===== PAGE 1 ===== 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) ===== PAGE 2 ===== Senator Lai expressed a concern with the resolution shifting responsibility to CPE, and asked, "What is the endgame?" Senator Hannemann noted that the last presidential search in 2017 included only one faculty member on the search committee. Perhaps we also need a resolution calling for at least two faculty representatives on this year's search committee. LeChrista Finn asked what this resolution is trying to accomplish. Senator Grimes responded that it was to encourage CPE to see changes in procedures and composition of the board and leaves exactly what those measures would be up to CPE and the governor. Dr. Finn asked how the text of the resolution came about, and Senator Collum responded that he had drafted the text at the request of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee and submitted it to the Professional Concerns Committee for consideration. A student asked if the student voice would be heard in this process, and Senator Lai responded that search committees should always have student representation. Peter Smith expressed a concern that the resolution text as submitted did not mention the current administration and its role in KSU’s financial crisis. He noted that the recent dismissal of the former Staff Regent has already resulted in a lawsuit against the university that will probably require a very large financial settlement. He suggested that perhaps a senator could propose a friendly amendment to add “and the current administration” after “Board of Regents” in the fourth paragraph. Senator Hannemann made a motion to include that friendly amendment. The amendment was put to a vote of the senators and was accepted by a vote of 15 for, two against and two absentions. So the resolution text was amended. LeChrista Finn expressed a concern that no one has addressed compromised procedures among faculty colleagues in a recent election. Senator Stratton noted that he had spoken with Dr. Finn about this concern and the Professional Concerns Committee would be looking at it. A student inquired to whom “the current administration” referred. Peter Smith responded that this referred to Acting President Stamps and that pending lawsuits have placed the university in serious financial liability. Senator Ballard-Kang asked if the resolution would be put to a vote of the Senate or the entire faculty. Senator Collum replied that the current motion would be an action voted only by the Faculty Senate in its role of representing the full faculty. Dr. Finn asked if there could be some process for feedback from the full faculty. President Clay agreed that this could be possible. Senator Novelo said that one way for all faculty to have input is to follow the publicly posted minutes of the Senate and its committees and contact their representatives with their concerns. We all have a role to play in improving communication. One of my constituents has expressed to me a concern about the lack of communication from the upper administration. This environment does not foster communication and trust. Senator Hannemann said the Senate had hoped for feedback from this meeting. Perhaps action should be postponed to get more feedback from constituents. Senator Grimes said that Dr. Finn raised vaolid concerns. We should get views from as many faculty members as possible, and perhaps also get feedback about a possible second resolution to address the issue of a presidential search committee. A student expressed the concern that the interests of students be considered in these discussions. ===== PAGE 3 ===== Dr. Michael Robinson, a KSU alumnus attending the meeting, expressed his thanks to the faculty of KSU that inspired him to become a PhD. He asked if recording of this meeting would be available afterward and for the language of the draft resolution. Senator Collum replied that the text would be available when the minutes were posted on the Faculty Senate page at www.kysu.edu. ### 5. Recap of the discussions (Danny Collum) At this point President Clay asked Senator Collum to summarize the discussion so far. He reported that we had heard concerns about the resolution addressing the role of current administration, which had resulted in an amendment to the text. Concerns were expressed about the purpose of the resolution. What action does the Senate hope will result from it? And about the resolution not addressing the issue of faculty participation in a presidential search. Concern has also been expressed that the Senate has not yet heard enough feedback from the full faculty to be able to go forward on the resolution. At this point, Senator Hannemann moved to postpone a vote on the resolution to the next regular Faculty Senate meeting, October 1. Senators voted on this motion, and it passed with 18 votes for, one against and no abstentions. Helen Smith asked that the amended text of the resolution be published to the full faculty. ### 6. Adjourn the meeting The meeting adjourned at 11:52 a.m. ## Attendance:
Senators
Phillip H ClayNoel Novelo
Patti MarracciniJens Hannemann
Daniel D CollumGavin Washington
Changzheng WangRene Desborde
Jennifer Ballard-KangBruce Griffiths
Kris GrimesAlexander Lai
Nancy CaprilesMary Barr
Barbara WittyFariba Kashan
Bobby WalterKeith McCutchen
Fariba Bigdeli-JahedShawn Lucas
Rozina JohnsonBuddhist Gyawali
Gary StrattonDr. Nkechi Amadife
Bobby WalterJames Obielodan
## Guests
Guests
Kirk PomperTierra Freeman-Taylor
Dr. Michael A. RobinsonTimothy Forde
Jack Lee Wollman, Jr.Elgie McFayden
Maia M LangleyMs. Doyle
LeChrista FinnSonia Sanders
===== PAGE 4 =====
John SedlacekSharon McGee
Dr. Frederick A. Williams Jr.Michael D. Dailey, PhD
Lisa TurnerKaren Cotton McDaniel
Chi ShenChris Benge
5091C. Stanfield
Beverly SchnellerLauren Graves
5023302771Ken Andries
Li LuShannon Brogan
David NevilleStefanie
John ChevesDr. Clifton Wise
Jyotica BatraLaura Cullen Glasscock
Kazi JavedDr. Leroy Hamilton, Jr.
Avinash TopeDavid Shabazz
Dr. Richard R. MaitiDeena McGaughey-Summers
Yun JiangMonica Kast
Keturah Nix, PhDRita Sharma
Debbra TateMara Merlino
Peter SmithDr. Dharma Khatiwada
Thomas WebsterSheila Stuckey
KYSU StudentProf. E. Amadife
KSU StudentDr. Berkley King
Margery Coulson-ClarkHelen Smith
Maheteme GebremedhinCindy Glass
Clifton WiseDr. P
Dr. Frederick A. Williams Jr.Danielle
Jesse OsbourneDantrea Hampton
Austin HornBan
Herman Walston