Robert Sweeney is a professor and chair of the Department of Finance and Financial Services in the College of Business and Administration. An alumnus, he joined the faculty in 1989

Dialogue: What are the most important issues the Faculty Senate will address this year?
Sweeney: We'll focus most of our attention on three very significant issues. One issue will be the implementation of the general education reform. A second will be to work closely with our local AAUP chapter and the administration to define each of our evolving roles. A third issue will be to determine the impact early retirement will have on our academic programs and how resources will be allocated in the future.
Dialogue: You mentioned the evolving roles of the Senate, administration and AAUP. What will be the Senate's role regarding faculty issues?
Sweeney: We don't know exactly where the lines will be. When you look at academic programs, for example, that's clearly a Faculty Senate issue. Compensation will be an issue for AAUP. There are lot of areas in between that are question marks. But this I do know, Adrian Corbett (AAUP president) will be a committed partner in this process.
Dialogue: From your vantage point, where's the common ground?
Sweeney: I believe that the Senate, administration and AAUP have the same goal in mind - the academic success of our university. And, I'll do whatever I can to help us achieve that goal.
Dialogue: As president of the faculty, what are your personal goals?
Sweeney: "I want to be a positive contributor in the university's efforts to find common ground in governance issues for the Faculty Senate, AAUP and the administration."
Dialogue: Why is that important to you?
Sweeney: A faculty member's attitude can have a tremendous effect on the way he or she interacts with students. Students know when faculty want to be there and when they're excited about the material. This translates into a renewed enthusiasm on the part of the students. I have benefited greatly by faculty who precede me and have gotten students excited about learning. They have made my job much more fun.
Dialogue: Talk for a moment about Wright State's potential.
Sweeney: We have a tremendous opportunity to enhance our partnerships with the community that will benefit our students. I'm sensing a spirit of an evolving curriculum on campus. There's less and less of an attitude that this is the way we've always done it. I'm also encouraged by the reporting structure President Goldenberg has put in place. Provost Perry Moore's active role is a clear signal that Wright State University will focus more attention on its academic mission.
Dialogue: Why did you want to serve as president of the faculty?
Sweeney: I had heard a lot of really good ideas that I thought needed a voice. I was fortunate to follow Jim Sayer, a person who thoroughly understood the issues and advocated strongly on the faculty's behalf. He prepared me for the role. His advice and guidance have been extremely valuable. I look forward to working with David Barr (faculty president-elect) over the next couple of years.

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