Academic Senate Minutes
November 14, 2003
I. Call to Order
Ms. Cantu called the November 14, 2003 meeting of the
Academic Senate to order at 1:10 p.m. in the Fortress Room at
Members of the Senate in attendance included: Mr. Steve Benton (s), Ms. Ethel Cantu (*), Dr. Luis Colom (s), Mr. Roberto Cortina (s), Mr. Doug Ferrier, Mr. Victor Fuhro, Mr. Bill Harris (ex-officio), Dr. Gerald Hollier (s), Dr. Edward Hysmon (*), Mr. Joe Lacher (s), Ms. Julie Larson (*), Dr. Jose Martin, Mr. Domingo Molina (s), Dr. Eldon Nelson, Dr Rafael Otero (s), Dr. Sylvia Pena, Ms. Cheryl Phelps (s), Mr. Jay Phillips, Dr. Olivia Rivas, Dr. Renee Rubin (s), Mr. Pat Wade (s), and Mr. Tom Welther (s).
Visitors included: Mr. Hector Castillo, Ms. Karen Fuss-Sommer, and Dr. Marilyn Woods.
II. Review and Approval of the Minutes
from the October 10, 2003 Academic
Senate Meeting
Ms. Cantu asked the members of the Academic Senate to review the minutes from the October 10, 2003 Academic Senate meeting. Hearing no objections, the minutes were approved as distributed.
III. Senate Treasurer’s Report
Dr. Hymson presented the Senate Treasurer’s report. Dr. Hymson reported that $464.78 was spent from the Maintenance and Operations (M and O) account, leaving $1,285.22 in that account. He also reported that $1,222.16 was spent on travel, leaving $492.84 in the travel account. Dr. Hymson reported that the total balance in the Senate account is $1,778.00.
IV. Presentation: Futures Commission- Dr. Woods and Mr.
Castillo
Dr. Woods and Mr. Castillo, from the President’s office,
provided the Senate with information regarding the Futures Commission. Dr. Woods and Mr. Castillo began their
presentation by identifying what the Futures Commission is. According to them, the Futures Commission is
“a group of community leaders and UTB/TSC representatives who will focus on
helping guide the University as it moves to its next level of excellence. The Commission will be made up of six task
forces of 30 to 50 people who will spend time helping our university leaders
envision what the
Board, 2002
Dr. Woods and Mr. Castillo then explained the ways in which the Futures Commission will help UTB/TSC. They said that the Futures Commission will help develop, with the University of Texas System, a Compact that prioritizes the goals and objectives of the university over the next two years, update our Academic Strategic Plan to 2010, update our Master Facilities Plan, prepare for the 2005 Legislative Session, and prepare for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ (SACS) reaffirmation of accreditation site visit which will occur in 2007. Dr. Woods and Mr. Castillo then answered questions from the floor. In response to several questions, Dr. Woods and Mr. Castillo said the TSC Board of Trustees are committed to this project and that the first meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2003 from 6-8 p.m. so the Trustees could attend. Dr. Woods and Mr. Castillo said that volunteers will be asked to commit to attending five meetings, with one each in November, January, February, March, and April. Dr. Martin interjected that the Compact referred to by Dr. Woods and Mr. Castillo has been prompted by the Chancellor- Dr. Mark Yudof. Dr. Martin said that the Compact will be used to judge how effective the institution is over several years. Dr. Martin said that we need input from faculty as well as the community. He also said we can’t be everything for everybody. He urged people to volunteer for the Futures Commission. With that, Ms. Cantu thanked Dr. Woods and Mr. Castillo for their presentation.
Recruitment
Study- Ms. Fossen
Ms. Cantu reported that Ms. Linda Fossen was unable to
attend this meeting as she is in
VI.
Presentation: Pilot Study, Annual Workload Conference (SHS)-
Dr.
