The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
Academic Senate
Minutes
February 6, 2004
Ms. Cantu called the February 6, 2004 meeting of the Academic Senate to order at 1:05 p.m. in SETB 2.548.
Members of the Senate in attendance included: Dr. Betsy Boze, Ms. Ethel Cantu (*), Mr. Roberto Cortina (s), Dr. Charles Dameron, Dr. William C. Davis (s), Mr. Doug Ferrier, Ms. Linda Fossen, Mr. Victor Fuhro, Mr. Bill Harris (ex-officio), Ms. Mabel Hockaday (s), Dr. Gerald Hollier (s), Mr. Joe Lacher (s), Dr. Charles Lackey, Ms. Julie Larson (*), Dr. Jose Martin, Mr. Domingo Molina (s), Ms. Cheryl Phelps (s), Mr. Jay Phillips, Dr. Ruth Ann Ragland, Dr. Rey Ramirez (s), Dr. Renee Rubin (s), Dr. Carl Stockton, Mr. Pat Wade (s), and Mr. Tom Welther (*).
January
16, 2004 Academic Senate Meetings
First, Ms. Cantu called for review of the December 12, 2003 Academic Senate minutes. She then asked for corrections. Dr. Lackey pointed out one correction. He said under the section entitled, “HOOP Policies- HOOP Policy 5.2.6- “Information Resources Committee”, the minutes read, “Ms. Martinez once again presented this policy”. He said the minutes should be corrected to read, “Dr. Lackey once again presented this policy”. Ms. Cantu asked for further corrections. Hearing no further corrections or objections, the minutes stood approved as corrected.
Next, Ms. Cantu called for review of the January 16, 2004 Academic Senate minutes. Ms. Cantu asked for corrections to the minutes. There were two corrections. Dr. Ragland pointed out the first correction. She said under the section entitled, “New Business”, second bullet the minutes read, “Dr. Ragland, referring back to the withdrawal date, said a change in the date to withdraw was made several years ago at the request of the Senate”. She said the minutes should be corrected to read, “Dr. Ragland, referring back to the withdrawal date, said a change in the date to withdraw was made last year at the request of the Senate”. Ms. Cantu pointed out the second correction. She said under that same section, same bullet, the minutes read, “Dr. Rubin moved that the date for withdrawal be moved one full week after midterm”. The corrected minutes should read, “Dr. Rubin moved that the date for withdrawal be moved one full academic week after midterm”. Ms. Cantu asked for further corrections. Hearing no further corrections or objections, the minutes stood approved as corrected.
Dr. Hymson had surgery and was unable to attend this meeting. There was no treasurer’s report.
Mr. Vince Solis, Director of Student Activities, Mr. Edward Camarillo, President of the Student Government Association, and Mr. Sergio Martinez, Co-Chairman for the Student Campaign for the Rec Center briefed the Senate on the proposed Wellness, Fitness, and Recreational Complex.
Mr. Solis told the Senate that plans for the complex began last fall when a group of students, who adopted the nickname of the “Rec-ing Crew” visited different universities in Texas to see recreational facilities available to students. Mr. Solis then showed photographs of the recreation center at Texas A&M-Commence and said that we would like to build a recreational facility similar to the one shown. This type of facility would cost between $8.5 million and $35 million. He said the complex could include large weight rooms, basketball courts, indoor soccer, large fitness rooms, a swimming pool, sand volleyball, outdoor courts, cardio equipment, and indoor jogging track and sports clubs. Mr. Solis said that in order to make this facility a reality, the minimum fee that students would be charged would be $79.00 per long semester and $39.50 per summer session. Mr. Solis said this would be a compulsory fee and would bring in $2.1 million per year, $1 million of which would go to the payment of the facility and $1.1 million would go to operations. Mr. Solis also said that in order for the complex fee to become official, the majority of students must vote to accept it. Mr. Solis added that if the referendum on the complex passes, and the Texas Legislature approves it, the fee would be implemented in the Fall of 2005, the complex would be built in 20 to 24 months and it would be completed by early 2007. The facility would be open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Faculty, staff, and alumni would pay a fee equal to what the students pay. Voting on the referendum will take place March 1-3, 2004. Polling locations include Tandy, North and South Halls, and the Student Union. All UTB/TSC students are eligible to vote.
Following his presentation, Mr. Solis answered questions. Mr. Harris voiced his concern over the increase in tuition and how an additional compulsory fee would affect students. Mr. Harris also asked how many students would vote on this referendum. Mr. Solis said he hopes that 35 to 40 percent of the student population votes on the referendum. Mr. Solis added that the national average in student elections in 4%. Mr. Welther asked if part-time students would be included in the fee. Mr. Solis answered that this is a compulsory fee. Ms. Larson asked if this was a student initiative. Mr. Camarillo said that this is a student initiative. He said that students are involved in campaigning and members of the “Rec-ing Crew” are addressing students groups and holding open forums. Mr. Camarillo also added that this facility is greatly needed on our campus. Mr. Molina wondered if it would be possible to have mobile voting areas- perhaps on the first floor of every building. Ms. Phelps voiced her concern that students don’t have money for books- how can they afford to pay for this facility.
