LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY SENATE

Volume 19                  October 2009                   Number 2

Approved 11/16/2009

1. Call to Order:  Ron Cathey

The October 19, 2009 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Ropp Center, Room 105, by President Ron Cathey.

2.  Roll Call:  Sandi Richardson

Senators absent from the meeting and without proxy were: Mary Margaret Livingston, Mihaela Paun, Cristy Martin, and Jerry Berg.

3.  Adoption of Agenda:

A motion to accept the agenda was made by Larry Jarrell and seconded by Taylor Mack.

4.  Adoption of Minutes:  September 2009:

Jeff Hankins proposed specific clarifications be added to the September minutes. A motion was made by Bill Stammerjohan to accept the minutes with noted additions and seconded by Elaine Thompson. The  minutes were approved.

Bill Stammerjohan gave the treasurer's report for September.  A motion was made by Taylor Mack to accept the report and seconded by Tanya Sims. The report was approved.

6. Announcements: 

• Faculty Advisory Council: Jeff Hankins will represent the Louisiana Tech University Senate at the October 23 meeting.
• University Grievance Committee: The University Senate Executive Committee approved one of three grievance committee vacancies. Mr. Gary Hauser from the College of Liberal Arts was the first of three appointments. The appointments for the College of Applied and Natural Sciences and the College of Education are pending.
• Administrative & Planning Council: Ron Cathey will represent the Senate at the October 21 meeting.
• Tucker Commission: The next meeting of the Tucker Commission is scheduled for October 26 & 27, 2009. The purpose of this commission is to examine and if necessary, revamp higher education in Louisiana. Alison Reynolds, SGA president, attended the September meeting. A website is being created so interested parties can remain informed; faculty are encouraged to remain vigilant.
• General Education Committee: Jeff Hankins represented the University Senate on this committee chaired by Brian Etheridge. The first 39 credit hours that will transfer from community colleges to four-year institutions has been decided. The next 21 of 60 hours needs to be suggested by faculty.
• Distance Learning Committee: Jeff Hankins, chairman, reported the committee has decided to perform an informal survey at all the colleges. A bank of questions will be asked of faculty and the results will be forwarded to Dr. McConathy. Questions will cover topics of compensation and pedagogy. A new policy has been issued from SACS defining three areas of change. Members of the Distance Learning Committee are: John Swart, Rob Blackstock, John Martin, Marilyn Robinson, and Jeff Hankins, Chairman.
• Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) - The State matching contribution amount has been decreased in the ORP plan to match the contribution rate of the State's Civil Service retirement plan. This was done to address the unfunded short-fall in the ORP plan. ULL's University Senate president wants to have a summit for all of Louisiana's University Senate representatives to look at the options of what to do about this issue beyond passing resolutions.

10. New Business: 

• Options for Grading: Bill Stammerjohan requested that a sub-committee be formed to investigate two issues: early grade submission for seniors and 9th day rolls. In classes with a mix of graduating seniors and others, having to submit grades prior to the end of classes lessens the number of actual teaching days and limits the amount of new material that could be presented to all students. Also, 9th day rolls and attendance verifications are having to be completed then emailed. Faculty would like the ability to enter these numbers using the same online method as is used for grade reporting. Elaine Thompson made a motion to form the committee; Larry Jarrell seconded the motion and a committee was formed consisting of: Elaine Thompson, Kim Vanderlaan, and Bill Stammerjohan, chairman. 
• Faculty Parking Concerns: David Szymanski opened discussion on parking issues, namely, the problem of students park in faculty zones. The suggestion was made that a "blue" tag should enable the holder to park anywhere, in any zone on campus. He echoed the objections raised by faculty across campus to students blatantly parking in blue zones. Many valid questions and points were heard from the floor:  

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  • Is the University making so much money from parking tickets that it is unwilling to raise the penalty substantially? (economic principle of elasticity) 
  • What is the ratio of faculty & staff parking spaces to student parking spaces 
  • Is there a limit to the number of tickets issued before a stiffer penalty such as a parking boot or towing is enacted?
  • Would an increased cost for a "priority" parking sticker solve this issue?
  • Why is parking enforcement so lax?

• Virgil Orr Award Restructure: Ron Cathey requested that a sub-committee be created for the purpose of examination and restructuring of the requirements for the Virgil Orr Award. It has been brought to the attention of the Senate that the qualifications for this award exclude many valuable non-teaching faculty. The language needs to be adapted to make the award accessible to all junior faculty. The committee consists of the following members : Ramona Guin, Kim Vanderlann, and Laurie Stoff, Chairman.
• Deficiency Exam Clarification: Ron Cathey shared concerns regarding the clarity of the rules regarding deficiency examinations as described in the University Bulletin (Chapter 4). It is understood that if a graduating senior has passed all but one course, he/she will be allowed to take a deficiency exam. Current policy states that if a student fails the exam, they fail the course. The question seems to be regarding the flip side of the question. Does passing the deficiency exam automatically mean a passing grade in the class? Rob Blackstock made a motion that a committee be formed to clarify this issue and David Szymanski seconded the motion. The committee consists of the following members: Rob Blackstock, Elaine Thompson, and Katie Evans, Chairman.
• University Excuses: Ron Cathey introduced the topic of university excuses. There were many cogent questions raised: 
  • What activities can be excused?
  • Who is really in charge of university excuses?
  • What format can excuses take?
  • Will a mass email cover this, and if so, can it be stopped?

11. Voluntary Remarks:

In response to the Community College issue, Rob Blackstock asks, "Is the State of Louisiana trying to push students to Community Colleges first? Is that the reason for wanting it to be easier to transfer to a traditional four-year institution?"

12.  Adjournment:  The meeting adjourned at 4:46 p.m.

Sandi Richardson, Recording Secretary