UofL News: Tell us a bit about your position as professor of chemistry. How did you land at UofL and what interests you in this work?

Eugene Mueller: I started at UofL in August of 2007 – they hired me away from the University of Delaware, and I remain very happy with my decision to come here. In regard to how I ended up in chemistry? Well, spring break of my freshman year I was working on a lab report in my sister’s unfinished basement, and I read that “molecules have to collide in order to react.” I had taken two years of high school chemistry and half a year of college chemistry, and I never thought about how reactions happen. I’ve been hooked ever since that moment. I wanted to continue to do the research and learn more, but a big and delightful surprise is that teaching has proven to be equally rewarding.

UofL News: What motivated you to pursue the role of Faculty Senate chair?

Mueller: I decided I had two choices: I could either become a curmudgeon who just complains about decisions, or I could try to put myself in a position to make the decisions better.

UofL News: The Faculty Senate is tasked with many responsibilities. Which responsibility is most consistently appreciated by the faculty, considering its impact on faculty culture.

Mueller: We approve and give close scrutiny to new academic programs, and our recommendations are then forwarded to the Board of Trustees. While it is just a recommendation, we help change and clarify roles of those programs. We also frequently have the ability to get modifications in other matters and policy when we are a part of the process early. A major thing the senate chair does is provide the faculty with an explanation of why certain decisions are reached.

UofL News: What would you say are some of the unique benefits and opportunities of your position?

Mueller: The best thing is to be able to help guide policy development. Also, some of the invitations I receive have the great advantage of what I call “soft advocacy.” For instance, at a recent football game I could talk with some other trustees about a few things that are coming down the pike, and enjoy the informal socialization of getting to know each other better for the times we do have formal meetings.

UofL News: What are some of the unique challenges? 

Mueller: The senate doesn’t make laws like the U.S. Senate. We are a part of governance, but for us that is mostly consultation, questioning and persuading the administration by voicing concerns. There are viewpoints which are very different between the appointed trustees versus the representative trustees. Some things, for example, from the budgetary point of view, may seem innocuous to appointed trustees, but they don’t seem that way to faculty. However, we can make a difference through persuasion, and that requires homework, analysis and good argument.

Much of what my predecessors and I have done is essentially invisible, taking place in confidential conversations. Often, all I can say to others is, “it’s not as bad as it might have been,” or “yes, that position was voiced,” but I cannot go into much more detail. In all cases when I have been bound by confidentiality, I feel the restriction on me to speak publicly was very reasonable. I’ve discovered that the administration and trustees really do want the staff, the faculty and the students to be happy here, to be productive. It’s something that’s very genuine. Exactly where priorities fall does not always please faculty, staff or students, and viewpoints are so different certainly for professional administrators who have not been faculty. But it’s an unavoidable fact that when someone puts on a new hat, their view changes because their responsibilities are so different. Yet, I have found the trustees and the administration very ready to listen. The tension of different viewpoints coming together is one reason it is called “shared governance.”

UofL News: Tell us something you have come to appreciate about the faculty culture here at UofL.

Mueller: I have been really impressed by how many of my colleagues are willing and ready to serve, and do it in a very reasonable and productive manner.

UofL News: What do you personally hope to accomplish for the faculty at UofL through your position?

Mueller:

• I am hoping for a more structured and lasting method of consultation before major decisions are taken. In particular, I hope for the development of the annual budget to include a broader consultation of more senators.
• Regarding presidential searches, the Redbook specifies an advisory committee made up of an elected faculty member from each school, but “it shall be consulted” is all it says. So, amending and clarifying that language is a current work in progress.
• I aim to spread the culture of consultation to campus construction projects, giving more thought to the impact on pedestrians and traffic.

UofL News: What is an element of Faculty Senate that you wish people better understood?

Mueller: I wish people understood that the senate represents all the faculty, including junior faculty, part-time faculty and part-time lecturers. They can talk to their senators or to me if there is a problem, because we can be proactive. The summaries of our meetings are beneficial and informative for any faculty to read. While in my position, I would like as much input as possible.

To learn more about the Faculty Senate, visit .

The annual gavel transfer took place between former Faculty Senate Chair Krista Wallace-Boaz and new Faculty Senate Chair David Schultz.

