Dr. Matthew Hudnall teaches management information systems in the Culverhouse College of Business. He is highly active in interdisciplinary funded research, serving as principal investigator/co-principal investigator on more than 70 grants totaling over $40 million in combined funding since 2014. In his over 22 years of service at UA, Dr. Hudnall has taken on many roles, including graduate student, staff member, tenured faculty and now a parent to a UA student.
What were some of the highlights from the senate last year?
The prior year’s senate was actively involved in many areas, including General Education reform, Faculty Handbook revisions and expanded childcare. Senate committees focused on student mental health initiatives, REACH program support, legislative receptions, Brewer Porch support, funded research review, DEI expanded efforts and many other areas that impact not only faculty but staff and students as well.
What are some of the senate’s goals and major projects for the 2023-2024 year?
A new childcare facility that meets the growing needs of UA for faculty, staff and students is the highest priority of this year’s senate. Additionally, we will be addressing continued improvements to the Faculty Handbook and a significant focus on improvements to Institutional Review Board processes and procedures based on faculty feedback.
Our ongoing commitments to support the REACH program, legislative receptions and the Brewer Porch facility will continue. We also aim to increase faculty involvement in graduation ceremonies and optimize the senate’s Karen Steckol Academic Regalia Loan program.
How can fellow faculty members get involved or stay informed about the Faculty Senate?
Faculty Senate works with the UA administration in a shared-governance partnership to address the needs and concerns of faculty. Each year, there are opportunities within every college for faculty to run for Senate seats. These service roles are both involved and highly impactful as Senate input helps mold policies and decisions at all levels.
Senate monthly meetings during the academic year are open to the public and are generally held on the third Tuesday of each month. Faculty can review our website, which also has our meeting calendar. The best way for faculty who are not senators to have the Senate address their concerns is for faculty to reach out to the senators within their college or to contact one of our nine standing committees that focus on a variety of faculty areas.
What was the biggest lesson the senate learned from the past year that will continue to make an impact on the body and how it conducts business?
The system office personnel that advocate for UA and all system campuses are vital partners in addressing legislative concerns. We will continue to engage with them moving forward so that we are both on top of evolving legislative matters and we are able to convey our suggestions and concerns appropriately.
Contact
Jennifer Brady, UA Strategic Communications, jennifer.brady@ua.edu