C A M P U S C O R R E S P O N D E N C E

C A M P U S C O R R E S P O N D E N C E

Southeastern Louisiana University

DATE: August 16, 2004

TO: Dr. David Wyld, President

Faculty Senate

FROM: Randy Moffett

President

RE: Faculty Senate Resolutions, 2003-04

The following is offered in response to the Faculty Senate’s 2003-04 resolutions:

Resolution 03-04-1, Distance Learning Policy and Faculty Office Hours

While an important function of faculty office hours is to ensure access by students to faculty, that is not the sole function. However, the Administration acknowledges that technology has had and will continue to have a profound impact on how faculty communicate and interact with students.

An ad hoc Committee will be charged with conducting a more comprehensive analysis of issues surrounding this resolution and making a recommendation to the Administration on its feasibility and possible means of implementation.

Resolution 03-04-2, Interim Review of Tenure-Track Faculty

The Administration agrees there is a need to clarify interim tenure review procedures and will convene a broad-based committee which includes representatives of all parties involved in the process to make recommendations for improvements.

Resolution 03-04-3, Sabbatical Leaves

The Administration agrees to do everything possible to obtain approvals and inform sabbatical recipients at the earliest possible time.

Resolution 03-04-4, Textbook Rental Fees

The changes recommended in the Resolution are largely consistent with recommendations made by the Rental Textbook Committee and will be implemented in January 2005.

Resolution 03-04-5, Transfer Credit

The Administration agrees with this recommendation. After additional input is sought from other groups, e.g. Council of Department Heads and Deans Council, this issue will be brought before the Academic Affairs Council for action.

Resolution 03-04-6, Online Withdrawals

While this seems to be a viable recommendation, the Administration believes it is part of a larger more complex issue involving various aspects of student enrollment and withdrawals (see response to resolution #14).

Resolution 03-04-7, Rankings of Southeastern

While the Administration agrees that it is generally preferable to receive positive results in national collegiate rankings, it is not always feasible to make decisions that impact the rankings. Specifically, items, 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are currently being pursued as part of the University’s existing strategic plan; however, items 2 and 3 which involve controlling class enrollments through the manipulation of the number of sections offered frequently is not feasible due to other factors which impact the scheduling of sections.

Resolution 03-04-8, Parking Area Changes

In light of tremendous, short-term changes to the University’s parking system during 2004-05 due to residential construction, alterations to faculty/staff/student parking instituted last year will remain in effect. However, a thorough review of faculty/staff/student parking allocations is suggested upon completion of residential construction in 2005. The Parking and Transportation Committee would review and recommend possible changes at that time, which would ensure appropriate faculty input in the process.

Resolution 03-04-9, Parking Down

A January 2002 report issued by Chance Management Advisors, Inc., did not recommend a “parking down system” for faculty/staff. This recommendation was issued as part of a comprehensive review of Southeastern’s parking and access issues that involved much study and extensive discussions with faculty, staff, students and community members. It is our belief that this recommendation is still valid.

Resolution 03-04-10, Alumni Parking Tags

Effective immediately, the Alumni Association will verify that applicants for alumni parking decals are not enrolled as students.

The Alumni Association regularly examines the appropriateness of all of its membership benefits, including parking permits, and will be doing so in the near future.

Resolution 03-04-11, Handicapped Parking

The University Police Department issues “permanent” handicapped parking permits in concert with State of Louisiana practice. Each applicant must present an approved form from the Department of Motor Vehicles with a note from his/her physician. Temporary, short-term handicapped parking permits are issued in accordance with existing parking regulations that state:

To obtain a temporary handicapped parking hangtag, the applicant must bring to the University Police Department a letterhead certification from a physician explaining the temporary disability. The letter must also contain a statement as to the dates the physician expects the person to be temporarily disabled. The temporary handicapped hangtag will be issued for the expected time of the disability plus one calendar week. This hangtag allows the individual to park in any faculty/staff (except for reserved spaces) or student parking areas, but does not allow parking in handicapped spaces.

Annually, parking spaces designated for persons with disabilities are reviewed by the University Police Department for appropriate number and location in light of permits issued, ADA regulations, etc. Suggested changes are discussed with the Vice President of Student and Public Affairs for possible action.

Resolution 03-04-12, Carpooling

The University supports the notion of carpooling and suggests that such a system will only be successful with sufficient student interest. Mr. Jim McHodgkins (SGA Advisor) will work with our Student Government Association to determine the viability of carpooling with our student body. Any subsequent development and coordination will be contingent upon active participation by both students, faculty and staff.

Resolution 03-04-13, Speeding on SGA Drive

In light of residential construction during 2004-05 and preliminary discussions to possibly

“straighten” SGA Drive, the installation of speed bumps at this time is not recommended.

During the past academic year, 55 speeding violations were issued to drivers on SGA Drive. University Police Department personnel will continue to enforce speed limits on this thoroughfare as they do throughout campus.

Resolution 03-04-14, Withdrawal Policy

Consistent with previous recommendations received by the Deans Council and the Council of Department Heads, the Administration will appoint a broad-based committee to analyze and make recommendations regarding policies which govern student withdrawals from classes.

Resolution 03-04-15, Appeal and Change-of-Grade Policy

The final policy adopted by the Academic Affairs Council reflects the Senate’s recommendations.

Resolution 03-04-16, Parking Tag/Decal Conflicts

Faculty and staff who occasionally find it necessary to utilize student tagged vehicles for work-related business will be permitted to park in faculty/staff spaces with a valid faculty/staff hangtag. Individuals are asked to provide prior notification to the University Police Department (extension 2025 during regular business hours) of this need.

Resolution 03-04-17, Academic Dishonesty

The final policy adopted by the Academic Affairs Council reflects the Senate’s recommendations.

Resolution 03-04-19, Copyright Policy

The final policy adopted by the Academic Affairs Council reflects the Senate’s recommendations.

Resolution 03-04-20, Commencement Changes

The Administration acknowledges the recommendations made by the Senate in the resolution; however, changes in commencement practices are exceedingly complex given the many diverse constituents involved, including the graduates, their families, faculty, staff, community members, etc. The Administration will continue to review variations on commencement exercises in order to fine tune Southeastern’s practices.

Resolution 03-04-21, Daycare On-campus

The Administration recognizes the substantial value of daycare opportunities for faculty, staff, and students. There are many factors to consider, and many potential options that might be pursued, including location and costs, as well as possible access through a private provider. A broad-based committee of faculty, staff, and students will be convened to evaluate the potential options and make recommendations to the Administration on how best to pursue this benefit.

Resolution 03-04-22, Academic Integrity

The Administration agrees with this recommendation and will seek to inform students of academic integrity expectations through various means, including the “Welcome Back” memo.

Resolution 03-04-23, Anti-Plagiarism

The Administration will pursue the viability of acquiring access to an anti-plagiarism web site.

Resolution 03-04-24, Schedule Changes Made During Drop/Add Period

The Administration believes this issue should be incorporated with the response to resolution #14.

Resolution 03-04-25, Multiple Catalogues: Proposal for Change to General Catalogue

Statement

Resolution 03-04-26, Intellectual Property Policy

The final policy adopted by the Academic Affairs Council reflects the Senate’s recommendations.

Resolution 03-04-28, Smoking Policy Signage

Permanent signage will be installed that will designate those areas where smoking is (not) permitted during the fall 2004 semester. To complement this action, additional benches and ash/trash receptacles have been installed in designated smoking areas where needed. Two additional designated smoking areas have been instituted effective mid-August 2004 at the Biology Building and the Pennington Student Activity Center.

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