MINUTES

 

LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY SENATE

Volume 15                  December 2005                       Number 4

 

1.                  Call to Order:  Mel Corley

The December 19, 2005 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at

4:00 p.m. in Ropp Center, Room 105, by President Mel Corley.

 

2.                  Roll Call:  Rose Butler

Senators absent from the meeting:  David Mills, Charles Cicciarella, Bill Deese, Aziz Saber, Chester Wilson, Barry Morales, Beverly Johnson, Mark Shoemaker, Vince Miller, Kyle Edmiston, Susan Roach and Kevin Merritt. 

 

3.                  Adoption of Agenda

A motion was made to accept the agenda.  The motion was seconded and approved. 

 

4.                  Adoption of Minutes

A motion was made to accept the October 21, 2005 minutes.  The motion was seconded and approved.  There was no quorum for the November meeting.

 

5.                  Announcements

Faculty Advisory Council Report – Patsy Bourgeois reported on the meetings she attended.  Louisiana Tech was on the agenda and was complimented.  A discussion of the fiscal year was on the agenda.  One concern was the exigency plan submitted by LSU.  If adopted, it could be adopted by the Board of Regents.  Finances for universities may once again be affected if FEMA doesn’t come through with 100% matches. 

Administrative and Planning Council Report – Mel Corley reported that he had attended two meetings. 

November 11, 2005 meeting  - One of the most important items discussed was Loss Prevention Safety newsletters.  These newsletters are sent out and are to be read and signed by faculty/staff.  In order to insure that insurance rates don’t increase, more faculty/staff must read and sign these newsletters.  If this doesn’t occur, the rates could rise as much as $70,000 a year.

President Reneau discussed the budget cuts.  Tech still faces an energy cost deficit.  Renovations to the Success Center in Wyly will continue.  No four day work week is planned.

December 13, 2005 meeting –  Policy 1416 (Outside Employment) must be filled out by faculty and staff.  SACS met and approved the 10-year accreditation of Louisiana Tech.  The greatest concern is the larger than expected decrease in enrollment for the Winter quarter.  Enrollment is down by 539.

Award Qualifications and Procedures Committee Interim Report – Patsy Bourgeois reported that the committee has met.  The next meeting will be January 9, and the committee will have a report at the Senate meeting in January. 

6.         Treasurer’s Report – Gene Johnson

A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s Report.  The motion was seconded and approved.

 7.        Unfinished Business

Telephone System Improvements – Mel Corley

No information to report.

  8.       New Business

Health Care Cost/Benefit Issues -   An analysis needs to be made comparing what Tech offers versus what is available at other institutions of higher learning in the state. 

 

Questions about 403b and ORP Plans – Question asked about number of providers available.  Could others be made available?

 

Mel Corley recommends an ad hoc committee made up of five members be formed to investigate fringe benefits on the health care/benefits and the 403b and ORP plans.  This committee would find out what is available and what other higher education institutions are making available to their faculty.  This committee would need to report this information at the April meeting.

 

  9.       Voluntary Remarks

Dave Anderson asked if it would be possible to have book ordering, attendance verification and reporting of grades done on-line.  This could save money for the university.

 

Tony Forest suggested that the committee formed to study health care and ORP plans contact the Benefits Committee.

 

Adjourned at 4:43      

 

Rose Butler, Recording Secretary