Two presentations were given before the meeting. The first, given by Tim McFarland of the University Bookstore, dealt with the Senate's questions concerning textbook orders. Not enough textbooks are being ordered, the wrong editions come in, and there is general confusion concerning communication between faculty and the bookstores, Mr. McFarland invited faculty to see him in his office and together work on specific problems. He also explained some of the problem with ordering books from abroad and filling orders worked out with publisher's reps. The second presentation was from Bill Crist and was a PowerPoint presentation showing all the responsibilities of the physical plant.
I. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. (31 Senators present).
II. The minutes of the January 12 meeting were approved.
III Report of the Executive Officer – Mickey Byrd. Written Report. Attachment 1
IV. Reports of Senate Committees: Permanent Committees:
A. Committee on Committees: Steve Knouse, Chair. No Report
B. Ways and Means Committee: William Rieck, Chair. No Report
C. Academic Planning and Development Committee: George Thomas , Chair. No Report
D. Governmental Concerns Committee: Christian Okoye, Chair. No Report
E. Faculty Senate-Faculty Advisory Council. Harry Bruder , Chair
Referred the Senate to last month's report, which met with underwhelming response. Please contact Sen. Bruder if you have any comments.
V Reports of Special Senate Committees
A. Ad Hoc Committee on Adjunct Faculty: Nichole Stanford, Chair. No report.
B. Ad Hoc Web Site Committee: Jack Ferstel, Chair. No report.
C. Ad Hoc Committee on the Faculty Club: Joe Riehl, Chair. No report
D. Ad hoc Committee on Graduate Student Housing. No report
E. Ad Hoc Committee to Revise Dismissal for Cause Procedures John Greene, Chair. .
They have had a meeting and continue to make progress.
F Ad hoc Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Keith Dorwick, Chair
Reported on recent adoption of a law opposing gay marriage. The election was challenged, but was upheld by a technicality.
G. Ad hoc Committee on Diversity, Chair
The committee has met and is investigating what other Louisiana Universities are doing regarding diversity In the future they will draft a mission statement for the committee. They will also construct a statement of support for the University's Office of Diversity.
VI. Reports of University Committees
A. Curriculum Committee: Paula Broussard , Chair No report
B. Faculty Grievance Committee: Ron Heady, Chair. No Report
C. Faculty Benefits and Welfare Committee:. No report
D. Library Committee: Allan Jones, Chair. No Report
E. Committee on Academic Affairs and Standards: Lewis Deaton, Chair
F. Parking and Planning Committee: No report
G. Student Evaluation of Instruction: James Flaitz, Chair. No Report
H, Committee on Academic Technology. Keith Dorwick, Chair
The Committee has been very busy. They have developed a statement on intellectual property. They are also working on a white paper on distance learning. They are working on a number of other things,
VII Unfinished Business
VIII New Business
Sen. Gentry moved that Whereas there appears to be an emerging university policy to prevent faculty members and others from solving their own computer problems by requiring use of a password available to only the small number of university computer technicians on staff, and whereas the small number of university computer staff technicians were already unable to meet the demand for their services, the Faculty Senate requests the appropriate university committee to explore the possibility of hiring graduate or undergraduate students to be authorized to tend to the minor problems that otherwise might require a computer to be out of service for weeks awaiting a technicians attention, or another solutions. Seconded. Keith Dorwick suggested the Academic Technology Committee, Sen. Byrd suggested, in the interests of time that the motion be voted on and turned over to the Technology Committee Motion passed
The Annual Conference of Louisiana Colleges and Universities will be meeting
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Sen. Gentry moved that Whereas several years ago faculty members received individual letters forbidding them to contact the UL Bookstore and other Bookstores about textbook orders, and whereas on several occasions various administrators of bookstore managers have told us orally that we can contact the UL Bookstore and others about textbooks, the Faculty-Senate requests that the appropriate university administrators send to every faculty member an individual letter authorizing the faculty members to talk to the UL Bookstore and other bookstores about textbook orders. Seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Senate adjourned 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Flynn
Secretary