The Senate came to order at 3:30 p.m. with nineteen senators present or represented. Senator Brown was absent. On the motion of Charles Howard the minutes of the February meeting were approved as distributed. The Treasurer reported an account balance of $1,037.44.

Dr. Jack Russell, Patricia Zelman, and Jill Burk presented a lengthy report on the use of certain master's degrees and certificates for purposes of tenure and promotion. The full report, including supporting documentation, will be filed with the original minutes of this meeting. Copies have been provided to each senator and are to be shared with department heads or other interested individuals as the recommendations are forwarded through the administration. After relatively brief discussion, Charles Howard moved that the Faculty Senate formally adopt the recommendations of the Committee and forward them to the Academic Council for consideration. motion passed with little opposition.

By secret ballot the Faculty Senate selected Donald Keith, Rueben Walter, and Richard Winton as its nominees for the Arthur Award.

The Tarleton Alumni Association also wants to present a teaching award, but without detracting from the Arthur Award or necessitating another round of nominations. The solution seems to be presenting the Alumni prizes to those nominated from the Student Senate and from the Faculty Senate in the initial Arthur Award selection. Since the Alumni Association has a time schedule to meet, the award--to be known as the O. A. Grant Teaching Award--will be presented to the Arthur nominees from the preceding year, in this case to Rose Ann Kincannon, Larry Margolis, Sara Tyler, Benny Konvicka, Marilyn Robitaille, and Randy Hines. The Arthur Award winner will be speaker at the alumni presentation.

A quick survey of faculty and staff supported the idea of more family-oriented activities for the May 14 picnic. The Staff Council has promised $250 and asks the Senate to match that sum. President McCabe will provide any additional moneys needed. On motion of Richard Sale, the Senate will match the $250 from the Staff Council. Motion passed.

Holly Lamb, Charles Howard, and Linda Duncan attended the meeting of the Texas Council and reported that across the state the big issue is changes in faculty handbooks. Administrators are making alterations with little or no faculty consultation. In other matters, a fellowship is still open for faculty to work with the Coordinating Board. A resolution is being supported for a combined A&M University System Faculty Advisory Committee.

Linda Duncan is preparing an interview form and will talk with the VPAA about senators canvassing their departments. The interviews should be one-on-one and cover perceived problems, likes and dislikes, growth ideas, role of senate and so on. McKay, Sale, Walker and Whitecotton volunteered to help prepare the interview "prompts."

It has been announced that some forty-four "salary compression" raises have been made to reestablish fairness and balance to associate and full professors who did not gain by the implementation of salary "floors." There were also nineteen gender equity raises and the Merit Plus awards.

The Executive Committee had lunch with President McCabe and talked informally about the legislature, salary issues, the Central Texas initiative and general operating funds.

SFC Whitecotton says that the Parking Committee has moved its meetings to a day he cannot attend. Charles Howard volunteered to sit in for him and represent the Senate.

Senate adjourned 4:45 p.m.