I. Call to Order

Ms. Cantu called the May 14, 2004 meeting of the Academic Senate to order at 1:05 p.m. in the SETB 3^rd Floor Conference Room.

Members of the Senate in attendance included: Ms. Ethel Cantu (*), Mr. Roberto Cortina (s), Dr. Charles Dameron, Dr. William C. Davis (s), Ms. Linda Fossen, Mr. Victor Fuhro, Mr. Bill Harris(ex-officio), Ms. Mabel Hockaday (s), Dr. Gerald Hollier (s), Dr. Deborah Huerta (s), Dr. Edward Hymson (*), Mr. Jose Lacher (s), Ms. Julie Larson (*), Dr. Jose Martin, Ms. Rosemary Martinez, 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. John Ronnau, Dr. Renee Rubin (s), Dr. John Sutterby (s), Mr. Pat Wade (s), and Mr. Tom Welther (*).

II. Review and Approval of the Minutes from the April 2, 2004 Academic

Senate Meeting

Ms. Cantu called for review of the minutes from the April 2, 2004 Academic Senate meeting. Before the minutes were approved, Ms. Larson thanked Dr. Rubin for recording the minutes in the Secretary’s absence. There were no corrections. The minutes were approved as written.

III. Senate Treasurer’s Report

Dr. Hymson reported that the Academic Senate budget has a total of $791.00 left in total appropriations.

IV. Presentation and Discussion: Campus Compact, Washington Advisory

Group (WAG) Report and Budget

Dr. Garcia, at the request of Ms. Cantu, addressed the Senate regarding the Campus Compact, the Washington Advisory Group (WAG) Report and the budget. Dr. Garcia began her presentation by addressing the Campus Compact.

B.A. Campus Compact- Dr. Garcia reported that the Chancellor of the UT System requested that every component institution create a campus compact Dr. Garcia said that the “Compact” is a way for the Chancellor to better understand the component campuses. Dr. Garcia said that the Chancellor made the assignment to all UT System Presidents earlier this year and said that the “Compact” is what we promise to do. Dr. Garcia reported that the UTB Compact encompasses ideas based on discussions from the task forces of the Futures Commission. Dr. Garcia reported that a draft of the UTB Compact has been completed and the final report should be available on the UTB/TSC website sometime in July, 2004.

B. Washington Advisory Group (WAG) Report- Dr. Garcia reported that the Washington Advisory Group (WAG) was engaged by the UT system to examine the research capabilities and potential for expansion at eight of the UT System institutions. Dr. Garcia said that UTB asked to be included in the report. WAG divided the eight institutions into two groups and established teams to work with each of the two pairings. UTB was included in the report that looked at UTB, UT-Pan American (UTPA), University of Texas-Permian Basin (UTPB), and the University of Texas at Tyler (UTT). Dr. Garcia reported that on April 1, 2004, the Washington Advisory Group presented its findings to the UT Board of Regents. Dr. Garcia reported that a complete version of the WAG Report will be posted on the UTB/TSC website. Ms. Cantu also said that the Report will also be posted on the Academic Senate website. Although the report is extensive, Dr. Garcia did provide the Senate with UTB/TSC’s response to the Washington Advisory Group Report. The following is a copy of that response.

“From its establishment in 1992 as a unique partnership between a university and community college, the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College has upheld access and excellence as core values in fulfilling our mission as an open-door community university on the South Texas border. UTB/TSC is pleased to have the consultancy viewpoint of the Washington Advisory Group to help in strategically focusing our research-building capacity at this 12-year juncture of our institution.

Recognition by the WAG of our extraordinary research potential in physics and

exemplified by our initiatives at the International Technical Education and

Commerce Campus helps us realize how far we have come. Recommendations in

other areas deserve elaboration.

Collaborations- In recent years, collaborative work with our sister components

has helped to increase degree offerings, research projects, and student outreach

programs, and it has allowed us to leverage our library resources and achieve

savings in purchasing. Partners in these collaborations have included UT Health

Science in San Antonio, UT Pan American, UT El Paso, UT Health Science

Center in Houston, and UT Dallas.

