From organizing a New Orleans jazz funeral to changing graduation policies, the Faculty Senate was active on campus this semester.
As in many areas, budget cuts dominated the Senate’s activity.
The Senate began the semester by discussing a University faculty union chapter. A union would give faculty more power over compensation, working conditions, tenure, terminations and programming.
Such a union would be the first of its kind in the state. Faculty Senate President Kevin Cope praised the committee and said it plans to “enter dialogue with the faculty in a year.”
The University received guidance and advice from other faculty unions across the nation while beginning to plan for the effort.
The Senate also passed resolutions to combat budget cuts.
Resolution 10-16, proposed Nov. 2, aims to stop budget scenarios that “decreased morale” and called for increased leadership by higher education boards. The Resolution also suggests the Louisiana Board of Regents and the LSU Board of Supervisors “accelerate efforts as advocates of higher education.”
“[The Resolution lets] everyone know that we are not fooled by this political game,” Cope said.
The resolution was adjusted from the similar policy “Just Say No” by LSU-Shreveport.
“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,” according to Resolution 10-16. “[Scenarios] have wasted valuable time and human resources and will likely need to be repeated.”
Final approval of the bill will take place Dec. 8.
The Senate also passed a first-read of Resolution 10-17 requesting increased leadership from Gov. Bobby Jindal on which programs and activities should be eliminated at the University.
The Resolution is reminiscent of Student Government President J Hudson’s efforts to contact Jindal concerning the higher education budget situation.
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.”
The Senate also initiated a faculty letter-writing campaign to combat budget cuts.
The campaign was launched Oct. 4 and asked faculty to write two letters — one to a legislator from their individual district and another to the Louisiana House or the Louisiana Senate Education Committee.
“There are many reasons why this is effective,” Cope said. “Attention on the crisis of higher education has been focused on the cities in which universities are located, but people live and have connections in all parts.”
Cope commended student involvement, noting the success of the Oct. 7 “jazz funeral” procession, which more than 300 students and faculty attended. Cope also praised the letter writing initiatives and said the faculty “hopes the momentum will continue and produce a greater outpour.”
The Senate also made waves in October by limiting the number of cords, stoles and ribbons worn during the main graduation ceremony.
“We don’t want [graduation] turning into a circus,” Cope said. “The black gown is something in its own right to be treasured … With all these other ornamentations, the bachelor’s degree becomes secondary.”
 
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