DONE DEAL: Board of Supervisors finds resolutions to faculty concerns

The Southern University system held its meeting Friday, October 17, 2014 at the J.S Clark Administration Building on the Second floor at nine a.m. There were 15 members present and one absent. Rev. Samuel C. Tolbert began the meeting with a prayer, which was followed by attendance. During the meeting there were a total of 6 subjects on the agenda.
The first area of discussion was the Southern University Law Center and other different matters to be taken care of, before the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation in February. Moving on there was a request for the board to adopt the Associate of Design and Process Technology Program. Majority of the board agreed upon the matter and plan to take it into consideration. Next there was a letter from the SACS office confirming the receipt of the unsolicited information sent in regards to the ongoing compliance with the Principles of Accreditation. The letter informed McClinton and the university for there will be no additional follow up required by the institution.
Following item 3, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Brandon K. Dumas, presented a video to the board. The video gave an update on the current enrollment, recruitment, current positions and the purpose and success of the Spirit Bus. According to Dumas the department has recently hired a new recruiter, and are looking to hire two more admission counselors, before the end of the semester.
“ I am proud to say that we have done a tremendous job in recruiting,” said Dumas. “ We currently have increased our number of admission applications by 130 percent with 683 applications compared to 200 last semester.” Finished Dumas. Before leaving the stand the board had questions in regards to scheduling, and language of the department. One of the board members questioned if there was a completed schedule, so that the board can be aware of the different events, in hopes of attending them, also it was asked that the events be promoted in a more advance manner. Dumas agreed to have and present the schedule to the board members in a timely fashion. When asked about the language of the department Dumas stressed how the department has changed the language and matter of the acceptance letter. “We have changed the wording so that the students can understand the difference between being accepted, and actually completing the admission process.”
Following up on the last board meeting Faculity and Senate President Thomas Miller took the floor with a continued argument in regards to pay raises for faculty and staff.
“ We are asking for a comprehensive plan that has in view, the old members of this community such as staff faculty and administration,” said Miller. Miller went on to say, “ One of the main issues is that the faculty and staff seem to not be of view at all in regards to adequate compensation.” Giving supporting information to the argument Miler mentioned the Reorganizational Chart, created in 2013 by the Board, which was a combination of colleges, and now requires deans to oversee multiple colleges instead of one.
“They are being paid the same amount, but doing more work,” finished Miller. He also went on to remind the board that the university workers have not received a raise since 2008. Following Miller, Mr. Brown, from the Physical Plant took the stand, and began by mentioning that he came alone the first time, but this time he had a group, (A Force), in which he referred to other employees, with intentions of “making a point.” “We are at the same status we were before, we want to know where we stand,” said Brown. Brown went on to say “to my knowledge we are the Flagship school, and as the Flagship we are sinking, while our tug boats (referring to SUNO, SUSLA,)are floating,” said Brown. “We don’t have anything good to say, we want to know why is it that no one is doing anything or concerned about us on this campus, something ain’t right.” said Brown. Explaining the importance of their positions to the SU campus Brown gave the following scenario. “Take two chancellors or dean out for two or three days, and everything will flow smooth, but take two or three of the air, building or maintenance department, and just see how many calls and problems will go wrong,” finished Brown with a small laugh.
After the previous comments the board went on to discuss this item, which was number 6 on the agenda. Board member Ann Smith suggested to put this issue on hold, but rather considered and decided the current Band Director Nathan Haymer, should receive a raise. Being a controversial topic board member Rev. Joe Grant Jr. immediately made a response. “ Now we just need to stop playing with these peoples money, we have put this item on hold too long, and it wouldn’t be fair to vote and give the band director a raise and just let the other employees be.” Smith interrupted saying “But it is an important time for the band, and they should be at there best, its marching season.” Grant continued saying “I agree but, we need to go ahead and vote this matter up or down and get past it, if we put this to the side for next month, there’s going to be another excuse. I don’t understand people, how can we keep slapping people cut in the cut; we can applaud them (employees), but not pay them.” Grant went on to say “How can we say we gone pay, the band director, because it’s in the budget. The money is in the budget for the other positions. We need to explain to them that it is not that the board doesn’t see you, and your work or value, but when money is coming, you have to work with what you have,” finished Grant. The board decided to increase the salary of 10 persons of administration. Of the 10 there were only two professors, Catrice Tolbert at $68,683 and Zhengmao Ye at $81,790, two Associate professors: Mathieu Kourouma at $76,500, and Dr. Joshua A. Joseph at $85,000 and others that included Dumas receiving a salary adjustment at $140,000, McClinton at $200,000, Haymer at $76,500, Assistant Chancellor for Student Affairs and Director of Admissions and Recruitment Anthony Jackson at $90,000, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Raymond Clarke at $92,500 and newly hired Director of Center for Student Success Latrina Collins at $60,000. The meeting ended with final discussions, comments and a role call.