The meeting was ran by President, Bill Kelley. The meeting opened with an invocation, pledge of allegiance and was called to order by Kelley. The minutes were approved from the Feb. 27, 2013 meeting.
New Business was discussed and four motions were passed. THe first motion was an approval of the Community Participation Grant Program Contract to preserve and repair the historic train station building in the amount of $1,000.
The second motin was the approval of a resolution of a second gran program to repair the St. Cloud softball field in the amount of $3,500. The third was the approval of a change of scope for trash resepticles for $500. And the last was a discussion and approval of 2013-2014 Fiscal Year Budgets.
The meeting ended with an announcement of the next board meeting on April 24, 2013 and adjournment by Kelley.
JMC 414 Thoughts, Assignments and The Like
Monday, April 1, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Second Faculty Senate Meeting - March 14
The main topic of discussion during the March 25th Faculty Senate meeting was a report on budget and staff given by university president Kopp.
The presentation included information about possible upcoming budget cuts, possible solutions to these budget cuts and the current staffing budget allotment.
Marshall could be facing an overall $6.5 milltion dollar budget cut in the upcoming years, $1.2 million coming directly from the medical school.
A possibel solution presented by Kopp was the possibility of an increase in the state "pop tax." This is a tax on all cans of soda sold within the state. This tax goes to West Virginia University's medical since 1958.
Just a couple cent increase on this tax could not only cover the money going to WVU but also distribute it to other state universities including Marshall.
Without a solution, Kopp said that the university could be facing around a $730 intuition increase.
In the staff budget report the president pointed out that 46 percent of Marshall's faculty were full professors, a stastic much higher than the state or national average.
According to Kopp, to get on par with state average, Marshall would have to slow the advancment of faculty from instructor to professor.
The presentation included information about possible upcoming budget cuts, possible solutions to these budget cuts and the current staffing budget allotment.
Marshall could be facing an overall $6.5 milltion dollar budget cut in the upcoming years, $1.2 million coming directly from the medical school.
A possibel solution presented by Kopp was the possibility of an increase in the state "pop tax." This is a tax on all cans of soda sold within the state. This tax goes to West Virginia University's medical since 1958.
Just a couple cent increase on this tax could not only cover the money going to WVU but also distribute it to other state universities including Marshall.
Without a solution, Kopp said that the university could be facing around a $730 intuition increase.
In the staff budget report the president pointed out that 46 percent of Marshall's faculty were full professors, a stastic much higher than the state or national average.
According to Kopp, to get on par with state average, Marshall would have to slow the advancment of faculty from instructor to professor.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Faculty Senate Votes In Favor of Tocacco-Free Policy
Marshall University's Faculty Senate backed the proposed tobacco-ban .
The policy is the
result of a survey conducted at the university's assessment day last year, in
which 71 percent of students and 74 percent of faculty voiced support of a
tobacco-free policy on campus. The proposed policy was originally drafted by Marshall University's
Student Government Association last semester and works to eliminate the use of cigarettes,
e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products from campus.
After being passed by the Student Government Association,
the policy moved to the floor of the Faculty Senate and passed in an
overwhelmingly positive voice vote at its monthly meeting on Thursday. However, the policy did not go uncontested.
"It's about personal freedom," Jamil Chaudri,
professor in the College of Information Technology and Engineering, said.
"What right do we have to prevail upon others to give up a habit?"
Chaudri, a past smoker but kicked the habit over thirty
years ago, voiced that he feared this policy was simply the objection of an
action by a majority working to squash the actions of a minority.
There were also those who spoke in favor of the policy
before the vote. "Their personal freedom ends at my nose," said psychology
professor, Pamela Mulder.
Mulder voiced her support for the bill based on health
issues, speaking about the dangers and concerns of second hand smoke on
non-tobacco users.
The policy will now go before the Marshall University Board
of Governors later this semester for a final vote.
West Virginia University passed a similar policy in
Morgantown that will go into effect later this year.
