Bendapudi provided senators with current information on the mass COVID-19 vaccination site located in the purple lot of Cardinal Stadium. The 28-lane vaccination location, which estimates a 10-minute wait time for scheduled vaccine recipients, is currently open to anyone from Kentucky over the age of 16. Information on vaccination appointment scheduling at any of the four Louisville area locations can be found through the UofL Health website .

“You should be proud of your university for stepping up and doing this for the community,” Bedapudi said.

Benapudi also responded to senators’ concerns about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The one-dose vaccine was provided through UofL Health in the beginning of April, but current administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been suspended by the CDC and the FDA pending an investigation into some rare cases of blood clotting.��

“Out of the 6.3 million vaccinations, there were about six people who developed blood clots. It truly is one in a million, but that doesn’t mean it’s trivial. The CDC is putting out information, and we will be sure to share that,” Bendapudi said.

At present, UofL Health is only administering the Pfizer vaccine and will stay informed of the CDC guidelines and recommendations concerning the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Those who receive the vaccine and develop severe headaches, blurred vision, slurred speech, leg swelling or severe abdominal roughly one to two weeks after administration are encouraged to contact their health provider or Campus Health Services. Additional information was shared through a university-wide update on April 14, which can be found .

Jennifer Steier, chair of the Credentials and Nominations Committee for the Staff Senate, shared the results of the committee’s proportion calculations for senate seat distribution among departments. The J.B. Speed School of Engineering, the School of Dentistry, the School of ����ֱ��, the School of Business, the Office of the Executive Vice President of Research and the Office of the President gained one seat; the Office of the Provost gained two seats. The Chief Operating Officer lost two seats, the VP of Health Affairs lost one seat and the School of Medicine lost five seats.

A total of 49 seats will be up for election in 2021, and 50 seats will be vacant in 2022. Applications for Staff Senate are currently closed. Additional information on the Staff Senate voting process will be presented at the May Staff Senate meeting.

The Staff Grievance Committee reported one grievance since the last full Staff Senate meeting. The hearing committee is being led by Barbara Bishop, the committee vice chair, and interviews concerning that matter are currently ongoing.

Committee reports and a of the virtual meeting can be found on the . The next Staff Senate meeting will be held on May 11 via Microsoft Teams.

Joining the Academic Programs Committee for a three-year term are Evan Frederick, Erin Gerber, Reg Bruce and Ryan Schroeder.

Ben Schoenbachler joins the Committee on Committees and Credentials. Rob Barker, Eugene Mueller and David Simpson join the Executive Committee. Diane Chlebowy has been added to the Part-Time Faculty Committee.

Monica Delano joins the Planning and Budget Committee. Sarah Carter and Ryan Schroeder are now on the Redbook Committee.

Also, Patrick Harris joins the Academic Technology Committee; Olfa Nasraoui joins COSW; Tom Simmons joins the Parking Advisory Committee; Karen Turner joins the Parking Appeals Committee; and Patrick Harris is the SGA representative.

During the regular Faculty Senate meeting, Dr. Bob Myers from the College of Business was recognized for his 48 years of service on the senate.

“I am indebted and honored. I wish you the best wishes for your continued quest for collegiality and shared governance. I really believe that’s what makes this a great university,” Myers said, to a standing ovation.

President Neeli Bendapudi provided an update on a number of issues, stating that there has been much positive news recently, including with the recently announced IBM partnership. She provided a personnel update, including the renewal of Dean Toni Ganzel at the School of Medicine, and Dean Craig Blakely at SPHIS, as well as the new Dean of the School of Music, Teresa Reed, and the new CIO, Rehan Khan. Further, she noted that Bradley Shafer has been named as the permanent VP of Advancement.

Bendapudi also thanked Keith Sherman, executive director of the UofL Foundation, for supporting the university as it continues to work through budget shortfalls. The foundation recently invested $13 million in UofL’s Bucks for Brains program, for example. Bendapudi noted this investment will yield a strong return, and already has as evidenced by the recent announcement that Talaris – a UofL-founded company created through the program – secured $100 million.

“The impact Bucks for Brains has to the university is several million dollars and it will bring in predictable funding,” she said.

Bendapudi also provided an update to the Strategic Plan, noting that feedback has been received by more than 3,000 different people throughout campus.

“That is remarkable, to have that many people providing input,” she said. “We intend to be nimble and action-oriented with this and not have it be some book on a shelf.”

Bendapudi urged senators to continue to be patient as administrators continue to work to clean up the budget mess, stating that she is confident next year we will be in a much better place. She is aiming for a 2% raise in January.

Provost Beth Boehm also provided an update, stating that she has charged a committee to review and streamline the Redbook, and has also created a committee to examine the consensual sexual policy and faculty accountability.

Boehm said enrollment numbers are down 2% for the summer and 4% for the fall at this point and urges senators to engage with students and help with the recruitment and retention process.

“When we’re down on numbers, it’s like taking another budget cut,” she said.

We are recruiting students in new areas like Chicago, and working to make sure those students find a cohort once they get to campus.

ULF’s Sherman also provided a report, ensuring senators that “we’re in a much better spot today than we were just a year ago.” Specifically, we have faculty, staff and student representation on the foundation board and have therefore become a benchmark for governance.

We’ve also improved transparency, reporting live item budgets monthly and quarterly.

Sherman encouraged senators to spend their current use, endowment and general funds.

“It is easier for us to ask donors for money if we’re spending the money they give us wisely,” Bendapudi said.

Sherman said a new system will be in place starting July 1 that will allow those who work with endowments and endowment donors to see their accounts online whenever they so choose.

“This is part of our work toward more transparency,” he said. “Hopefully it will lead to more discussions on the best way to use that money.”

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Gail DePuy provided an update on the strategic planning process, stating that work group committees have collected and reviewed the data and are now working on action plans.

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Other reports, including the Chair’s report and committee reports, .��

The next Faculty Senate meeting is June 5 on the HSC campus.