Meeting Minutes
I. Senate
President Laverne Simoneaux called the meeting to order at
the
Senators absent were: Beard, Kleiner, Krylo, Schulte, Weaver, and Williams.
II. Minutes from the August 2005 meeting were unanimously approved.
III. Senator Simoneaux asked for consent to change the order of the agenda so that
invited guests from Payroll and Human Resources could return to work. This
request was approved.
A. Senator Simoneaux introduced the invited guests from Payroll and Human
Resources. She then asked Senator Ramsey to present his resolution (#03)
Addendum A. Senator Ramsey summarized the resolution thanking the
staff of these campus office for getting the payroll out in a timely manner
during Hurrican Katrina. The resolution passed unanimously with
applause.
B. Senator Simoneaux then introduced President Randy Moffett, who was
accompanied by Dr. John Crain, Dr. Brad O’Hara, Mr. Stephen Smith,
Dr. Marvin Yates, and Dr. Joe Miller.
1. Dr. Moffett began by introducing the men with him.
a. He described the extra duties that each man had taken on
in the aftermath of the hurricane.
b. When he introduced Dr. Yates, he detailed his previous
employment and announced that he had recently been
approved by the BOS as Interim Vice-President for Student
Affairs.
c. Dr. Moffett joked that Dr. Yates had “blown in with the
storm” and had received a “baptism by fire” in helping to
deal with the problems created by Katrina.
2. Dr. Moffett thanked the faculty for everything that have done and
are continuing to do to help during this difficult time.
3. Dr. Moffett said that before Katrina, the University’s enrollment
was about 15,500, which was above the Regent’s goal for us.
4. Dr. Moffett acknowledged that the influx of displaced students has
put a strain on the University, but we are doing everything we can
to accommodate them because they need to return to a routine.
5. Dr. Moffett said that all of the guests with him deserve our thanks
for how they rose to the occasion and did whatever was asked of
them. Dr. Moffett said that this appreciation should extend to
Terry Passman and the Physical Plant workers, Dr. Assodeh and
the Office of Technology, Aramark Food Services (for feeding
the evacuees in the
C. Senator Simoneaux asked for approval to change the agenda again for the
introduction of a resolution. This request was approved.
1. Senator Simoneaux asked Senator Ramsey to read his resolution
thanking the Administration and their staffs. (#02) Addendum B.
2. After presenting the resolution, Senator Ramsey added that he
wanted to emphasize “students” and “responsiveness and selfless
service” because students have been telling him that they
appreciate everything Southeastern has been doing to help them.
3. The resolution was approved by applause.
D. Dr. Moffett then introduced Mr. Stephen Smith.
1. Mr. Smith thanked the Senate for showing its appreciation to the
personnel from Payroll and Human Resources.
2. He said that everyone should have been paid by now, and that
payroll is “back on cycle.”
E. Dr. Moffett then introduced Dr. Crain.
1. Dr. Crain said that the University is pleased with the results of
enrollment so far. Only about 250-300 students have indicated
that they will be unable to return to school. This number is not
expected to go above 500.
2. Southeastern has received applications from about 1400 displaced
students. About 1000 of these have registered for classes.
Registration will continue through September 16.
3. Dr. Crain said that these students are “gracious and grateful” for
what Southeastern is doing for them.
4. He said that the Administration is pleased but not surprised by
well Southeastern faculty and staff have responded. He asked for
continued patience with the disruptions.
5. Senator Neuerberg asked for a count of how many students have
checked in.
a. Dr. Crain said that it was about 13,000. However, not
all students used the check-in process; many just
returned to classes.
b. Senator Ply asked if students should still check in.
Dr. Crain responded that the check-in process helped
at the beginning of the return to school, and is now of
diminishing value. However, students can still check in.
c. Senator Burns said that some students had checked-in as
N (not returning) but have since shown up in class. Dr.
Crain said that every student who checked-in as N was
contacted by phone. After speaking with a University
representative, about 5-% realized that it would be
possible for them to come back.
d. An unidentified Senator asked how it was that so many
students were able to return. Dr. Crain said that most
of our students come from areas with manageable
damage. Also, most of the students from the hardest hit
areas were already living on campus. Dr. Moffett said
that “old” Taylor Hall has been reopened and is housing
about 400 students.
F. Dr. Moffett then introduced Dr. O’Hara.
1. Dr. O’Hara joked that this would be his “swan song” on parking
because it will now become Dr. Yates’ responsibility.
2. Dr. O’Hara said that the University will begin a free shuttle bus
service from the
It will run until September 30, and then its usefulness will be
evaluated.