Articulation- A seamless transition to upper-level classes was paramount in

obtaining the partnership. The largest percentage of students remains at the lower

level; however, our growth in upper-level enrollment has increased by 32.4% since

fall 1998. UTB/TSC led the state in developing the Bachelor of Applied

Technology and the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degrees to help

students with applied associate degrees to achieve a baccalaureate degree by

maximizing their technical credits.

Retention and Graduation- Our first-time, fall-to-fall retention rate is 60%.

which is the third highest retention rate of any community college in Texas

and compares favorably with many other four-year state universities. Of the first-

time freshmen who enrolled in fall 1992 in TSC 28.1% received their bachelor’s

degree within 10 years. An analysis of Coordinating Board figures indicates little

change between the six-year and 10-year rates at all UT components, except for

UTB/TSC, where the 10-year rate is 18.7% higher than the six-year rate. This

persistence often includes developmental classes that bolster their skills.

A Science Center in San Antonio, UT Pan American, UT lmost 28% of our students who receive master’s degrees in education in

2002/2003 began as undergraduates requiring developmental classes. Our most

recent cohort of undergraduate students in education passed the EXCET

certification examination at a 92% rate. Even with figures showing that UTB/TSC

students complete their goal when given more time, we are strengthening our work

to compress graduation time by hiring additional academic advisors, promoting

incentives, increasing financial assistance, and cooperating with area school

districts to provide college credit to high school students.

Faculty Hiring- UTB/TSC is proud of the diverse faculty we have attracted

through national searches. Hiring quality faculty to sustain present academic

programs and to grow critically needed new ones is a budgetary priority in FY

2004-05. The ratio of FTE faculty to our 10,954 students is 1-to-32 as compared

with the 1-to-17 ratio for our “accountability peer group”. To reach parity with

peer groups, we should have 295 more professors- new revenues from small tuition

increases for fall 2004 are earmarked mostly for 23 new, strategically identified

faculty lines.

We are “pushing the envelope” in research, education, innovation and service, and

we shall continue to do so. In complete agreement with the WAG Report, it is our

goal to achieve the Carnegie Classification of “Doctoral/Research Intensive”

within the next 10 years. We are grateful to be included, for the first time ever, in

a study that recognizes our potential to contribute to advanced research in Texas.”

C. Budget- Dr. Garcia reported that the budget for FY 2003-2004 was $89,519,000.

Dr. Garcia then broke the budget down for the Senate.

Academic Senate Budget Discussion

Well-Funded University

Aspirational Budget

Faculty Salaries $ 1,592,500

Faculty Positions $ 5,944,418

Staff Positions $ 5,694,780

Financial Aid $ 30,389,000

Research $ 1,056,254

Library Operations $ 1,703,513

Endowed Chairs $ 1,053,000

New Programs $ 8,500,000

Total $55,933,466

Total Needed Budget $145,452,466

Funding Needed and Expenditures for FY 2004/05

Funding Sources

New Tuition and Fees

Enrollment Growth 4%

Improved Retention 2%

Increased State Revenue 4,009,228

Fund Balance 659,000

Mandatory Expenses

Staff Group Insurance $ 162,566

Non-Budgeted Positions $ 115,336

Student Support $ 60,499

Property Insurance $ 90,194

Facilities-Current $ 329,170

Facilities-New $ 305,375

Total $(1,063,130)

New Revenue to allocate

assuming 6% enrollment increase $ 3,596,098

Well-Funded University Scenarios

6% 20.4% Recommended

Faculty Salaries $ 1,592,500 $ 88,150 $ 324,870 $ 591,000 37.1%

Faculty Positions $ 5,944,419 $329,042 $1,212,661 $ 1,212,661 27.6%

Staff Positions $ 5,694,780 $315.224 $1,161,735 $ 1,175,000 20.6%

Financial Aid $30,389,000 $1,682,131 $ 309,969 $ 140,000 0.5%

Research $ 1,056,254 $ 58,467

Library Operations $ 1,703,513 94,295

Endowed Chairs $ 1,053,000 58,287

New Programs $ 8,500,000 470,501 $ 86,700 $ 47,241 0.6%

Total $3,356,008 $ 3,095,935 $ 3,596,098

Ms. Cantu thanked Dr. Garcia for her presentation.

