AAUP Louisiana Conference, June 29, 2020 – AAUP Louisiana Conference

Meeting: Executive Committee, LA State Conference

June 29, 2020

Present:
Elected Board

Leslie Bary (President)
Sudhir Trivedi (Vice President)
Thomas Miller (Secretary)

Kevin Cope (Treasurer)
David Reid (At-Large)
Ex Officio Members

Vipin Menon (Media Manager)

Brian Salvatore (Chapter Services)
Consulted Asynchronously:
Dayne Sherman (Communication and Outreach, ex officio member)
Absent:
Ravi Rau (Past President, ex officio member, on sabbatical AY 2019-2020)

Purpose: Finalize and plan implementation of proposals from the June 20 general meeting

Meeting begins with quorum: 12:30 pm

Item I: SUBSIDIZING DUES – At the meeting June 20 it was recommended consideration be given to subsidizing membership at 50% for 10 faculty over a period of 3 years. The subsidies would be used to accomplish one of two goals: a) to increase African-American membership b) to increase membership on campuses that had an insufficient number needed for the creation of a campus chapter; or it could do both.

Result – After some discussion it was decided that all interested faculty are invited to apply for the subsidy. Recommendations from campus chapters, nominations and self-nominations are invited for review by the State Conference Executive Committee (SCEC). Dues under $100 will be subsidized in full, dues above $100 will be subsidized at 50%. Special consideration will be given to untenured faculty (on both the tenure and the non-tenure track) and to members of underrepresented minorities, but the primary criterion is interest in becoming active in the AAUP and any related experience (e.g. Senate, other organizational experience). Please send nomination letters for AY 2020-2021 to Thomas Miller, Secretary, by October 10, 2020.

Item II: COVID-19 SURVEY – Members of the SCEC were asked to consider conducting a faculty survey, statewide, concerning the needs for safety and preparation with respect to the COVID19 epidemic in advance of fall semester, 2020.

Result – A committee was appointed to organize and launch a statewide survey of faculty and to collect data related to preparation for COVID19. Preference was given to the instrument developed by VA Tech (although there are also other models available for consultation). Individual campus chapters will be invited to conduct the survey coordinated by the SCEC appointed Committee. Committee members: Thomas Miller, Sudhir Trivedi, and Leslie Bary (ex officio).

Item III: COMMITTEE A – Report on institutional infringement on principle of academic freedom.

Result – The President, with the approval of members present, appointed an ad hoc committee to further investigate recently reported cases. Committee members: Brian Salvatore (Chair), Vipin Menon, Kevin Cope, Thomas Miller. Leslie Bary (ex officio).

Item IV: ENDORSEMENT OF STATEMENTS, DECLARATIONS AND POLICY RECOMMENTDATIONS – Several statements/policy declarations have been circulated for the SCEC’s consideration and possible endorsement.

Result – The SCEC unanimously approved endorsement of and support for the following: The “Protecting Lives” statement issued by Mid-West chapters of the AAUP, on COVID-19, and the “New Deal for Higher Education” statement to elected officials, on state funding for higher education in the present context. The SCEC will bring this to the membership as a motion from committee in the August 8 meeting.

Additional: Recognizing the benefit of bringing to public attention to those actions of the SCEC supporting faculty and supporting AAUP principles, the SCEC has asked Dr. Cope to make inquiries into the hiring of a part time publicist.

ITEM V: NEXT MEETING—Saturday, August 8, 2020, 10 AM. Agenda items are requested and include so far:

-Statement to Governor on new appointees to the Board of Supervisors (Judith, Christof, Michelle, Kevin)
-Report on media consultant and outreach (Dayne, Kevin)
-Formalization and process for dues subsidy program (Leslie)
-Presentation of COVID-19 survey (Tom and Sudhir, with Leslie ex officio)
-Vote on endorsement of the Protecting Lives, Promoting Education COVID-19 statement and the New Deal for Higher Education (Leslie)
-Possible report from Summer Institute (Dave, perhaps others)
-Tools for Fall organizing drive (Leslie)
-Report from Committee A + ad hoc committees (activity as of this writing includes 3 inquiries UL system, 3 LSU system, 1 from community college system)

Meeting concludes: 3:34 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

THOMAS MILLER
Secretary