University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Wednesday, February 21, 2001

I. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 P.M.

II. The minutes of the January 31, 2001, meeting were approved as circulated.

III. Report of the Executive Officer–Nancy Coghill. As directed by the Senate, the Executive Officer spoke to both Senator Triche, chairman of the Search Committee for the Vice President of Research, and to President Authement to request a copy of the letter to the faculty regarding President Authement's decision to reorganize the Graduate School under the Vice President of Research. She was informed that the position of Vice President of Research is changing form as the process is taking place and that input is being sought from both Committee members and candidates. President Authement would rather not comment on the position at this time as it appears that the position is becoming more of a joint, interactive position than was originally interpreted. He did say that a letter would be forthcoming within two or three weeks.

IV. Reports of Senate Committees: Permanent Committees A. Committee on Committees: Terry Clement, Chair–No report. B. Ways and Means Committee: William Rieck, Chair–No report. C. Academic Planning & Development Committee: Demetrios Kazakos, Chair. Acting Chair Lora Lana Goodeaux distributed the results of Committee deliberations regarding late faculty resignations in the form of two handouts. (Attachment #1) Motion 2001-02-19: The Committee presented four recommendations for Senate approval. Discussion: There was a lengthy discussion and several points of concern presented including the following: (1) the absence of a statement regarding the impact of the "contract" on tenure; (2) the act of entering into a contract; (3) the fact that deadlines do not appear to be realistic; (4) the structure of the document; and (4) the fact that the four statements in the Committee recommendations are "should" statements and the contract is binding. Because Executive Officer Coghill recognized that there is basic disagreement over whether or not the faculty wants a contract, she requested that each Senator make that determination before we proceed and provide input to the Committee. Motion 2001-02-20 (Gentry, Cazayoux): Recommend that the motion from the Committee on Academic Planning and Development be tabled. (Approved). It was the sense of the Senate that Dr. Authement be invited to the next meeting to speak with the Senate. (A formal vote was not possible due to lack of a quorum.) D. Governmental Concerns Committee: Christian Okoye, Chair–No report. E. Faculty Senate-Faculty Advisory Council Committee: Harry Bruder, FAC rep. (Attachment #2).

V Report of Special Senate Committees A. Ad Hoc Committee on Adjunct Faculty: Lewis Gale, Co-Chair–No report. The survey of adjunct faculty has been circulated. B. Ad Hoc Web Site Committee: Jack Ferstel, Chair–No report. C. Ad Hoc Faculty Club Steering Committee: Duane Blumberg, Chair–No report. Dean Blumberg did report during the rap session that the French House physical facilities were inspected and no serious structural problems were found. At this point, the Committee is investigating the form of the organization and invites suggestions which may be submitted to dblumberg@louisiana.edu.

VI Reports of University Committees A. Curriculum Committee: Jackie Robeck, Chair (Attachment #3). B. Faculty Grievance Committee: Nancy Coghill, Chair–No report. C. Faculty Benefits and Welfare Committee: Carol Venable, Chair–No report. D. Library Committee: Dolores Labbe, Chair–No report. E. Committee on Academic Affairs and Standards: Lewis Deaton, Chair–No report. F. Parking and Planning Committee: Lucien Gastineau, Chair–No report. G. Student Evaluation of Instruction Committee: Mike Maher, Chair–No formal report. A committee member did report that the committee had met to talk about security issues and review the evaluation process.

VII Unfinished Business A. Reorganization of Graduate School under Vice President of Research–See Executive Officers' report.

VIII. New Business A. Faculty Grievance Procedures. Senator Greene, as chapter president of AAUP, requested that the Senate work with AAUP on a Joint Ad Hoc Committee to review the faculty grievance document and make recommendations for revisions. Such a review is supported by the Administration. It was the sense of the Senate that the Senate should work with AAUP on the project. Executive Officer Coghill referred the matter to the Ways and Means Committee. Senator Rieck, Chair, will determine whether to appoint a sub-committee of the Ways and Means Committee or to have the Ways and Means Committee work as a whole with the AAUP committee to review Faculty Grievance Procedures. The Senate will look for a recommendation from the Committee in April. B. Reorganization of Graduate School under Vice President of Research. It was the sense of the Senate that the Senate request that the Academic Planning and Development Committee ascertain the facts about the procedure by which the decision was made to eliminate the position of Graduate Dean with attention to the extent to which the Graduate Council or other faculty committees or groups were involved in this decision directly affecting academic matters. The Executive Officer referred the matter to the Academic Planning and Development Committee. C. Master Plan. Senator Riehl reported that through the offices of Jimmy Clarke and Joe Savoie the faculty members of ALFS and FAC were able to make substantial changes to the first two paragraphs of the plan to de-emphasize job training as a part of our mission and re-emphasize the traditional values of a university education and the empowering value of that education as a part of our obligation to society. Ray Sweeney was a primary mover behind this. D. Announcements. 1. Distinguished professors and teaching award. Dr. Cicardo announced the names of the three distinguished professors: Dr. Mary Ann Wilson, English; Dr. Susanna Garcia, Music; and Dr. Vijay Raghavan, CACS. Dr. Hector Lasala, Architecture, is the recipient of the teaching award. 2. Dr. Cicardo advised the Senate that recommendations of the Task Force on the Group Employees Benefits Program have been issued. Faculty should consult newspapers and the Senate list serve for details.

IX The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen D. Cook

Secretary

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Faculty Senate