Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes February 21, 2018
Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2018
Oliver Hall Room 112
Rap session at 3:30 with Dana Becket and Jeff Stewart discussing the changes to Frist-Time Freshmen convocation. They spoke until 4:15 pm.
At 4:15, Chad Parker (Parker) introduced Pearson Cross (Cross), who discussed the changes to General Education courses for all undergraduate degrees. Cross spoke until 4:42 pm.
Parker called the Faculty Senate meeting to order at 4:43 pm.
There was a quick motion to approve, and 2nd, for the meeting minutes from the November 2017 meeting, being the January meeting was canceled as a result of bad weather.
Parker stated he is still trying to get all the data requested for the pay committee. Parker stated he sat down with Danahar and he won’t provide the information. One of the problems is getting the continuous years of service.
It was suggested the Senate may have to place a Freedom of Information Act request to actually make UL give us the information. Ish supports this idea.
GH stated if the information isn’t provided, the senate should at least meet with the new committee since the last meeting was more than 3 years ago.
It was asked about UL moving the evaluation period from a calendar year to academic year. Parker stated this idea has been shelved for now and will be addressed again at a later date.
Baker stated one of the problems with UL is the lack of checks & balances for McKinney’s office.
Jim McDonald suggested to revisit the idea of creating a University Budget Committee.
Currently, the entire system is centralized through McKinney’s office. Had another in depth discussion on the need to evaluate administration and the need for transparency in this process at all levels.
GH announced that the university’s portion paid into retirement will increase to 6.20% this year. Currently the rate is 5.29%.
Jim asked how departments are currently implementing shared responsibility.
Again, emphasized the need to have the ability to evaluate administration.
Nancy Autin read the SEI report (posted on Moodle). With the new process started last semester there was a 39% to 44% increase in participation. Laurel Ryan stated she had difficulty in accessing some of the links provided, and Nancy stated she would look into the issue.
Andrea Leonard asked if the access to the SEI’s begin one week earlier than they currently do. Nancy said she would ask the committee.
Baker stated a continued issue is the low participation on student side and SEI factoring into faculty evaluation.
New Business: GH asked in the future if Senate meetings are canceled, if a backup meeting could be arranged.
Louis Denton gave information on the upcoming SACS review.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:38 pm