Meeting:  Faculty Senate
Date:  October 7, 2008
Time:  2:03 p.m.
Location:  Bin 126
Adjournment:  3:32 p.m.

 Minutes

Members present:  Wilson, Harp, Miskevich, Starnes, Ballotti, Creider, Espinoza, Vinaja, Dang, Smith, Horton, Mahan, Seminet, Odom, Dorsett, Druhan, Herndon, Clinton (Sun), Singh (President), and Openshaw & Hammack (Secretary)
Issue/Topic Summary of Discussion Decision/Action
Motion to Approve Minutes

September 2, 2008 minutes approved as corrected.

Moved by Larry Clinton.

Seconded.  Motion passed.

Guest Speakers:

University President Dan Jones

and

Interim Provost Mary Hendrix

President Dan Jones announced two new program initiatives:
  English Language Institute (one year non-credit program to teach ESL).
  Executive MBA program in China.

He also talked about the newly organized University Budget Review & Development Council working on:
A 3% possible re-allocation of budgeted university funds; and an
Athletics Fee Referendum - $10 per semester credit hour capped at $120 for 12 hours per student.

President Jones also announced an administrative reorganization being underway to separate academic and student affairs.  Dr. Mary Hendrix will be the Vice President for Students Access and Success.  A national search will be conducted for a Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Dr. Mary Hendrix will soon be forwarding to faculty senate drafts of our changed procedures for tenure and other matters in order to align them with recent changes in the A&M System policies. This will include the new non-tenure track faculty classification at A&M-Commerce, Fixed/Renewable-Term Professional Track.  This classification will be a 3 to 5 year renewable contract for newly hired faculty with an exclusive emphasis on teaching or research. Details will be forthcoming.

 

Communication from Senate President Singh

President Singh and President Elect Smith will attend the Texas Faculty Senate meeting in Austin October 24-25.

He encouraged all faculty members to read, review and send him feedback about the newly posted university procedure changes, especially for annual evaluation, tenure & promotion, and post tenure review.

Faculty Senate at A&M-Corpus Christi voted to reject the Chancellor’s Awards for teaching based only on student evaluations.

Dr Singh reviewed the Senate’s goals developed for 2008-2009.

Dr. Headley, Dean of the Graduate studies and Research has asked the Senate to appoint a Copy Rights Committee.  Send all membership recommendations to Dr. Singh.

Dr Singh reminded committee chairs to let the Senate’s graduate assistant, Amber Malloy, know if anyone needs help with making copies, providing supplies, and any requests for travel.

 
Committee Reports

Budget:  Senators Randy Odom, Philippe Seminet, LaVelle Hendricks and Tim Wilson (alternate) are the only faculty members on the newly formed University Budget Review & Development Council of twenty plus members.
Faculty Awards:  Senator John Smith has scheduled his initial organization meeting for this committee next week.
Organization of the Senate:  The constitutionality of including the immediate past senate president on the Executive Committee was raised.  Dr. Singh asked the committee to review this and if appropriate amend the constitution.

University Facilities & Scheduling:  Senator John Ballotti is seeking information about membership on the University Parking committee

Assigned to Organization of the Senate committee.