LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY SENATE
Volume 19 September 2009 Number 1
Approved
1. Call to Order: Ron Cathey
The September 21, 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: Janice Rainey
Senators absent from the meeting and without proxy: Ida Chauvin, Scott Gold, Taylor Mack, and Alicia Ball.
3. Adoption of Agenda:
A motion was made to accept the agenda. The motion was seconded and approved.
4. Adoption of Minutes: May 2008:
A motion was made to forego the May 2009 minutes. The motion was seconded and approved.
5. Adoption of Revised Proposed University Senate Budget: Bill Stammerjohan
A motion was made to accept the 2009-2010 budget. The motion was seconded and approved.
6. Special Guests:
Sheila Trammel, Director of Human Resources, was our guest speaker and spoke about employer contributions to the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) participant accounts.
7. Announcements: Ron Cathey
- Introductions of the Officers and Executive Committee members.
- Mission of the Senate: Promote general welfare, express views, initiate policy proposals and recommendations, & strong initiatives and communications.
- Adding Items to Agenda: Requests for adding to agenda should be submitted to relative Executive Committee member in writing.
- Faculty Advisory Council: We are allowed one regular representative and one alternate. These representative selections must be full-time faculty members and willing and available to participate in monthly meetings held in Baton Rouge.
- University Grievance Committee: The University Senate needs to fill three grievance committee appointments; this election will be held at the October Executive Committee meeting.
8. Election of Faculty Advisory Council representative and alternate:
Faculty Advisory Council representative nominee is Jeff Hankins with David Szymanski serving as the alternative FAC representative.
9. Faculty Advisory Council Meeting (FAC), Board of Supervisors Meeting, and Administrative and Planning Committee Meeting:
Board of Supervisors Meeting: Jeff Hankins and Debra Blackman attended the Board of Supervisors meeting and the FAC in Baton Rouge, LA on August 28, 2009. Nichols State University eliminated two Associate degree programs, three Bachelors of Science programs, and two Bachelors of Arts programs. Seven faculty (four tenured) were given one year's notice of termination. The University of Louisiana at Monroe eliminated three degree programs. Two tenured and one non-tenured faculty were given one-year's notice of termination. ULM also made their "Access to Success" presentation. Figuring heavily in this presentation were dual-enrollment programs for high school students (in medicine) and adult access to higher education through more on-line courses. One Board member commented that Distance Learning is going to be a state-wide initiative in Louisiana. Northwestern was approved for nursing courses at Barksdale. University of Louisiana at Monroe received approval for a Furlough Plan which will impact 298 persons and result in a savings of $430,000. Southeastern Louisiana State received approval for their Furlough Plan, which will impact 506 persons and save about $500,000. The next meeting will be October 23, 2009 in Baton Rouge, LA.
Faculty Advisory Council Meeting: It was noted that the state's contribution into Faculty Retirement accounts will be less, to cover the "unfunded liability" portion. The FAC will ask for every faculty member to get proper notification of the changes to his/her contribution rate. Concerns were expressed over the members being appointed to the Tucker Commission. The Commission's schedule should be monitored closely by faculty, as it is suspected that the Commission will attempt to turn some four-year programs into two-year programs, and recommend one "flag-ship" university for Louisiana. Some universities have already begun an informal "self-review" of their programs to prepare for the Commission's questions. The FAC recommended sharing information among faculty, as the Tucker commission visits each campus.
Administrative and Planning Committee: At the Administrative and Planning Committee, Dr. Reneau has indicated that they are preparing to fix the clock tower.
10. Unfinished Business: Ron Cathey
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Distance Learning Committee: Dr. Jeff Hankins, Chairman; Rob Blackstock, Bill Stammerjohan, and John Swart
10. New Business: None
11. Voluntary Remarks:
Faculty-Staff Club meeting is 2nd Tuesday of each month.
12. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Janice Rainey, Recording Secretary(for Sandi Richardson)
