Being a staff representative in the Academic Senate

USI's Academic Senate also includes representatives of the University's administrative staff, i.e. the part of the staff that includes employees of the administrative, library, technical and auxiliary services, or staff. We present the experience of Stefano Tardini, head of USI's eLab - eLearning Lab and administrative staff member.

What has been your experience in the Senate? 

My experience in the Senate over the past few years has been, first and foremost, an experience of growth. I have been a member of the Senate since its first term: I ran for office mainly out of curiosity to be part of this new board of USI, which I have seen grow along with USI itself. Established as USI's central body to strengthen the cohesion within the University through the involvement of all its parts, the Senate has acquired more responsibilities over time. It has come to define and specify more and more its sphere of action, its role within USI, and its functions and tasks. I hope to have also played my part in its growth.  

Why is it important to take part in the Academic Senate? Why run for office?

In my opinion, it is important to apply and take part in the Senate for several reasons:

• to be at the core of what happens at USI: being part of the Senate allows members to be fully involved and to have a full view of the life of USI, to bring the issues they care about to the forefront and to bring their input to ongoing discussions;
• to give a voice to the staff of the administrative services, to promote greater balance between the different bodies of USI and greater cohesion between them
• to contribute to the growth of USI, primarily through participation in the activities of Senate committees.

What does the role of a senator entail?

The senator's role entails, first and foremost, attending the Senate sessions (typically, four ordinary sessions per year plus some extraordinary sessions according to the urgencies that arise) with the related work of studying the material in preparation for the items on the agenda.

Since, however, the Senate's work is increasingly being structured into committees, it is important that the staff representatives also participate in the work of these committees, where they can delve into the key issues tackled by them (e.g. the culture of quality at USI, the reorganisation of USI's legal bases, the reform of the Senate itself).