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The meeting was called to order at 3:10 pm. Fourteen senators were present.
Parliamentarian Dantrea Hampton noted the agenda was missing time limits. A motion was passed, with all in favor, for the meeting to last 75 minutes overall. The objective of the meeting was to determine if the question of a vote of confidence in the Board of Regents overall, or for specific Board members, should put forward to the whole faculty.
Faculty Senate President Sipes noted that while Senate always welcomes guests, today we would follow the protocol of senators speaking first, observing three minute time limits. Speakers were asked to identify themselves. Senate voted in favor of letting guests speak after senators had a chance to express their views.
Chair Rye praised the recent student forum and the way students expressed their concerns in a civil manner. Then she noted that her primary concern is with the low percentage spent on instruction at the university: KSU is at 14% actual and 18% functional versus our sister institutions, which are closer to the mid-30s. The good news is that faculty are on the finance committee and so will have more input going forward.
Chair Andries noted that those he represents have questions about the current presidential search, but with little information available about how the search was undertaken, it is hard to come to conclusions.
Parliamentarian Hampton reported that people in her area met and discussed the issue. They felt there was not enough information to move forward with a vote of the whole faculty. They wanted to wait to see what happened at the forthcoming special Board meeting.
Senate Vice President Kumar explained a concern about President Sias creating deficits and the Board not questioning it; there has not been sufficient Board oversight. President Burse discovered the deficit, not the Board. Additionally, Burse’s hires were rubber stamped by the Board. The Board is responsible for the University’s current problems.
A senator expressed concern about how negative press generated by forums such as this one have a deleterious impact on his recruitment efforts.
Another senator pointed out that a vote of no confidence is a blunt instrument. We had discussed engaging in one a year ago and it moved too swiftly. He has heard from his area that people want answers and that there is little communication between the Board and Senate. Questions