University Times

Hershey, Hughes to run for presidency of Senate

This year's election for University Senate president pits incumbent Nathan Hershey against Sean Hughes. The two men have a fair amount in common.

Both are longtime Pitt faculty members. Hughes, an associate professor in the School of Education, came here in 1969. Hershey, who joined the faculty in 1956, is a professor of health services administration in the Graduate School of Public Health with a joint appointment in the business school.

Each boasts a long list of Senate credits, including service on Senate Council, Faculty Assembly and various committees.

They're both quotable and can be scathingly critical of Pitt administrators and trustees, but both argue for closer cooperation with those groups.

Even Hughes — who was asked by the Senate nominating committee to run against Hershey, and acknowledged that he faces an uphill campaign against an incumbent — said the Senate would get along fine if Hershey outpolls him.

"I think Nate has done a good job and would continue to do a good job," Hughes said.

Hershey, in a statement that accompanies Senate election ballots, said the presidency has been "a rewarding activity" for him.

"Although the president of the University Senate has no actual power with regard to anything, the position provides the opportunity to influence, to a modest extent, individuals in the administrative hierarchy who are willing to listen, concerning the University's policies and actions and to direct them, through suggestions, to particular issues and subjects that need attention."

Hughes, in his position statement, said the Pitt community must pull together in setting and attaining the institution's mission and goals. "There will be and, indeed, there should be tension between and among the various parties…. However, the energy should be directed toward areas of agreement," he wrote. "This action, along with the commitment to collaborate in a civil milieu and to address and resolve those differences which divide us is an essential element in the nature of 'university.'…Disagreements need not be a 'cause of war' but, rather, an opportunity for dialogue."

For Senate vice president, incumbent Debora A. Rougeux, University Library System (ULS), is running against former vice president Carol K. Redmond, public health.

Candidates for secretary are Arlene Caggiula, public health, and Marianne Kasica, ULS.

Ballots, mailed to faculty this week, include candidates for Faculty Assembly. Ballots should be returned to the University Senate office, 1234 CL, by April 21.

— Bruce Steele