UNIVERSITY PARK – During its first meeting of the fall 2024 semester (Sept. 10), Penn State’s Faculty Senate held a discussion on academic freedom and free speech. The senate also heard an update from the Board of Trustees and a report on funding for the Daily Collegian.  

Free speech and academic freedom  

With the fall semester underway, associate general counsels Sarah Helmick and Tamla Lewis shared a presentation with the senate on freedom of speech and academic freedom. 

Bound by its commitment to freedom of expression, University policy and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Penn State is obligated to allow speakers on campus to express themselves freely. President Neeli Bendapudi recently published a video reminding the Penn State community of their rights to free speech and expression, and the University’s firm support of the First Amendment as a foundational pillar of higher education. 

“We can’t justify not allowing speakers to come to campus or censor them simply because we don’t like what they espouse,” Lewis told the senators.  Free speech, even speech with which we disagree or may find abhorrent and contrary to our personal or institutional values, is permitted under the law, she said.  

The attorneys also addressed academic freedom, which is a separate but companion concept to free speech. Penn State’s academic freedom policy (AC 64) permits faculty members to engage in their scholarly pursuits of teaching, research and related activities within their disciplines free from interference or obstruction. The policy also allows members of the University to express themselves as a citizen, outside of their professional roles, free from institutional censorship or discipline, with the expectation that individuals are mindful of accuracy, respectful of opinions of others, and not speaking on behalf of the University. 

One faculty senator asked how the University would respond if a student did not like or agree with what was being taught in class and began a petition to fire their instructor. Helmick said that while it would depend on the individual facts of the case, academic freedom protects faculty from being dismissed for discussing issues in his or her academic field, and which are relevant to the subject matter of instruction in their role as instructors. Academic freedom allows faculty to teach or publish findings within their areas of discipline without interference and protects their rights to speak freely when participating in institutional governance.  

Helmick indicated that the University would support its faculty in the performance of their academic duties, as Penn State is committed to firmly upholding the principles of academic freedom that ensure faculty can conduct research, express and challenge ideas, and engage in vigorous discourse without fear of reprisal.  Academic freedom also includes academic responsibility, and faculty members are responsible for presenting information fairly, for ensuring that the course of instruction relates to the subject matter, that justly divergent opinions that arise out of scholarly methods and professionalism are presented, and that students are encouraged to think for themselves and form their own opinions, according to the AC64 policy.  

A second faculty senator asked how the University assesses whether allowing certain speakers on campus will cause a significant disruption to education and/or present risk or danger to the University community.  

Lewis said a committee composed of general counsel, University Police and Public Safety, Strategic Communications, the Office of Physical Plant, Student Affairs and others across the University conducts an analysis of invited speakers to assess potential threats and disruptions to the University community. This must be based on recent evidence, not on speculation. 

However, if there is a reason for the government or a university to cancel a speech or event, the threat level must be high, according to Lewis, because the bar for banning speech under the Constitution is intentionally set high. 

Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Tracy Langkilde also mentioned that resources for those impacted by speech and the University’s position related to speakers on campus can be found on her office’s website.  

Board of Trustees update 

The Senate heard an update from Board of Trustees Chair Matthew Schuyler and Vice Chair David Kleppinger about the board’s goals for the academic year and recent governance changes.  

“We’ve had a great tradition, as part of our board cycle, of spending time with Faculty Senate leadership and hearing what is on your minds and what’s on the top of your agenda, and sharing what’s top of mind for the board,” Schuyler said. “Thank you for the dialogue that has been building over the time David (Kleppinger) and I have been trustees. It gives us context that is incredibly valuable for the discourse we have throughout our board meeting cycle and why we view opportunities like this to be so important.” 

Schuyler highlighted priorities for the board this year, including leveraging the new governance structure, which was voted upon during the board’s July meeting, as part of a broader effort to update its bylaws. The changes are expected to streamline decision making and align the board’s focus with Penn State’s strategic priorities and President Bendapudi’s vision for Penn State. One example, Schuyler said, is the establishment of a Committee on Research and Technology, dedicated to reflecting Penn State’s status as an R1 institution and elevating discourse around the research enterprise at the board level.  

Another part of those changes was the establishment of a nominating subcommittee to lead the trustee nomination, election and appointment process. As part of recent updates to its bylaws, the board revised the minimum number of nominations individual alumni trustee candidates need, lowering the number from 250 to 50. A qualification matrix will be developed to be approved by the board, to review nominated candidates and determine whether they meet qualifications to become a Penn State trustee. The nominating subcommittee includes representatives from all parts of the board, including alumni, agricultural societies, business and industry, gubernatorial appointees and the student trustee. 

“The task force that we established to look at our governance recommended we create a nominating committee whose job it would be to help navigate the various channels people can go through to become a trustee and to ensure consistency and deliberation around skills needed,” Schuyler said.  