Nelson
Dr. Nelson reported on a pilot study conducted by the School of Health Sciences (SHS)
|
Because of
the increasing demands on each faculty member and administrator, the SHS
Portfolio/Workload Taskforce has requested that SHS be permitted to explore
an innovative and more efficient design to conduct annual workload
conferences and review of the calendar year 2002 (January 1, 2002 - December
31, 2002). |
|
PILOT
STUDY: Modification of Faculty Annual Planning (Workload) Conference |
|
Design: Workload Conferences for all
probationary and tenured faculty will be conducted by the Chairs of each of
the Departments in the SHS. Each review will be approximately an hour in
length and involve all the components of faculty review defined in HOOP 7.3.1
Sections E and F, with the following modifications: |
Modifications: 1) Each Fall Semester, a Faculty
Workload Planning Calendar shall be
published by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Workload conferences may
begin in the late Fall and extend into the Spring semesters. (Modification of
HOOP 7.3.1.F. Subsections 1. and 2.)
2) The Department Chair shall meet with all
probationary and tenured faculty members during the late Fall and Spring
Semesters of each year to develop the faculty member's instructional workload
for the following year, and to review and discuss the faculty member's instructional
workload and mix of other responsibilities for the coming year and review the
accomplishments of the preceding year. (Modification, Subsection 2.)
3) Following the meeting with the Department Chair
with the probationary and tenured faculty member, the Dean and the Department
Chair shall meet in an Annual Planning Conference to determine each faculty
member's instructional workload and mix of other responsibilities for the
coming year and review the accomplishments of the preceding year.
i.
The Dean of
SHS will meet with the Chair in an Annual Planning Conference with: a) each
Department Chair, b) each Director of an SHS Program, c) any faculty member
desiring such a meeting with the Dean, d) any faculty member having a negative
report by the Chair, and e) any faculty member that the Dean calls to review
their past or future activities or accomplishments. (Modification, Subsection
3.)
4) The Faculty Workload
Plan will be filed upon acceptance by the Dean and the Vice President for
Academic Affairs. The Plan may be amended at the request of the faculty
|
Procedures: |
member and the chair. (HOOP 7.3.1.F.4)
|
2. The Annual Planning
Conference may be conducted for any/all non-tenure-track faculty contracted
with the SHS for student education and training. 3. 4. 5. training. |
3. As the HOOP Policy 7.3.1., defines the right of a faculty member to meet in a
conjoint conference with both their Chair and the Dean, each Faculty member will
be given the opportunity to defer that conjoint meeting by submitting a statement
yielding that right for this review year (2002).
Evaluation:
1. A survey instrument will be completed by all faculty members within a working day following their individual Workload Conference with their Chair to determine their satisfaction, dissatisfaction, and comments relating to the new Workload Conference design.
- A second (identical) survey instrument will be completed by all faculty members at the end of the Annual Planning Conference between their Chair and the Dean to ascertain any change in perspective or perception of the process during the interim period.
2. Subsequent to completion of the Annual Planning Conference with the Dean, each Department Chair will submit to the Dean a written review of their summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the new Workload conference design.
3. A Review Conference will be held involving the Department Chairs, the Personnel Committee Chairs, faculty representatives from each Department to review the design and conduct of the modified Workload Conference and Annual Planning Conference design.
4. The Dean will submit a final report to the Provost/VPAA regarding the conduct of modified Workload Conference design, and will make specific recommendations regarding the successes and shortcomings of that design, and whether it should be encouraged as a standard modification of HOOP 7.3.1. for The University.
SHS Workload Pilot Study (2002/03)
Evaluation Results
Allied
Health: 11 tenured/probationary faculty
5/11 optioned
NOT to meet with the Dean
6/11 met with
the Dean (6 Program Directors)
Nursing: 22
tenured/probationary faculty
13/22 optioned NOT meet with the Dean
9/22 met with the Dean (4 Program Directors)
Survey
Summary: Of
33 tenured and probationary faculty, 15 met with the Dean, all faculty were
surveyed and all reported:
i.
annual
planning conference was fair
ii.
that the
process would not be improved by (being required) to meet with the Dean
iii. the
option of having to meet with the Dean should be continued next year
Comments: Generally
indicated that the process was fair, that they appreciated the option of
meeting with the Dean, and that perhaps the design could be improved if the
Program Directors were not required to meet with the Dean for the Workload
Conference; there was a suggestion to begin the faculty review process in
November
Modifications: -
Do not require Program Director to meet with Dean
-Any faculty up for
Personnel action should be required to meet
with the Dean.