3. Dr. O’Hara asked for everyone’s help with parking because there
are so many more people on campus (National Guardsmen,
Entergy workers, police, and additional students). He said that
on Monday (9/19) and Tuesday (9/20) the police will issue
warning citations. On Wednesday (9/21), they will begin
ticketing.
a. Dr. Moffett asked all Senators to tell their students to get
hang tags. There is no charge for displaced students, but
all cars need to be registered with the Police Dept.
b. Senator Simoneaux said that community people are
coming on campus to use the Library’s computers.
Dr. Moffett said that if these people are ticketed, they
should take the ticket to the Police Dept. to be handled
on a case-by-case basis.
4. Dr. O’Hara said that the bus schedule will be posted on the SLU
home page and at various sites on campus.
G. Dr. Crain took the floor again.
1. He announced that classes at the St. Tammany Center are being
relocated to
Cross is headquartered at the St. Tammany Center.
a. Senator Dassau asked if science lab classes were being
held at
will meet in classrooms. The University is negotiating
to be able to use only the labs at the
Center.
b. Senator Ply asked if daytime classes are relocating.
Dr. Crain said they are because the parish schools are
not back in session yet. Southeastern hopes to be able
to be back in the St. Tammany Center by the time the
parish schools reopen.
H. Dr. Moffett then introduced Dr. Miller.
1. Dr. Miller announced that the Development Foundation has two
accounts for accepting monetary relief donations. One account
is for athletes (NCAA approved), and the other one is for faculty,
staff and students.
2. He said that checks should be made out to the Development
Foundation and marked for “Hurricane Relief.”
IV. Old Business:
A. FAC Alternate Election: Senator Simoneaux asked Senator Titard to
conduct the election. Senator Titard said that all candidates had been
invited to make brief speeches.
1. Senator Bostic spoke first. She said that she had enjoyed her time
as FAC Representative. She said that although the position is
often an overlooked and sometimes thankless job, important work
gets done. She is eager and anxious to get back to that work.
2. Senator Dassau spoke next. She said that when she was a
Southeastern student she was active in organizations that allowed
her to interact with student leaders, administrators, and
community leaders, such as Pat Taylor. So she has experience.
Also, as someone who started at Southeastern as a part-time
lecturer and is now and Instructor, she believes that can speak for
all faculty members.
3. Dr. Yuri Malozovsky was absent.
4. Senator Ply spoke next. She said that in the past she served as
either FAC Representative or Alternate for a period of about ten
years. During that time, she forged strong relationships with
members, especially the local ones. She can speak to them
honestly and straightforwardly. She is a “known quantity.” As
a tenured faculty member she can not be pressured, and she is
free to speak her mind. She would be honored to serve again.
5. Senator Titard then asked the members of his committee to assist
him in distributing, collecting, and counting the ballot.
B. While waiting for the election results, Senator Simoneaux moved on to
the next item of Old Business: the Composition of the Nominations and
Elections Committee resolution (#06) Addendum C. She called on Senator
Coxe to present the resolution. Senator Coxe explained that the
Membership Secretary’s help is invaluable to the committee. Therefore,
these duties need to be written into the bylaws to make them “legitimate.”
The resolution was approved.
C. Senator Ply was elected as FAC Alternate.
V. New Business (continued)
C. Senator Wyld presented a resolution (#04) Addendum D welcoming
students back to Southeastern and welcoming “new friends” to
Southeastern. The resolution was approved.
D. Senator Simoneaux introduced a “surprise” resolution to add levity to
the post-Katrina proceedings. This resolution (#05) Addendum E says
that Mother Nature now “owes us one” to help
make
ever as the State works to recover.
VI. Announcements:
A. Senator Ply announced that some departments will have to elect additional
senators. Teaching/Learning has already added two (they were present at
the meeting). English needs another senator, and so does Nursing. New
faculty counts will also mean redoing the Standing Committees list. She
will present the data at the next meeting.
B. Senator Yeargain presented the BOS/FAC report from the August 26
meeting. He reported that ULL, McNeese, and Grambling gave various
forms of raises. The funding for these raises comes from the institutions.
Dr. Crain asked if the raises had actually been implemented yet, or only
authorized? Senator Yeargain said he was not sure. Senator Yeargain
provided the rest of his report (see Addendum F for his full report).
Dr. Crain asked for permission to reiterate the comments that Dr. Moffett
made at Convocation concerning raises. Southeastern’s request for raises
was “built into” the budget, contingent on available monies. The State’s
budget picture is in flux at this point, and the effect on institutions is not
clear yet.
C. The meeting was adjourned at
D. The next meeting is scheduled for
Respectfully submitted,
Senator Hite
Recording Secretary