculty members, 12 undergraduates, seven graduate students, four alumni and five staff members. The staff representation must include one member each from the professional library staff, administrative staff, professional research staff, professional technical staff and office staff.
Meetings, held once a month from October through May, are presided over by President Shapiro.
Sounding board
Ann Halliday, associate secretary of the University and ex officio secretary of the CPUC, points out that the CPUC has an important "sounding board function." For example, "There has been a continuing discussion with Vice President for Public Affairs Robert Durkee about steps the University might take to assure that University licensees do not use sweatshops. Council discussions have included presentations by interested students and by faculty whose scholarly work can cast light on the issue."
She notes also that much of the council's work is carried on by its standing committees: the Executive Committee, Committee on Rights and Rules, Committee on Governance, Committee on Priorities, Committee on Resources and Judicial Committee. The Priorities Committee, for example, "reports to the council throughout the fall on budget projections and their thinking with respect to requests received for budget increases. The Rights and Rules Committee is continuing a process begun last year to update Rights, Rules, Responsibilities with respect to use of University computer and information technology resources by members of the University community."
Other recent agenda topics have included programming in the Frist Campus Center; a report from the Faculty Admission Study Group; the work of the Trustee Long-range Planning Committee; campus parking; and a resolution urging greater student input in decisions about construction of new facilities or renovation of existing ones.
Halliday notes that, while the Executive Committee sets the agenda for council meetings, "Members of the council are happy to accept proposals from their various constituencies for agenda items to take to the Executive Committee."
Respect for all groups
Susan Murphy-Lamarche, deputy director of human resources at the Plasma Physics Lab, is a an administrative staff representative to the council. She encourages fellow staff members to contact her about issues of concern. "Having been elected by the administrative staff," she says, "I have a responsibility to represent them."
She adds, "As a member of the CPUC I've learned so much about the University. I have an enormous amount of respect for all groups on the council and continue to be impressed with the way they present and solve problems."
According to Murphy-LaMarche, CPUC meetings are "a great way to bring things to the forefront without waiting for blowups. Where else do the administration, students and faculty get to talk to each other?"
And Rodgers observes, "At its best, the CPUC shows students, administration, staff and faculty really trying to work things out, trying to listen to each other." He points to the recent discussion of the sweatshop issue. "The CPUC has provided a place," he says, "where the University and concerned students can talk seriously across differences, but with intelligent civility."
Information on the CPUC, including membership and dates of meetings -- all of which are open to all members of the University community -- is available at http://webware.princeton.edu/CPUC.