V. Presentation and Discussion: Campus Security

Chief Cardoza and VPBA Rosemary Martinez addressed the Senate regarding campus security. Both were invited to address the Senate at the request of Ms. Cantu. Ms Cantu invited them to speak to the Senate in relation to recent burglaries on campus.

Chief Cardoza said that that there has been a rash of recent burglaries on campus and computers have been the item taken. Chief Cardoza said that the thieves used some type of instrument to break in to faculty offices, no crowbar was used. Chief Cardoza said that he has doubled officers and guards on the weekends to protect the campus. Chief Cardoza said it seems that the thieves know when the patrols are out and break in to buildings after the patrols move on to another site. Chief Cardoza said that they are working on limiting access to buildings with the new access card but when one person enters the building sometimes other people follow behind. Chief Cardoza said that it is a good idea for faculty to inform campus police when they are in their offices when working on weekends or when the buildings are closed. Chief Cardoza also said that if you encounter someone who doesn’t belong in the building or if you feel threatened, do not challenge the individual or individuals, get a description and call campus police.

VPBA Rosemary Martinez said that UTB/TSC does not have campus hours. She said our campus is open at all different times. Faculty and students are here late at night and early in the morning. Ms. Martinez said that something we could look into would be the establishment of normal campus operating hours. Ms. Martinez said she would like to form a task force to study the idea of campus operating hours. Ms. Cantu agreed with this idea and said that she will put it on the agenda for the general faculty meeting in August. A discussion followed.

Mr. Wade said that he is concerned with wheelchair access from parking lots to SETB. He said there is no striping and cars don’t slow down in the cross walks. Mr. Molina said that perhaps in the evening only one door to the building should be unlocked. Mr. Harris asked if there were really students on campus at 3:00 a.m. Ms. Martinez responded that there are students on campus at 3:00 a.m. and faculty give students authorization to be in the buildings. Dr. Davis asked when loss occurs, who absorbs the loss? Ms. Martinez said that the university absorbs the loss Ms. Cantu thanked Chief Cardoza and Ms. Martinez for their presentation.

VI. Academic Senate Elections Report

Mr. Tom Welther, Vice President of the UTB/TSC Academic Senate reported on the results of the recent Academic Senate election.

School of Business (one position)

Outgoing: Dr. Gerald Hollier

Ingoing: Dr. Gerald Hollier (He was reelected.)

School of Education

Outgoing: Dr. Rey Ramirez

No replacement as the School of Education does not have more than 40 full-time faculty members; due to a miscount, the School of Education was allowed three instead of two senate positions last year.

School of Health Sciences

Outgoing: Ms. Kim Morris-Garcia

Incoming: Mr. Mahandran Rajasuriar

College of Liberal Arts

Outgoing: Dr. Bill Wilkinson

Incoming: Dr. Therese Gallegos

College of Science, Math and Technology

Outgoing: Dr. Luis Colom

Outgoing: Mr. Pat Wade

Incoming: Dr. Gerson Peltz

Incoming: Dr. Paul-Hermann Zieschang

Professional Staff

Outgoing: Dr. Deborah Huerta

Incom ing: Ms. Thelma G.Sullivan

VII. Senate President’s Report

Ms. Cantu presented the following report to the Academic Senate.

