Meeting Minutes
Wednesday,
November 3, 2004
Alumni Center
I. Senate President David Wyld called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. in the Alumni Center. Membership Secretary Mary Sue Ply called roll. Senators absent were: Ahn, Armenta, Blanchard, Burns, Depoy, Diez, Hite, Jeansonne, Johansen, Kirylo, Root, Saeki, Schulte, Valentino, and Vidrine.
II. Minutes from the October 6, 2004 meeting were unanimously approved.
III. Dr. Wyld introduced two invited guests to the meeting: President Randy Moffett to report results of the testing office audits, and Dr. Bea Baldwin to provide an update on SACS.
A. Dr. Moffett told senators that approximately eighteen months ago he made a presentation to our Board of Supervisors resulting from internal audits of Southeastern’s testing office conducted with the assistance and cooperation of the Legislative Auditor’s office in Baton Rouge.
1. The first audit focused on GED testing that validates high school credentials. This audit resulted in findings of certain misappropriation of funds. After this audit, the director of testing resigned.
2. With the cooperation of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office and at the recommendation of Dr. Paul Riggs, interim director of the Testing Office, a second internal audit was conducted that dealt with the procedures and testing/credit functions of the office of testing including PRAXIS, GRE, LSAT, departmental and other examinations.
a. After several months of examining records spanning a twenty-year period, this second audit revealed concerns about the CLEP exams. These concerns were reported to the Board, along with the discovery of additional misappropriation of funds and inappropriate use of state equipment, materials, and supplies. It was further determined that twelve students over a period of several years had been given unsubstantiated credits, the legitimacy of which could not be validated by our Records and Registration office or by ETS. Of those twelve students, six had been awarded college degrees from our University.
b. The Board then directed that the investigation continue so as (1) to clarify and make recommendations pursuant to the unsubstantiated credits and (2) to deal with the misappropriation or improper utilization of university equipment.
c. Southeastern turned over information to the District Attorney’s office and to the State Legislative Auditor’s office. After examinations of the legalities pertaining to fraud and other matters, the DA decided not to pursue criminal charges.
d. In the meantime, Southeastern (having received several favorable judgments in federal court) continued to work with the students who had received unsubstantiated credits.
3. Six months ago, Southeastern entered into a civil suit against the former director of testing who had resigned during the first audit. As a result of the civil suit, Southeastern was able to conduct formal depositions of others that provided cross validation that some credits had been obtained inappropriately and had resulted in the awarding of several degrees without students having the proper credit.
4. Southeastern has worked over the past months with several attorneys and has been involved in several court cases, arriving at the following outcomes:
a. Of the original twelve students that received unsubstantiated credits, five students have surrendered those credits.
b. Additionally, two students have surrendered their degrees admitting that they were obtained inappropriately.
c. Throughout the process, Southeastern Louisiana University has given all of the involved students appropriate notification and an opportunity to present their sides. A faculty panel was recently convened to afford those students who had not yet presented evidence on their own behalf the opportunity to do such. None of the students chose to attend. Therefore, the administration has now recommended to the faculty panel via attorney that the credit and degrees be revoked from students who failed to appear and, further, that they be ineligible to return to this university. Dr. Moffett said that the administration is currently awaiting final recommendations from the panel.
d. President Moffett noted that a number of the parties involved had cooperated and either made or are in the process of making financial restitution to the University.
5. Throughout this important process, Dr. Moffett noted valuable lessons were learned. Southeastern has now implemented additional checks and balances, new controls have been put into place, and the administration has dealt with the issues of those credits and degrees granted in an inappropriate manner.
6. Dr. Moffett thanked a number of campus employees who have worked diligently throughout this two-year process to be fair and to secure the return of credits or degrees inappropriately obtained.
7. Dr. Wyld commended Dr. Moffett, Dr. Crain, and the Controller’s Office and Auditing staff who have worked on this matter. He then opened the floor for discussion.
a. Senator Mirando asked what we are doing to make sure this problem does not happen again?
b. Dr. Moffett said that procedures are now in place that require additional documentation and double and triple checks. More signatures are now required from different parties, and there are better procedures for collecting and recording fees.
c. Senator White said that she had read about some of this matter before, but had not heard of the misappropriation of credits.
d. Dr. Moffett said he was disseminating the information to the University community.
e. Dr. Wyld thanked Dr. Moffett for the report and for his work in the matter.
