• At the May 8th Graduate Education Advisory Committee (GEAC) meeting, a review will be conducted to refine the 18 Characteristics of Texas Public Doctoral Programs. 
• Preliminary authority is not required from the Coordinating Board for new bachelor’s or master’s programs, if the degree program meets all of the following criteria:
  1. Has institutional and governing board approval.
  2. Is a non-doctoral program.
  3. Is a non-engineering program* (i.e. not classified under CIP code 14)
  4. Would be offered by a unveristy/health-related institution.

*New engineering programs will need approval from TAMUS prior to obtaining THECB approval. This process remains the same.

• The Coordinating Board wiill develop a process for conducting reviews of existing bachelor’s and master’sdegree programs at public higher education institutions. Dr. McBroom plans to work with the deans to develop an inventory of programs that will need to be reviewed.

Faculty Senate – The President and Provost plan to attend the Faculty Senate meeting later in the day and address issues identified by the Senate. (i.e. clarification regarding early tenure; university standards for service; summer school salaries and workloads) Council members agreed clarification was needed regarding university standards for teaching, scholarship and service. Deans agreed to develop criteria to differentiate between college, university, profession and community service as well as determine a cap on the percentage of scholarly activities that could be counted. 

• Summer School must become self-supportive   
• Class sizes are very important in order to achieve self sufficiency. Minimum class sizes are for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral courses are 15, 10 and 7, respectively.  Although exceptions to class size minimum can be approved, there will be very few. Exceptions must be approved by the department head, dean, and provost.
• Multiple sections of same course in the same session are strongly discouraged. Although exceptions to multiple offerings can be approved, there will be very few. Exceptions must be approved by the department head, dean, and provost. 
• Shared revenues are included in the summer school model. The intent is to generate revenues for under-funded (college and university) strategic initiatives.
• Keep faculty salaries as the driver of summer pay.

Curriculum Changes – Deans Council was provided information regarding curriculum changes for 2009-2020. Deans are to review and submit their comments to Dr. Randy McBroom by the end of the week.

Promotion – Deans Council reviewed and voted on faculty applications for promotion.