Tabling Discussion on Faculty Oversight of Use of University Funds for Consultant Services

On April 13, the Senate Executive Council approved a motion to add a discussion item to the April 20, 2026 Senate agenda regarding faculty oversight on the use of University funds for consultant services. 

At the April 20 Faculty Senate meeting, Past President Michael Slouber described this issue in the context of the recent survey by Transportation Services. He stated that there should be a mechanism for faculty to have input in making decisions about spending funds on consultants as a shared governance issue. One suggestion is that a committee could be formed to consider requests for consultants and to determine if there would be capacity to perform the services internally. The Faculty Senate Budget Representative will request current consultant funding levels for the University and for colleges. 

On April 20, 20256, a motion by Senate Secretary Jim Cooper (and seconded) to table the discussion until the May 4, 2026 Senate meeting passed unanimously. 

On May 4, 2026, the Senate unanimously approved a motion from Senator/Budget Representative Tesla Monson (and seconded) to table the discussion to allow for additional information-gathering.