The Net
Savings in Time to the Program:
Assume
Chairs meet one-hour with faculty, then 90 minutes with faculty and Dean:
(Chairs)
27 hours of meetings
Assume the Dean meets 90 minutes with faculty &
Chair, plus Notes of meeting (30 min):
(Dean) 27 hours of meetings,
9 hours of notes
Post-Workload Summary Review meeting with each
Chair, 2 hours each, 4 hours;
Net
Savings in time: Chairs = 23 hours
Dean =
32 hours
A discussion followed Dr. Nelson’s
presentation. Dr. Martin made the
following comments. Dr. Martin said that
he understands that the workload conference is a source of discomfort for
many. He said that the rules governing
the workload conferences were intended to be helpful and not a hindrance. He said that the workload conference should be
interpreted as a right rather than a duty.
Dr. Martin also said that he authorized the pilot study to continue for
another year in the
IV. Discussion of Core
Dr. Dameron was asked by Ms. Cantu to lead a discussion of core values. Dr. Dameron said in discussing core values in perhaps best to begin by asking, why look at core values? Dr. Dameron said he believes that two issues are at stake here: the large number of faculty who will be retiring in the next 5-10 years and the number of faculty who stay any a few years and move on to something more attractive. Dr. Dameron said the partnership between the university and the community college make us unique and we need to bring in colleagues for which this arrangement is a good fit. Dr. Dmaeron said he was discussing these issues with President Garcia and she saw this not just as a issue of losing faculty but rather as a broader issue concerning how we value the institution. Thus Dr. Garcia has called together administrators, staff, trustees, and faculty to discuss this issue at a retreat on Friday, November 21, 2003. Dr. Dameron said that he would like to hear what the Senate has to say on this issue of core values and the mission of the University.
Dr.
Colom asked if Dr. Dameron had any statistics on how many faculty leave. Dr. Dameron said he did not. Dr. Pena said it is important that we
understand our core values. She pointed
out that students at
VIII. Senate President’s Report
Ms. Cantu had six items in her report.
After meeting in executive session to discuss real estate
acquisition, the TSC board met in open session to announce the sale of
Dr. Garcia presented a new initiative to comply with the chancellor’s directive to develop a campus plan for the next 3-5 years. This initiative is the Futures Commission and will involve campus and community members in visioning the future of UTB/TSC. Dr. Dr. Garcia presented a new initiative to comply with the chancellor's directive to develop Martin led the group in a discussion exercise that mirrored the six task forces and gave a preview of what might come from the Futures Commission.
·
Master Plan Nov
7, 10
I served as the faculty representative on a committee
chaired by Wayne Moore to hear presentations from five firms who submitted
proposals to update the current master plan to include the new properties at
the
·
Nominees for
faculty participation in Retreat on Nov 21 for Core Values
The Executive Committee with the assistance of Chip Dameron
recommended several faculty members from each college and school to President
Garcia. She will select faculty from that list to invite to a day-long retreat
on Core Values to be held Friday, November 21 at the
·
Faculty absences
At the last senate meeting the senators from the
·
University
Undergraduate Curriculum Representative
The Chair of the, University Undergraduate Curriculum
Committee, Pat Wade, and the Dean of the
·
Web site update
The academic senate website is now fully operational and linked from the UTB/TSC site. Please explore the site and send your comments for improvement to me. Also send pertinent information to me that can be incorporated into the site.
X. Academic Senate Reports
A. Budget Formation- Dr. Hymson reported on the Budget Formation Committee. He said the members of the committee include: Dr. John Sutterby, Dr. William Davis, Ms. Carol Collinsworth, Dr. Edward Hymson, and Dr. John McCabe. The committee will meet on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 and will meet with a consultant.
B. Social Committee-Ms. Fuss-Sommer reported on the Holiday Tropical Social. She said the Holiday Social will take place on December 17, 2003, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the ITEC Center Foyer. A light dinner will be served between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 per person.
Ms. Larson reported on the First Wally Pierce Memorial Symposium. This social event will take place on December 5, 2003 at 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Fortress Room, Fort Brown. Dr. Sullivan, Dr. Beale, and Mr. Sorenson will speak on Thailand.
