Minutes of the Faculty Senate Meeting

October 8, 1996

Agenda Items of Business

Senate President Chandler invited Larry Long, Director of the Counseling Center, and Vice-President of Academic Affairs Alexander to speak to the senate before the senate addressed scheduled agenda items of business.

Larry Long provided an overview of the Counseling Center's services. He presented information on career counseling for students and services for students with eating disorders. He closed by asking the senators to work with the Counseling Center to help him provide effective services for students.

Vice-President Alexander outlined what he viewed as his relationship with the senate. He emphasized he wanted to be a source of information, support, and perspective. He also said that he was always available for questions. Additionally, Dr. Alexander reminded the senate of the Faculty Merit Plus Program described on page 11 of the Faculty Handbook. He informed the senators that he would be sending the faculty a letter inviting applications. He also stated that he had asked President McCabe for funding for the program and had received President McCabe's commitment for approximately $10,000. Dr. Alexander pointed out that the Faculty Merit Plus Program offered faculty a significant opportunity.

A short question/answer segment followed. Senators expressed concerns about funding for new computers for labs and faculty offices. Senators also pointed out that faculty need more training and technical support for the new system software. Dr. Alexander stated he was aware of problem areas and was working to increase funding.

1. Approval of the Minutes and Treasurer's Report. President Chandler called the October 8, 1996 meeting of the Tarleton State University Faculty Senate to order at 3:40. The minutes of the September 8, 1996 meeting were approved with the following revision to item 5: "He [President Chandler] emphasized that he thought the university would commit the funds to purchase and support one software package and gave the committee the charge to make a recommendation to the senate who would then make appropriate recommendations to the Computer Services Committee and President McCabe." Senator Irma Harrington was absent.

2. Discussion of University Calendar Committee Recommendations for 1997-98. President Chandler explained how the University Calendar Committee had drafted the proposed calendar. One major consideration was the public schools' schedules overlapping with Summer II. VPAA Alexander pointed out that the proposed schedule for Summer, 1997 was actually a revision. He stated that adopting the revisions might have adverse effects on those students and their families who had made plans based on the currently published schedule. Senate opinion on the proposed four week summer sessions varied from enthusiastic support to support for the three-day weekend that some senators stated benefits students who work. A motion passed to keep the currently published schedule for Summer, 1997. A motion passed that the senate accept the committee draft for Fall, 1997, Spring, 1998, and Summer, 1998.

3. Reports on Statistical Software Recommendations. Pat Smith reported that the Statistical Software Committee had decided to poll the faculty before it recommends a choice to the senate. The committee representative from each college will conduct a vote on the alternatives and report the results at the next meeting.

4. Appointments of committee representatives:
a. Faculty Advisory Committee (one from each undergraduate college, one at large, and one alternate for each; all must be tenured)

b. Administrative Confidence Committee (three members and one alternate; one member must be a senator; all must be tenured)

Jerry Madkins

Hal Walton

Frank Gilman

Holly Lamb (senate representative)

5. Piper Award Update. Charles Howard informed the senate that he had sent department heads the forms and deadlines for submitting their nominees. The senate will vote on the nominees at the next meeting. A motion was passed that the nominee be elected by a majority vote. If a majority is not reached on the first vote, the top three nominees will be voted on and then the top two if necessary.

6. Discussion of senate committee recommendations. Charles Howard submitted a memo to be sent to the president for the senate's consideration. In the ensuing discussion, the following questions were raised:

a. If faculty who are up for tenure/promotion have been requesting committee service and have not received appointment, what recourse do they have in fulfilling that requirement?

b. If the senate's role in committee appointments is only advisory, can the senate expect President McCabe to explain his decisions?

c. If the senate committee invests time and energy to make recommendations that are not acted on, is the effort worth it?

d. If this year's appointments are a significant departure from past practices, doesn't the President need to inform the senate of his procedure for making appointments.

A motion passed to send the memo as written. Senators Joe Cude, Pat Cude, and Janet Miles-Maestas requested their no votes be recorded in the minutes.

Joe Cude expressed his concern that the senate take action on a document not included in the agenda. His concern centered on not having the time to read the document and give it thoughtful consideration. He asked the senate to consider adopting a procedure that would prevent a vote on a document submitted during a meeting and not with the agenda. President Chandler asked Parliamentarian Cross to look into this issue.

7. Announcements. No announcements were made.

8. New Business. President Chandler asked that the senate read the Internet Policy and be prepared to develop a response at the next meeting. He also gave senators a memo from Janet Schmelzer and asked that it be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Secretary Lilly mistakenly left an agenda item off the list: Discussion of Distance Learning Policy. A motion passed to put this item on the agenda for the next meeting.