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University Senate Meeting, Wyly Auditorium, September 26 at 4:00-5:00 pm,

  1. Call to Order – The September 26, 2022 meeting of the University Senate was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in Wyly Auditorium by President, Louis Reis.
  2. Welcome – President, Louis Reis, COES
  3. Roll Call – Alicia Kimbell recorded attendance; a quorum was met
  4. Approval of May 2022 Minutes – a motion to approve the minutes was made by Joseph Williams and seconded by Matthew Hartmann; all approved
  5. Executive Committee Introduction – member names announced
  6. University Senate Information on Moodle
    1. All senate members have been added to the Moodle page for access to historical documents, policy revisions, poll votes, and forums
  1. Potential Guest Speakers for the Year
    1. Guice (sometime around February – April)
    2. Tom Hoover (possibly coinciding with the Tech Online launch)
    3. McConathy
    4. Allison Maldonado, OSP Director
    5. Sam Wallace, Assoc. VP for Administration and Facilities (to discuss construction around campus)
    6. Louis Reis asked for additional names and some suggestions were Davy Norris or Donna Johnson
  1. Updates
    1. State Tenure Taskforce
      1. Have not met or communicated yet
      2. A committee has been formed
    2. APC
      1. Enrollment down in first time freshmen and continuing students; up slightly in graduate students (most LA universities were down more than Tech)
    3. Capital Outlay
      1. Currently working on GTM (still getting bids, no construction yet)
      2. CTH next (start collecting bids next year)
      3. New lighting in Keeny Circle (currently affecting parking in lot)
      4. City of Ruston street projects on Dan Reneau Dr. (Arizona & Texas Avenue)
    4. Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)
        1. Part of SACSCOC accreditation
        2. Previous QEP was FYE 100/COMM 101
        3. Focus groups will be formed soon
    5. Reimbursement Procedures
      1. Changes proposed by Sam Wallace are available on the Moodle senate page
        1. Shows weaknesses in the current system & alternatives (Workday, P Card, Supplier Invoice)
        2. Does not target travel
        3. Shows the changes that are being recommended
  1. Old Business
    1. Policy 1405 – Evaluation of Administrators
      1. Need to form a committee that looks at specifics
        1. Does not have to be a committee of only senators; open up to more faculty
      2. Allow for flexibility between needs/values of each college; looking for continuity between colleges
      3. Metric to figure out improvements
    2. Policy 2106 (Workload), Policy 2108 (Evaluation of Faculty), and Tenure/Promotion Guidelines
      1. Definition of workload using 27/SCH baseline
      2. Clearing up the language to determine consistency between colleges
      3. Evaluations and tenure requirements should reflect workload
        1. How do we document changes in workloads?
      4. Instructor “distinction” pathways
        1. Proposed multiple times; cannot create a “promotion” pathway (wording is the issue)
      5. Instructor recognition for their work
        1. Looking to award faculty in instructor positions
        2. What do other universities do?
    3. Student Engagement Fee/Bulldog Bundle
      1. Student focus groups – Who are they? How are the groups formed?
      2. A senator asked if FYE instructors mention the Bulldog Bundle to their students and discuss how it works
        1. Are all faculty aware of it?
        2. Students may bring it up as a question after it is too late
        3. Is it emphasized to both students and parents at orientation?
    4. Climate Survey
      1. AROS – about 6 years ago
      2. Senate completed a survey in 2003 or 2004
      3. Where do the results go?
    5. 2030 Strategic Framework
      1. Address diversity on campus
      2. Very fluid plans from year to year; flexible
  2.  Questions/Concerns?
    1. Louis will get back soon with senators on updates to Policy 1405 and the formation of a committee (needs to have a few senators on it)
  1. Adjournment
    1. Meeting was adjourned at 4:57 p.m. with a motion from Joseph Williams/Ann Clifton; all approved