Faculty council looks to future

The Bloomington Faculty Council will meet today for the first time this school year under new leadership. \nEach spring, a new BFC president is elected from a group of council members to serve as president for two years. Earlier this year, David Daleke, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, was selected to replace previous president Robert Eno.\nDuring Eno's term, the BFC established new bylaws for the conflict of interest committee, approved mandatory on-campus housing for students during their first year, worked with PeopleSoft and abolished the GradPact program.\nDaleke said he plans to continue working with PeopleSoft and with two program reorganizations -- the merger of Computer Science with the School of Informatics and the reorganization of the School of Continuing Studies. The BFC will also discuss a number of educational policies and general education requirements. \nBoth old business and future issues will be brought to the attention of the council today.\nWork has already begun among agenda committee members to refine the direction of the committees for the coming year, Daleke said. \nDaleke, who received both a B.S. and Ph.D from Stanford University, said he is excited to work with the faculty and committees this year.\n"One thing about faculty governance is that we're all volunteers," Daleke said. "Every year I am impressed with the amount of energy that the faculty put into this effort. It's a huge effort and there's a lot of work to be done."\nAlso important to Daleke is the student representation present in the council. He said he is looking forward to working with the IU Student Association to give the students a voice.\nThe administration and faculty said they are equally excited to begin working with Daleke.\n"The BFC has a long history of superb presidents, and they contribute a great deal to the University," said IU-Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm. Brehm is the BFC's presiding officer.\nShe will have served on the council with three different presidents: Jim Sherman, Eno and Daleke.\n"Eno was an outstanding president for two years and helped me learn the University," Brehm said. "And now David Daleke is off to a very fast start and will, I'm sure, be extremely effective."\nBFC Secretary William Wheeler said he is also hopeful for the coming year.\n"I think Professor Daleke will do an outstanding job as BFC President," he said. "I have been very impressed with his preparations for this year. He is well-organized, articulate, personable and very bright."\nDespite these qualities, Daleke said he still looks to Eno for direction.\n"Eno had encouraged me to run for this office, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for Bob," he said. "As all of the past presidents have, I think he advanced the BFC. I only hope that I can live up to some of the work that Bob has already started. I hope to not only continue what he's done but to advance it further."\n-- Contact staff writer Jackie Walker at jacwalk@indiana.edu.