Wallace-Boaz concluded her two years as chair by praising university faculty members. “Thank you for being so strong and creative. You are agile, you are dedicated, you are student-centered, and I really appreciate each and every one of you,” she said.

President Bendapudi thanked Wallace-Boaz for her years of service as the Faculty Senate Chair, provided updates on COVID-19 and reviewed her position on the university’s commitment to anti-racism.

Experts have warned that overlapping symptoms with the flu may lead to an increase of undiagnosed COVID-19 cases. In order to mitigate incorrect self-diagnoses, it is encouraged that students, staff, and faculty receive a flu vaccine this season. Additional dates for flu shots will soon be offered on campus and announced in upcoming university communications.

Bendapudi also addressed discussions regarding spring break. Fear that students will travel out of state contributes to a heightened risk of exposure and transmission back on campus. After meeting with presidents from all Kentucky universities, Bendapudi reported that institutions state-wide plan to forgo the traditional spring break. A final decision on the observance of spring break is forthcoming.

An e-mail sent out by President Bendapudi in September was also addressed. She acknowledged that some took the e-mail regarding social justice and reform as the president taking a stand against law enforcement.

Bendapudi acknowledged her respect for the Southern Police Institute, citing that she was the first president to attend their graduation in nearly 50 years. She went on to clarify her position on justice reform by stating, “I took the stand that we should not cut ties with LMPD. We believe in education. We need to improve it from within. We need to figure out how to do better.”

Executive Vice President and University Provost Beth Boehm announced that she had employed an Assistant Provost for Adult Learning and Degree Completion. After writing the grant this summer, Boehm was able to secure two years of funding for the new position. Boehm stated that the creation of the position was motivated by the effects of COVID-19 on adults without college degrees.

Boehm said data collected from the midterm semester report showed twice as many students had been marked as at-risk. Boehm then raised the issue of student retention. The report showed a lack of student engagement, attendance and completed assignments. Boehm implored faculty members to contact those students they believe to be at risk in an effort to improve student retention rates.  

Results from a survey conducted by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness revealed that students believed faculty was unprepared for online instruction. There were additional complaints that instructor interaction was minimal. Students reported a perceived increase in ‘busy work’ and assigned readings. Boehm stated that many students believed, “… that faculty were piling on more work for students, but not doing more work themselves.” Many students also reported disappointment in the quality of online courses, which contributed to suggestions that the university should reduce tuition.

The survey also presented data on students’ preferred methods of instruction. Nearly 35% preferred fully online courses. Roughly the same percentage would rather enroll in hybrid courses, and the remaining 30% opted for a combination of online and hybrid. Boehm assured senators that this data would be taken into consideration by the Academic Scenario Planning Committee when deciding the upcoming spring course schedule.  

Senator McIntosh expressed concern that despite faculty flexibility and interactive instruction, most students refused to attend the in-person meetings of hybrid courses, opting to participate online. The senator implored the planning committee to limit the flexibility of hybrid courses in an effort to ensure student attendance and participation.

Boehm shared the senator’s concerns, but she acknowledged that immunocompromised students might require courses only being offered in a hybrid setting. Boehm encouraged faculty to e-mail her any suggestions on the issue, stating that suggestions would be brought before the planning committee.

Faculty Grievance Officer Cedric Powell provided the . Powell reported that a total of four grievances had been filed this term. One Type 1 grievance was filed from the School of Law and three Type 2 grievances were filed; two from Arts and Sciences and one from the School of Medicine. Powell went on to say that the Type 1 grievance is in the process of being appealed. One of the grievances from Arts and Sciences has been closed following a settlement between the parties. The other grievance from Arts and Sciences is scheduled for a hearing. The School of Medicine grievance was closed following the submission of findings to the Board of Trustees, who affirmed the decision of termination by the hearing board.

Committee reports and a of the virtual meeting can be accessed on the . The next faculty meeting is scheduled for November 4 via Microsoft Teams.

At the law school, Trucios-Haynes directs an immigration placement which offers opportunities for students and community volunteers to visit to the Boone County Jail, where immigration detainees are held in the custody of the ICE bureau of the Department of Homeland Security.

Additionally, Trucios-Haynes is currently serving as interim director of the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice and is co-founder and co-director of the Brandeis Human Rights Advocacy Program, which was established in spring 2014 to focus on immigrant, noncitizen and refugee rights.

