2008-2009 Academic Year

Starting this term, the motions will no longer be posted on this page, but will otherwise be highlighted within the downloadable minutes on the Minutes page.

2006-2007 Academic Year

  May 9, 2007

Motion 2007-5-9 (Meriwether, Second) to elect two faculty representatives; one to serve as the primary member of the search committee, the other to serve as an alternate if the primary member is unable to fulfill duties. Approved unanimously. The Senate elected Dr. Meriwether as the primary member of the Search Committe and selected Dr. Bruder as the alternate.

April 18, 2007

Motion 2007-4-18 (H. Bruder, C. Bruder) that the Senate accept the Committee on Committees' report. Approved.

Motion 2007-4-18 (Ferguson, Sims) that the Senate accept the Committee on Grade Appeals Procedures' report. Approved.

Motion 2007-4-18 (Gentry, Sims) that the secretary request a comprehensive written annual report from each committee chair. Approved.

March 21, 2007

Motion 2007-3-21 (Ferguson, Taylor) that Senator Bruder be given Senate endorsement to serve on one of the Master Plan Development Work Groups which are being formed to develop strategies in Higher Education. Approved unanimously.

November 15, 2006

Motion 2006-11-15 (Dorwick, Deaton) to distribute Tree Protection Proposal to President Authement, Bill Crist, and Campus Planning Council for further action by the Senate Executive Officer. Approved unanimously.

Motion 2006-11-15 (Moved, Seconded) to forward the Textbook Resolution to The Vermilion, major national associations, sister institutions of higher education, and American Publishing Association. Approved.

Motion 2006-11-15 (Moved, Seconded) that the Executive Officer report actions and results to the Senate. Approved.

October 18, 2006

Motion 2006-10-18 (Moved, Seconded) that the Senate delete the Diversity Advisory Council Committee as a permanent committee of the Senate. Approved.

Motion 2006-10-18 (Bruder, Dorwick) the the senate approve the revisions in the University Policy Regarding Sexual Behavior and Sexual Harassment. Approved unanimously.

September 20, 2006

Motion 2006-9-20 (McDonald, Gentry)that Charles Triche be requested to address the Senate about the current budget and the acquisitions situation and the Library committee present recommendations to the Senate about this situation. Approved.

Motion 2006-9-20 (McDonald, Dorwick) that the library should return to pre-Katrina operating hours and that the Graduate Council address this issue. Approved unanimously.

2005-2006 Academic Year

February 15, 2006

Motion 2006-2-15 (Dorwick, McDonald) that the issue of clicker technology and its standardization be referred to the Academic Technology Committee. Approved unanimously.

Motion 2006-2-15 (McDonald, Brooks) that the university and the university police should work with the city to solve the traffic problem on Lewis Street when the campus closes at 12:30 on Fridays. Approved unanimously.

January 25, 2006

Motion 2006-1-25 (Greene, Dorwick) that edited document ‘Procedures for Dismissal for Cause and Imposition of Major Sanctions,’ be approved. Approved unanimously.

Motion 2006-1-25 (Gentry, Second) that the above approved document be sent to the president. Approved unanimously.

Motion 2006-1-25 (Woodell, Second)Whereas, the Faculty Senate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, along with the citizens of the United States generally honor and celebrate the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and whereas, the legacy of Dr. King is especially important to much of our University family that has been the victim of vicious language and worse acts, and though we support Mr. Hinson’s rights under the first amendment to the Constitution and would not censor him in any way, the assembled Faculty Senate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette does publicly express in the most forceful terms, that the comments of John Hinson in his column in the Vermilion dated January 18, 2006, are alien to this body and we do not wish to be associated with them. Approved unanimously.

November 16, 2005

Motion 2005-11-16 (Greene, Second) that edited "Dismissal for Cause" document be placed on Senate web site and approved at the January 25, 2006 meeting. Approved.

October 19, 2005

Motion 2005-10-19 (Blakewood, Second) Because the future uses of the former UL Horse Farm property will have significant, long-term impacts on the entire Lafayette community, the Faculty Senate respectfully encourages the administration of this university to enter into a dialog and planning process with concerned citizens and local government, in order to explore land-use possibilities which address the concerns of all parties. Such a process holds the promise of realizing a land-use plan which will meet the needs of the university while also improving the quality of life for all of Lafayette’s residents, now and in the future. Approved.