· TSC Board Meeting- I attended the TSC Board meeting of April 22, 2004. The board first passed a resolution in honor of the late Federal Judge Filemon Vela who was remembered as a distinguished alumnus, advocate for education, and founder of the UTB/TSC Pre-Law Academy. The board next met in executive session to discuss real estate (land use for the Wellness, Recreation & Fitness Center & Ft. Brown Villa Condominium). When the board convened in session, the board adopted a resolution and contract for purchase of the condominium. The board was also briefed on the Bahia Grande project by faculty members David Hicks and Elizabeth Heise. The TSC district elections were cancelled since there were no candidates opposing the three incumbents seeking reelection. The candidates were reelected: Chester Gonzalez, Position 3, Eduardo Campirano, Position 4, and Rosemary Breedlove, Position 5. The board then considered a first reading on Investment Policy, but held no discussion. Under the Business Affairs Partnership Committee, VPAPA John Ronnau recommended acceptance of several items related to expenditures at ITECC, insurance policy renewal and SUJCD budget amendments. He recommended tabling the substantial completion for the ITECC fire alarm system and rejecting the bids for reconstruction and repairs of campus parking lots. All of these recommendations were passed at once, with no questions or discussion. The board then viewed a video update on the construction of ITECC and the Business and Education complex. President Garcia briefed the board on the last Futures Commission meeting and showed a video with excerpts from the meeting. President Garcia recognized Terry Tomlin as this year’s recipient of the Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teaching Award and announced Al Richardson’s special community Arbor Day recognition. The board then passed a resolution in recognition of Trustee Mary Rose Cardenas for 20 years of service on the SUJCD Board of Trustees. President Garcia also announced Mary Rose Cardenas as this year’s recipient of the TSC Distinguished Alumnus Award. Following adjournment a reception in the rose garden was held to honor Trustee Cardenas. The next meeting of the TSC Board of Trustees will be May 24, 2004.

· Academic Senate Social- Lucy Willis, Social Committee Chair, organized a “Celebration of Diversity and Delicacies” that was held at Diamond Freeberg’s home on April 23. We enjoyed the ethnic dishes and shared stories about our diverse cultural backgrounds.

· Ombudsman- On April 29, Olivia Rivas and I met with Ruth Ann Ragland to discuss protocol for handling cases that the ombudsman brings. We received assurances that the ombudsman would received prompt responses to inquiries, generally within two weeks.

· Budget Presentation- On April 7, I attended a budget presentation by President Garcia and VPBA Martinez. This is the second year of the biennium and the new revenue sources are from fees and tuition increases. A study done for the Futures Commission revealed that we need $56 million more in revenue to bring us to a reasonable level compared to our peer institutions. Strategic plans were presented for our budget (compared to peers) and our budget priorities (within existing resources). The budget should be finalized by the end of May.

· WAG, Budget and Campus Compact Briefing- On May 10 I attended a briefing conducted by Provost Martin on the WAG report and the 2004-05 budget. The Washington Advisory Group (WAG) was commissioned by the UT System to identify potential for research at UT institutions. The report on UTB/TSC was puzzling in many respects, showing a lack of understanding of the partnership and its unique mission. Marilyn Woods presented copies of the latest draft of the Campus Compact and asked that feedback be sent to her or Hector Castillo. President Garcia will discuss the Campus Compact, the WAG Report and the budget at today’s meeting.

· Committee Structure Review- In an effort to bring consistency and stability to the committee structure and to ensure faculty representation on committees and made ten recommendations to Provost Martin. Some sections of HOOP need to be revisited to reflect current practice and/or resolve inconsistencies with other HOOP sections on the same topic. The Graduate Committee has already begun a review of HOOP and is the process of recommending revisions. I encourage other committees to review the relevant sections of HOOP and recommend appropriate revisions. A copy of my review and recommendations is attached to this report.

· Appointments- The Executive Committee recommends Teresa Gallegos, who was the faculty representative on the bookstore selection committee, and Joe Lacher to serve as faculty representative on the Bookstore Advisory Board. The Executive Committee recommends Rafael Otero to serve temporarily during the summer as the faculty representative on the Business Affairs Partnership Committee in place of Ed Hymson.

· Agenda Items- Two items of interest to senators at the last Academic Senate meeting have been handled administratively. Dr. Martin will review the procedure for administrator evaluations by part-time faculty. As to the election of chairs, HOOP 7.5.1 specifies that “Chairs are appointed without fixed term and are reviewed annually by the dean. The dean shall initiate the procedures in B 1 above whenever a change of chair may be warranted. Chairs should normally serve three year terms, but this may be extended. There shall be no limit to the number of years a chair may serve.” Dr. Martin did ask deans to review this procedure with their departments and to consider ways to allow interested faculty to serve as chairs. If senators wish to pursue to major change to this procedure, it would be appropriate to first discuss with this with the faculty at the fall general meeting.

