The Senate's History


In July of 1974, upon the recommendation of a University-wide governance committee composed of administrators, faculty, and staff, the Staff Senate of the University of Louisville was formed and met for the first time. THE REDBOOK Chapter 5.

In July of 1975, the Chair of the Staff Senate was invited to sit at all meetings of the Board of Trustees of the University, both open and closed.

In October of 1977, the Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution supporting staff representation on the Board of Trustees of the University of Louisville.

In January of 1978, the Board of Trustees adopted the revised version of the University Redbook which gave full credence to the University of Louisville staff as a partner in the governance process of the University.

In March of 1980, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation (House Bill 412 now included in KRS 164.820) giving the staff official representation on the University of Louisville Board of Trustees.

The Staff Senate Chair, Carolyn Cochran, became the first voting staff member of a state University Board of Trustees in May, 1980.

The first edition of the Staff Senate Fact Book was published and distributed in May of 1983, with the direction of the Plans and Policies Committee and the Staff Senate Chair, Robert Cochran.

In October of 1983, the Staff Senate began distribution of the Staff Senate Minutes to all staff. The Minutes were replaced by the Staff Senate Highlights in October, 1984, to provide a more timely and concise communication to the staff.

During the next twelve years, the Redbook, Article 5.7.1. and KRS 164.20 allowed the Staff Senate to responsibly and faithfully administer, review, and make recommendations on policies and objectives affecting the needs, concerns, and interests of all staff while representing staff in all aspects of University governance.

In January of 1995, the Board of Trustees recognized the need to establish a direct line of communication with representatives from the Staff Senate and charged them to craft a document that outlined staff issues and concerns and included possible solutions. The document crafted became the Improving Staff Morale Document (ISMD) which provided an opportunity for the Board of Trustees to do just that: help the Senate improve staff morale. The document lists 29 recommendations focusing in the areas of compensation, human resources, retirement, staff development/recognition, and tuition remission.

As of 2011, the Vice President for Human Resources (VPHR) has been delegated the responsibility and authority to act as the President's liaison to the Staff Senate and to act for the President, as appropriate, in day-to-day management of operations and communications with the Staff Senate.

Elected Chairs of the Staff Senate

Academic Year Senate Chair

2024-2025

2023-2024

2022-2023

Kevin Ledford

2021-2022
2019-2020
2018-2019

John D. Smith

2017-2018
2016-2017
William Armstrong

2015-2016
2014-2015
2013-2014

Angela Lewis-Klein
2012-2013 Dhiane Bradley
2011-2012 David James
2010-2011

2009-2010
2008-2009
2007-2008

Brent Fryrear
2006-2007 Beverly M. Daly

2005-2006
2004-2005

Bill Forman

2003-2004
2002-2003

Virginia C. Brown

2001-2002
2000-2001
1999-2000

Melissa Long Shuter

1998-1999
1997-1998

Connie Braden

1996-1997
1995-1996

Matt Landrus
1994-1995 Susan Rhodes
1993-1994 Susan Barber
1992-1993
1991-1992
Jenny Madden
1990-1991 Ed Laster

1989-1990
1988-1989

Michael Byrne

1987-1988
1986-1987

Jo Clark
1985-1986
1984-1985
Patricia S. Terrell
1983-1984
1982-1983
Robert L. Cochran
1981-1982
1979-1980
1978-1979
Carolyn S. Cochran
1980-1981 Alan J. Sturtz

1977-1978
1976-1977

Donald L. Belcher

1975-1976
1974-1975

Kenneth A. Lindsey

staff SENATE

University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky 40292

Senate office

grawemeyer hall

suite 209

 


senate OFFICERS                                                            staff senate application

Kevin Ledford
Kari Donahue 
Carcyle Barrett