Academic Senate Minutes
Ms. Cantu called the
Members of the Senate in attendance included: Mr. Steve Benton (s), Ms. Ethel Cantu (*), Dr. Luis Colom (s), Mr. Roberto Cortina (s), Dr. William C. Davis (s), Mr. Doug Ferrier, Ms. Linda Fossen, Mr. Victor Fuhro, Dr. Gerald Hollier (s), Dr. Edward Hymson (*), Dr. Charles Lackey, Ms. Julie Larson (*), Dr. Jose Martin, Mr. Domingo Molina (s), Ms. Kim Morris-Garcia (s), Dr. Rafael Otero (s), Ms. Cheryl Phelps (s), Mr. Jay Phillips, Dr. Ruth Ann Ragland, Dr. Rey Ramirez (s), Dr. Renee Rubin (s), Dr. Carl Stockton, Dr. John Sutterby (s), Mr. Pat Wade (s), and Mr. Tom Welther (*).
Senate
Meeting
Ms. Cantu called for review of the
Ms. Cantu asked for further corrections. Hearing no further corrections or objections, the minutes stood approved as corrected.
III. Presentation: The Need for More Faculty
Ms. Cantu said that at the
Dr. Garcia began her presentation by saying that she had the opportunity to address the entire Board of Regents for one hour during their meeting at UTB/TSC. Dr. Garcia said she talked to the Regents about the need for more faculty and presented a powerpoint presentation demonstrating that need. She then presented an abbreviated version of that powerpoint presentation to the Senate. See Attachment 1 for a copy of this presentation.
Dr. Garcia pointed out that according to the Semester Credit
Hour Growth Slide contrasting the
Dr. Garcia then asked, “what can we do?” Ask for facilities, yes. Ask for revenue stream alternatives, yes. Dr. Garcia said the bottom line is that we need $40 million. Dr. Garcia said this figure would allow us to hire new faculty every year.
Mr. Benton said it seems as if the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Dr. Garcia responded by saying that the legislature cut all institutions the same 7%. Ms. Cantu thanked Dr. Garcia for her presentation.
IV. Senate Treasurer’s Report
Dr. Hymson reported that as of
V. Senate President’s Report
Ms. Cantu presented the following information in her report.
1. Conduct
an election for a faculty representative from the
2. The faculty representatives will elect a department chair from SMT to serve on the search committee.
3. The search committee will elect its own chair. Sylvia Pena will convene the first meeting and conduct the election. Her staff will provide administrative support. Once the chair is elected, responsibilities for the search committee will shift to that person.
4. The academic dean from another college/school is Jay Phillips, Dean of Developmental and General Education.
5. Student Government Association will elect a student representative to serve on the search committee/
The problematic area is #1. I think the intention is for one faculty member from
each department elected by that department, but the wording is ambiguous. It can
be interpreted as all the faculty electing one representative. Dr. Martin
explained that he choose faculty in order to assure diversity across several
categories: cultural background, gender, tenure status, years of experience… He
also wanted specific areas to be represented, such as developmental math, so
some departments have more than one representative. Complicating matters is the
fact that search committees for deans in the recent past have not followed HOOP.
As a faculty we not as vigilant as we should have been. After discussions with
senators, faculty from SMT and the Executive Committee of the Academic
Senate, the sentiment seems to be that we should follow HOOP strictly in the
future and the Provost agrees. The Academic Senate should consider a
rewording of the policy to eliminate the ambiguity in the future.
A problem arose with the election of the faculty representative because one
department did not forward the memo calling for nominations from the faculty
of that department. I communicated the problem to the Provost who then made
arrangements to seek nominations from that department and then submitted a new
ballot for election of the faculty representative.
X. Provost’s Report
Dr. Martin presented the following information to the Senate.
Mr. Benton expressed his concern about the search committee. Mr. Benton said
according to HOOP 7.5.4- “the tenured and tenure track faculty of each department
in the school/college elect one faculty representative, the faculty representative in
turn select one department chair from within the school/college” and “the search
committee elects its own chair”. Thus, Mr. Benton said, policy is clearly in place.
Dr Martin replied that the search committee is already in place.
Dr. Otero said that although the policy is in place, perhaps we could make a change
to the policy by creating an ad hoc committee. Dr. Davis said he would not like to
see us do that. He said we have a HOOP policy that has been in place since 1995
but apparently we have forgotten about the guidelines. Dr. Davis also said
that when faculty are included in searches, things go better. Dr. Davis suggested
we do a better job next time around of following the HOOP.
Dr. Martin replied that the search committee members have accepted his invitation
to serve on the committee. He said he will not disunite the members. He said he
does not have the heart to do that.
