MINUTES
LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY SENATE
Volume 14 February 2005 Number 6
1. Call to Order: D’eane Sheehan
The February 28, 2005 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at
4:00 p.m. in Ropp Center, Room 105, by President D’eane Sheehan.
2. Roll Call: Rose Butler
Senators absent from the meeting: Michael Highfield, Paul Murray, Jan Fuller, Lamar Wilkinson, Gail Clark, Sumeet Dua, Tony Forest, Neven Simicevic, Carey Cox, Amy Stegall and Alexis Wreden.
3. Adoption of Agenda
A motion was made to accept the amended agenda. The agenda was amended by adding a Faculty Advisory Council Report under New Business. The motion was seconded and approved.
4. Adoption of the January 25, 2005 minutes.
A motion was made to accept the minutes. The motion was seconded and approved
5. Announcements
A. Dr. Les Guice - LONI
Dr. Guice gave handouts which are an overview on National Lambda Rail, the next step to the internet. He reported that Gov. Blanco has committed $40 million dollars to deploy the network in Louisiana. LONI will be available for LA Tech. Dr. Guice asked the Senate members to think of applications and usage possibilities for using LONI. There will be a forum May 4th and 5th to discuss how this system can be used at LA Tech.
B. Bookstore Policy – D’eane Sheehan
Dr. Rea sent a letter to the Department Heads and Associate Deans concerning the proposed Bookstore policy. No reply has been sent back to the Senate.
C. March Meeting – F. J. Taylor Undergraduate Teaching Award
Nominations for this award will be accepted at the March meeting. The information regarding the award is on the Senate website. Please look at it before nominating anyone.
D. Virgil Orr and University Senate Chair Awards
Nominations can be made by faculty on campus. Letters will be sent out in campus mail with a nomination ballot. Please remind colleagues to respond to the ballots.
6. Treasurer’s report
A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded and approved.
7. Unfinished Business
A. Large Format Printer
Joe Thomas was given information regarding the estimated usage of a large format printer. He will take it under advisement. A color copier has been purchased and is in Copy Services. With that purchase, it is possible that the need for the printer is not as large as originally thought.
B. Phone Committee Report
The telephone system has not been updated due to cost. A phone line costs $347 per year. Each budget in each area decides on the number of phone lines. Faculty would like voice mail. A discussion followed. One question asked was if perhaps an analysis of other phone systems could be made in order to compare prices and product.
8. New Business
A. Election
An election for a new parliamentarian occurred as Charles Robinson will no longer serve on the faculty of LA Tech. Gene Johnson was nominated and elected by acclamation.
B. Faculty Advisory Council – Patsy Bourgeois
Senate was asked if they had any complaints with Navigant Travel. Faculty reported that different rates were sometimes quoted by different offices and other errors. Patsy Bourgeois requested that Senate members ask those in their area to report any complaints to her by email.
ULL has reported problems with Group Benefits. Faculty at ULL must travel distances to get medical care. Tech Senate members did not report a problem with this.
The GIS program will be on the Fall class schedule.
The Tech SGA president showed a video on the BIG EVENT.
The Finance Committee has approved a 3% rate hike in tuition.
Louisiana Tech received several endowed chairs.
David Wright was honored.
Tech was recognized for Nano Technology.
The next meeting of the Faculty Advisory Council will be in April.
9. Voluntary Remarks
Andrew Higgins reported a faculty concern on athletic policy. The policy of practice until 7:50 a.m. makes it difficult for athletes to get to 8:00a.m. class. Athletes cannot get their textbooks until all faculty signatures are on the paperwork. This makes it difficult, at times, for the athlete to get their textbook in a timely manner.
A motion was made to adjourn, motion seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:48p.m.
Rose Butler, Recording Secretary
