SENATE MEETING: SU Staff seeks answers

The Southern University Staff Senate has a purpose to protect the rights of Staff members and bring awareness to issues that the staff may face. After having several time conflicts the Staff Senate scheduled a meeting, and invited President- Chancellor Dr. Ray L. Belton to give the State of University Address.
During the meeting held on last week, there were various questions concerning the universitys’ travel process, pay raises for Civil Service workers, Student Affairs and the newly implemented organizational chart.
“The revenue committee will officially announce another 120 million dollar short fall for the state and will potentially affect higher education, in response of production,” said Belton. “ The good thing is that we have already supplied a 5 percent contingency, and the physical reality is real which you all have felt for 8 years.”
Belton mentioned that after attending the SU Towne Hall meeting it became aware to him that a reoccurring answer to the students was that there isn’t enough funds. “That can no longer be a legitimate response,” said Belton.
“We have endured so many cuts we can’t cut any more we will have to grow and evolve out of this.
Belton shared that he had an assessment done on the technology infrastructure and was somewhat disappointed.
Staff members in attendance were able to submit questions, which were asked verbally by the Staff Senate Vice President ValaRay Irvin.
One question asked was concerning the pay raises of Civil Service workers, however before it was answered Physical Plant Secretary of 36 years, Linda Crawford expounded by adding
“I’m sick and tired of people getting money, and we as civil services should get some of that money,”
Currently SU custodians start off at minimum wage.
“This is a disgrace we pay our custodians 7. 25 an hour and LSU starts out 10. 50, that’s an insult. God knows if I didn’t love southern I would perform just how they pay, but we are here for the students and we love SU. This is the first time in 8 years I haven’t received a pay raise,” finished Crawford.
Crawford also mentioned that she is aware that Belton inherited this problem but does believe that this problem can be solved.
“Currently we have 6 grounds men we are trying to backfill positions,” mentioned Belton.
“We also had two positions in IT and we combined those two roles and saved 100 thousand dollars by doing so, we have been very sensitive when looking at the budget,” finished Belton in response to another question of Budget cuts and salaries.
Another issues that had concerning questions was rather the same sensitivity shown towards Students Affairs in relation to budget and promotions.
It was mentioned that Student Affairs creates positions and they are not posted, which prohibits giving a fair chance to all Faculty and Staff. This act was described as “slickish” and was said to be brought up at several board meetings, but nothing being done.
“Do you have that same consideration when it comes to the Student Affairs Division, because it seems that whatever they want to have happen, happens.
“I’ve seen the newly implemented organizational chart, and even a middle school kid could look at and say it doesn’t make sense,” said Senate President Toni Jackson, “The realignment of the the positions, the identification of names, when every one knows you don’t have qualifications to be an Associate Dean,” said Jackson.
“I can share with you how I operate, I’m not going to run Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Finance or Research but I am going to hold the people that run it accountable, but I do insist on us being fair, so if this is something I need to look into I will as far as people getting fair opportunities, finished Belton.
Moving on to another issue the travel process was described as a ridiculous and pointless process. Many staff members agreed that the process would be “one way on Monday and different on Wednesday.”
“It is absolutely ridiculous almost every time we go there is a new process,” said a staff member after describing the process.
“Everyone is having trouble and we have asked for an exemption from this policy and it is crazy we see were accommodations that are cheaper, but we are being forced to other accommodations that are higher and several miles away from the event in which the students are attending.
Being on a tight time schedule Belton had another endeavor and had to wrap up the Question and answer part of the meeting, but did mention
“People often ask what am I going to do to save Southern and I respond that first of all I don’t think southern needs saving. I don’t think we need to reach to far to improve our University,” finished Belton.