MINUTES
LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY SENATE
Volume 16 February 2007 Number 6
1. Call to Order: Patsy Bourgeois
The February 12, 2007 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 4:02 p.m. in Ropp Center, Room 105, by President Patsy Bourgeois.
2. Roll Call: Rose Butler
Senators absent from the meeting: Jon Pratt, Charles Cicciarella, Andrei Paun, Bill Deese, Tabbetha Dobbins, Chester Wilson, David Smith, Kate Perot, Trey Gibson, and Susan Roach.
3. Adoption of Agenda
A motion was made to accept the agenda as corrected. The motion was seconded and approved.
4. Adoption of Minutes
A motion was made to accept the January 22, 2007 minutes as corrected. The motion was seconded and approved.
5. Treasurer’s Report
A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report. The motion was seconded and approved.
6. Announcements
A. Faculty Advisory Council – Patsy Bourgeois attended the meeting in Natchitoches. At the meeting she asked if Blackboard was being used at other universities. Some universities used Moogle. No significant issues were discussed.
B. Administrative and Planning Council – No report. The next meeting is February 13, 2007.
C. Student Athletic Advisory Board – No report
7. Unfinished Business
A. Parking focus group – Amy Vessel spoke with Captain Merritt about the need for increased faculty parking around Woodard Hall and requested that a sign be put up that says ‘Faculty only 8-5.’
B. 300-400 level courses – Derek Lowe and Patsy Bourgeois met with Dr. Rea to discuss the procedure required for students to take the 300-400 level courses. Dr. Rea affirmed said policy.
C. CITDL
1. Blackboard Advisory Group
Andrei Paun volunteered to serve on the Blackboard Advisory Group. The first meeting of the Blackboard Advisory Group will be February 16, 2007 and will be held at 4:00pm in the Library.
2. Discussion of Resolution
Debra Blackman read over the resolution. Mark Barker discussed some concerns. The floor was opened to discussion. A motion was made to limit the time to discuss the resolution to ten minutes. Motion passed. Some changes to the resolution were suggested. A vote was taken to accept the resolution with the suggested changes. The motion passed unanimously.
Amended Resolution:
Be it resolved that:
Whereas, the use of Blackboard has been mandated, and
Whereas, users of Blackboard have experienced significant difficulties in recent months that have adversely impacted the teaching and learning environment, and
Whereas, computer aided class management tools (like Blackboard) offer tremendous potential for enhancing the teaching and learning environment:
The University Senate respectfully requests that the administration invest the needed resources in the system and support structure surrounding Blackboard to ensure the successful use of the system by students and faculty, including (but not limited to):
1. Acquiring the needed hardware, software, support, and services so that the system is up and running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week while school is in session,
2. Designating a single university administrator as responsible for Blackboard issues,
3. Implementing a support structure (beginning with a “one number to call” Help Desk) that provides for the reporting and timely resolution of problems with Blackboard even (and especially) outside regular working hours whether these are user, technical or system problems,
4. Establishing a Blackboard advisory board of faculty, students, and interested parties as a standing committee to advise and make policy recommendations to the designated university administrator, and
5. Providing ongoing professional development and usage guidelines to faculty and staff on the use of Blackboard.
We believe these actions (as well as others that may come out of the proposed advisory board) would significantly improve the teaching and learning environment for students and faculty at Louisiana Tech.
D. Awards
1. Senate members were asked to remind their faculty about the upcoming awards nominations.
2. Regularization of Voting Procedures
Rick Simmons addressed the Senate about past problems with voting. He read over and discussed a proposal for the regularization of voting procedures and stated criteria. A discussion followed. A motion was made to endorse the regularization of voting procedures and have this proposal taken to Dr. Reneau for final approval.
8. Voluntary Remarks
Mark Shoemaker gave out an information sheet on IT contact.
Ron Cathey met with Bob Vento, Registrar, and informed Senate that there will be changes coming in the registration procedure.
Derek Lowe asked if plagiarism is a problem in other colleges on campus. Several members from other colleges said that there were problems with plagiarism. Derek Lowe asked members to email him if you believe that this problem is increasing.
Adjourned at 5:12
Rose Butler, Recording Secretary
Louisiana Tech University
University Faculty Senate
Receipts, Disbursements, and Fund Balance
July 1, 2006 – January 31, 2007
Beginning Balance $ 80,617
Receipts
University Pool 1217
AG Edwards 0 1217
Total Available 81,834
Disbursements:
Payroll 984
Award 2,000
Travel 0
Refreshments 336
Trophies 0
Supplies 46 3366
Ending Balance $ 78,468
