By Shariyah Bass
Changes to faculty leadership, new UNC System syllabus regulations and proposed Student Government Association legislation were discussed on Jan. 14, 2026.
During announcements, Faculty Senate Chair Lamphere said she plans to step down from her position. Meeting attendees also discussed upcoming UNC System regulations that will affect faculty members beginning in the fall semester.
Under the new regulations, course syllabi will become public information and will be posted in searchable databases accessible to the public across the UNC System. Syllabi will also be shortened to approximately two to four pages, though specific formatting guidelines have not yet been determined.
When talking about these changes, Lamphere urged students to be outspoken on the effects that new policies will have on their academic life.
“Never forget how powerful your voices are,” Lamphere said. “They can implement these policies, but if the syllabus changes hurt you, it means more when you say, ‘This is hurting us.’ That’s how more gets done.”
Lamphere’s remarks aimed at highlighting the role of students in making decisions in the institution and in getting students to raise their voices when the new syllabus regulations adversely impact on their learning.
The Government Operations Committee said it will hold elections on Jan. 19, 2026.
Two pieces of legislation were introduced during the meeting. The first, the Griffon Mandatory Act, would require each committee chair to host one mandatory event during the academic year. The bill prohibits mandatory events during finals week and states that any event not communicated to members at least two weeks in advance cannot be considered mandatory. It also limits who has the authority to designate events as mandatory.
The proposal received varied responses from senators, with some members raising questions and expressing disagreement over how mandatory attendance would be enforced.
The second proposal, the José Ortiz Act, would require faculty, staff and academic leaders to complete Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training. The training aims to reduce suicidal behavior by equipping participants with practical intervention skills.
The Griffon Mandatory Act sparked debate among senators and will be revised and discussed at the next meeting. If approved, the José Ortiz Act would make UNC Pembroke the first university in the UNC System to mandate QPR training. The meeting concluded with members reflecting on their 2025 year in one word.