Louisiana Tech University Senate – December Minutes
Monday, December 13th at 4:00-5:00 pm, Wyly Auditorium
Call to Order – The December 13, 2021 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in Wyly Auditorium by President, Louis Reis.
Welcome and Opening Remarks – President, Louis Reis, COES
Roll Call – Boris Teske recorded attendance and minutes in Alicia Kimbell’s absence; a quorum was met
Approval of November 2021 Minutes – a motion was made and approved
Policy Updates
2108 – CAD’s rejected original proposal
Submission by Ramu Ramachadran to modify 2106 (Workload policy)
Changes in workload must be documented by 16th class day (arbitrary date to allow for 9th day rosters to be approved)
Kathleen Heiden: How to remedy the problem?
Louis Reis: ANS conducts “survey”; COES documents class size; every college acts differently
Kathleen Heiden: CADs has not accepted negotiability; need percentages in writing
Louis Reis: Ramu’s proposal to 2106: “workload should be arrived at through discussion between faculty member and designated administrator
Kathleen Heiden: thereby faculty member can request overload
Louis Reis: “appointment letter” is still mentioned in some policies; need to define workload; during COVID emergencies, staffing loads need to be documented and compensated
John Worsencroft: define tenure/track workload: teaching, research load
1301 – requested that University Senate be inserted into the policy as a necessary committee to approve any revisions prior to a policy being brought forth to the APC for approval
Approved so that language specifically mentions Senate as appropriate committee that revisions must be routed through first before appearing at APC
Not visible on website yet
If proposed revisions are consistently rerouted around us, will call for a new revision to 1301 that would require the Senate to see all proposals prior to APC.
Louis Reis: requests that Senate be “side-by-side” with APC, if policy involves faculty/staff. What recourse if policy revisions routed around Senate?
1405 (administrator evaluations) – request that employees have annual opportunity to evaluate immediate supervisor AND all administrators above them within each college or division
Being brought forward to PAC first this month, then APC in January
Justin Kavalir doesn’t anticipate issues with PAC
No known procedure for policy complaints
Grievance could be taken by an individual if policy is not adhered to correctly; but not likely from a neutral group (e.g., Senate)
Possibly a new policy/procedure needs to be created?
APC Meeting Update (November 18th)
Justin Kavalir
Nearly done with policy review
Approved policy 2302 (computer use) and 1301
Still collecting 2030 Strategic frameworks from departments
Tom Hoover
University license for Qualitrics
Network wireless upgrades for outdoor spaces and classrooms
New tech upgrades for (some) classrooms
Eric Wood
Staying in C-USA (now has 9 teams; rumor that WKU and MidTenn will move to MAC)
Established T-club for former athletes
Sam Speed
Louisiana Tech Only ULS university to have steady enrollment
slight increase in freshmen
Admits up 3%
+200 beds for upcoming school year
Renewed contract with Aramark
$6M construction – Subway (TONK) Starbucks and Moe’s (Tolliver)
MLK exhibit (cohosted by ULS/Canes’) will start at Tech 1/15
Adam McGuirt & Stacy Gilbert (COVID)
Cases down 86% ytd
Returning students had to document vaccination status or dissent or exemption for winter enrollment; new students did not
67% of students have received at least 1 shot
Vaccinations / testing at Ropp through March
Trevor Davis: Is ULS still following mask mandate? Louis Reis: will ask Dr. Guice
Q: Enforcement? Louis Reis: will ask Stacy Gilbert
Les Guice
Scholarships increased
Budget stretched thin for raises this year
$500M STATE budget surplus
Request for raises (to be more competitive with SREB) sent to BOR
Signs point that BOR will approve
Last year had $3M stimulus fund
Lisa Cole (1 hour ago) Senate Award reimbursements
2021 recipients cannot get full amount in payroll; next year, cut checks, but with withholdings
Committee Updates
Communication John Worsencroft: cannot access forum; lacks permission
University’s commitments to improving salaries to be more competitive
Improving brand name recognition in North LA and surrounding areas
Other questions?
Eric Wood, Athletic Director & VP (no contact yet)
CUSA dilemma
Future plans
Possible invite to speak before Senate
Sumeet Dua, Ex. Assoc. VP Research (no contact yet)
IRB forms
Courtney Jarrell (OSP director) leaving, personnel changes
Future improvements
Terry McConathy, Provost
Follow up on 2108, instructor “distinctions” [pathway], workload definitions
Endowments
New Executive Director of Academic Partnerships (Donna Thomas) starts January 1. Location in organizational chart, under the Provost? Position description? How fits into Strategic Framework? Boris Teske: invite Donna Thomas as guest speaker?