Faculty senates across Louisiana are working to pass a version of LSU-Shreveport’s “Just Say No” resolution, which says faculty members are fed up with the budget cut exercises imposed by the state.
LSU Faculty Senate proposed its version of the resolution at the Nov. 2 meeting, and final approval will be decided at the Dec. 8 meeting.
The resolution aims to stop budget scenarios that “degrade morale” and appeal for increased leadership by higher education boards.
College of Agriculture Sen. Kenneth McMillin, who sponsored the resolution with the Executive Committee, said all the faculty senates in the LSU System are proposing similar resolutions to show that all universities are united in trying to get as much support for the system as possible.
“[LSUS] introduced it to their faculty senate, so it’s a show of solidarity and support for them,” McMillin said.
McMillin said LSUS’s resolution was tailored to reflect the needs of the Baton Rouge campus.
“The numerous budget cut ‘scenarios’ that have been required of college and University administrators over the past two years have not resulted in any meaningful direction or guidance to the institutions, have wasted valuable time and human resources and will likely need to be repeated again,” according to Resolution 10-16.
The resolution suggests administrators stop engaging in exercises that they suggest will lead to the “demise of LSU.” It also suggests the Louisiana Board of Regents and LSU Board of Supervisors “accelerate efforts as advocates of higher education.”
“It’s again to recall the question on the budget process and to let everyone know that we are not fooled by this political game,” said Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope.
The Senate also passed a first-read of Resolution 10-17, which requested increased leadership by Gov. Bobby Jindal.
“As I worked on the changes [to 10-16], it struck me that we, as a Faculty Senate, needed to support Student Government as an affirmation that we applaud the students and want to see them move forward,” McMillin said. “We want the governor and different advisory boards to show some leadership to the institutions.”
Resolution 10-17 recalls efforts by SG President J Hudson to contact Jindal and the $108 million budget deficit this past fiscal year.
McMillin said in his 30 years at LSU, he has never seen that kind of student leadership.
“LSU Faculty Senate demands that the governor and his staff provide each management board with specific guidance by the end of this calendar year on the desired programs and activities to be eliminated at each institution,” according to Resolution 10-17.
Cope said if passed, the Faculty Senate hopes to send the resolution to leadership at the state level.
“This resolution marks a salutary step forward,” Cope said. “It takes intelligence and courage [from the faculty] to criticize the leadership on campus and in the state.”
LSUS Faculty Senate recently passed its “Just Say No” resolution.
In a letter to faculty members, LSUS Faculty Senate President Mary Jarzabek said if all of the faculty senates in Louisiana create similar resolutions, they would be speaking with a stronger voice for each individual campus.
“While it is unclear whether our chancellor will, or even could, follow our recommendations, we hope that this resolution will send a clear message that the LSUS faculty are fed up with the budget cutting ‘exercises,'” according to LSUS’s resolution.
 
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