Three distinguished faculty members from diverse fields will soon join the executive committee of the University of Michigan’s central faculty governance. The Senate Assembly conducted an electronic vote from March 23-26, selecting these members for the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA). This strategic addition includes experts from medicine, engineering, and research science, promising to enhance U-M’s commitment to shared governance and academic freedom.
New SACUA Members
- Steven Buchman, M. Haskell Newman Collegiate Professor of Plastic Surgery, professor of surgery, and professor of neurosurgery, Medical School.
- Kim Kearfott, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, College of Engineering; professor of radiology, Medical School; and professor of biomedical engineering, College of Engineering and Medical School.
- Michael Schubnell, research scientist, physics, LSA.
These newly elected members will begin their three-year tenure on May 1, succeeding outgoing SACUA members whose terms end on April 30.
During the Senate Assembly meeting, Buchman voiced concerns about the shift away from shared governance within the university, emphasizing the need for stronger faculty rights and transparent reform. He cited the late Congressman John Lewis, expressing a commitment to “get in good trouble” for necessary change.
Kearfott, a previous SACUA chair, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the protection of academic freedom as central to U-M’s strength. She pledged to uphold shared governance and ensure transparency and accountability amid external pressures.
Schubnell focused on defending academic freedom against external political influences and the rapid emergence of generative AI. He stressed the need for faculty involvement in creating adaptive AI policies that balance innovation with ethical considerations.
Other Candidates
- Germine “Gigi” Awad, University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, professor of psychology, and of women’s and gender studies, and associate director, Global Islamic Studies, LSA.
- Sun-Yung Bak, clinical associate professor of dentistry, School of Dentistry.
- James Gulvas, senior associate librarian, Library Collections, University Library.
- Niko Kaciroti, research scientist, pediatrics, Medical School; and research scientist, biostatistics, School of Public Health.
- Mukesh Nyati, professor of radiation oncology, Medical School.
- Merle Rosenzweig, librarian, Health Sciences, University Library.
- Maria Silveira, associate professor of internal medicine, and adult hospice and palliative medicine research co-director, Medical School.
- Lauren B. Smith, clinical professor of pathology, Medical School.
SACUA serves as the nine-member executive branch within U-M’s central faculty governance, which includes the Senate Assembly and the full Faculty Senate.
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