Faculty Senate Meeting
October 9, 2001 3:30 PM
Library Multi-Purpose Room

President Teresa Davidian called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M.

Twenty-one senators were present or represented. There was no representative from Military Science.

The agenda was amended to accommodate two guest speakers followed by the most pressing issues.

I. The minutes of the September 11, 2001 meeting were approved.
II The treasurer reported a balance of $800.42. New monies have not yet been approved.

III. Dr. Gary Peer remarks

• He has noted that there has been good communication established with the Senate President, Dr. Teresa Davidian.
• He addressed the items that had been pending in the Senate: faculty development, promotion and tenure, and distance learning.
• With regard to the proposed faculty development policy, he is surprised that one is not already in place, he will support a policy, and feels that money should not prevent implementation. The A&M system policy already in place allows system entities to develop such a policy, but does not require it.
• For promotion and tenure, he agrees that there needs to be recognition of development of distance learning courses and that it should be considered in any review.
• He made an invitation for the Senate to be represented on the Distance Learning Committee.
• He said that he will find the senate a phone, computer, and printer for the senate office.
• He spoke of three issues that he feels are important for the university and that he will be addressing: faculty development, diversity, and technology.
• He feels that academic members should exchange ideas on teaching and share new ideas. This promotes growth and development, dialogue with other faculty, and allows the frank exchange of educational ideas in a non-evaluative context.
• Diversity is an important concept. The country is experiencing a change in demography, minorities are not doing well in K-12, and often don't go to college. We need to expand our efforts to both educate and hire under-represented groups. However, we also need to include more diversity in our curriculum. We need to include the contributions of women and minorities in our discussions in our respective disciplines. He does not necessarily support specific Women's or Ethnic Studies programs. They are expensive to run and few students major in those areas.
• Technology is also an important issue, not just distance learning, but instructional technology. Faculty needs to be technically literate or we will be out-of-step. We need to spend more money and provide better equipment for students. A survey showed that 70% of incoming freshman have computers and expect to use them in their classes. With regard to Distance Learning, he feels it is a component, but Tarleton does not need to become the major player in that area. We may have unrealized opportunities in that area. There are many adult learners, who will not come to campus for classes. It is a money-maker, but we need to maintain integrity.

IV. Academic Council meeting report
Linda Jones distributed information about professional development (different than the leave policy). This program provides support for persons getting terminal degrees.
Laptop computers will be available in December in the Library for general use.
A list of majors by departments was distributed.

V. Developmental Leave Committee - Linda Duncan
The A&M system policy has been in place only since February. We reviewed the revised proposed policy and made some comments. Delete the last sentence in the revised. The Faculty senate will conduct elections for committee representation. Send any additional comments on issue to Dr, Davidian who will forward them to the committee.

VI. Piper Award. The award nomination packet was handed out. Need nominees by Friday Nov 2 to Dr. Weissenburger. We will vote on November 13.

VII The senate luncheon will be on Thursday November 8 at noon and costs $1.

VIII. In anticipation of an invitation to for representation on the Distance Learning Committee, the Senate appointed George Mollick.

IX. The appointments from last meeting for the Faculty Advisory Committee were reviewed. One change had to be made. Charlie Howard could not serve and Maria Bohm was asked to be primary representative. Malcolm Cross was then approved as the alternate.

X. The appointments to the Administrative Confidence Committee which had been tentatively approved upon acceptance were reviewed and approved. All nominees had agreed to serve.

XI. A vote was taken on the system policy changes. The vote to reject these proposed changes was unanimous.

XII. The Faculty Load committee handed out a survey form for all faculty to help rank concerns. These are to be returned by the week of the 15th to Janis Petronis.

Meeting adjourned at 4:55 PM.