David Brown | Staff Writer
Concerns about the future of general education courses, artificial intelligence and if meetings should be made better accessible by livestreaming were among the topics addressed by FIU’s Faculty Senate.
Held in the second floor of the MARC building on Oct. 13 the meeting focused on the broad academic and administrative issues shaping the current state of FIU.
Faculty raise concerns over curriculum, AI and labor negotiations
Faculty members raised concerns about the future of general education courses, including SIPA Senator and associate professor of sociology Matthew Marr, who questioned when Introduction to Sociology would return to the core curriculum and a pending review for Introduction to Anthropology by the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates.
In March 2026, the Florida Board of Governors voted to remove Introduction to Sociology from the state core general education requirements of all 12 public universities, reclassifying it solely as an elective for the 2026-2027 academic year. Similar courses in the University Core Curriculum that discusses race and gender, like anthropology are being targeted.
Matthew Marr, a SIPA senator, undergraduate program director for the Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies and associate professor of sociology asked the Provost office if similar circumstances that happened to sociology are expected to occur for anthropology.
Provost Elizabeth Bejar stated the concerns raised were from deficiencies in syllabus templates, including missing required information for the Florida Board of Governors. She added that the appropriate SIPA deans are currently addressing those issues.
“We received a notification from the Board of Governors that they were syllabi, numerous, I believe five out eight, that were outside the standard template required for the syllabus,” said Bejar.
Chatfield also reported that the ACFS was developing discussions with faculty across the State University System to establish how faculty should address AI in curriculum and higher education.
The ACFS formed working groups last year, including groups focused on curriculum and artificial intelligence.
A statement outlining the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in higher education is looking to be reached. The statement is being considered for endorsement by the full council before being circulated to faculty senates across Florida’s State University System.
During the discussion, faculty members raised questions about the proposed AI statement, including CASE Senator Martha Schoolman, who noted that it could provide clearer and more consistent guidance in areas where expectations have previously been loose or undefined.
“If the ACFS is issuing a policy on AI, why aren’t they seeking input rather than just saying, we’re announcing a statement,” Schoolman said.
Senate Questions accessibility of Faculty Senate Meetings
The Faculty Senate concluded its meeting after debating whether future sessions should be webcast publicly, limited to members of the FIU community or restricted solely to senators. Supporters of public access like CASE Senator Kenneth Furton argued that FIU should follow the transparency practices adopted by other faculty senates in the State University System.
“Our meetings are public, available for anyone to attend, no matter FIU affiliation or not,” Furton said.
He added that recorded meetings should not pose an issue because Faculty Senate sessions are already open to the public and any information can be obtained simply by attending, noting that a reporter from the Miami Herald, Austin Horn was currently covering the meeting.
“If anyone wants to get information, they can,” he said.
Chair Noel Barengo moved the senate into a vote. The motion to extend access to the FIU community passed, with the senate into a vote, whether it should extend to the community, passing in favor with 14 abstentions.
“There is a reporter from the Miami Herald, in this room, testifying this,” Furton said in reference to reporter Austin Horn, who was sitting next to him while covering the meeting.
The Faculty Senate’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 27.
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