University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Wednesday, October 18, 2000

I. The meeting was called to order at 4:05 P.M.

II. The minutes of the September 20, 2000, Faculty Senate meeting were approved as circulated.

III. Report of the Executive Officer–Nancy Coghill (Attachment #1). Action on two items included in the report--(1) student exit from dormitories following final exams and (2) the Faculty Senate Faculty Development Fund--will be considered under new business. With regard to the dormitory issue, the Administration's response to the Senate's Spring 2000 request that students have extended time to exit the dormitories following final exams was that case by case extensions are granted but, for safety reasons, it is not possible to alter the exit time. Regarding the Faculty Senate Development Fund, while the fund is established as a Senate fund, procedures for disbursement of funds must be determined. The Executive Officer will investigate the level of funding required before disbursement may begin.

IV. Reports of Senate Committees: Permanent Committees A. Committee on Committees–Terry Clement, Chair–No report B. Ways and Means Committee: William Rieck, Chair–(Attachment #2) C. Academic Planning & Development Committee–Demetrios Kazakos, Chair–(Attachment #3). The Committee had been charged with responding to Dr. Authement's request that the Faculty Senate address the problem of faculty members leaving the University at or after the beginning of classes. At this time, the Committee did not present a formal recommendation regarding possible sanctions to the faculty members who left earlier this semester. A formal motion will be drafted for later presentation. The Committee has not yet contacted those who left the University without notice to determine the reasons for departure. Motion 2000-10-06: (Committee) "The Faculty Senate moves that UL Lafayette should notify new faculty that AAUP guidelines for resignation are in place at UL Lafayette. This notification should be placed in the Faculty Handbook and explicitly raised at faculty orientation." (Approved) D. Governmental Concerns Committee: Christian Okoye, Chair–No report. E. Faculty Senate-Faculty Advisory Council Committee: Harry Bruder, FAC rep. --(Attachment # 4) Senator Riehl announced that the Association of Faculty Senates (ALFS) will meet on November 11 in Alexandria. Senator Riehl will attend as ALFS president, Senator Bruder as FAC representative, and Senator Byrd as alternate FAC rep. In addition to the information provided by Senator Bruder in his report, Senator Riehl indicated that LSU continues to work with their new tenure policy, a copy of which he has in his office for review.

V Report of Special Senate Committees A. Ad Hoc Committee on Adjunct Faculty–Lewis Gale, Chair--No written report. The Committee is trying to find the survey instrument and results from 1997 so that each issue may be reviewed. B. Ad Hoc Web Site Committee: Jack Ferstel, Chair–No written report. The Faculty Handbook, which is available in electronic form, will be added to the site. C. Ad Hoc Faculty Club Steering Committee–Duane Blumberg, Chair–No report. VI Reports of University Committees A. Curriculum Committee: Jackie Robeck, Chair–(Attachment #5) B. Faculty Grievance Committee: Nancy Coghill, Chair–No report. As a point of information, Senator Riehl asked Committee Chair Coghill if the Faculty Grievance Committee maintains records of the President's actions on Committee recommendations. So that she could respond as Committee chair, Executive Officer Coghill requested that the Secretary assume the responsibility for conducting the meeting. Motion 2000-10-07: Joe Riehl, Jim McDonald: That the Faculty Grievance Committee provide information about the numbers of recommendations made in the past 5 years and the final determinations of those recommendations by the President of the University. (Approved) The Executive Officer reassumed her duties. C. Faculty Benefits and Welfare Committee: Carol Venable, Chair (Attachment #6) D. Library Committee: Dolores Labbe, Chair (Attachment #7). Executive Officer Coghill will forward the request of Senator Berkely for two items of information from the Committee--(1) what is being done about the loss of books in the library and (2) whether or not the library has a security officer. E. Committee on Academic Affairs and Standards: Lewis Deaton, Chair–(Attachment #8) F. Parking and Planning Committee: Lucien Gastineau, Chair–No report. G. Student Evaluation of Instruction Committee: Mike Maher, Chair–No report. VII Unfinished Business A. Required exit of students from dormitory: Motion 2000-10-08: Leslie Bary, Judith Gentry: The Faculty Senate requests that no student be required to check out of dormitory quarters until 24 hours after the last scheduled final examination is given. (Approved unanimously) Motion 2000-10-09: Pat Miller, Leslie Bary: That the Faculty Senate notify the SGA of the recommendation to support the student body by extending the dormitory closure to 24 hours past the last scheduled exam. (Approved) VIII New Business A. Professor Robert Rhyne from the College of Liberal Arts informed the Senate of the problems that both faculty and students traveling in foreign countries have with the lack of necessary information on the current ID cards. Motion 2000-10-10: Judith Gentry, Joe Riehl: Move that we refer this request to the Faculty Benefits and Welfare Committee with the request that they inquire into the ID card situation. (Approved) Professor Rhyne will work with the Committee. B. Dr. Cicardo reported on recent actions of the State Group Benefits Program as follows: (1) the extension of the 90-day prescription refill until December 31, 2000; (2) a 14.6% increase in premiums in January; (3) the establishment of a Task Force to look at possibly reorganizing the board; (4) a proposal to insure only plan members without dependents; and (5) a proposal to eliminate retirees from insurance coverage. Further information will be circulated to the faculty via the Senate e-mail. C. Senator Gentry suggested that the Senate look into the failure of the higher Administration to consult with faculty (or at least determine if that is the case) when it made the decision to change the graduate school (reorganization under Vice President of Research). The matter will be considered under old business at the next meeting. D. The extension of meeting time by five minutes was approved. E. Disbursement of Foundation funds: Motion 2000-10-11: Joe Riehl: That the Ways and Means Committee devise a mechanism for overseeing and disbursing Faculty Senate funds and report at the next Faculty Senate meeting. (Approved)

IX The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Ellen D. Cook

Ellen D. Cook

Secretary

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Faculty Senate