· Faculty Advisory Council- Tom Welther, Vice President and Julie Larson, Secretary, will attend the FAC meeting in Austin, June 3-4.

· Recognition of Senators- I extend my thanks to the following senators for their service on the Academic Senate: Rey Ramirez (Education), Kim Morris-Garcia (Health Sciences), Bill Wilkinson (Liberal Arts), Deborah Huerta (Professional Staff), Luis Colom (Science, Math, Tech.) and Pat Wade (Science, Math, Tech.).

VIII. Appointments to Standing Committee

A. Academic Standards and Student Records-Mr. Welther

recommended to the Senate that Mr. Manandran Rasjasuriar from the

School of Health Sciences be appointed to the Academic Standards

and Student Records Committee, replacing Ms. Linda MacDonald. Dr.

Hymson moved to accept this nomination. Mr. Lacher seconded the

motion. The motion carried.

B. Graduate Committee- Dr. Lackey recommended that Katherine Daugherty

from Health Sciences and Ed Hymson from Business be appointed to the

Graduate Committee. Dr. Davis moved to accept this nomination, with

a second from Mr. Lacher. The motion carried.

C. Information Resources Committee- Ms. Cantu reported that she received

the following nominees to serve on the Information Resources Committee:

Diamond Freeberg and Mike Sullivan. The nominations were approved

by the Senate.

IX. Appointments to Grievance Panel

The Grievance Panel was reconstituted in October, 2003. One half of the panel members were appointed by President Juliet Garcia to one year terms to expire May 2004. Since the panel has served only six months and has not heard any cases to date, the Executive Committee recommends the nomination of those members whose terms expire May 2004. All were personally contacted by the Academic Senate President Ethel Cantu and agreed to be nominated to the Grievance Panel for 2004-2006 term. The nominations were approved by the Senate.

· College of Liberal Arts

David Pearson

Terry Tomlin

· College of Science, Math and Technology

Blanca Lozano

Sessia Wyche

· School of Business

Irma Jones

· School of Education

James Telese

· School of Health Sciences

Joe Lacher

X. Partnership Committee Reports

A. Business Affairs- Dr. Hymson reported that the Business Affairs Partnership

Committee met on April 25, 2004 and discussed a number of issues including: lights from Gorgas to Cortez, reproofing of auto shop at ITECC, approval to fill in potholes in parking lots, furniture for the Technical Training Center, renewal of insurance and the purchase of condos on the other side of the Village at Fort Brown in the hopes of owning the entire peninsula.

B. Institutional Effectiveness- Mr. Harris reported that the Institutional

Effectiveness Partnership Committee met in March and discussed two issues:

peer groups and data the committee did not previously challenge.

XI. Senate Committee Reports

A. Sexual Harassment- Dr. Huerta reported that the Sexual Harassment

Committee met and made eight recommendations. Dr. Huerta gave a full report to the Senate.

B. Budget Formation- Dr. Otero, in the absence of Ms. Collinsworth gave a full

report to the Senate regarding the work of this committee.

XII. HOOP Policy 10.9.11- “Smoke-Free Workplace”

Dr. Ragland and Mr. Akers presented HOOP 10.9.11- “Smoke-Free Workplace” to the Senate. This was the first reading of this policy before the Senate. The purpose of this policy is to adopt a smoke-free policy. There were several changes to the policy. Clause “C’ was changed to read: “smoking will not be permitted in any facility or open-air premises of the University of Texas at Brownsville except in designed smoking areas. Extinguished cigarettes shall be deposited in trays and ash receptacles”. Clause “E” now reads, “a committee shall be established by the Provosts Council to make recommendations as the location of designated smoking areas.” A discussion followed the presentation of this policy. Dr. Hymson propose a sense of the Senate motion. He proposed that the breezeways between the North and South Buildings and the courtyard between the North and South Buildings be excluded from designated smoking areas. Ms. Phelps seconded the motion. The motion carried and will be forwarded to the Smoking Committee. Dr. Hymson then moved to approve the first reading of this policy. Dr. Davis seconded the motion. The motion carried. The policy will appear before the Senate for a second reading.

XIII. New Business

There were two issues of “New Business”.