In the face of institutional change and competitive pressures, Schuyler thanked Faculty Senate for its continued leadership in maintaining Penn State’s status as a premier research and teaching institution.  

Updates from University leadership 

President Bendapudi also thanked faculty for all the work they have put into preparing for this fall semester and shared updates with the senate on early enrollment numbers and Penn State’s economic impact on the commonwealth.  

While the full official enrollment picture won’t be available until mid-October, Bendapudi said Penn State received over 133,000 applications and has added more than 18,500 new Penn State students, across first-time undergraduates and transfer students at University Park, World Campus and the Commonwealth Campuses, in fall 2024.  

Bendapudi also reported the results of Penn State’s latest economic impact study soon to be released, which found that Penn State contributes more than $12 billion to the state’s economy. For every $1 in state appropriations received, Bendapudi said, Penn State returns $15.77 to the state’s economy and directly returns $1.71 in tax revenue. 

On a separate note, Provost Langkilde announced the selection of Hanover as an external partner, after a robust process including Faculty Senate, Grad Council and USAC leading to this recommendation. Hanover will help with the Academic Portfolio and Program Review (APPR) process in conducting data gathering and aiding in strategic decision making.  

“This will be useful data for us but there will need to be a process that then puts this information through a Penn State lens,” Langkilde said. “There also are internal teams working on what type of data is going to be collected, how it’s going to shared, and how it’s going to be used and communicated.” 

Langkilde also said she and Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses Margo DelliCarpini are closely monitoring services impacted by recent changes across the campuses and are deploying and adjusting positions, providing backups, approving backfills of vacant positions, and meeting gaps as they are identified. She encouraged anyone who has specific examples of where gaps exist or other concerns to contact her office. 

Committee reports     

Committees tasked with working in tandem with University leaders on various initiatives also reported on progress:     

• The Senate Committees on Curricular Affairs, Education and Intra-University Relations reported ongoing senate involvement in the Academic Portfolio and Program Review (APPR) process. This includes a faculty senate representative added as a co-chair, involvement with the RFP selection process, and broad representation on the other project teams.  

• Jim Strauss, teaching professor of biology and chair of the University Planning Committee, reported consultation with the administration on both the impact of the budget model on research and creative activity, as well as on implementation of the 2025-26 budget. He reported a positive exchange with Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Sara Thorndike and a meeting with the new leadership from the Office of Physical Plant to discuss building plans. 

• Admission, Records, Scheduling and Student Aid and Education reported continued regular meetings with Vice Provost for Online Education Renata Engel on the progress of implementing more blended learning programs. More information is expected to be shared with the senate later in the fall semester or early spring.  

• Education, Educational Equity and Campus Environment, and Student Life reported that the restructuring of the Faculty Affairs and Undergraduate Education offices has been completed. Penn State announced in July that Kathleen Bieschke was elevated to senior vice provost, overseeing the Office of Faculty Affairs and the Office of Undergraduate Education.  

• Educational Equity and Campus Environment reported no updates on the status of the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence position. 

• Faculty Benefits reported ongoing consultation with Human Resources on the status of health insurance benefits and retirement plans.  

• Faculty Affairs reported no updates on the status of non-tenure-line contracts at Commonwealth Campuses. 

Senate Business 

The Senate Outreach Committee presented an informational report on the changes of the University’s budgetary support for the Daily Collegian, a Penn State independent student-run news source. With the passage of the 2024-25 operating budget, the student-run news outlet no longer receives direct funding from the University. The Daily Collegian, along with other student-run news outlets, continues to receive University support through the Student News Consortium partnership with the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and Student Affairs. 

The report found that with $200,000 from student activity fees directed through the consortium, the Daily Collegian should be able to cover its expenses in the short term. But because of the challenges faced by the broader news media industry, the committee recommends the University continue to support the Daily Collegian through various means to increase students’ chances of landing jobs in a difficult industry.  

The next regular meeting of the Faculty Senate is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in 112 Kern Building on the University Park campus and on Zoom, and will be livestreamed via Teams. 

The senate also: 

• Passed a legislative report revising the recommendation process for Articulation Agreements (Senate Policy 06-20). The policy changes will be implemented upon procedural development. 

• Recognized three senators who recently retired and left the senate with distinguished records. Those former senators are Rob Shannon, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering; Ira Saltz, professor of economics at Penn State Shenango; and Rosemary Jolly, Edwin Erle Sparks Chair of Literature and Human Rights.  

• Heard a brief update from the Shared Governance Joint Task Force. The group has had three meetings since its inception and plans to use its next meeting to share the feedback collected thus far with stakeholders and with the full senate.  

About Faculty Senate   

Faculty Senate is a legislative body comprised of 200 faculty, elected by their peers from each college and campus. The senate also includes representatives from the undergraduate and graduate student body and University administration. The senate holds legislative authority on educational matters including curriculum, student policies, admissions, and retention/graduation requirements. The senate also serves as an advisory and consultative body to the University administration, a process referred to as shared governance.