Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes October 3, 2018

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, October 3, 2018, Oliver Hall 112

Senate meeting called to order at 4:05 pm once it was determined we had the numbers to have a quorum.

Chad Parker (CP) said at this point, still not having heard from College of Arts on their membership, we are at 74 members.

CP stated we have minutes from April, May, and September to approve, since previous meetings didn’t have the numbers.

Motion made by Senator in back of the room to approval all minutes.
Motion was seconded by another Senator.
All present voted in favor of approval of minutes.

Ish asked if any members abstain, and no one did.

CP stated he met with the new Provost about 3 issues brought up at the last meeting.
    1. Do we need a Committee on Committees (COC)?
Provost stated he does not like the idea of getting rid of COC.  This is a necessary group because if there are any changes to any curriculum, it needs to be reviewed by faculty and this is done through COC.

    2.  Brought up the issue about Strategic Program Review that started under Provost Henderson.
Provost stated that the process will be much more streamlined and easier once Banner is up and running in full force. Provost stated he spoke to Donna Gauthier (DG) about the program and will work towards maintaining it.

    3. Discussed our concerns about SEIs.
Provost would be willing to allow for changes if a committee wants to form to take a look at things. DG asked if there is any information from other places that we could use to help us.

CP then showed the Senate a flow chart that the Provost will follow (generally) when making decision, and it is what he used while at Sam Houston.  CP stated he is impressed and excited about the flow chart and the possibilities. It seems pretty impressive. And we can develop a committee to take a look at our current SEI process.

CP emphasized the Provost is a big supporter of Faculty Senate.

DG asked if we already have an SEI committee, stating she thought Nancy Autin was on the committee being she gives the report to the Senate.

CP stated that committee does not cover this aspect of SEI, only disseminating and collecting. Think this is something the Senate actually covers.

John Laudan (JL) says he is shocked to hear some colleges have almost all of their merit score based off of SEI scores. That is really bad practice. Asks for a committee to be formed to look at it.

CP calls to form an Ad Hoc Committee for SEI review.
Ish seconds the committee.

DG states this is a huge task and I know we’ve talked about research, but want to actually see the research. She states she thinks departments will continue to do what they do, but this might actually affect some of the numbers.

JL states he agress and things that would all be part of the change.

Ish offers another thought, what are actual appropriate uses of merit scores, and SEI not used in merit at all.

CP states anyone interested in serving on the committee, give your name to me or Sheri.

CP then opened the floor to any committees that have any reports.

CP stated we don’t have a Parking and Planning committee at all and no ones knows why; atthe time the Dean moved into Oliver Hall, the committee stopped meeting.

Senator states they are very concerned about Martin Hall acting this way and treating faculty this way. This is not shared governance. Senate needs to get more forceful.

CP added there are also too many that have no idea what’s going on.

JL stated there are many names of people on University Committees that aren’t even at the university any longer.

CP added we still don’t have the numbers from Arts yet.

Senator stated they served on the Committee of Underrepresented and Women, and when we completed a task, we were told we weren’t needed any more and haven’t met since.

CP stated that the provost and university executives wants the committee on women to exist. So, we’ll have to create another Ad Hoc Committee on the Underrepresented and Women. So, anyone who wants to serve, tell me or Sheri.   Also, members of Ad Hoc committees do not need to be Senators. They can be anyone that is faculty.

CP asked if any remaining questions. No questions asked and CP moved on to new business items.

Lewis Denton is on leave and need him replaced on Executive Committee for Senators. Constitution states he must be replaced.
Keith Dorwick is nominated, are there any other nominations?

Senators asked what the duties are.

CP stated it is actually unknown. Occasionally meets and come up with issues for the Senate to look at. CP stated is his not interested in doing it.

JL stated it would be nice to have someone from Nursing.
Written voting between Keith and Jimmy.
Results: Jimmy Kimble 23, Keith Dorwick 2.
Jimmy Kimble will be Denton’s replacement.

Senator from Sciences stated Jimmy Kimble willing to be nominated.

Next task is to come up with 2 people from every college to serve on Task Force.

CP stated we will vote on Task Force slate in two weeks.

DG made a motion to dismiss.
GH seconded.

Meeting adjourned at 4:57 pm.