President’s Newsletter, November 17, 2019

Louisiana Conference AAUP
President’s Newsletter, November 17, 2019

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this finds everyone well. In my role as District V Representative to the National Council of AAUP, I will meet with the Council in Washington November 22-24, and return to Louisiana with the latest national news. As you know, the changes to AAUP structure at the national level mean we must be active and support each other. I am interested in bringing as much national support to Louisiana as I can, and in placing as many of us as possible in direct contact with national leadership and leadership elsewhere in our region.

In news of the state conference, a new chapter has formed at LSU-Alexandria. With the recent addition of a chapter at Xavier, we are eight: SU-BR and SU-Shreveport, LSU-BR and LSU-A, UL Lafayette and SELU, XULA and Tulane. That is two private institutions, two in the University of Louisiana System, two LSU and two Southern campuses. I would very much like to see LSU-S grow a chapter, to give better coverage in the northern part of the state. I would also be delighted to see growth at UNO and Delgado, as well as Loyola which has a commitment to social justice and has had an active chapter in the past.

State conference leaders and members met September 28 in Alexandria, but did not hold our planned formal meeting. We decided that although it is good to have an AAUP presentation at ALFS, it is most practical to hold our business meetings separately. Accordingly, the Louisiana Conference of the AAUP will meet January 25, 2020, 10AM-12N at the Paul Hébert Law Center, LSU-Baton Rouge. We will provide lunch at noon, and we request attendees RSVP by January 10 so orders can be made.

A draft agenda is below. Please let me know if you have additional items, they can be fit in.

I. Welcome and introductions. (5m)

IIA. Discussion of ongoing project: our resolution on restoration of state funding as organizing tool. It has been endorsed by ALFS, the LA AAUP Executive Council, the Faculty Senate at LSU-A, and the LSU-A Chapter of AAUP. (10m)

IIB. AAUP anti-privatization initiative (an important issue and organizing tool), and possible visit of Monica Owens (AAUP political organizer, with interests in both the restoration of state funding and the anti-privatization initiative. (10m)

III. Treasurer’s report. (5m)

IV. Reports from chapter presidents. (30m) [1 hour mark]

V. Discussion of networking among chapters, organizing statewide. (15m)

VI. Committee A issues: mission, training opportunities, liaisons on campuses without chapters (5m)

VII. Grant and other funding opportunities through the conference, for chapters and individuals (10m)

VIII. 2020 Summer Institute scholarships (5m)

IX. Process for credentialing one or more representatives to the summer meeting (10m)

X. Formation of nominations committee for Spring 2020 state conference elections. (10m)

XI. Establishment of date for April, 2020 (election) meeting. (5m) [2 hour mark]

In solidarity,

Leslie Bary
2018-2020 President
Louisiana Conference AAUP