2004-2005 Academic Year

March 23, 2005

Motion 2005-3-23 (Gentry, Second) that the Faculty Senate approve the recommendations on page 7 of the report “Dupree Library Climate Control: One Year Later” and that the Executive Officer send the recommendations with the report and additional data to the same persons that last year's report was sent to, plus Mr. Crist. Bruce Turner states that there has been some improvement but not enough. It would be advisable to hire an expert to consult with us. Approved unanimously.

Motion 2005-3-23 (Gentry, Second) that the Faculty Senate request the UL Bookstore provide a report 60 days before the first day of classes, 30 days before the first day of classes and 15 days before the first day of classes to each departmental bookstore representative for textbooks ordered that includes the following: total requested by the department total in stock from previous semesters and buy-backs, total actually ordered by UL Bookstore and total received at the UL Bookstore. Approved unanimously.

February 16, 2005

Motion 2005-2-16 (Gentry, Second) 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. 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. Approved.

Motion 2005-2-16 (Gentry, Second) that the Executive Officer and Secretary attend the Annual Conference of Louisiana Colleges and Universities in New Orleans.Approved.

Motion 2005-2-16 (Gentry, Second) 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. Approved unanimously.

January 12, 2005

Motion 2005-1-12 (Gentry, Berkeley) that the Faculty Senate create an ad hoc Committee on Diversity to work with the new UL Lafayette Office of Diversity and keep the Senate informed. Approved.

October 20, 2004

Motion 2004-10-20 (Gentry, Dorwick) that the Senate encourage the Executive Officer to email all the faculty the endorse of the Senate of the Chronicle of Higher Education survey of faculty attitudes and encourage all faculty to fill out the survey and send it back, emphasizing its anonymity. Approved.

Motion 2004-10-20 (Ferguson, Second) that the issue of faculty travel expense inequities associated with the state travel contract be referred to the Governmental Concerns Committee with the charge that the committee draft a resolution which the Senate Chair can use brings before ALFS for the purpose of involving university faculty senates statewide in addressing the issue in the proper quarter. Approved.

Motion 2004-10-20 (Berkeley, Second) that the UL Faculty Senate fully supports Professor Louis Houston and offers its best wishes at this difficult time. The Senate also looks forward to the time when Sen. Houston is able to return to his former position as our esteemed and valuable colleague. Friendly amendment to strike the second sentence. Sen. Berkeley agreed. Approved.

November 17, 2004

Motion 2004-11-17 (Gentry, Daniel) that the Faculty Senate encourage faculty members to explore the possibility of utilizing Blackboard as a communication tool in all of their classes and request the editor of Faculty Forum to include in the next issue the benefits to faculty members and students of doing so. Amended (Berkeley, Auter) to include the words “or equivalent technologies” after the word “Blackboard”. Amendment passed. Approved.

Motion 2004-11-17 (Gentry, Miquez) that the Faculty Senate request with enthusiasm that it become University policy that faculty members required to attend commencement be extended parking privileges in the parking lots immediately contiguous to the commencement. Approved.

September 22, 2004

Motion 2004-09-22 (Byrd, Second) that the Senate request of the Administration that Mickey Byrd be Allowed to observe all the procedures of the Mediation Committee and the Grievance Committee during the academic year 2005-2005. A. Observation is for procedural purposes only. B. Confidentiality to be maintained. Approved unanimously.

Motion 2004-09-22 (Gentry, MacDonald) that Faculty-Senate request that the Executive Officer also be allowed to interview mediators and grievance committee members for 2003-2004 to see what can be learned to improve the process. Approved.

Motion 2004-09-22 (Dorwick, Turner) that the Executive Officer be authorized to continue negotiations with the Petroleum Club, with the proviso that the fees be reasonable to faculty of all levels. Approved.

2003-2004 Academic Year

April 21, 2004

Motion 2004-04-01 (Ad hoc Committee on Adjunct Faculty, Second) That there be a pay raise for adjunct faculty to the level of new instructors Friendly amendment to add the words “per course.” Approved unanimously

Motion 2004-04-02 (Ad hoc Committee on Adjunct Faculty, Second) That we move to allow adjunct faculty to take classes at a discount in tuitions for three years, and at no tuition after three years of service as adjunct faculty. Approved unanimously

Motion 2004-04-03 (ad hoc Committee on Adjunct Faculty, Second) That adjunct faculty pay an amount for their parking permits that is in proportion to their time spent on campus and we refer this issue to the consideration of the Parking Committee Approved

Motion 2004-04-04(Ad hoc Committee on Adjunct Faculty, Second) That the Business Office keep a complete list of Adjunct Faculty and their contact information. C. Bruder friendly amendment that Business Office be changed to Faculty Development Office. Agreed. Approved unanimously