Ms. Cantu thanked Mr. Solis, Mr. Camarillo, and Mr. Martinez for addressing the Senate.
Ms. Cantu presented the following report to the Senate.
At the Regents meeting on February 4 the officers of the Faculty Advisory Council presented four items for the Regents’ consideration: 1st Include peer review in the annual evaluation of faculty; 2nd Secure longer term commitments (contracts) for non-tenure track faculty; 3rd Allow tenure retention for full-time faculty who request part-time appointments; 4th Fund cross-component collaborative research initiatives. There was overall support from both Chancellor Yudof and Chairman Miller.
Following Ms. Cantu’s report, Mr. Harris expressed his thanks to all the people involved in the Regents’ visit. He particularly thanked Ms. Martie DeGregario, Mr. Barry Horn, and Mr. Ronnie Zamora. Mr. Wade asked if the visit was a success. Ms. Cantu responded that the Regents were impressed with the campus and the friendliness of the people who work at UTB/TSC.
A. Welfare Committee- Ms. Cantu reported that two members of the Welfare Committee have asked to be relieved from the Committee because of time constructs. Dr. Rey Ramirez from the School of Education and Ms. Kim Morris-Garcia from the School of Health Sciences have asked to be relieved. Ms. Cantu reported that Dr. John Sutterby from the School of Education and Mr. Joe Lacher from the School of Health Sciences have been nominated to serve in their place. Ms. Cantu entertained a motion to approve Dr. Sutterby and Mr. Lacher to the Welfare Committee. Dr. Davis so moved, with a second from Mr. Wade. The motion carried.
B. Human Subjects Research Review Committee- Ms. Cantu reported that she received an email from Jaime Garcia, Chair of the Human Subjects Research Review Committee, requesting that Dr. Katherine Dougherty from the School of Health Sciences be relieved from serving on the committee. He recommended that Dr. Linda McDonald replace her. Ms. Cantu entertained a motion to approve the nomination of Dr. Linda McDonald to the Human Subjects Research Review Committee. Mr. Lacher so moved, with a second from Mr. Welther. The motion carried. Ms. Cantu will forward Dr. McDonald’s name to the President Garcia.
Ms. Cantu reported, that in response to the Senate’s resolution on ombudsman, she has asked Dr. Olivia Rivas, Professor, School Specialties to serve in that position. Ms. Cantu said that Dr. Rivas brings with her skills and experience from administrative and faculty positions at UTB/TSC, including Interim Dean of the School of Business, Vice President for Student Affairs, TSC Faculty Association President, and counselor. Dr. Rivas completed formal mediation training with the TSC/Harvard Mediation Program and with the Texas A&M University System Office of Community Development. Ms. Cantu said that Dr. Rivas is willing to serve as Ombudsman and entertained a motion to approve the nomination of Dr. Olivia Rivas as ombudsman. Dr. Davis so moved, with a second from Mr. Cortina. The motion carried.
Mr. Harris and Dr. Ronnau presented to the Senate a report completed by the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Committee entitled, “ Meeting the Challenges for Higher Education in Brownsville”. Mr Harris and Dr. Ronnau said that the Committee looked at eight measures of effectiveness and included them in the report: graduate success, student needs and satisfaction, successful student progress, resources to support teaching and learning, program expansion and appropriateness, UTB/TSC impact on the cultural and economic life of the community, community awareness of UTB/TSC, community needs and satisfaction, and student retention. Mr. Harris said the document created by the Committee is for public use, it is similar to a report card with a positive spin. Senators then reviewed the report.
Dr. Davis said he was dissatisfied that this report is a public relations piece and not an honest look at how UTB/TSC measures up. He also noted that in many places the statistics look misleading. Several senators said that they had trouble understanding how the statistical information was used. Dr. Stockton reported that the formatting on the back page is wrong- the Master of Education is listed under the Master of Business Administration. Dr. Boze said the Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) degree is missing. Dr. Lackey questioned the ordering of the information in the report. Ms. Phelps wondered if the Committee was planning to include employer information. Mr. Molina asked about the population the Committee is trying to reach. Mr. Wade said that we need to take a hard look at institutional effectiveness. He said we don’t need information spun out. Mr. Wade further added that maybe this report should not come out of the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Committee. Mr. Cortina said we need to produce a less expensive document. He said the document is too fancy and will be perceived by the public as too pretty. Dr. Davis asked if this was an annual report. Dr. Ronnau responded that this is an annual report but pointed out that this is the first draft of the document. He said he appreciates the editing changes and if there are more, please send them to his office.
Ms. Cantu thanked Mr. Harris and Dr. Ronnau for sharing this document with the Senate.
IX. New Business
There was one item of “New Business”.
Dr. Davis said that perhaps this should be brought up in Master Plan discussions. Dr. Ronnau said he would look into the matter, as it is part of his department.
Dr. Martin presented the following report to the Senate.
There were four announcements.
The meeting stood adjourned at 2:50 p.m
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Ann Larson
Academic Senate Secretary