Monday, February 11, 2013
State of the Union Predictions
The president certainly has a set of recurring themes in his
addresses, including his forthcoming policy updates on immigration. Immigration
policy has been an issue Obama has worked closely with since his election in
2009, referring to it in his 2010 State of the Union address as a “broken
system.” But even with more recent issues pulling on the president’s mind, like
his new movement in stricter gun control laws following several tragic mass
shootings in 2012, immigration will no doubt make up at least a small mention
in the 2013 address.
The gun control debate that has congress locked in battle
has become championed by Vice President Joe Biden and openly supported by
Obama. Obama gun control policies center on semi-automatic weapon
private-ownership and have met great resistance from his conservative
counterparts.
Another issue likely to be addressed in Obama’s speech is
his upcoming clash with Republican Congress members over taxes and the
ever-looming “fiscal cliff” America experienced earlier this month. The
president will likely remain silent on the Bush Tax cut expiration, but will
address the outcomes of those expirations and, at the very least, assure
citizens of the attention he intends to pay toward America economic problems.
On the economic decline front, Obama will likely also
address America’s unemployment rate. America unemployment went through a sharp
downward spike earlier in the Obama presidency but, according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics, has been holding steady since mid-2012. However, the topic
was of heated debate during the 2012 election and will likely still be in the
forefront of the American mind.
Gay rights is another issue the president is likely to
tackle in 2013. The president has become more vocal on the issue since his
election in 2009 when he ended Clinton’s conservative “don’t ask, don’t tell”
policy which made it difficult for openly homosexual men to enlist in the
military. Obama has worked to move gay rights to the forefront of political
issues since then, applying more liberal laws on the Federal level.
In a speech given in Las Angeles during his campaign trail
in 2012, Obama vowed to block any attempts made by conservative Congress
members to roll back headway made in the Gay Rights movement, vowing to
continue his work for equality.
Obama will also bring the success and operation of his
health care reform plan to light, which has been another recurring topic for
the president in his past State of the Union addresses. Health care reform was
one of Obama’s main focuses in his 2012 State of the Union, when explained the
lack of order in the country’s current system and explained congresses need to
accept his administration’s reforms.
"There's a reason why many doctors, nurses, and health
care experts who know our system best consider this approach a vast improvement
over the status quo." Obama said.
Speculation on Obama’s State of the Union Address could be
endless. The president is in his last term, a cherry position for a president.
He will have less concern about pleasing Congress and will have the ability to
more brazenly present his plans, be they popular or not. He will recognize the
conflicts that will likely erupt between congressional parties but he will have
the voice of the people who elected him for a second time into office beside
him as the nation pushes forward. Either way, America will know soon enough.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Paved Path
President Obama made his pledge to "preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States" for a second time before a vast crowd with his hand
resting earnestly on two bibles. Monday was President Obama's second time taking the helm of the White House after being elected to office originally in 2009.
President Obama became the first Afro-American to ever serve as President of
the United States. And President Obama would once again make history after
securing reelection last year against opponent Mitt Romney. It was a scene that would have been unimagined in the days of Civil Rights Era activist Martin Luther King, Jr.
“We affirm the
promise of our democracy.” Said Obama in his inaugural address, “We recall that
what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of
our faith or the origins of our names.”
As fate would have it President Obama’s second inauguration
ceremony fell on the day America has set aside to honor Martin Luther King,
Jr., another historic and praiseworthy American. Martin Luther King, Jr., who
spent his life fighting for civil rights, is the only African American to have
a federal holiday in his honor. And while the inaguration was meant to honor President Obama and his future in America, it is important to look to the man that in many ways paved the path for President Obama to take Presidential office.
King is often hailed as the most influential leader in the Civil Rights Era, organizing peaceful protests, petitions and activities in the name of equality throughout the fifties and sixties.
King is often hailed as the most influential leader in the Civil Rights Era, organizing peaceful protests, petitions and activities in the name of equality throughout the fifties and sixties.
It was King’s bible that Obama’s hand was resting on
as he took office Monday. In a time of “separate but equal” King called the
world’s attention to a problem boiling at the heart of American equality. Before
King, African-Americans and whites attended separate schools, lived in separate
neighborhoods, served separately in the military and weren’t even allowed to
drink from the same water-fountains. It was a time of racism and inequality in
American history, strengthened by radical groups such as the Ku Klux Klan and
white supremacists.