Motion 2004-04-05 (Ad hoc Committee on Charges, Second) That the Faculty Senate charge the Ad Hoc Faculty Senate Committee on Sexual Harassment of Women, the Ad Hoc Faculty Senate Committee on the Status of Women and the Ad hoc Faculty Senate Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity as detailed in the reports issued by the Ad Hoc Faculty Senate Committee on Charges on April 21,2004, and that the Faculty Senate dissolve the Ad Hoc Faculty Senate Committee on Charges without further action by the Faculty Senate upon the naming of committee members to the three new Ad hoc Faculty Senate Committees created by the Faculty Senate at the end of the current semester. Approved unanimously

Motion 2004-04-06 (Gentry, Second) That the Faculty Senate let the record show that prior to the discussion today Mr. Dewayne Bowie, Registrar, agreed that he would arrange it so that grades for final exams scheduled Tuesday through Thursday would be due the following Monday at 10 a.m. and that grades for exams scheduled on Friday and Saturday would be due the following Monday at 5 p.m. Approved

Motion 2004-04-07 (Gentry, Second) That the Faculty Senate absolve the Academic Planning and Development Committee of the need to examine the issues in the establishment of the Academic Technology Committee. Approved

Motion 2004-04-08 ( Berkeley , Bary) That the Faculty Senate unequivocally support the student of the Philosophy Department and urges the Administration to defend its majors to the Board of

Regents in the strongest possible manner. Approved unanimously.

March 24, 2004

Motion 2004-03-01 (Berkeley, Pyenson) That the Faculty Senate endorse all the recommendations of the Academic Planning and Development Committee and will take steps to implement them. These recommendations will also be forwarded to the president. Approved

These recommendations are:

The Senate Committee on Academic Planning and Developments endorses the idea of developing a Vision Statement and a Strategic Plan for the evolutionary growth of the University in the next twenty-five years.

The Committee recognizes the vital need for careful and consistent long term planning to avoid short-sighted ad hoc policy-making.

The Committee recognizes the magnitude and the importance of this task, and believes that it is neither feasible nor appropriate that such a momentous task be undertaken by the Committee alone.

It strongly recommends that the Senate interact with the University administrations to create as soon as possible a campus-wide panel representing all constituencies, including the faculty, administration, support staff, students, alumni, employers and others, with the commission to develop a broad strategy for the University for the next 25 years.

The Committee is not aware of any existing vision/mission statement for the University, other than a general, brief ‘statement of purpose' found in the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletins. The Committee suggests that the Senate may request the Administration to clarify if such a document exists. If not, developing one should be among the first tasks of the newly constituted panel. Each academic unit should enunciate its long-term vision, and there must be a vision statement for the University.

The Committee suggests that the services of an outside consultant (similar to the one who recently reviewed our enrollment/retention strategies) may be useful to this exercise.

The Committee emphasizes that the need for the faculty and the administration to work together in this endeavor, thereby facilitating a sustained two-way communications channel between the faculty and the administration.

The committee suggests that in addition to an overall 25-year vision statement, specific near-term plans, e.g. five-year plans, be developed in more detail l for the immediate future.

The Committee recommends that adequate resources in terms of manpower, budget, and support facilities be made available for this important task. For example, this could be a one to two year project attached to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The Committee considers this as an important step in ensuring structure long-term growth for the University. Cooperative interaction and constructive, two-way dialog between the faculty and the administration will be the keys to success in this endeavor.

Feb. 18, 2004

Motion 2004-02-01 (Gentry, Bridges) That the Faculty Senate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette requests that the President of the University exempt the entire library from energy conservation measures that affect the climate control system and direct the physical plant staff to meet the following standards, humidity (as measured at monitoring points) in the winter can ranged no lower that 45% and in the summer can range no higher that 55%, with no daily variations of more than 2%, and temperatures (as measured at monitoring points) be no higher than 72 degrees in the general stacks and reading areas and no higher than 68degrees in the areas where special collections and microforms are stored, with no daily variations of more than 5 degrees; and

That the Faculty Senate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette calls the attention of the President of the University to the following:

that particular attention be paid to the goal of consistency of temperature and humidity—24-7-365;

That particular attention be paid to bringing within the standards the maximum daily high levels of temperature and humidity during June through mid-December of each year, and that particular attention be directed to the entire third floor of the library and the microforms area of the first floor of the library; and That the Faulty Senate of the University of Louisiana requests that the President of the university direct that a plan for reducing the temperature fluctuations and daily highs for the summer 2004 (June through mid-September period) be presented to the Faculty Senate no later that its April 20 th meeting. Approved unanimously.

