AGENDA ITEMS:

The Senate came to order at 3:30 with nineteen senators present or represented; Senator Johnson was absent. On motion of Linda Duncan, the minutes of the January meeting were approved as distributed. The Treasurer reported an account balance of $2,432.81.

Dr. Chris Guthrie distributed a tentative schedule for centennial week activities, observing that classes will be dismissed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24, to allow faculty and students to attend the Centennial Convocation. All faculty and staff are "encouraged" to attend in academic regalia and to join a processional that will include representatives of some thirty campus organizations.

Taking up a report from the parking committee out of agenda order, Mr. Mike Moser of Business Services explained that the committee for some time had been looking at various topics, including zoning, fines, equity in fees, and costs of new parking lots. The committee has discussed but not implemented drastically increasing parking fees and fines to cover some $900,000 in debt for new parking on Washington and Lillian streets. Despite the story in the JTAC, no decisions have been made except to raise parking fees next year to $50 for faculty and $25 per semester for students.

Moser explained that faculty fees contribute about $25,000 per year, student tags amount to $225,000, and the total covers ongoing maintenance and repair but is not sufficient for new construction.

After discussion, Charles Howard moved that "Resolved, we the Faculty Senate of Tarleton State University strongly oppose any attempt to raise parking fees for the faculty and staff of this University.

"We regard the practice of paying for parking at our place of employment as unprofessional and any increase in those fees would be a strain on some members of the Tarleton family, especially those staff and instructors that are already under paid.

"We feel strongly that too little time and too little faculty input has characterized this process.

"We strongly urge Dr. Dennis McCabe, President of Tarleton State University, to deny this proposal."

President Lamb moved to amend by inserting the phrase "or eliminate reserved parking" in the first sentence after the words "to raise parking fees." The amendment passed; and the motion as amended then passed without objection.

Dr. Don Zelman explained that the position of the University has traditionally been that full-time faculty are expected to attend commencement services as a demonstration of Tarleton's support for its students. Some discussion followed on the application of that principle to the sometimes--three graduations in one day and to August commencements and whether some sort of rotation might be achieved for token representation of the faculty. It was further stressed that the faculty are virtually commanded to attend rather than invited and required to beg permission in advance not to attend. Zelman promised to convey the sentiments and concerns of the Senate to Dr. McCabe.

Linda Duncan reminded senators that each department should complete its selection and forward the nomination documents to her no later than February 26. Each college also needs to select an awards committee member.

The Faculty Handbook Committee has not received the handbook yet and so had no report. the Merit Plus Committee has made its recommendations and the recipients have already been notified. The Tarleton homepage now has a web site with some information on the Killeen Center and a place to post questions. Some funds still remain for those needing to travel between campuses of the A&M System.

The Senate adjourned at 4:45 p.m.