The Faculty Senate expressed interest in exploring the potential for a University faculty union chapter at its monthly meeting Thursday.
LSU Libraries Sen. Michael Russo said the Ad Hoc Committee on Bargaining and Representation interviewed teaching unions during the summer and has made a “sustained effort to create a Louisiana Association of Educators chapter at the University.”
Senate guest Bill Thompson, a professor at Western Illinois University, discussed the steps his own university took to create a chapter and the advantages of doing so.
“Unionizing faculty should begin with the Faculty Senate,” he said.
Thompson said the WIU union has a powerful voice through input concerning compensation, working conditions, tenure, terminations and programming.
“[Unions and administrators] all want the same thing — a university where students and faculty can thrive,” Thompson said. “We can be bystanders, or we can become activists and create positive change.”
LAE Executive Director Michael Walker-Jones said the University’s potential union would be the first entity of its kind in Louisiana if established and welcomed the challenge ahead.
“This is a desperate time,” Walker-Jones said. “Unless you are together, all changes will come down to you unilaterally.”
Senate President Kevin Cope praised the committee for its initiative and said it plans to “enter dialogue with the faculty in a year.”
In other actions, the Senate unanimously approved Resolution 10-10 “Final Examinations and Grade Assignments,” which reassured faculty members would strictly follow the University’s policy on absences.
The Senate also previewed the draft revision of PS-44, a policy document that governs assignment of grades. The document has been updated and opened for faculty comment.
In the President’s Report, Cope addressed various policies, the fate of the sesquicentennial celebration, a commencement referendum and actions of Student Government.
Cope also turned attention beyond campus to the state, Board of Supervisors and Board of Regents.
“Senate wants to toughen state outreach,” Cope said. “We are attempting day and night to do something about this.”
In terms of the budget crisis, Cope updated the faculty on University budget exercises under way.
The Senate is hosting a forum with Chancellor Michael Martin to address budget issues Sept. 28. The Senate is accepting questions for the Chancellor from students and the community, and hopes the forum will force budget issues into public view.
The Board approved an additional week for the completion of Senate elections and will then proceed to elect a member to the Executive Committee.
Other business included information from Human Resources Management regarding the new “stop the tenure clock” policy which will clarify tenure policy to incoming and current faculty.
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Contact Sydni Dunn at [email protected]