B. Dr. Wyld then introduced Dr. Bea Baldwin, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, to provide an update on SACS. There are two parts to the SACS reaffirmation process: Compliance Certification and Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).
1. We have now finished the Compliance Certification report, which involved addressing twelve core requirements and 53 standards that dealt with such issues as the institution and its relationship to its the management board, standards on governance’s effectiveness, educational programs, faculty, library, facilities and resources, and student affairs. The university also had to show compliance with federal regulations that govern higher education. The Compliance Certification team found Southeastern to be in compliance with all of the available standards and presented copious documentation of such. The in-house team includes Dr. Mike Kurtz, Dean, Graduate School; Dan McCarthy, representing Department Heads; Steve Soutullo; Frank Pergolizzi, Director, Athletics; Stephen Smith, Vice President for Administration and Finance; Dr. David Wyld, for Faculty sections; Dr. Joseph Miller on the university’s relationships with Development Foundation and Alumni; Dr. Mike Budden, areas relating to Deans; Dr. Hunter Alessi, Chair of Committee for Institutional Effectiveness; Dr. Brad O’Hara, Student Affairs issues; and Dr. Eric Johnson from the Library. Eight outside reviewers from institutions in the Southeastern United States were assigned to look at individual pieces (based on individual expertise) of our Compliance Report. They will meet in Atlanta, November 8 through 10, to determine whether we are in compliance, not in compliance, or not able to determine for all core requirements and standards. We should have verbal feedback within two weeks afterwards. The documentation and report in its entirety may be viewed at:
2. With regard to the Quality Enhancement Plan, Dr. Baldwin said that a preliminary report was given from the QEP team at the Provost’s Summit on September 28. The QEP report is due in Atlanta on January 10th. Another Provost Summit will be held to review action plans and QEP report. The final report will be approximately 75 pages long and, once finalized, will be posted electronically. An onsite visit of seven reviewers is scheduled for the week of March 14, with two of the seven looking at nothing but the Quality Enhancement Plan. After we receive their report, we will have the opportunity to respond if needed.
3. We will not know the status of reaffirmation until the December 2005 conference where it will be announced.
a. Senator Faust asked why they were not giving a written report for the off-site compliance.
b. Dr. Baldwin said that perhaps it was because things were still tentative, and reviewers would be working exclusively from a written report and the documentation.
c. Dr. Wyld asked how we fared compared to our sister institutions in Louisiana.
d. Dr. Baldwin said Tech was the only institution going through the project on the same timeline; and added her belief that we are in really good shape.
e. Dr. Wyld thanked Dr. Baldwin and her staff, and particularly Cheryl Breaux for all of their work.
IV. Old Business:
A. Dr. Wyld recognized Judy Coxe, Chair of the Constitutional and Bylaws Committee.
1. Senator Cox asked whether the Senate wanted the Constitutional and Bylaws Committee to proceed with a review the Bylaws and requested a motion. Senator Ply so moved and Senator Bonnette seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Senator Coxe said that the committee would report any needed changes back to the Senate.
2. Senator Coxe then presented the following resolution to the Senate:
WHEREAS the College of Basic Studies has been changed to the College of
General Studies and;
WHEREAS budget is not spelled budge;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Constitution and Bylaws Committee
requests that the Faculty Senate approve changing the College of Basic Studies
to the College of General Studies throughout the bylaws, and that on page 8:14
of the bylaws, under A.2.of the Budget Committee, the word budge be changed to budget.
This motion to approve the resolution was seconded by Senator Bonnette and approved unanimously.
3.
Senator
Coxe said there were other changes besides editorial changes that were needed
in the Bylaws and Senator Lewallen asked for Senate approval that additional
procedural changes were warranted and wanted. Senator Coxe requested that each
senate committee meet to look at the scope of their committee work as currently
outlined in the Bylaws, to discuss these tasks, to see what changes (if any)
were necessary to update the document. She asked that suggestions ‘to let
stand’ or ‘suggested changes’ be emailed to her at jcoxe@selu.edu. Senator Coxe suggested that
committee meetings occur before December meeting. President Wyld suggested that
committees meet by the January meeting, if not by the December meeting, and
make recommendations. Senator Wyld added that the officers would do the same
concerning their roles, as their duties had likewise changed over the course of
time.
