Members present: Wilson, Harp, Wascovich, Miskevich, Starnes, Ballotti, Creider, Hendricks, Espinoza, Dang, Smith, Mahan, Seminet, Odom, Webster (Dorsett), Druhan, West, Herndon, Williams (Schroeder), Sun, Singh (President), Hammack, & Openshaw (Secretary)

February 3, 2008 minutes approved with corrections.

Accepted by acclamation.

Guest Speakers:

President Dan Jones

Communication from Senate President Singh

President Dan Jones discussed the following:

1. Three finalists for VP for Institutional Advancement have all visited campus.  Decision should be made by the end of the week.
2. First of three candidates for the Dean of Arts and Sciences is on campus today
3. Provost search committee did an off-site search last weekend. 
4. It is anticipated that all three searches will be resolved by mid-April.
5. Facilities—it is a good time to build the music building.  It is 3.5 million dollars under what was estimated, so some of the items that were taken out originally are back in.
6. University community update last week is looking at a master plan for student housing that involves some new construction.
7.  The tunnel is being closed.
8. Summer school is going to be a challenge.  The administration is working on a model.
9. He is committed to having tenure and promotion procedures in place this spring.
10. The administration is watching what is going on in Austin.  Everyone is concerned about saving money.  Not sure of the impact on higher education.
11. Excellence in Teaching Award piloted in Kingsville, Prairie View & College Station.  Chancellor is determined to go ahead to show that the university does reward good teaching.   There is twelve million dollars to be given to faculty.

1. Senate President Singh met with the University President.
2. Tim Wilson is attending Texas Council of Faculty Senates meeting.
3. Dr. Singh discussed the changes that are being considered for tenure and promotion.  Currently all three procedures 1) tenure, 2) promotion, 3) post-tenure review are all being combined as one.

1. Dr. Singh said the changes are laborious work.  The concept of professional track faculty: lecturer and senior lecturers is being deleted completely.
2. Post-tenure review is on page 36 and in the system statement 12.06. Senators should looks at the draft of changes and decide if the post-tenure review should be changed.
3. Dr. Sing encouraged senators and all faculty to review the documents.  The changes will be written out and ready for the April or May meeting.

Committee Reports

Academic Life:  Committee distributed draft procedures via e-mail for Tenure, Promotion, and Post-Tenure review.  The committee aligned A&M-Commerce procedures with the recently revised A&M system policy for each area.

Curriculum:  Committee is still processing curriculum changes.

Faculty Awards:  Award portfolios are being submitted.  All submissions are being placed on reserve in the library

New Business

New Business:  Senate President was asked to contact the appropriate offices for additional information about two new sets of university procedures.
  Clarification sought for the new Scholarship Procedures.

  Clarification about the new Service Standards.

Moved by Jeff Herndon. Seconded.