Members present:  Wilson, Harp, Wascovich, Miskevich, Starnes, Ballotti, Creider, Smith, Hendricks, Seminet, Dorsett, Espinoza, Vinaja, Dang, Horton, Mahan, Basham (Odom), Druhan, Herndon, Robertson (Schroeder), Clinton (Sun), Singh (President), Hammack& Openshaw (Secretary)

October 7, 2008 minutes approved with corrections.

Accepted by acclamation.

Communication from Senate President Singh

Communication from Senate President-elect John Smith

Interim Dean Dave Crenshaw introduced Dr. Bill Franklin who is conducting academic searches on campus

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

Academic Life Committee Open Hearings
November 17 & 18, 1:00 p.m. Faculty Lounge
President Singh indicated that the hearings would address the new Tenure Implementation Policy, Post-tenure Review Policy, and the Faculty Workload Policy. A&M-Commerce procedures related to the A&M System policies have now been changed to make them consistent with the System Policies. Senators were encouraged to review the proposed changes in procedures and attend the open hearings so we can discuss them.  Academic Life Committee of the senate will then develop recommendations based on hearings.

Each university department should place their tenure and promotion policies on-line.

John Smith attended the Texas Council of Faculty Senates in Austin October 24-25.  The following suggestions came from the meetings.

1. Faculty should become familiar with state senators and congressmen
2. Join AAUP—John Smith is starting a chapter at Texas A&M -Commerce
3. Chancellor McKinney’s suggestions:
1. faculty retention and tenure based on research and the ability to attract external funding
2. faculty hired with two separate tracks: (1) “term-tenure” clinical status on 3-5 year contracts (2) tenure track
3. Faculty evaluated by students: those with highest evaluations will receive monetary rewards.  Program will begin this year at College Station, Kingsville, and Prairie View. All system schools will participate in spring 2009. The Corpus Christi Campus wants to opt out of this review system. 

Dr. Franklin said there are three current searches taking place.

1. Dean Arts & Sciences
2. VP Institutional Advancement
3. Provost and VP Academic Affairs

He asked  the Faculty Senate to address the following five questions from a faculty perspective:

1. What is the critical short-term agenda at the university?
2. In perusing this agenda-what is the environment going to be?
3. Five years from now what would determine that the provost has done an outstanding job?
4. Why would anyone want these jobs?
5. What knowledge, skills, and experience should this person possess?

Faculty Senate suggestions for Provost:

1. maintain academic standards for students while we increase enrollment—need support systems in place for students including financial support;

1. need clear & consistent guidelines for tenure and promotion;
2. need support getting two engineering programs running;
3. need to retain and hire faculty with competitive salaries;
4. tuition & fees—should they be raised?
5. understand university in the context of the community and region;
6. advance interdisciplinary education;
7. stimulate conversation about how educators define success;
8. address growing tension between  faculty and governing boards;
9. address any negative perception of the university; and
10. adhere to policies and keep paper work down.

Faculty Senate President R.N. Singh and President-elect John Smith will be serving on the provost search committee.

Dr. Franklin’s e-mail address will be posted on the Senate web page for faculty to express views, if needed. 

Bill.Franklin@academic-search.com

Committee Reports

Academic Practices Committee:
Linda Openshaw gave senators a copy of a survey addressing summer school salaries and scheduling.  She asked faculty to review it and send any suggestions to her.  The survey will be sent to the faculty this fall.
Faculty Awards Committee:
If a committee member is nominated for a faculty award, s/he  must withdraw from the committee or withdraw from the award
University Facilities & Scheduling Committee:
Stephen Starnes stated that there are changes in formula funding.  Enrollment for spring is low so encourage students to register.