According to his biography presented by the Nobel
Peace Prize organization, before his assassination in 1968, he had been
arrested over 20 times, had his home bombed and been violently assaulted at
least five times. However, to King these were not the numbers that mattered.
King had received five honorary degrees, in 1963 became Time magazine “Man of the Year” and, most importantly to King, in August
of 1963 over 250,000 people came to hear him give his famous “I have a Dream” speech.
At only thirty-five King became the youngest man ever to be awarded the Nobel
Peace, deciding immediately to give his prize money (over $54,000) to the
further assist the civil rights movement.
As King pressed on, he pushed America to better
itself, to be what America should have been all along. As King explained in his
famous speech, “I
have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true
meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all
men are created equal."
Because
of King’s efforts, the “separate but equal” mentality and laws in America began
to disappear and America slowly took its first steps toward true racial
equality.
And
now it is 2013, and Barak Obama repeats his oath to uphold his duty as
President of the United States of America. According to District of Columbia
officials, nearly 2 million people came in 2009 to see President Obama sworn
into office, and on reelection around 800,000 people attended the ceremony.
Obama
has aged since he spoke in front of those 1.8 million people in 2009, his eyes
are heavier and his hair more grayed. In a report released by the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, America’s unemployment rate has risen to around 7.8% in
recent years and the war in the Middle East still rages on. According
to CNN, President Obama became the seventeenth man in American history to give
a second inaugural address.
“For
we remember the lessons of our past, “Obama said in his second inaugural address,
“when twilight years were spent in poverty and parents of a child with a
disability had nowhere to turn. We do not believe that in this country freedom
is reserved for the lucky or happiness for the few. We recognize that no matter
how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us at any time may face a job
loss or a sudden illness or a home swept away in a terrible storm.”
President Obama is a testament, a nod to King and his dream. King’s work paved
the way to equality, his life and efforts ever spent towards justice and
fairness in a time when those things were in short supply. And as Obama walks
that path that King fearlessly laid, America can take a breath and keep moving
to the future because equality, as King knew, was a constant struggle
strengthened by those who spoke out.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Proposal for King/Inaguration Column
Subject: The
inauguration of President Obama, America’s first African American president, into his second term
on Martin Luther King Jr. day.
Scope: I will research both the background of Martin Luther
King Jr. and his valiant efforts towards civil rights and then move into the
election of President Obama in 2009 and his road to reelection in 2012.
Need: Rather readers support the democratic party or not, it
will be a notable moment that President Obama will be inaugurated into office
on a day honored for a man who dedicated his life to civil rights. Even more, the inauguration marks Obama’s
second term as presidency and his inauguration is a nod to the future of
America while remembering King in the past.
Methods: This story will be recorded by including quotes and
moments from President Obama’s inauguration. I will also include facts and
statistics about the ceremony. But I
will also give a brief history about King and his involvement in the Civil
Right’s Movement.
Sources: I will use the inauguration ceremony itself as one
of the primary sources in this piece, including everything from the turnout and
the cost, to the President’s speech. I will include Internet research on King
and past articles about President Obama from credible newspapers including The Washington Post.
Presentation: This is a single article that would make a
timely addition to the Editorial page. It could be comfortable fit with either
an image of President Obama or Martin Luther King Jr. or even both men.
Follow-Up: I do not at this time intend to write a follow-up
to this piece.
New York Times Op Ed Coloumnists Gail Collins and Bill Keller
Bill Keller - South Africa Since Mandela
Bill Keller has written a couple pieces about his knowledge and experience in South Africa, however, this one is unique in its discussion of the struggles facing South Africa's development since Nelsen Mandela. Keller's tone is one of quiet woe as he explains the great hope and trust the people of Africa had put in Mandela, and while he did so much for the country, they are still in the days of early liberation. Keller's lead shows this, giving the example of Mandela having to explain to local reporters that he was not the "Messiah." However, Keller's piece (and his stated opinion in other pieces) is not critical of Mandela but overall shows admiration. However, given this, the body explains that Mandela did not truly accomplish his dream of true government in South Africa.
