10 Questions with incoming Faculty Senate President Andrew Valls, professor of political science in the School of Public Policy. Valls focuses on political theory, especially theories of justice and democracy, domestic and global inequality, race and ethnicity and environmental political theory.
What makes you passionate about higher education?
I find the process of discovering new ideas and generating insights to be exhilarating. No single theory or perspective ever captures all of our data or intuitions, and I love living with the discomfort and tension that this creates. But I’m also passionate about the role of higher education in a democratic society and its capacity to promote equality of opportunity. Teaching at a land grant university, whose mission is to make higher education available to all, is a perfect fit for me.
What originally brought you to Oregon State and how long have you been here?
I came to Oregon State from Morehouse College in 2003, so I guess that means I’ve been here for over 20 years. My experiences at Morehouse, a historically black college for men, were decisive for me both personally and professionally, but I wanted to be at an institution where I could do more research.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a part of the OSU Faculty Senate?
If I had to pick one thing, I think it would be the opportunity to help solve problems. As part of the Faculty Senate leadership, you get to work with lots of terrific people, both in the administration and faculty colleagues. The university exists in a very dynamic environment, so things are in flux all the time, both inside and outside the institution. We often find that something that used to work well doesn’t anymore, or that a change in one practice has unintended consequences that then lead to a need for further changes. I love being in the room with all of the stakeholders and decisionmakers represented, and hammering out a solution together.
What advice would you give the younger version of yourself who was just starting college?
Be humble.
How does the work of the Faculty Senate impact the broader OSU community?
Where to begin? The Faculty Senate is responsible for the curriculum, for all the academic regulations and much else. It is the main conduit of communication between the university faculty and the administration. The administration keeps the faculty informed about what it is doing through the Faculty Senate, and faculty members can question administrators at its meetings and express their views. As a shared governance partner with the administration, the Faculty Senate ensures that the faculty has a say in all important matters affecting the university.
How does your work as a professor of political science tie in with your work on the senate?
Among the things that political scientists study are processes and institutions. Procedural rules help determine outcomes, and outcomes are more legitimate — and more likely to be equitable — if processes are fair. While I certainly have my own views on many matters that come before the senate, I see my main role as president as ensuring that all views are heard and that our processes are fair and transparent.
What was your favorite course in college?
Do I have to pick just one? I received a terrific education at the University of Wisconsin. I took many courses in philosophy and political science from giants in their respective fields. But if I must pick one, then I think I would have to say it was the two-semester sequence that I took on constitutional law. It convinced me to add political science as a second major, which in turn led me to apply to political science graduate programs.
How do external shifts in the higher education landscape, including at the state and federal level, affect the work of the Faculty Senate?
In so many ways. OSU is a creation of the State of Oregon, and we are subject to its laws and budgetary decisions, as well as to federal law and federally authorized accrediting agencies. More broadly, policies and practices at OSU often follow national trends in higher education, and all of this affects the Faculty Senate. For example, the new Core Education Curriculum, which will replace the Bacc Core starting next year, is in many ways very innovative, but it also reflects national concerns about the relevance of higher education for career preparedness. In bolstering the requirements for Difference, Power and Oppression, it also takes a stand on a set of issues that have become highly politicized. In all of this, the work of the Faculty Senate both reflects and engages national trends and debates.
What are some of the biggest challenges you see facing the senate in the coming year?
The successful rollout of the new Core Ed curriculum is the first thing that comes to mind. Many of our colleagues across campus are working tirelessly to ensure that students entering in the fall will have a robust set of courses that they can take to satisfy the new set of requirements. But there are other challenges as well. The Faculty Senate is currently operating under the same set of bylaws that have governed it since 1964, with only incremental changes. I think we need to take a fresh look at how the Faculty Senate functions. I have only one year as president, but I would very much like to work with other partners and stakeholders to make some progress on reform of the senate to make it more efficient and effective.
What is your favorite non-academic pursuit or passion?
My main hobbies are cycling and photography. I am not particularly good at either of them, but I enjoy them nonetheless.
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