President Linda Duncan called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M.

Sixteen senators were present or represented. Senators Richard Balderas, Dayton Hall, Randy Hines, Phil Sudman, and Richard Winton were absent. Tom Talley attended the meeting in place of Senator Carol Thompson. Senator Randy Hines did not learn of his appointment to fill out retiring Senator Les Waymack's term until after the meeting.

1. Approval of Minutes and Treasurer's Report.
Upon motion by Holly Lamb, the minutes of the December 7, 1999 meeting were approved. The Treasurer reported a balance of $3,322.50.

2. Report from Angie Brown Regarding University Sick Leave and Grievance Mediation Policies.

a. Sick Leave Policy: Ms. Brown began her report by noting that all Texas A&M University System policies are available for faculty review on the System Web site. She distributed a printout of the section of this site that outlines system requirements for employee sick leave (http://sago.tamu.edu/policy/31-03-02.htm). She then briefly summarized this policy to the Senate's members. The primary area where senators voiced confusion related to the question of whether faculty members are required to take sick leave when no classes or office hours are missed. Ms Brown acknowledged that the interpretation of this question is difficult and noted that individual department heads are ultimately responsible for the interpretation of this provision. Other subjects about which senators raised questions included unpaid family and medical leave, length of continuous absence before documentation must be provided, and the sick leave pool.

b. Mediation: Brown indicated that, while mediation is theoretically available for grievance resolution on the Tarleton campus, implementing this procedure would be difficult. Duncan noted there would be practical matters that would place undue hardships on faculty mediators.

3. Memo to Provost Regarding Faculty Evaluations.
Upon motion by Janis Petronis, the Senate directed Holly Lamb and Marilyn Robitaille to send the following memorandum to the Dr. Alexander:

Since student evaluations of Tarleton faculty are indeed taken seriously and play a part in the promotion and tenure process, the Faculty Senate requests that new Scantron sheets be made available for faculty evaluations. At the December Faculty Senate meeting, representatives of several departments voiced concern over the possibility of errors occurring with the use of the recycled Scantron sheets. Using new sheets would eliminate some of the following situations that have already occurred across campus:

-Inclusion of Scantron sheets with specified numbers already marked
-Insufficient number of Scantron sheets with specified numbers open
-Confusion on the part of students regarding where to begin marking, especially if number one has not been marked
-Possibility that, after viewing previously marked Scantron sheets, some students might score differently than they normally would have

The Faculty Senate appreciates your consideration of this matter for this Spring semester and for future semesters. We believe that the costs would be minimal and the investment worthwhile.

4. Begin Process for Selecting Jack & Louise Arthur and O. A. Grant Awards.
Gene Atkinson distributed nomination forms for the Jack & Louise Arthur/O.A. Grant Awards to senators. He indicated that nominees must submit their applications by March 1, 2000, so that Senators may have sufficient time to review credentials.

5. Call for Regents' Professor Applications.
Gene Atkinson indicated the President's Office is responsible for soliciting Regents' Professor applications. He noted that, because of the strictness of selection criteria for this award, very few professors would qualify when these forms are distributed.

6. Report from Academic Council.
President Duncan noted the Provost's final decision regarding appropriate degrees for promotion and tenure closely followed the Senate's original proposal. She will discuss other questions regarding promotion and tenure policy with Dr. Alexander at their next meeting.

7. Report on Central Texas Representation.
David Weissenburger reported he had nothing new to report.

8. Officer Attendance at Texas Council of Faculty Senates Meeting, February 25-26, 2000.
President Duncan noted that other universities regularly send their executive boards to the Texas Council of Faculty Senates meeting each fall and spring. Following a short discussion, C. B. Pippin moved that Tarleton's Faculty Senate provide funds to send its entire executive board to these meetings. The motion passed unanimously.

9. Donation of Printer for the Faculty Senate Office.
Bill Beaty announced that Steve Steed of the Department of Business Systems donated the use of a Laser Jet Series II printer for Faculty Senate use. By general consensus, members directed Beaty to draft a letter expressing the Senate's gratitude for this donation.

10. Purchase of Tape Recorder for Secretary's Use.
Bill Beaty requested that the Senate purchase audiocassette recorder for the secretary's use in taking minutes. Gene Atkinson moved that Beaty be authorized to make this purchase. The motion carried unanimously.

11. New Business.
Linda Duncan noted the Senate has traditionally provided funding for the faculty/staff aerobics class each spring semester. Holly Lamb moved to have this body continue the policy this year. The motion passed unanimously.

President Duncan adjourned the meeting at 4:55 P.M.