The University Senate passed two resolutions and voted for new executive members at its meeting on Thursday.

Senate members want tenure to be restored for Kentucky Community and Technical College System faculty members and they want more Western faculty to be able to vote for faculty regent.

One resolution was in support of keeping tenure for KCTCS faculty and staff with multi-year contracts, said Vice Chair Denise Gravitt.

KCTCS abolished tenure and post-retirement healthcare benefits for all new faculty members on March 14, according to the resolution.

Even though Western isn’t part of KCTCS, it’s important for faculty to show that they don’t agree with the decision, Senate Chair Julie Shadoan said in March.

Another resolution that passed urges state legislators to redefine which faculty members can vote for faculty regent.

Gravitt said only assistant professors, full professors and associate professors can vote for faculty regent.

This means faculty such as instructors can’t vote, according to the resolution.

Gravitt said the senate wants any full-time faculty member to be able to vote for faculty regent.

She said the resolution is important because it shows that the senate thinks the law should be changed.

Gravitt said Western is a unique case because it’s the only four-year college in Kentucky that has a community college, but a lot of South Campus faculty aren’t allowed to vote for faculty regent.

The senate also voted for new executive members for next year.

ALIVE Center Director Paul Markham was elected as chair, Assistant Communication Professor Holly Payne was elected as vice chair and Heather Strode, an assistant professor of liberal arts and science, was elected as secretary.

Markham said he’s a first-term senator.

He said he’s looking forward to working with Western’s committed faculty next year.

“I recognize both the challenges and opportunities associated with being chair of the University Senate,” he said.

Markham said he’s qualified to be senate chair because he values listening and bringing people together for a common goal.

He wants to learn from senior faculty and previous senate chairs as well as look into new ways to connect faculty members, he said in an e-mail.

Markham said he plans to carry on Shadoan’s work.

He also said he wants to restore confidence in the senate and its role at Western.

Payne has served on the senate for three years.

She said she feels good about her election and is looking forward to the experience.

Payne also said she hopes the senate will have a strong voice next year in budgetary matters.

Strode couldn’t be reached for comment.