4.
Senator
Ramsey asked for protocol clarification regarding observations that senators
might have about the Constitution/Bylaws not related specifically to their
committees. Senator Coxe said those comments should be forwarded to her as
well.
B.
Senator
Wyld recognized Senator Ramsey, Chair of the Academic Committee, for purposes
of discussing student responsibility in relationship to the narrative portion
of the SOTS. Senator Ramsey turned the floor over to Senator Mark. Following up
on Senator Ply’s proposal at the last meeting, Senator Mark presented the
following resolution for the Senate’s consideration:
WHEREAS the Narrative Response Form of the Student Opinion of Teaching
survey is reviewed only by the faculty member leading the course in question,
and
WHEREAS the current version of this instrument includes questions
regarding issues over which the faculty member has little or no control, and
WHEREAS the purpose of the Narrative Response Form would be better served
if questions were phrased to elicit constructive and useful comments from
students:
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Faculty Senate recommend that the
Narrative Response Form of the Student Opinion of Teaching be rewritten to
address the above concerns. Questions should be directed toward students’
learning, including suggestions for enabling students to take responsibility
for their own academic success.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Senate recommend the following
free-response prompts for inclusion in the Narrative Form:
·
The instructor’s main strengths are . . .
·
I could have improved my learning in this
course by . . .
·
My
learning in this course would have improved if the instructor had . . .
1. After a lengthy and lively discussion about needed and/or potential edits to the proposed prompts, a majority of attending senators, by show of hands, voted not to include prompts on the Narrative Response Form related to student reflection/assessment of their own strengths and weaknesses.
2.
Senator
Ply said that a major purpose for her initial request for a resolution was to
provide students with a sense of responsibility for their own learning, and
such would necessitate self-assessment and self-reflection. She then moved to
withdraw the resolution. Senator Bonnette seconded the motion. The motion to
withdraw was passed.
3.
Dr.
Wyld said that any other proposed changes related to the SOT narrative forms
would need to be introduced as new business at the meeting or at some point in
the future.
C.
Senator Nelson, Chair of the Faculty Welfare Committee, reported back on
parking issues raised at the last meeting. He said that he could make an
appointment with Chief Merrick to talk about enforcement. Parking down does not
seem to be a solution and no one has emailed him about problems except for
Senator Ply. Senator Wyld said that he too has not received any further emails
detailing problems with parking, but was open to additional input. The issue
will remain open for another month to see if some specific issues come to
light. He added that some added enforcement has taken place in wake of the
Senate’s input.
V.
New
Business:
A.
Dr.
Crain presented the Senate with a modification recommendation for our academic
honors policy that would allow those students who were sometimes prevented from
participating in academic honors when completing a practicum or ungraded course
the opportunity to receive academic semester honors in certain circumstances.
Mr. Soutullo added that semester hours earned had sometimes also been an issue
in summer (see Addendum A).
1.
Senator
Li asked how students received recognition for having earned academic honors.
Dr. Crain said that they received a letter and their names were posted on our
website.
2.
Senator
Yeargain moved that the draft be sent to Academic Committee. Senator Simoneaux
seconded the motion. The senators voted unanimously to send the issue to the
Academic Committee.
B.
Dr.
Wyld suggested and said that it had been recommended to him that the process
for applying for internal grants through the Center for Faculty Excellence
could be streamlined. Senator Wyld drew agreement when he stated that, in some
instances, faculty were putting in more than a $500 effort (in time costs) in
order to obtain a $500 grant to support their teaching and research programs.
He asked for a motion to send the issue to the Faculty Welfare Committee for
purposes of making friendly suggestions regarding the quantity of required
documentation and the process for submitting materials—perhaps seeing if the
entire process could be done online. Senator Titard (proxy) so moved. Senator
Ramsey seconded. The senate voted to send it to the Faculty Welfare Committee.
C.
Senator
Simoneaux noted that the library had recently had difficulty in attracting
large applicant pools for available positions. She believed that more and
better-qualified candidates might be identified if the quantity of initial
application materials required were lessened.
1.
Dr.
Wyld said that, in terms of the initial screening, Southeastern sometimes had
hurdles that perhaps other institutions did not.
