MINUTES
LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY SENATE
Volume 13 November 2003 Number 3
1. Call to Order: Rick Simmons
The November 18, 2003 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 4:02 p.m. in Ropp Center, Room 105, by President Rick Simmons.
2. Roll Call: Rose Butler
Senators absent from the meeting: Hani Mesak, Paul Murray, Jim Dickson, Jeff Walczyk, Tony Grice, Frank Ji, Tianhong Cui, Any Stegall, Bob Burt and Mary Louise Carter.
3. Adoption of Agenda
A motion was made to accept the agenda. The motion was seconded and approved.
4. Adoption of the October 27, 2003 minutes.
A motion was made to accept the minutes. The motion was seconded and approved.
5. Announcements: Rick Simmons
A. Update on SGA Exam Proposals – Rick Simmons met with Dean Ed Jacobs and other members of the Committee to Review Final Examination Procedures to report on the University Senate decisions regarding the SGA exam proposals and explanations for each decision made. By anonymous vote, the committee rejected the SGA exam proposals. This will go forward to the Council of Academic Deans. Rick Simmons expressed thanks to the Senate and faculty for the submission of the reasons behind their objections to the proposals. This helped in the final vote.
B. Ropp Center Update – Food Service will open in the Ropp Center at the beginning of the Winter Quarter. The delay was due to discussion with Aramark’s contract. Faculty will be emailed when information is available about using Ropp Center for other events.
C. New Deadlines for Faculty Evaluations – Rick Simmons
Some faculty had questions as to why student evaluations had to be turned in so much earlier in the Fall Quarter. The reason was that student evaluations are used as part of the overall faculty evaluation in the spring. Because the evaluations were being processed so late in the Spring Quarter, departments were unable to use these student evaluations as part of the process of evaluating teachers. This is a result of the post-tenure review process that is now part of faculty evaluation.
D. Re-evaluation of Senate Awards Policies
Rick Simmons stated that in December 2003 or January, 2004, he would like the Senate to look at the policies for awards as the criteria may need to be reevaluated. This request was prompted by the possibility of a faculty member receiving the Virgil Orr Award and then the recipient leaving the university. The award criteria may need to be rephrased so that the winner must stay at the university for the year that they receive the award.
6. Treasurer’s report - A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded and approved.
7. Unfinished Business – None
8. New Business
A. Speaker – Dean James Liberatos, Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA and the WAC
Dean Liberatos addressed the Senate. First he described the purpose of being a Faculty Athletics Representative. This is an unpaid position, and he represents Louisiana Tech as one of 118 members in the 1-A program. This position oversees the Athletic Department and its programs. It reports directly to the University president, chairs the Athletics Council and ensures that all NCAA and WAC rules are followed.
The 6 year graduation rate of all students at Louisiana Tech is 55%. The 6 year graduation rate of Tech athletics is 65%. Tech is 2nd in the state for the highest graduation rate of athletics. Tulane is #1. Tech is 4th in WAC.
The combined GPA for 2002-2003 for the athletics is 3.01. Athletes are required to participate in charities, social programs and special events in the Ruston area.
Attendance in class can be difficult due to travel in different time zones. Each athlete should report to their faculty at the beginning of each quarter and submit a letter from their coach. This letter will state the days that the athlete will miss class due to participation in their athletics area. Students cannot be penalized due to University excuses.
Dean Liberatos asked that faculty work with the athletes. Attendance slips are sent out and faculty need to return them.
Members asked questions.
Dean Liberatos stated that athletes must earn 24 hours (in a 9 month period) towards their degree to remain an athlete. Two new women sports have been recommended – soccer and bowling.
B. Proposal for Ropp Center meetings – Rick Simmons asked if the Senate wants to move the meetings to the Ropp Center from this date forward. A motion was made, seconded and approved that the Senate would meet in the Ropp Center for its future meetings.
C. Catering of Future Meetings – A motion was made to have food at the meetings. A point of order was made that the budget does not have an expense description for any food items. It was decided that this could come under miscellaneous expenditure. With that decision, the motion was seconded and approved by the Senate members.
9. Voluntary Remarks - none
A motion was made to adjourn, motion seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 pm.
Rose Butler, Recording Secretary
