MINUTES

 

LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY SENATE

Volume 13       October 2003              Number 2

 

1.                  Call to Order:  Rick Simmons

The October 27, 2003 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 4:02 p.m. in Prescott Memorial Library, Room 334, by President Rick Simmons.

 

2.                  Roll Call:  Rose Butler

Senators absent from the meeting:  Charles Robinson, Mel Corley, Frank Ji, Tianhong Cui, Barry Morales, Beverly Johnson, Bob Burt and Alan Goldspiel.

 

3.                  Adoption of Agenda

Rick Simmons asked that a motion be made to accept an addition to the agenda.  This addition, under announcements, would be Norm Pumphrey presenting the information from the Faculty Advisory Council meeting.  A motion was made, seconded and approved to add this item to the agenda.  A motion was then made to accept the agenda.  The motion was seconded and approved.

 

4.                  Adoption of the September 29, 2003 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 – none

B.                 November speaker – Rick Simmons reminded the Senate members that Dr. James Liberatos will speak at the meeting regarding issues in the Athletics Department.  Members were asked to think of questions for Dr. Liberatos. 

C.                 Ropp Center update – The target date for opening is November 3.  Rick Simmons will call and inquire into booking a room for upcoming Senate meetings.

D.                 Faculty Advisory Council – Norm Pumphrey

The Board of Supervisors met at Louisiana Tech and Grambling.  He feels that attending the council meetings is a good way for the Tech Senate to learn what’s going on at other universities.  A discussion was held at the council meeting concerning post-tenure review (tenured faculty review).  Tech is ahead of other universities in preparation to institute this.  The next council meeting is November 8 in Baton Rouge.  All university senates are encouraged to send a representative. 

An item of concern to the council is the budget for next year which may have a 4% reduction.

The Council sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors expressing their concern about the Patriot Act.  This letter will eventually be sent to the Louisiana Senators.

 

6.                  Treasurer’s report  - A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report.  The motion was seconded and approved.

 

 

7.                  Unfinished Business

SGA proposals concerning exam week – Rick Simmons asked the Senate to submit the thoughts of their faculty concerning these proposals.  He added that he had been asked if there was a written policy already in place on item #2 which states that a student is not required to take more than 2 finals on one day.  The answer was that there is no written policy concerning this.

 

He also stressed that the Senate’s approval/disapproval will weigh heavily on the final decision made by the University. 

 

A motion was made to discuss and vote on each proposal individually.  This motion was seconded and accepted.

 

The first proposal: 

All final exams should be given on their assigned days as stated in the syllabus at the beginning of the quarter, unless the professor and students mutually agree to hold the exam on another day.

Senate discussed that flexibility is needed due to unforeseen circumstances in classes.  Gene Johnson asked if any study or data was available to show how pervasive a problem this is.  A concern was expressed that this policy is unnecessary.  Lamar Wilkinson stated that some faculty do not put date of final on their syllabus.  If a date for the final is put on the syllabus, the needs of the students are met.  A motion to cease discussion on #1 was made and accepted.  The faculty voted to reject #1. 

 

The second proposal:

            A student is not required to take more than 2 finals on one day.

A motion was made to reject this.  Motion was made to accept.  Item was rejected.

 

The third proposal:

Any papers, projects, or speeches due must have been assigned in writing on the syllabus at the beginning of the quarter.  Due dates for these assignments must also be stated on the syllabus and can only be altered if the professor and students mutually agree on another date.

Concern was expressed that students don’t understand the ramifications of these policies.  And, faculty are limited in their ability to teach.  A motion was made to reject #3, motion was seconded.  Item #3 was rejected.

 

The fourth proposal:

New material may not be taught the class period prior to the class period of the final, unless the final is not comprehensive or the exam will not test students on the new material.  This item does not apply to classes that meet once weekly.

            A motion was made to reject item #4.  Motion was seconded.  Item #4 was rejected.

 

            The fifth proposal:

Only one exam per subject (excluding routine quizzes) may be given during the last week of the quarter, unless one of the exams is optional.  This means that a test and a comprehensive final cannot both be given the last week of the quarter.

Faculty discussed that is impossible in some departments to not give a quiz and final in the last week of classes.  It prohibits teachers from teaching as needed. 

 

Ryan Richard mentioned that the definition is vague as a student could be taking 2 Marketing or 2 Music classes. 

  

It was discussed that athletes would be hindered in completing courses due to this proposal. 

A move was made to reject #5, seconded.  Proposal #5 was rejected.

 

The sixth proposal:

It is imperative that professors maintain their posted office hours during finals weeks and they are encouraged to keep extended hours to allow for questions concerning test material.

Motion was made to reject #6 as faculty is already required to do this.  A second was made.  Item #6 was rejected. 

 

8.                  New Business

A.                 Correspondence – Rick Simmons asked the Senate for approval to write a thank you letter to Dr. Reneau for the Ropp Center.  A motion was made to accept this proposal, seconded and accepted by unanimous vote.

B.                 Proposal for Ropp Center meetings – Rick Simmons asked if the Senate wants to move the meetings to the Ropp Center for the November meeting.  A motion was made to accept this suggestion, seconded and voted unanimously in favor.

A proposal to serve coffee and tea at the November was made.  A motion was made to accept, seconded and voted unanimously in favor.

9.         Voluntary Remarks

Saul Zalesch announced that there will be an opening at the gallery.  There will be works by 9 artists.  This will be at the Visual Arts Center on November 1 from 4-6pm.

 

Ryan Richard reminded the Senate that the United Way campaign continues through this week.

 

The next LTCA event is November 6 in Howard Auditorium.  Dimitrije Buzarovski will perform in concert with many of the SPA music faculty. 

 

Rick Simmons asked that the Senate leave any written responses from the faculty concerning the SGA proposals with him.  This is in the best interests of the students as they will be informed of all this information.

 

A motion was made to adjourn, motion seconded.  

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 4:57 pm.

 

Rose Butler, Recording Secretary