GATHMAN ELECTED CHAIR OF FACULTY SENATE

Allen Gathman, associate professor of biology, has been elected chairman of the Faculty Senate at Southeast Missouri State University.

Ronald Clayton, assistant professor of art, has been elected vice chairman. Gathman replaced former Chairperson Alberta Dougan.

"I am pleased that my colleagues have put their trust in me," Gathman said. "I plan to do my best and to learn what faculty members want and to be an advocate for the Faculty Senate to the administration."

Gathman said issues facing the Senate in the year ahead include faculty salaries and discussion of findings of a task force assigned to study a proposal to eliminate textbook rental services.

The Senate also will spearhead a "get out and vote" campaign next fall if a version of Senate Bill 353 is approved by the Missouri House, Gathman said. The bill calls for reforms and a tax increase to provide more money for education. The measure would require statewide voter approval.

Established in 1966, the Faculty Senate is the official representative body of the faculty. The Senate makes formal recommendations for new academic policies and changes in existing policies. It also reviews, develops and makes recommendations to the university president and the Board of Regents all matters of concern to the university community.

Gathman has been a Southeast faculty member for six years and has served on the Faculty Senate during the past year. He earned a doctorate degree in 1983 and a master's degree in 1977, both in genetics from the University of Arizona at Tucson. He also earned his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Arizona in 1977.