· Resolution: The Naturally Sustainable Campus- Mr. Wade presented the following Naturally Sustainable Campus resolution to the Senate.

“We, the Faculty and Academic Senate of UTB/TSC, aware that a well-maintained and aesthetically-pleasing campus is an important component of a successfully functioning institution of education, and

Whereas,

Keeping in mind that our campus’ location is within close proximity to the Lower Rio Grande River Wildlife Corridor and U.S. Fish &Wildlife and other sensitive native habitat areas and Resaca ecosystems; and

Whereas,

Striving to be good stewards and a model for the community in energy conservation, efficient architecture, recycling, and sustainable eco-systems,

Therefore be it Resolved,

That it is the desire of the faculty and the responsibility of the administration of our university and its landlord, the Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees, to endeavor to maintain, promote, and create a naturally sustainable environment within its existing and future campus through the identification, planning, and development of a naturally sustainable campus environment.”

Mr. Welther suggested that in the last paragraph, the order of the wording be changed to read, “create, maintain and promote…” Mr. Wade approved the change. Mr. Wade moved that the Senate accept this resolution. Dr. Davis seconded the motion. The motion carried and the resolution will be forwarded to the Academic Affairs Partnership Committee.

· Summer teaching as in-load assignment- Dr. Rubin brought up this issue. Dr. Rubin said that there is a great demand for education classes during the summer and we need to give students as many times as we can to take these classes. She said faculty in the School of Education were looking at the idea of making summer sessions as part of in-load assignment in lieu of either fall or spring semesters. Faculty would teach a regular load but instead of teaching the normal schedule of fall and spring semesters, they would teach both summer sessions and have either fall or spring off. Dr. Rubin said that no instructor would be forced to do it. Dr. Rubin said that this change would allow educators who teach during the year to take the classes they need during the summer when they are off.

Dr. Martin said that the administration is willing to explore this idea. Dr. Martin said he understands the situation in the School of Education. He also said that he would like to explore this idea with the deans and chairs before implementing. Dr. Martin said he is willing to explore this idea but he also wants to see what the consequences will be. Dr. Martin said he likes the idea of a pilot program.

XIV. Provost’s Report

With the meeting running very long, Dr. Martin gave a very short “Provost’s Report”.

· Dr. Martin reported on a collaboration with Tampico, Mexico in a Master’s of Bilingual Education.

· Dr. Martin reported that Dr. Lackey and Dr. Stockton have been selected do an internship with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

· Dr. Martin reported that Dr. Ragland is working on the second annual Judge Filemon Vela Pre-Law Academy.

· Dr. Martin reported that the Nursing Department held its recognition ceremony.

· Dr. Martin reported that the Academic Affairs Partnership Committee will meet.

· Last, Dr. Martin reported that the Search Committee for the Dean of Science, Math, and Technology will recommend a candidate for that position and that he Search Committee for the Director of Institutional Effectiveness has made its recommendation and a new person has been hired

XV. Announcements

There were four announcements.

· Ms. Cantu announced that the summer meeting of the Academic Senate will be July 23 at 1:00 p.m.

· Ms. Cantu announced that the Academic Budget and Finance Review Committee will need three nominees to recommend to President Garcia to serve two-year terms from September 2004-06. These recommendations will be made at the August 20, 2004 meeting of the Academic Senate. There are five faculty representatives on this committee. Ed Hymson and Terry Tomlin will serve until September 2005. The three whose turn expire in September 2004 are Carol Collinsworth, David Pearson, and Sessia Wysche. Senators are asked to identify and contact prospective appointees and send their names to the Executive Committee c/o Ethel Cantu at least two weeks prior to the August 20 meeting. It is the responsibility of the VPBA to recommend the appointees to President Garcia after consultation with the Executive Committee and the Academic Senate.

· Dr. Dameron thanked Julie Larson for her work on the new speech course called Applied Communication. This course incorporates both the Freshmen Year Seminar course and Fundamentals of Speech into one course.

· Dr. Hollier announced that Dr. Otero was elected chair in the Department of Business Administration.

XVI. Adjournment

The meeting stood adjourned at 4:00 p.m.