President Linda Duncan called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M. Twenty senators were present. Senator Richard Balderas was absent.

1. Approval of Minutes and Treasurer's Report.
Upon motion by Richard Winton, the Senate approved the minutes of the February 8 meeting. The Treasurer reported a balance of $2,215.05.

2. Report on Provost's Meeting.
President Duncan reported on the following topics relative to her most recent meeting with the Provost:
A. Proposed Change in the Faculty and Staff Handbook:
At its November 9 meeting, the Faculty Senate passed the following proposed revision to the Faculty and Staff Handbook:
The Tarleton State University Faculty Senate has the responsibility for suggesting, reviewing, and commenting on all additions and revisions to the Tarleton State University Handbook for Faculty and Administrative Staff pertaining to general academic policies, faculty welfare, and faculty rules of procedure on a timely basis (1) before any such additions or revisions are approved by the President, (2) before such additions and revisions are referred to the Texas A&M University System or legal council for approval, and (3) before any additions or revisions are incorporated into the Tarleton State University Handbook for Faculty and Administrative Staff.
Duncan shared the Provost's emailed response to this proposal in which the Senate's statement was amended to read as follows:
The Tarleton State University Faculty Senate is the faculty representative council on campus and therefore should advise the administration regarding all substantive changes in and additions to the rules and regulations found in the Handbook for Faculty and Administrative Staff with a specific focus on general academic policies, faculty welfare, and faculty rules of procedure.
Following a lengthy discussion during which several senators expressed the belief that the Provost's wording might substantially weaken the senate's proposed revision, Gene Atkinson moved to instruct President Duncan to submit the following revised Senate statement:
The Tarleton State University Faculty Senate has the responsibility for suggesting, reviewing, and commenting on additions and revisions to the Tarleton State University Handbook for Faculty and Administrative Staff pertaining to general academic policies, faculty welfare, and faculty rules
of procedure on a timely basis before any additions or revisions are incorporated into the Tarleton State University Handbook for Faculty and Administrative Staff.
The motion passed unanimously.
B. Tarleton On-Line Evaluations.
The Provost reported that he had checked with legal counsel for the Texas A&M System regarding the legality of posting the results of faculty evaluations on-line and learned that such results are considered to be public record and may be posted on the Internet.
C. Developmental Leave Policy.
The Provost reported that he supports the idea of faculty developmental leave, but is not sure what final form it should take.

D. Sick Leave Policy.
Duncan expressed concern that university sick leave policy is still not being interpreted consistently across campus. By general consensus, the Senate agreed with her proposal to invite Dr. Alexander and Angie Brown to the April meeting to clear up lingering confusion.

3. Report on Texas Council of Faculty Senates Meeting.
Attendees of the February 25-26 Texas Council of Faculty Senates meeting reported on the following topics of interest and concern:
Linda Duncan: (1) On-line evaluation of faculty. (2) Administrative policies and procedures that prevent faculty communication with members of the press.
Gene Atkinson: (1) Similarity of faculty concerns in all universities. (2) Lack of unanimity toward legislative priorities.
Bill Beaty: K-16 "seamless" education for Texas.
Teresa Davidian: (1) Tarleton's progress report contained less "boosterism" than those of other universities. (2) Reports from other universities of student disruptions in classrooms. (3) The competitive threat from community colleges.

4. Report from Faculty Evaluation Committee.
Holly Lamb distributed copies of a proposed faculty evaluation form, which her committee developed to improve the instrument currently being used. She acknowledged the contributions of Kim Rynearson to these changes. Lamb reported the committee hopes ultimately to develop a form containing questions and responses on a single sheet with provisions for written comments on the same form. President Duncan asked senators to take these proposed changes back to their departments and solicit faculty input. Following further discussion in April, the final vote on this committee's proposals will be made at the May meeting.

5. Report from O. A. Grant Award Committee.
Gene Atkinson noted that the Tarleton Alumni Society agrees with the Senate that potential problems exist regarding the awarding of the O. A. Grant Award to Jack and Louise Arthur Award nominees who did not win the award in the previous year. He noted that Tarleton will continue to follow this format in the current year but will adopt a new policy in the future. Atkinson stated that the Alumni Society will set nomination and election criteria for this award in coming years without direct input from the Faculty Senate.

6. Selection of Jack and Louise Arthur Award Nominees.
The senate members selected Loretta Brister, Stephen Field, and Chris Guthrie as their nominees for the Jack and Louise Arthur Award. College appointees for the final selection committee appear as follows: Arts and Sciences - Phil Sudman, Education and Fine Arts - Thomas Dougherty, Business Administration - Dan Dudley, Graduate - David Weissenburger, Agriculture and Technology - Sandy Johnson.

7. Report on Meetings with Student Government Association regarding TOLE.
President Duncan reported that she had met with Elvis Moya and the president of the Student Government Association (SGA). She noted the attitude of this organization has matured during this process. Moya has reviewed the Faculty Evaluation Committee's proposed changes to the evaluation form and is supportive of these changes. David Weissenburger observed that Tarleton, Central Texas faculty members were not included in the SGA's recent survey regarding on-line evaluation. Leslie Stanley-Stevens noted some Humanities Building faculty members were excluded as well. President Duncan reported the SGA plans to implement TOLE in January or September of 2001. In response to Duncan's question regarding the advisability of inviting Moya to appear before the Senate, most members believed it was too early in the planning process for this step to be beneficial.

8. Discussion of Coordinating Board's New Higher Education Plan.
President Duncan appointed the following committee to determine three major goals of higher education and to suggest means of achieving those goals at the May meeting:
Janis Petronis, Business Administration, Chair
Charles Walker, Arts and Sciences
Randy Hines, Agriculture and Technology
Teresa Davidian, Education and Fine Arts
Karen Defranchi, Library
David Weissenburger, Central Texas

9. Contribution to Annual Faculty and Staff Picnic.
Following a brief discussion, Sandy Johnson moved to contribute $250 to the annual Faculty and Staff Picnic. The motion passed unanimously.

10. New Business.
David Weissenburger indicated he has questions regarding the Texas A&M System's new policy on intellectual property. Charles Walker agreed and moved to include the issue as an agenda item in the April meeting. During the ensuing discussion, Gene Atkinson noted the University of North Texas recently adopted a new intellectual property policy regarding on-line courses, and he will bring that policy statement to the April meeting. Walker's motion passed unanimously.

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