In a bright, sunlit room, about 40 anxious University academics waited with Provost Astrid Merget for Chancellor Michael Martin to take the to podium discuss a grim topic — budget cuts.Martin, introduced by Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope as the University’s “fearless leader” and later commended for his cooperation with the Faculty Senate. He thanked Senate members present at the Thursday afternoon meeting for “keeping the faith” amid impending budget cuts at the second monthly Faculty Senate meeting of the spring semester. “What we know is fairly constant, and what we don’t know is increasing geometrically,” Martin said of the his efforts to keep the Faculty Senate informed. “We are awaiting, as always, news from various places within the state government and beyond about what the real situation is … The first uncertainty is exactly what the federal stimulus package means and how it will trickle down to directly effect us and then secondly whether the governor will accept it.”President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion economic stimulus package Tuesday, which allots about $4 billion for Louisiana. Martin, who said he spent Thursday meeting with legislators, said the University’s situation will be more clear after Gov. Bobby Jindal’s budget is presented March 13.Martin’s attendance at the meeting is the most recent of many efforts he has made to maintain open communication with the Senate, according to Cope.”This … is admirable, especially considering LSU has a long history of secrecy — it’s a fresh start and a break in the right direction,” Cope said of the handful of meetings between Martin and the Senate since the onset of the budget crisis. “I would say the chancellor has been very quick when something does arise to call more or less on the spot. We appreciate not only being in the loop, but being in the loop in a timely way.”Martin, who made assurances “no large amount of faculty” cuts are planned, pledged to make an effort to stay in touch with the Senate as developments occur.”We’ll try to keep you informed,” Martin said. “If you don’t hear from us, we just don’t know anything we didn’t know before.”The chancellor wrapped up his presentation by taking questions from the Senate and expressing hope that the “stimulus package stimulates.”Dydia DeLyser, Faculty Athletics representative, was on hand to discuss graduation rates among athletes and Athletic Department funding.”If you hear about coaches salaries, it’s not taking money out of your pocket,” DeLyser said. “Our athletics is self-sufficient. That money does not come from student fees at all or from state tax dollars.”—Contact Lindsey Meaux at [email protected]