The Cornell Faculty Senate last week voted overwhelmingly to approve a resolution on animal dissection that affirms the right of faculty members to determine the content of their courses while applauding the practice of offering alternatives to dissection.
The senate also approved a resolution urging TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association) to make it easier for people to withdraw or transfer funds.
The language of the dissection resolution, offered by Peter Schwartz, professor of textiles and apparel, was crafted by the University Faculty Committee (UFC) after the senate, at its April 21 meeting, sent it to the UFC for rewriting. Some senators had called the earlier version ambiguous, while others criticized various statements in the resolution.
The resolution approved May 13 affirms a March 23 agreement reached between faculty, students and administrators after months of discussion to continue the use of alternatives to dissection in introductory biology courses, Schwartz said.
The resolution reads:
"Be it resolved, that the Faculty Senate affirms the right and responsibility of instructors to determine the content and conduct of their courses and scholarly activities, and
"Be it further resolved, that the Faculty Senate applauds the practice of offering alternatives to dissection in all instances where the instructors determine it is consistent with the educational goals of the course and commends the efforts of biology instructors to evaluate the relevant innovations in educational technology as they are brought to their attention."
A substitute motion offered by Richard Baer, professor of natural resources, was voted down. That resolution also affirmed the right of faculty members to determine the content of their courses. In addition, however, it contained language that recognized the "diverse religious and ideological beliefs" held in a university community and noted that "liberal societies generally try not to coerce the consciences of individuals more than is necessary to maintain a just public order and workable institutions"
Baer said he felt a need to "defer to the consciences of those who are deeply troubled by these practices."
TIAA currently allows transfers and withdrawals for retirees to occur only over a 10-year period, rather than immediately. TIAA has argued against immediate withdrawal on grounds that it might jeopardize TIAA's return on investment if the volume of transfers and withdrawals forced it to sell assets at a disadvantage.
Scott Maynes, professor emeritus of policy analysis and management, spoke on behalf of the resolution, urging a change in policy to permit immediate withdrawal. He noted that as TIAA is resistant to such a change, it might take several years and the cooperation of other universities. He suggested that Cornell should be a leader in this effort.
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