2.
Senator
Simoneaux said she had researched requirements from around the state and felt
that, although each discipline had different needs, we needed to make the
initial application process easier whenever possible. She also cited the impact
that such hurdles might have on our minority faculty recruitment efforts.
3.
Senator
Wyld added that the Chronicle of
Higher Education makes it
possible for schools and applicants to move their entire application process
online. In the wake of such competition, Southeastern’s standards seem
especially out of step.
4.
Senator
Yeargain moved to send the issue to committee. Senator King seconded. The
Senate voted to send the issue to the Professional Rights and Responsibility
Committee.
VI.
Announcements:
A.
Senator
Ply announced that the Provost has appointed a committee to study withdrawal
rates on campus. This committee is chaired by Steve Soutullo and has
representatives from the various colleges as well as two faculty senators
(herself and David Wyld). She said that they would report back as more
information becomes available. She encouraged the senators to forward any
suggestions or comments on the withdrawal issue.
B.
Dr.
Crain announced that, while smoking areas have been designated, sufficient signage
is still not available on campus. He said that, while it is taking a long time
to get appropriate signs in place, they are in process. The University is going
to have new, larger signs to clarify smoking and non-smoking areas, along with
more receptacles and seating areas to encourage smokers to use designated
areas. A number of senators asked about enforcement. Dr. Crain responded that,
while the policy is still a voluntary one, faculty should feel it is within
their rights to politely point out the proper areas for smokers to use.
C.
Senator
Wyld asked how many people had recently received a bill from the University. A
number of senators had received bills, including Senator Yeargain who said that
he had received a mystery bill for $11. Dr. Crain said that the university
recently switched Accounts Receivable to PeopleSoft, which handles these
accounts differently from the old software. Over the last couple of years, the
Controller’s Office has discovered potentially unpaid bills and items not
billed properly. In an effort to clear up the matter, they recently sent out a
large number of outstanding bills only to discover that there had been a number
of bills sent in error. Therefore, there is an ongoing analysis of the bills
and appropriate follow up correspondence will be issued to those who have
received bills.
D. FAC Representative Bostic presented a report on recent FAC and BOS/BOR meetings (see Addendum B). In addition to the report filed below, she told senators that when the Board of Supervisors recently met on the Southeastern campus, eight members of the council attended and all gave her unsolicited comments on the positive impression that Southeastern’s campus and Dr. Moffett had made on them. Representative Bostic added that she has been in contact with a group representing schools in our 1-AA athletic division, who are interested in having a Southeastern representative in their organization. She has given information on this to Senate President Wyld, who will work with the Executive Committee to look into this possibility.
E. Senator Stahr provided the SGA report. SGA is going to vote on adding a student senator for the Honors College. She noted that SGA has grant money to spend on campus. She encouraged any senators interested in attending SGA meetings on Monday at 5 p.m. to contact her or Senator Hite.
F. The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for December 1, 2004.
Respectfully
submitted,
Jayetta Slawson
Recording Secretary
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9/30/04
DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT
(CURRENT
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA)
Semester Honors. At the end of each semester, academic semester honors will be issued to all undergraduate students who earn 12 or more semester hours with a grade of A, B, or C with a semester grade point average of 3.000 or better. Students who receive grades of D, F, U, or I in the given semester are not eligible for the honors. Effective Summer 2003, the semester grade point averages for academic honors before graduation at all universities in the University of Louisiana System are as follows:
a. President’s List 3.500 – 4.000
b. Dean’s List 3.200 – 3.499
c. Honor Roll 3.000 – 3.199
(PROPOSED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA)
Semester Honors. At the end of each semester, academic semester honors will be issued to all full-time undergraduate students who earn 12 or more semester hours in the Fall or Spring (6 or more in the Summer) with grades of A, B, or C and a semester grade point average of 3.000 or better. Students who receive grades of D, F, U, or I in the given semester are not eligible for the honors. When an "I" grade is changed to a regular grade, students may qualify for honors at that time. Students who are enrolled in fewer than 12 hours in the Fall or Spring (6 hours in the Summer) but are classified as full-time students may also qualify for semester honors if they meet the remaining criteria. (See definition of full-time students.)
