Kentucky State University Faculty Senate Minutes of Special Called Meeting September 24, 2021
Submitted by Danny Collum, Senate Secretary
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order with quorum of senators present 11:02 a.m.
By way of announcements, President Clay requested that all attendees “raise hands” and wait to be recognized before speaking. He also pointed out that the provost is seeking faculty volunteers to serve in a group that will draft a strategic plan for Academic Affairs.
2. Approval of Agenda [3-minute time limit]
Danny Collum noted that he is listed as “Dr. Danny Collum” on the agenda, but he does not hold a doctoral degree. The title was removed from the agenda, and the agenda was approved without opposition.
3. Sharing of the Drafted Resolution
Professional Concerns Committee Chair, Senator Gary Stratton, displayed on screen and read aloud the text of the “Resolution on University Governance” approved by his committee in its meeting that morning:
Resolution of the Faculty Senate on University Governance
From: The Kentucky State University Faculty Senate
To: Dr. Aaron Thompson, Council on Postsecondary Education
Subject: Kentucky State University Board of Regents
Date: Friday September 24, 2021
Whereas for 134 years Kentucky State University has been a beacon of hope and progress for Black Kentuckyians and
Whereas, in recent decades Kentucky State University has offered opportunity to underserved students of all backgrounds and
Whereas we, the faculty of the university are entrusted with carrying out the university's mission of teaching, research and service and carrying forward its historic role in the Commonwealth and Whereas, disturbing public reports have appeared in recent days suggesting that negligence on the part of the university's governing body, the Board of Regents, has contributed to a grave financial crisis that threatens the integrity of the university's core mission and Whereas, these reports further suggest that the Board's discussions of this crisis with the university's past president may have been inappropriately conducted in closed session and Whereas, this same Board of Regents is now engaged in the process of selecting a new president for the university
Therefore Be It Resolved that the Faculty Senate, representing the entire faculty of the university, urges the Council on Postsecondary Education to work with the governor’s office to make any changes in the procedures and composition of the Board that may be required to ensure accountability and transparency at the highest levels of the university’s governance.
4. Faculty Discussion (Full faculty)