In her “spare” time, Trucios-Haynes serves on the Metro Louisville Ethics Commission by appointment and is the secretary of the board of the Hispanic-Latino Coalition of Louisville. She also serves on ACLU of Kentucky boards.  

Trucios-Haynes managed to find some time to talk to UofL News about her objectives as Faculty Senate chair, what motivates her to be heavily involved in the community, and some of her favorite things about Louisville.

UofL News: How long have you been involved in Faculty Senate and why did you join?

Trucios-Haynes: I have been a member since 2000. I joined because I was interested in university-wide and faculty welfare issues beyond the law school.  I became a member of the executive committee a few years later and have served on that committee every semester except when I was on sabbatical. I was chair of the Redbook committee before I was elected vice chair, and I served on the ad-hoc committee that developed the revised faculty grievance policy in 2010.

UofL News: What compelled you to seek out the chairmanship?

Trucios-Haynes: I have always been interested in faculty well-being since coming to University of Louisville in 1993. Faculty, staff and students are essential in informing and shaping the long-term policy of any university. This makes universities a unique space in many respects. I had been in private law practice for many years and as a junior and senior associate before I became a faculty member. In those positions I did not have a voice in setting policy. 

UofL News: How do you balance all of the work you do on campus and in the community?

Trucios-Haynes: One thing that helps me is to remind myself that I cannot control everything although, like so many of us, I often wish I could. I also live by the principle of doing the hard things first which helps me to make sure that I am focusing on what needs my attention the most at any given time.

UofL News: How do you spend any free time you have?

Trucios-Haynes: I like to be outdoors – hiking, walking, cycling – whenever I can. I enjoy cycling and try to get out to the Parklands whenever possible. When I can’t, I go to spinning classes to get a good workout. I also like yoga and cooking.

UofL News: What is your favorite thing about UofL?

Trucios-Haynes: The people and its urban-metropolitan focus. Working with students is energizing to me, and their passion makes me want to do the best I can to engage them. I am inspired by the faculty who care deeply about this university and its mission. Working at the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace and Justice has helped me to meet so many faculty members who share my interests and who are passionate about racial and social justice issues. UofL is a special place because of all of the people who work here who are so friendly and always willing to help each other. 

UofL News: Where do you entertain guests from out of town?

Trucios-Haynes: One of my favorite places to take guests is Mammoth Cave. And, of course, the many great restaurants we have in Louisville now.

UofL News: What is your favorite restaurant?

Trucios-Haynes: My favorite restaurant is a place where I can eat comfort food – Havana Rumba. The food is very similar to the Puerto Rican food I grew up eating, especially the “platanos” (sweet plantains). 

UofL News: What motivates you to teach law?

Trucios-Haynes:  It is a privilege to teach. I hope that I help students think about the role of law in shaping our institutions in society and how policy is shaped by the advocacy of lawyers. I do this in my classes and with the law school’s Human Rights Advocacy Program. This is also our focus in the Ali Scholars Program of the Muhammad Ali Institute for Peace & Justice.   

UofL News: If you could have lunch with any one person, living or dead, who would it be?

Trucios-Haynes: I would like to have lunch with Mary McLeod Bethune. I read a biography about her when I was very young (9 years old) that shaped my ideas about myself in the world as a person of color, the difference a person can make in the world, and how education and dedicated service to one’s community can make a difference. She was an educator, civil rights activist, and worked on racial justice issues with several presidential administrations.

UofL News: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Trucios-Haynes: I think one of the most important lessons I have learned was about leadership. I believe it is better to take on difficult issues directly and not worry about trying to shape the discussion. One piece of very helpful advice someone shared with me nearly 20 years ago was that if you want to be healthy and exercise regularly, you need to schedule it into your life.

UofL News: What do you hope to accomplish in your new role as Faculty Senate chair?

Trucios-Haynes: My goal is to ensure that the principles of shared governance are fully realized at the University of Louisville. Shared governance must include diversity and inclusion in all areas of the University’s operations in order to ensure the widest possible participation in decision-making. I am committed to our shared values of transparency and open communication. I will work to ensure there are mechanisms for input before decisions are made on matters that affect faculty welfare or have a large-scale impact on university constituencies. All of us want what is best for University of Louisville and the Faculty Senate is integral to building a 21st Century University.