Lincoln University's faculty wants a chance to comment on proposed rules and regulations before they go into effect.
"As it is now, changes in the rules and regulations happen in the Board of Curators, and we find out after they happen," agriculture professor Adrian Andrei told colleagues during Thursday's Faculty Senate meeting.
"What we have is a proposal by which we ask that proposed changes should be first, and in a timely manner, presented to the Faculty Senate.
"We all understand that the university administration has the right to make some changes and adjustments, but at the same time, we also ask to be informed."
In a written rationale for the proposal, the Senate said adopting it would enhance the shared governance model already in the Rules and Regulations that gives the university faculty, staff and students "a role" in the way LU operates.
The rationale supporting the resolution said a "proper notification" of proposed policy changes affecting faculty and staff working conditions would "foster better communication and involvement across the campus."
Some at Thursday's meeting questioned how much advance notice would be needed to give faculty a chance to understand and comment on any proposed rule or regulation change. But the resolution approved on a voice vote only asked employees "be notified through the proper channels within a reasonable amount of time" of any proposed changes going before the board.
The resolution is a request, but the curators don't have to approve it or accept it.
LU Police Chief Gary Hill told the Faculty Senate his office is working on a proposal to improve campus security.
"We have started our walk-throughs through the classrooms," he said, noting he would like to install an alert system that would trigger warnings on people's computers, as well as on warning devices placed in each classroom.
"I am doing everything I can to try to bring us into the 21st century as far as an active shooter and intruder alert system," Hill added. "But everything costs money, and that's something we don't have now at Lincoln University."
He hopes to win some grants to help buy the equipment and software he'd like LU to use, but still thinks implementation will have to be done in phases.
Faculty Senate members also discussed changes in the NCAA rules affecting students' eligibility to be athletes.