LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY SENATE
Volume 17 April 2008 Number 8
1. Call to Order - Aziz Saber
The April 14, 2008 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Ropp Center, Room 105, by President
Aziz Saber.
2. Roll Call: Marie Pipes
Senators absent from the meeting: John Swart, Jon Pratt, Perna Sethi, Randy Parker, Mihaela Paun Andrei Paun Bill Deese,
Rick Simmons, Brian Etheridge, Jeff Hankins, and Richard Hutchinson.
3. Adoption of Agenda:
A motion was made to accept the agenda. The motion was seconded and approved.
4. Adoption of Minutes - March 17, 2008:
Approval of the March 17, 2008 minutes was postponed until the May 12, 2008 meeting.
5. Registration of Student Athletes - Mr. Bob Vento
- Student athletes do register early but after honor and graduate students. The NCAA audits the university registration records
for all student athletes. The athletes have to be certified each quarter for academic eligibility and if the athlete doesn't make
it academically they do not participate in their particular sport.
- Student athletes, just like any other student, cannot take courses if they do not have the pre-requisites and cannot take a
course that requires a permission signature from the instructor unless they obtain that signature. Override signatures are
needed for classes closed, time conflicts, or course pre-requisites waived. The student athlete must obtain the signature
themselves. The university is held more accountable for ensuring that student athletes follow all of the rules/guidelines than
for other students. The university must abide by the rules mandated by the NCAA or the school would be charged with a major
infraction.- Holds are never overridden unless the faculty or proper administrative staff has signed off on lifting the hold. Holds can be placed
on a student athlete for unpaid lab fees, bookroom fines, and traffic tickets.- The NCAA Academic Reform Initiative increased academic standards for student athletes and established measures of academic
performance. Despite the student athletes demanding practice/competition/travel schedule, these students are required to
complete a certain percentage of their required courses each year in order to be eligible to play in their sport the following year.- There are over 300 student athletes. 80% of those take advantage of early registration. Mr. Buddy Johnson, Assistant Registrar,
has the task of ensuring that all student athletes meet the NCAA mandated requirements.- Mr. Vento showed the senate members how to add pre-requisites to a course.- Senate members were encouraged to keep accurate attendance records by completing the 9th-day class roster accurately, by
completing a last date of attendance form and submitting to the Registrar's Office, and by making attendance notes by student's
name in grade book. This protects the faculty member and the student.- Lisa Merritt encouraged faculty to please complete the grade requests they receive for student athletes. This helps to determine
when an athlete is in trouble academically and at that point they can step in and offer various forms of assistance.
6. Announcements:
- Laurie Stoff encouraged senate members to participate in the "Focus on Russia" series. The scheduled Distinguished Lecture Series are:
April 18th, 10:15, Howard Auditorium - "The Most Important Art - Russian Film"April 25th, 10:15, Howard Auditorium - an expert in Russian economy will speak on "Russian Transition Economy"April 29th, 10:15 Wyly Tower Auditorium - a public health specialist will speak on "Epidemic Diseases"May 8th, 10:15 in Howard Auditorium - "Military Army Command"
There is also a Russian Exhibit in Toliver for public viewing.
● Administrative and Planning Council -
Dr. Saber represented the University Senate at the March meeting of the council. The main topic for discussion was
updated to the policies and procedures manual for the university faculty and staff. Program changes were discussed
as well as redefining certain required training for faculty and staff.
● Faculty Advisory Council - Ms. Debra Blackman represented the University Senate.
The only Board of Supervisor's action specific to Tech was approval to replace two chillers in the Student Center at a cost of
$760K.
Grambling is reorganizing their General Education Requirements, and in do doing are including 6 hours of foreign language.
On the face of it, the changes remove a composition class and a speech class, which some board members questioned.
Grambling said they are incorporating writing and presenting across the new curriculum and each student will develop a
portfolio as evidence of this.
ULM received approval for a letter of intent to develop a Bachelor's degree in Ultrasound and a new completely online
Master's degree in Nursing Administration.
There were fee increases for housing at several universities that met some resistance from board members, but passed.
In the FAC meeting:
- Mrs. Elsie Burkhalter who is the President of the Board of Supervisors explained the process for searching for a new System
President. She has appointed a search committee of board members. She has asked, Dr. Authement, President of ULL,
to lead an advisory committee to develop qualifications, advertisements, and eventually to recommend candidates.
(Dr. Rea is serving on that committee.) The Board's plan is to name a new president at the June 29th board meeting.
- A representative of the American Federation of Teachers came to speak about some of the bills introduced in this regular
legislative session. He particularly wanted faculty to be aware of HB 179 which proposed to change the way sick and leave
is accrued and used.
- HB 199 proposed to lift the restriction for carrying firearms on a college, university, or community college campus.
7. Elections - F. J. Taylor Undergraduate Teaching Award
A recipient of this award was selected by the senate members. This award will be presented at the Spring Commencement on
May 17, 2008.
8. Treasurer's Report: Ron Cathey
A motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer's report.
9. Unfinished Business:
● Turnitin - Safe Assign Blackboard Academic Suite - a sub-committee will meet next week to discuss this.
10. New Business: none
11. Voluntary Remarks:
The Ruston/Squire Creek Peach Festival is seeking volunteers for this year's peach festival. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or
older.
12. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Marie Pipes, Recording Secretary
