Senate Elections(2026-2027): Voter Information
This webpage is set up to help those voting in a Senate election get more information about Senate run elections and the candidates running for the given position(s). Recent election results will also be added to the bottom of the page.
President Candidates: |
Candidate Statements: |
| Robert Hutchinson |
It has been my honor and privilege to represent the faculty and professional staff
as president of the senate these past three years. I will continue to focus on our
"A-list" mission of setting academic, instructional, and curricular policy, respecting
everyone's time and understanding that we all have primary responsibilities outside
of senate meetings. With this always in mind, I am happy to continue serving under
the same motto on which originally elected: "make senate boring again". Regardless
of how you vote, I am grateful for three wonderful years as your president!
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| Holly Hassel |
I have spent nearly fifteen years doing shared governance work — as Senate Steering
Chair (equivalent to Senate President) during the University of Wisconsin system's
restructuring (redistribution of 13 campuses to 7 four-year institutions), as a decade-long senator and faculty representative in the UW system, as Chair of the General Education Committee
and senator at NDSU, and as co-author of A Faculty Guidebook for Effective Shared Governance and Service in Higher Education. I am running for Senate President because I would like to bring this knowledge
and experience to governance at Michigan Tech in this current moment of moving the
institution forward in several key areas. At MTU, I have developed a record of service
as at-large senator and senate Secretary and as co-chair of the AI Working Group.
In addition, I have collaborated with AIPC, Academic Integrity Officer Rob Bishop,
and university administration to update Academic Integrity Policy 109.01; I serve
on the Essential Education Steering Committee and previously served on the PhD 100
Working Group; and as secretary, I advocated to restore the publication of Executive
Committee minutes to the public Senate website. As Director of First-Year Writing
since my hire, I have developed a broad working knowledge of the institution across
colleges and units over the last three years
My priorities for the coming year would be the following:
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| Paul Bergstrom | My greetings to you all. I was nominated for the role of University Senate President,
and I have accepted the nomination for several reasons. First, I seek the role to
encourage transparent and engaged decision making that is not driven by fear nor by
an unwillingness to change. I want to encourage the institution to stand on the primary
mission of higher education, to develop understanding and knowledge and to train the
next generation of scholars. We must communicate what is true, even if there is risk
to it. Second, in Michigan Tech’s shared governance framework, the University Senate has primary responsibility for policies that support academics and instruction, and to support an effective research endeavor. In our current circumstances, the University Senate needs to strengthen its primary role moving forward to address and frame decisions that must be made by the university. The university needs an administration committed to transparency of action and a University Senate that is committed to transparent methodology in decision making. This may mean revisiting Senate policies and procedures to operate more efficiently, to communicate more effectively, to challenge where necessary, and visibly support decisions made through effective shared governance. The University Senate President has a primary role to encourage enhancements in our practices, and needs to be a primary voice in communicating these points to the whole university. |
Vice President Candidates: |
Candidate Statements: |
| Patrice (Patty) Cobin | I am the Assistant Director of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum, where I have worked
for over seven years. For five of those years, I have served on the University Senate.
During that time, I co-chaired and then chaired the Fringe Benefits Committee and
served on the University Task Force on Safety Protocols. Currently, I represent the
Senate on the Benefits Advisory Committee, and this year I had the honor of being
elected to serve as the Senate's Vice President. Next year, as I wrap up my second
term as a Senator, I hope to once again advocate, as the Senate's Vice President,
for my colleagues across the University. As a graduate of Michigan Tech and a member
of a non-academic unit, I feel I have a unique voice and perspective to support the
Senate in advancing the University’s mission. If entrusted again, I would keep promoting
transparency and shared governance and voicing your ideas and concerns. I would identify
additional ways to smooth Senate processes, as I did with the development of a more
efficient way to take meeting attendance, and my efforts with the Professional Staff
Policy Committee to create a standard way of updating the organization of Senators
each year, as departments and units change. While using our Senate meetings efficiently should be our goal, we also need to create a consistent space to have vibrant and important discussions that fulfil the duties of the Senate. And it is these charges, debates and working alongside so many wonderful people that have kept me involved in the University Senate all this time and looking forward to the work of next year. |
| Chad Arney | My connection to the university is long-standing. I am a two-time alum, and over the past 26 years, I have had the privilege of serving the university in a variety of capacities. Currently, I serve as an Associate Registrar, a role that keeps me engaged with core functions of the university. In the Senate, this marks the end of my third year representing the Academic Services A unit. These experiences have provided me with a fairly comprehensive understanding of the institution's operations, its culture, and the challenges and opportunities facing our staff and faculty. If elected as Vice President, I believe I am well positioned to take on this challenge and contribute to the continued strength and success of the Senate’s role in shared governance at the university. |
Secretary Candidates: |
Candidate Statement: |
| Stephen Morse | I am pleased to accept my nomination for the position of University Senate Secretary. I believe effective shared governance depends on clear communication, accurate documentation, and a commitment to transparency—core responsibilities of this role. I have strong organizational and communication skills allowing me to serve effectively as Secretary. I understand the importance of maintaining accurate Senate proceedings records, ensuring timely dissemination of information, and supporting the Senate’s work in a way that is efficient and accessible to faculty and stakeholders. I value the role of the University Senate in shaping academic policy, representing faculty perspectives, and fostering a collaborative academic community. |
Previous Election Results
Senate Officers Election Results
President: Robert Hutchinson
Vice President: Patrice (Patty) Cobin
Secretary: Holly Hassel