Students whose full-time enrollment includes a course or courses in which a grade of P is earned (excluding developmental courses) may also receive semester honors under the following conditions:
The semester grade point averages (or cumulative for students with P grades) for academic honors before graduation at all universities in the University of Louisiana System are as follows:
a. President’s List 3.500 – 4.000
b. Dean’s List 3.200 – 3.499
c. Honor Roll 3.000 – 3.199
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDENDUM B
To: Faculty Senate
From: Louise Bostic, FAC representative
Re: Report of October 28, 29, 2004 FAC and BOS/BOR meetings
The FAC met at 3:30 in the Cate Building, Hammond, with seven
representatives present, UL-Lafayette, LaTech, Southeastern, Grambling,
Northwestern, McNeese and UL Monroe. Four items were brought before the
committee as concerns:
1. The Council of Presidents' Master Plan for Retention and Completion: The
Faculty Advisory Council representing the seven campuses above continued
to express concerns regarding the emphasis on retention/recruitment which
were brought before the group in the last meeting. The chairman had
prepared a written summary of the concerns as he had understood them from
the last meeting. It was agreed that the committee should have time to
address the concerns as written, add to the list if necessary and would be
prepared to discuss and help compose a resolution at the December meeting
if the committee felt a resolution were needed . Some members of the
committee felt a memo or resolution at this point might seem
confrontational and could be counterproductive. The three-page summary
which Dr Bruder had prepared was "long" in more ways than the physical
single-spaced, ten paragraphs. I personally felt that the busy individuals
on the BOS (If they read past the first two paragraphs) might find the
document verbose or pretentious or even offensive and condescending. The
entire committee agreed to review the chair's document and give input in
writing at the next meeting.
2. As funding is more heavily based on enrollment figures and Screened
Enrollment is being mandated, concern that enrollment will decrease and
funding at the same time was expressed. Would this not affect each campus
negatively by less appropriation as a result of our compliance with BOS
requirements. Sort of "Do what we demand and we will punish you with less
monies for operation." This was generally the concern. Southeastern's
representative pointed out that the enrollment there has remained the same
or slightly higher with the implementation of the higher standards for
entrance. The could be attributed to higher retention rates and the
attraction of more traditional college prepared freshmen. The Lafayette
representative argued that Southeastern's growth and continued higher
enrollment should be attributed to two decades of population and industrial
wave "crest" in the New Orleans and northshore area and that that SLU is
bound to feel the trouph soon. The Grambling representative asked what
exactly are the Screened Enrollment parameters on the campuses represented.
Most campuses have implemented a 2.5 GPA high school in the college prep
curriculum and/or a 20 ACT with other exceptions. LA Tech with highest
retention/graduation rate in the state has higher entrance requirements as
well as 22 ACT.
3. The UL Monroe representative asked if our Faculty Senates have been
approached by the Coalition of Academics and Athletics to join their
membership. He explained that this is a grassroots organization formed by
faculty senates to council with NCAA to assure academic standards among
athletes consistent with other students on the same university campus. No
one else in the meeting had heard of the organization. The Monroe
representative recommends support of the organization through membership
and credits some of the reporting and public improvements academically to
the efforts of this organization.
4. The question of public prayer at university functions (also from UL
Monroe) was addressed by the committee by simply bringing those present up
to date as to the current procedure at graduation, athletic events, and
other public occasions on each campus. This varied from having moments of
reflection (silent) moments of reflection (orations) omission of ministers
from formal or official participation in public events to nothing
philosophical or inspirational included. Later, at the BOS meeting, the
meeting was opened with all standing "for a word of prayer led by board
member..."
BOS Report:
Three items of particular interest to Southeastern was on Friday's agenda.
1. Southeastern's request for approval to offer options, as opposed to
concentrations, within the undergraduate Kinesiology program and to change
the current degree in Kinesiology from a Bachelor of Arts to a Bachelor of
Science, was granted.
2. Southeastern's proposed MS of Applied Science in sociology has been
reviewed in its current stage, changes have been suggested and action has
been scheduled tentatively for the December meeting of the BOR. Acceptance
or Rejection was not implied.
3. Two personnel actions were relevant: Dr. Kay Kirkpatrick was appointed
Vice President of administration and general council to the President of
the BOS. Dr. Charlie Teemer was appointed to the Board of Supervisors.
Respectfully submitted,
Louise Bostic
FAC representative