FAMU Faculty Senate has elected a new president, Narayan Persaud, chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.“I am humbled by the election,” said Persaud. “We need to bring our campus back to a unified force because in this trialing time, we need the support of everybody with nobody excluded.”
In addition, Dreamal Worthen, professor in the College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture, was elected as vice president.
As Faculty Senate vice president, Worthen will be responsible for assisting Persaud in carrying out the policies, initiatives and directives of the Senate.
Persaud and Worthen will begin their post on July 1, 2011.
“I am elated,” said Worthen. “This gives me a sense of trust. I’ve been down this road before, and I am excited to be able to help a new president in terms of facing a lot of the challenges we are facing here in the state of Florida, higher education in particular.”
The Faculty Senate is the highest legislative body within FAMU, and advises the president on academic matters and other concerns affecting more than one school or college. The Faculty Senate considers, legislates and advises on all matters of general University interest.
The Faculty Senate is the supreme legislative body on internal policy and other matters within the university and is the principal advisory body to the president on all matters external to the university.
Faculty Senators are elected annually for two-year staggered terms in March of each year by the faculty of each college or school including the Environmental Sciences Institute. New senators take office at the initial fall meeting of the Faculty Senate. In addition, various members of the university administration may be ex-officio members, and the Student Government Association elects two student members. The Faculty Senate elects its officers, sets its own rules of procedure, and establishes committees to perform Senate functions.