President Lamb called the Senate to order at 3:30 p.m. with fifteen senators present. Senators Beaty, Defranchi, Hall, Johnson, and Robitaille were absent. Barbara Williams has been replaced by Dr. Richard Sale, who will complete the current term and then serve a full term of his own. On motion of Charles Howard, the minutes of the December meeting were approved as distributed.

President Lamb reported on the university administration’s reasons for changing the student evaluation of teaching procedure. According to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Information Resources requested the change in the interest of efficiency in processing. The VPAA and Deans worked out the new system but miscommunication to the departments caused problems. In the future, teaching faculty will have the last class day of the semester to administer evaluations, better communication will be sought, and senators suggest that their review would probably help the matter.

Senator McKay questioned whether all faculty need to attend all commencements through the academic year, particulary when seating space is a concern. On motion of Cude, the chair of the Convocations Committee, Dr. Don Zelman, will be invited to the next Senate meeting to discuss alternatives.

Senator Walker is concerned about what the different departments are doing to measure institutional effectiveness and would like to see examples and discussion of the alternatives. During the discussion, senators pointed out that other Southern Association stipulations need attention as well; e.g., some faculty degrees are being considered as terminal degrees in calaulating the percentage of classes taught by qualified faculty but not given the same consideration on matters of tenure and promotion. Senators were asked to reflect on the number of classes taught by faculty without terminal degrees and to notice how often tenure-track faculty are replaced with non-tenure track hires.

A recent planning retreat considered some matters relating to the impending U.C.T. acquisition. President Lamb distributed two relevant memos, copies of which are attached to these minutes for senators who were not present on January 12.

Senator McKay reported that the faculty/staff aerobics class is receiving financial support from the senate, that the class has begun for the current semester, and that a number of faculty are utilizing the opportunity.

President Lamb reminded the senate that she, Linda Duncan, and Charles Howard would be attending the Council of Faculty Senates meeting in Austin on February 19, 20. On motion of Cude, the senate will pay the cost of this official trip.

Senator Howard reminded the senate that he is a member of the campus store advisory committee. Although the textbook distribution seems to have improved significantly this term, he asks that any problems be reported to him through e-mail.

Senate adjourned at 4:17 p.m.