Meeting: Faculty Senate
Date: May 6, 2008
Time: 2:15 p.m.
Location: Binnion 126
Adjournment: 3:05 p.m. 		Minutes
Members present: Huber, Miskevich, Ballotti, Creider, Wickersham, Smith, Rankin, Seminet, Dorsett, West, Herndon, Schroeder, Openshaw, Crenshaw (President), Hammack (Secretary)
Issue/Topic Summary of Discussion Decision/Action
Motion to Approve Minutes April 1, 2008 minutes approved as distributed. Accepted by acclamation.
Communications from Senate President Crenshaw

Senate President Crenshaw met with the University President and Provost.  They discussed the following issues:

Faculty Development Leave:
Clarification was requested concerning faculty development leave.  Chancellor McKinney violated system policy by not accepting all of TAMU-C recommendations for faculty development leave this year.

Employee Criminal Background Checks:
New TAMU system policy seems stringent.  How does our policy compare with other universities’ employee background check policies?
There is a link on the university web site that allows anyone to anonymously report fraud and misconduct.

DropPass/DropFail Grade Policy:
Review sought for DP/DF grading policy.  DP does not impact grade point average.  DF is the same as a grade of 'F'.  Is the DF grade necessary?  The date for dropping a course needs to be moved to an earlier time in the semester.

Tenure and Promotion:
Dean's spring retreat will discuss the tenure and promotion issues raised by the Senate.  A faculty senate representative will be included in this meeting.
All assigned to Academic Life Committee.
Committee Reports

Academic Life:  Senator John Smith submitted his committee’s annual report.

Yearly activity summary:
Administrative Evaluation – inconsistently administered.
Anti-Discrimination policy – sexual orientation wording rejected by the system.
Tenure and Promotion standards – vary and are inconsistent.
Faculty Development Leave – request denied in violation of current system policy.
Full report available on Senate web site.

Academic Practices:  Senator Linda Openshaw submitted her committee’s annual report.
Yearly survey summary:
University Class Schedule Survey - faculty results favor meeting class two days a week.  Students should be polled regarding their preferences.
Fall Break Survey - results indicate a preference for a mid-October break occurring on a Thursday/Friday.
Full report posted on Senate web site.

Curriculum:  Senator Jennifer Schroeder reported her committee continues to approve curriculum changes as submitted.

Organization of the Senate:  Senator David Rankin introduced two changes to the Senate Constitution and Bylaws:
Election of officers will be selected by the senate at the April meeting.
Senate meetings will convene at 2:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.
Official wording posted on Senate web site.

University Facilities & Scheduling:  Dr. Ballotti commended his committee for their dedicated service this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moved by David Rankin.
Seconded.  Motion passed.
Unfinished Business Inquiry was made as to the status of annual evaluations being moved from the calendar year to the academic year.  
New Business

The senate approved all May graduates that meet the requirements for their respective degrees.

Moved by John Ballotti. Seconded. Motion passed.