Motion 2004-02-02 (Gentry, Second) That the Faculty Senate of the University of Louisiana requests that the Director of the Library arrange for the installation of additional humidity and temperature monitors in the Center for Louisiana Studies, the Center for Economic and Eco-Tourism, and the general stacks on each floor. Approved unanimously.

Motion 2004-02-03 (Gentry, Second) That the Faculty Senate of the University of Louisiana requests that Dr. Turner provide a report to the Faculty Senate at the September October 2004 meeting of readings of temperature and humidity, comparable to the one he has provided recently. Approved unanimously

Motion 2004-02-04 (Gentry, Second) That the Faculty Senate of the University of Louisiana requests that the Faculty Senate Executive Officer send the approved motions and this entire report, including attachments, to President Authement, Vice-President Landry, and Vice-President Bonnette. Friendly amendment to add Joey Pons to the list. Agreed Approved unanimously

Motion 2004-02-05 ( McKinney , Second) That an external consultant be brought in to evaluate existing conditions and make appropriate recommendations and that this be attached to the white paper and sent tot he President. Approved unanimously

Jan.21, 2004

Motion 2004-01-01 (Pyenson) that there be a commission on sexual harassment and the status of women on campus. (Gentry, Second) Proposed changing the scope of the committee to sexual harassment of women, covering faculty, students and staff, which would do a survey and offer educational training. Approved

Motion 2004-01-02 (Pyenson, Second) That there be a committee on the Status of Women. Approved 

Motion 2004-01-03 (Gentry, Second) That the Executive Officer discuss with the Administration the topic of getting the length of time for grading extended. Approved

Motion 2004-01-04 (Dorwick, Second) To establish an ad hoc committee on sexual orientation and gender identity. Approved

Motion 2004-01-05 (Gentry, Second) To urge Dr, Authement not to dismiss classes when there is no emergency. The Executive Officer should write a letter detailing instances and the problems involved. Approved

November 19, 2003

Motion 2003-11-01 (Committee on Adjunct Faculty) That the Faculty Senate request the administration to include the names and contact information of adjunct faculty in the Blue Key and departmental web pages. Approved.

Motion 2003-11-02 (Bary, Berkeley) that the Senate ask the Committee on the Faculty Club to investigate the precise terms on which the Hawkins House was left to the University, so that we may know what rights the faculty as a body may have to the building, and consider whether we can and/or should have access to it for use as a Faculty Club, for faculty housing, or other purposes on which the faculty may agree. Approved

  Motion 2003-11-03 ( Ferguson , Seconded) As chronic and acute problems of personal harassment . threats to personal safety, disruptive environmental problems experienced by graduate students living in graduate housing are interfering with the ability of graduate students to conduct research and publish results and thus interfering with the mission of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as a research institution, the ad hoc Graduate Student Housing Committee asks that the Faculty Senate support the graduate students in their efforts to ameliorate the aforementioned problems and work with the university administration on behalf of the graduate students to ameliorate the situation. Approved unanimously. Sen. Bary moved it be accepted as a Senate Resolution. Approved.

October 22, 2003

Motion 2003-10-03 (McDonald, Second) that the Executive Officer should request an explanation of the problem of tar drops falling on cars in Lot 11 from the roofing job on Griffin Hall and a mechanism for faculty to request payment of the damage to their cars. Approved

Motion 2003-10-03 (Gentry, Second) that the Faculty Senate Welfare and Benefits Committee inquire into the status of the University effort to remove all social security numbers or parts of them from all but personnel and insurance records. Approved.

September 17, 2003

Motion 2003-09-02 (Riehl, Bary) that the Executive Officer shall reconstitute the committee for the Faculty Club; the committee to be appointed by the Executive Officer with the aim of creating a corporation to create a university club. Approved.

Motion 2003-09-02 (Gentry, Riehl) that the Senate request the Faculty Welfare and Benefits Committee to work with Professor Womack regarding his concerns about retirement and DROP applications. Approved.

Motion 2003-09-03 (McDonald, Dorwick) that the Faculty Senate endorses Campus Equity Week and requests the Ad Hoc Committee on Adjunct Faculty to discuss plans to bring attention to adjunct faculty issues as part of Campus Equity Week, the last week of October, 2003. Approved.

2000-2001 Academic Year