MINUTES
LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY SENATE
Volume 13 February 2004 Number 6
1. Call to Order: Rick Simmons
The February 16, 2004 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in Ropp Center, Room 105, by President Rick Simmons.
2. Roll Call: Rose Butler
Senators absent from the meeting: Travis Willis, Mark Murphey, Jeff Walczyk, Tony Grice, Charles Robinson, Frank Ji, and Tim Morse.
3. Adoption of Agenda
A motion was made to accept the agenda. The motion was seconded and approved.
4. Adoption of the January 26, 2004 minutes.
A motion was made to accept the minutes. The motion was seconded and approved.
5. Announcements: Rick Simmons
A. Administrative and Planning Council Update
Research money has been increasing year after year, and this year Tech had 6.1 million. Dr. Reneau informed the Council that Tech has a goal to raise 20 million per year in research money.
TOPS – 6.7 millions dollars came to Tech from the TOPS program. ULL received 4.9 million.
04-05 budget – Tech hopes to receive the same amount of funding as the 03-04 year.
$500,000 of this year’s budget is to be used for salary increases for this year and will be based on merit.
90% of the faculty and staff have participated in the safety programs and films.
B. Honor Code Procedures Update – Dee Dee Anderson will attend the next Senate meeting and address several issues that have been raised concerning the Honor Code Procedures.
C. F. J. Taylor Nominations – Rick Simmons reminded the Senate members to be prepared to nominate someone for this award at the March meeting.
D. E-mail policies – Members were asked to read the University handbook in regards to the amended policy regarding email on university computers. SACS may check email to see that it is being used correctly.
6. Treasurer’s report - A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report. A motion was seconded and approved
7. Unfinished Business –
Workload/Performance Reports – Rick Simmons reported that Dr. Rea’s office receives the reports about 6-8 weeks into the quarter. As no member had further questions about the timeline for turning in of these reports, no further discussion occurred.
Construction of Crosswalks – To put a crosswalk on California Avenue would cost a minimum of $100,000. This is a state road. To put a crosswalk near CAB, as mentioned at the January meeting, would first require having designated Senate members discuss this with Chief Quinelly and then proceed from there. No members expressed interest in pursuing the matter.
8. New Business
Amendments to the Constitution – Rick Simmons asked if the members agreed to vote on the issue. A motion was made and seconded to vote on the issue and passed by majority vote. Questions pertaining to these amendments were then discussed. The Senate members then voted to pass the amendments by a majority vote.
9. Voluntary Remarks
A question was asked as to how decisions are made to cancel classes in the summer. It often causes problems for the student and the faculty member loses income. Senate members were told that TOPS does not pay in the summer, and that is the reason many students do not attend summer school. Rick Simmons agreed to find out what the minimum number of students required in summer classes are.
Jim Dickson passed out brochures for the upcoming 2nd wildlife symposium on wild turkeys.
Bernd Schroeder mentioned that there is a need for grants and scholarships to help finance student tuition.
February 21 is the American Heart Walk and Tech will sponsor it at the Thomas Assembly Center beginning at 8a.m.
A member asked if a decision had been made about Conference USA. No one knew of any decision made.
A motion was made to adjourn, motion seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:47 pm.
Rose Butler, Recording Secretary
