The Faculty Senate is charged with representing the faculty in the governance of the University. We take our role very seriously and stand ready to address areas of concern brought to us from our colleagues. Dialogue between the Senate and administrators occurs regularly and we take those opportunities to express the views of the faculty in a straightforward manner.

The section on the Governance of St. Mary´s University in The Faculty Handbook (1.6) is very enlightening and I would strongly recommend that every member of the faculty read and reflect upon the meaning and spirit of what is written. Each time I read the description of the Common Good in section 1.6.4, I am deeply moved by the powerful language and call to action.

"The common good itself, as understood in this document, is the set of institutional and personal conditions necessary to allow the University as a moral body to carry out its mission and its members as individuals to reach their fulfillment more deeply and more easily. The concern for the common good encompasses the life of all members of the University community and, in due proportion, that of the diverse publics the University serves."

The term "common good" has resurfaced in our culture, often in the sense of the "good for the majority. " But here at St. Mary´s, the "common good" calls us in our professional vocation to work for the good of "all. " We, as Faculty Senate members, accept our charge to care for the "persons" of our community and that includes faculty, staff and students with whom we share our daily lives. We are committed to seeking justice and ensuring that St. Mary´s continues to thrive as a Catholic and Marianist university.

We welcome your input and invite you to our monthly meetings which are posted on the St. Mary´s calendar.

Terri Boggess, Ph.D.
President