Mr. Benton said he is afraid that an appointment coming out of this committee
could be biased. The process has been tainted. He further stated that the precedent
has been set and we just can’t go along and change things.
Dr. Otero suggested that perhaps the Senate could give the Provost special
dispensation. He said perhaps we could override the current HOOP. Dr. Hymson
then moved that we endorse special dispensation so the search committee for the
Dean of the College of Science, Math, and Technology as currently formed stays
in place. Dr. Colom seconded the motion. Mr. Benton moved to table the motion
to “New Business”.
Ms. Larson reported that she attended the Texas Council of Faculty Senates meeting in Austin, Texas on February 20-21, 2004. Ms. Larson reported that the Council discussed the following issues:
“owns” the course material.
Ms. Larson said she will check to be sure the we are complying with this rider.
Mr. Welther reported that the Academic Standards and Student Records Committee met and discussed international ESL students. Mr. Welther reported that Dr. Pat McGehee and Ms. Thelma Sullivan provided an overview to the committee regarding international ESL students. They said that we don’t have an effective program in place to discuss the needs of these students. Developmental Writing, for example, is filled with ESL students who really need ESL courses to improve their command of the English language. We need to help the ESL population.
A. Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Committee- no report.
B. Academic Affairs Partnership Committee- Ms. Cantu reported that the Academic Affairs Partnership Committee met on February 19, 2004. Ms. Cantu then presented the following report.
· Neither Trustee Roberto Robles nor Trustee Mary Rose Cardenas was able to attend the meeting. Although no action could be taken because at least one TSC board member must be present, those in attendance heard the reports and presentations.
Linda Fossen, Associate VP for Enrollment Planning, gave an update on enrollment activities. In response to student requests, the student’s major now appears on the diploma. The number of degrees conferred in 2003 increased substantially from the previous year: Spring 2003, 9%, SS2003, 40.6%; and Fall 2003, 20.86%. Changes to the registration process included keeping registration open continuously through late registration and eliminating arena registration. The Info Center in the Tandy lobby, a publicity campaign to register early, and receipt of financial aid on the first day for early registrants resulted in lower rates of late registration. Online registration increased and now accounts for 34%.
Next was a presentation on the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) project by Pat Celaya from Business Technology. Training is provided by IRS before the spring term begins. Students who complete the training, pass the exam, and give 15 hours of assistance earn one hour of credit. Last year, VITA assisted 300 low income, disabled, and elderly people.
Paula Garcia, also from Business Technology, reported on the WEAR (Wardrobe, Etiquette, Appearance, and Resume) project, which provides professional business clothing to students who can’t afford to purchase a professional wardrobe. Donations of clothing and money from the campus and community are welcome. The project also assists students with resume preparation and interview skills.
Elizabeth Heise from Chemistry and Environmental Sciences and David Hicks from Biological Sciences reported on the Bahia Grande Project, the largest wetlands restoration project in the United States and possibly the world. Construction of HWY 48 and the Brownsville ship channel cut off water flow to the 11,000 acres of Bahia Grande in the 1930s. Channels will be cut to restore water flow to the Bahia Grande. The restoration project is expected to last 10-15 years and affords the opportunity to build an academic program with high funding potential. The program will involve graduate, undergraduate and public school students. Heise and Hicks are currently conducting a baseline survey.
Provost Martin gave a status report on new academic programs which must be approved first locally, then by the UT System, and finally by the Coordinating Board. The Coordinating Board approved the Master of Science in Biology in October 2003 and the Master of Science in Physics in January 2004. The Master of Accountancy is awaiting approval from the Coordinating Board. Four programs are awaiting final approval at UT System: Master of Science in Mathematics, Master of Public Policy & Management, Master of Science in Nursing, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication.
The last presentation was on the final proposal for a new certificate in Web Design and Programming by Mahmoud Quweider from Computer Sciences/CIS. Graduates would manage business communications using electronic communications tools such as the internet, modems and local area networks, and update databases and business transactions through the internet. Graduates would also be able to apply this program to the Bachelor of Applied Technology. Of interest was the plan to have 80% of the faculty teaching these courses to adjunct faculty. This program requires approval from the Academic Affairs Partnership Committee before it can be placed on the agenda of the TSC Board. Members present agreed to meet soon to allow a vote on this proposal.
C. Student Affairs Partnership Committee Report- Mr. Welther reported
that the Student Affairs Partnership Committee met and were briefed on the Rec Center Referendum.
There were two items of “New Business”.
There were three announcements.
The meeting stood adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Ann Larson
Academic Senate Secretary