Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 30th, 2012
Full Meeting
The full meeting of the full senate
convened at 3:15 PM, Kendall-Cram
Room, LBC. 47 members were
present.
Student Senators: M. Lewis, S. Stone,
M. Lamb
Staff Senators: S. Lossi, M. Miller
Senators at Large: V. John, L. Levy,
M. Kahn, L. Myers
Presiding: The chair, President
Cowen.
Absent Voting Senators:
Ex Officio: S. Cowen, M. Davies, M.
Bernstein, B. Sachs, T. Lorino, E.
Anders, J. Wiese
Y. Jones, C. Lane, I. Solomon, J.
MacLaren, R. Marks, M Sujan, G. Owen,
W. Redfield, J. Carriere, M. Thompson,
D. Mushatt, L. Morici, K. Johannesson,
M. Lewis, A. Gajda, J. Friedman, L.
Byers, J. Tasker, N. Maples
Deans: K. Swartz, T. Fitzmorris for
R. Marksbury, D. Meyer, C. Haber, P.
Buekens, N. Altiero, L. Query,
Minutes:
Attendance:
A. B. Freeman School of Business: J.
McFarland, H Sujan,
Newcomb-Tulane College: M. Kalka
Architecture: NONE
The minutes of the March 5th meeting
were approved without amendments.
The final amended minutes are posted
on the Senate Wiki under both the
March and April meeting agendas.
Continuing Studies: L. Green
Law: R. Scalise, C. Hancock,
Liberal Arts: F. Smith, H. Sullivan, M.
Yun, H. Howard, V. Mayer
Introduction of New
Members
There were no new members.
Medicine: Z. Pursell, H Andersson, R.
Reitan, H. Zhang, A. Betancourt
Public Health and Tropical
Medicine: H. Long, N. Mock, S.
Hassig, J. Lefante
Science and Engineering: C. Walker,
D. Mullin, P. Colombo, J. Ruscher,
Social Work: L. Pearlmutter,
ELECTIONS
There were no elections.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
2. Budget Review
President Cowen provided the
following report.
James McFarland provided a report
from the Budget Review committee.
The proposed budget, the budget
assumptions, the third quarter report,
and the endowment report are all
posted on the Senate wiki.
Tomorrow is the deadline for
admissions. We will be somewhere
between where we wanted to be
(1500 students) an over-subscribed.
The overall quality and diversity is
exceptional.
A question was asked regarding the
neighborhood pushback regarding the
new stadium. President Cowen noted
that there has been some vocal
disagreement, but overall there are
many more people in favor of the
stadium vs. against it.
A question was asked about Lusher
school and Tulane faculty/staff who
are waiting on wait lists for area
schools. President Cowen noted that
Lusher is at is maximum quota. The
University has had conversations with
Lusher regarding expanding the class.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Assessments
Katie Busby provided a report from
the Assessments committee. The full
report is posted to the wiki. The
committee’s work is on-going; the
committee is competing an
effectiveness review. There was not a
request for action to be made to the
Senate.
A question was asked regarding the
Athletics budget, specifically
regarding the revenue vs.
expenditures. It was noted that this
was due to payment of both the old
and new football staff during this
transition period.
A question was asked regarding
comments of “research being a
financial loss entity.” It was noted that
this was not unique to Tulane; via
national studies, there is a loss of
around 30 cents on the dollar once all
overhead, etc. costs are considered.
President Cowen noted that these
comments do not reflect the
University’s value of research.
A question was asked about student
loans, and the proposed congressional
action to increase student loan
interest rates. President Cowen noted
that the University is concerned about
affordability, accessibility and student
debt. The Board will devote time to
these issues at its next Board retreat.
A motion was made to approve the
budget. The motion passed.
3. Equal Opportunity and
Institutional Equity
Janet Ruscher provided a report from
the EOIE committee. The full report is
posted to the Senate wiki. There was
not a request for action to be made to
the Senate.
4. Physical Facilities
Vijay John provided a report from the
Physical Facilities committee. The full
report is posted to the Senate wiki.
There was not a request for action to
be made to the Senate.
5. Graduate Council
The full report is posted to the Senate
wiki. The report includes details
regarding the development of a sevenyear review schedule for all PhD
programs.
NEW BUSINESS
1. A first reading was heard regarding
changes to Part III of the Faculty
Handbook regarding Conflicts of
Interest. The proposed changes, and
the rationale for the changes, are
posted on the Senate Wiki. A second
reading will be heard at the May 7th
Senate Meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no additional new business,
the meeting was adjourned at 4:10
PM.
Respectively Submitted,
Jeff Wiese, MD
Secretary, Tulane University Senate
Secretary’s Note: All written reports
mentioned in the minutes, together
with the full text of approved
Handbook revisions and other policy
changes, are available on the Tulane
University Senate Wiki located at:
tulanesenate.pbworks.com