Minutes of the Faculty Senate Meeting

April 14, 1998

Agenda Items of Business

  1. Approval of Minutes (Attachment A) and Treasurer’s Report. Charles Howard called the senate to order at 3:32 in the Library Multi-Purpose Rooms. Senators Atkinson, Low, Lamb, Duncan, DeFranchi, Eller, Cude, Rhoades, Riebock, Chandler, and Stanley-Stevens were present. Marilyn Robitaille attended for Nick Lilly. Gene Atkinson served as secretary. On motion of Duncan, the minutes of the March 10 meeting were approved as distributed. In the absence of the treasurer, there was no report; however, Howard noted that there will be some expenses for travel involving Barry Price, Richard Petronis, and his own trip to the TAMUS Legal Symposium later this month.
  2. Regents Award. President-Elect Lamb reported that she had issued the first call for Regents Professor nominations and had one response. Subsequently, Dr. McCabe expressed his desire to make some changes in the process (his letter to the VPAA was distributed). Discussion followed on the nature of the "local modifications" requested, the composition of the new selection committee, the role of students in the process and whether the Senate had any role in the new structure. A consensus emerged that while a second call for nominations go out this year, the senate should revisit the selection process next year on all such awards, perhaps compiling a list of qualified, full professors for the guidance of the students.
  3. Discussion of Office of Sponsored Projects. Dr. Alice Cushman is stepping down from the Office of Sponsored Projects. There should be a campus search for here replacement, with the senate involved. Dr. Cushman has recommended that the post be a full-time assignment without teaching responsibilities. Cude suggested a "win or out" job description to ensure effective operation. Eller agreed that a terminal degree might not be necessary though an adequate background and experience in grant development was essential.
  4. Discussion of Syllabus Standardization. President Howard inquired if any senators had experienced pressure to standardize course syllabi. Cude responded that in multi-section, general education courses the math faculty cooperates to provide a common student experience. Chandler recalled that the business departments include ADA statements, some individual absentee policies and a few other general topics. Riebock stated that physical education activity courses have a standardized syllabus issued from the department to all instructors each semester. President Howard explained that if the departments or the faculty have created such agreements there should be no difficulty; he was concerned about requirements from administration. There are stories of requirements regarding the mission statement and other stipulations, and if there are such outside pressures on the departments it is the senate’s responsibility to know about them. Most agreed that some suggestions have been made and believe that they are driven by law suits or the impending institutional self-study. All were advised to continue monitoring the situation.
  5. Discussion of Promotion Requirements. President-Elect Lamb raised questions concerning apparent disparities in the actual, as opposed to stated, requirements for tenure and promotion. Much discussion acknowledged that requirements do very considerably among departments but no conclusion or consensus emerged.
  6. Announcements. Senator Low asked the sense of the senate regarding Student Services’ visiting academic buildings and removing signs or posters from the walls. The situation has occurred more than once in the Science Building. Riebock says that physical education polices the matter since so many signs are attached with duct tape that pulls paint from the walls. The senate reached no conclusion or recommendation.

Howard discussed a draft memo regarding the likelihood of a Tarleton Center in Central Texas as the first published information about a branch campus in Killeen. Since this move has major implications for upper-division classes, degree programs and faculty assignments, a copy of the draft memo will be attached to the minutes of this meeting for all senators to study.

The senate initiated a dialogue with the departments regarding the definition of a terminal degree, such as J.D., M.S.W., and M.F.A. Dr. McCabe has expressed a willingness to recognize some of these for promotion and tenure decisions but the VPAA is opposed. Any change will have to go through the Faculty Handbook; thus the senate can (1) make a recommendation now, (2) appoint a group to further investigate the matter, or (3) look into the matter next fall. After short discussion, the senate agreed that Howard would select a committee to investigate criteria for the degrees, practices at other institutions and other relevant material for a report next fall.

The senate meeting in May will bid goodbye to Bill Chandler, Nick Lilly, Carl Chumney, John Rhoades, and Brian Whitecotton. Successors have been chosen for Rhoades and Smith and elections are proceeding for the others.

May will also bring election of the President-Elect and Secretary/Treasurer. Anyone interested should make their availability known by that time.

Next year, as past-president Howard intends two luncheons—in fall and in spring.

Misti Riebock asked if anyone had heard the rumors that the old Sav-On lot will be for faculty only and be landscaped with a gazebo. Some students are irate at that rumor.

The senate adjourned at 4:50PM.