"For what he left in his wake was not really a government yet," Keller writes, "or even a genuine political party, but a liberation movement, with the mentality, customs and culture of constant struggle."
Keller has been to South Africa multiple times to observe and research its culture and politics and gives intensive background information not just on Mandela but also on the evolution of South African politics.
Keller's final words are those of concern for South Africa. He ends the piece, perhaps hopefully, questioning South Africa's future.
"The urgent question now," Keller asks, "is whether the movement that is Mandela’s bequest to his country can mature into a more credible government before the public runs out of its famous patience and starts looking for a new messiah."
Gail Collins - The Woes of Roe
Gail Collins' piece, The Woes of Roe, gives a great look at the problems facing the pro-choice movement in a decades old debate - abortion. She talks with annoyance the yo-yo effect that comes with liberal and conservative fluctuations in the government concerning the issue. Facilities are forced to adapt to changing conservative and liberal laws with each new election, sometimes losing experienced staff, funds or even facilities only to be expected to reopen when a liberal front washes through.
She leads very factually by observing the forty year anniversary of the governing precedent on the issue, the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. She then discusses the shift of support in recent years to a more pro-life classification in young people and in the second paragraph questions this poll resule stating that "if you ask Americans whether they agree with the Roe decision, nearly two-thirds say yes."
Collins presents a fair amount of research in the column, giving a brief history of political fluctuation concerning the issue and some statistical data about opinion polls and perhaps flawed outcomes.
Her final statements best explain her frustrated tone but also conclude her prediction for the future of the issue.
"Every time the anti-abortion movement pushes too far," Collins concludes, "it reminds people that its cause, no matter how filled with moral fervor, is basically about imposing one particular theology on the rest of the country. Over the long run, the nervous, ambivalent, uncomfortable public won’t let that happen"
Bill Keller has written a couple pieces about his knowledge and experience in South Africa, however, this one is unique in its discussion of the struggles facing South Africa's development since Nelsen Mandela. Keller's tone is one of quiet woe as he explains the great hope and trust the people of Africa had put in Mandela, and while he did so much for the country, they are still in the days of early liberation. Keller's lead shows this, giving the example of Mandela having to explain to local reporters that he was not the "Messiah." However, Keller's piece (and his stated opinion in other pieces) is not critical of Mandela but overall shows admiration. However, given this, the body explains that Mandela did not truly accomplish his dream of true government in South Africa.
"For what he left in his wake was not really a government yet," Keller writes, "or even a genuine political party, but a liberation movement, with the mentality, customs and culture of constant struggle."
Keller has been to South Africa multiple times to observe and research its culture and politics and gives intensive background information not just on Mandela but also on the evolution of South African politics.
Keller's final words are those of concern for South Africa. He ends the piece, perhaps hopefully, questioning South Africa's future.
"The urgent question now," Keller asks, "is whether the movement that is Mandela’s bequest to his country can mature into a more credible government before the public runs out of its famous patience and starts looking for a new messiah."
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Gail Collins - The Woes of Roe
Gail Collins' piece, The Woes of Roe, gives a great look at the problems facing the pro-choice movement in a decades old debate - abortion. She talks with annoyance the yo-yo effect that comes with liberal and conservative fluctuations in the government concerning the issue. Facilities are forced to adapt to changing conservative and liberal laws with each new election, sometimes losing experienced staff, funds or even facilities only to be expected to reopen when a liberal front washes through.
She leads very factually by observing the forty year anniversary of the governing precedent on the issue, the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. She then discusses the shift of support in recent years to a more pro-life classification in young people and in the second paragraph questions this poll resule stating that "if you ask Americans whether they agree with the Roe decision, nearly two-thirds say yes."
Collins presents a fair amount of research in the column, giving a brief history of political fluctuation concerning the issue and some statistical data about opinion polls and perhaps flawed outcomes.
Her final statements best explain her frustrated tone but also conclude her prediction for the future of the issue.
"Every time the anti-abortion movement pushes too far," Collins concludes, "it reminds people that its cause, no matter how filled with moral fervor, is basically about imposing one particular theology on the rest of the country. Over the long run, the nervous, ambivalent, uncomfortable public won’t let that happen"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)