XI. Partnership Committee Reports
A. Academic Affairs Partnership Committee- Ms. Cantu reported on the November 6, 2003 meeting of this committee.
Dean Phillips reported on the Texas Success Initiative. The legislature abolished TASP and replaced it with the Texas Success Initiative. Before enrollment, students must take one of four exams: ASSET, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER or THEA. Scores on these exams will be used to place students into developmental or regular college classes. Students will be able to progress through the developmental curriculum and be declared college ready based on their performance in the courses. Students who pass the developmental course with a B or better will not have to retest. Dean Phillips also gave an update on developmental education by comparing incoming students to graduates relative to developmental courses. 63.17% of incoming freshmen from 1996 - 2000 were in developmental coursework (the average for community college freshmen) and 63.69% of the graduates receiving associate and baccalaureate degrees from 2002-2003 had taken developmental courses. This certainly attests to the success of our developmental program.
Peter Gawenda and Eldon Nelson gave an update on the BAT Bachelor of Applied Technology, which allows students to earn a bachelors degree by building on to their occupational or technical degree. The Armed Forces and some large companies such as GM have expressed interest in this degree, which is offered online.
Provost Martin recognized the accomplishment of the School of Education in achieving a 92% pass rate on the state certification exams.
Suzanne Acevedo reported a 2000% increase in grant funding, so that grants are now more than 6% of the budget.
RuthAnn Ragland explained the UT System Strategic Plan, which requires each campus to plan for the future, including addressing the goals of Closing the Gaps. UTB's strategic plan will be developed in consultation with the campus and community in an initiative called the Futures Commission. She reminded the committee that the SACS visit for reaccreditation will take place in 2007 and that this plan will lay the groundwork for our self-study.
B. Student Affairs Partnership Committee- Ms. Cantu reported on the November 12, 2003 meeting of this committee.
The Student Affairs Partnership Committee reviewed the compulsory and incidental fees that will take effect in Fall 2004. UTB and UTPA are the only components to not raise tuition in spring 2004. Both will raise the designated tuition from $32 to 38 and will be the lowest among the component schools. The increase is expected to yield 1.5 million to be used for 10 faculty, 10 staff, equipment and scholarships. Increases in the computer use fee will provide funds to upgrade or replace computers in the labs. Charging a 25 advising fee to all students will provide the funds to hire 11 academic advisors. A myriad of other fees are charged for being late or taking specific courses. The Student Fee Advisory Committee unanimously recommended these increases. The student representative voiced strong student support for these increases because students want to see better equipment and services. The Student Affairs Partnership Committee recommended these fees.
Student Activities Director Vince Solis reported on the visit to several wellness and educational sports complexes at Texas colleges. The group, comprised largely of students calls themselves the REC-ing Crew. This facility will probably operate from 6am to 12 midnight and could be the largest employer of students on campus. To make this facility a reality, students will have to vote to support it and then the legislature must approve it. The timeline is for a student vote in the spring and if successful then a proposal to the legislature in the fall.
C. Business Affairs Partnership Committee- Dr. Hymson reported that he was unable to attend the meeting of this committee.
XI. Faculty Advisory Council (FAC)
Report
Mr. Welther and Ms. Cantu attended the October meeting of the Faculty Advisory Council (FAC) in Austin, Texas. Mr. Welther gave the following report.
1. Five finalists for president's position at UT Arlington
2. President of UT Dallas is stepping down.
3. As far as tuition is concerned,
• Each campus has had a consultation plan.
• There is a system-wide committee involving all campuses.
• There is also a small advisory group to look at various tuition models.
• Yudof has met with all campuses.
• Generally, there are modest tuition increases.
• Access for students from lower social segments has to be continued.
• Tuition plans should include options, such as discounts for quick
completion of study programs.
• There is a pilot program for academic assessment involving 200
students on each campus, all anonymous; reports are due early 2000.
• The price differentiation between undergrad, grad, & professional
programs continues to be a major discussion issue.
• There is no $ for System campuses to bridge 90-day wait period
created by insurance dilemma; there is no pot of gold, according to
Yudof.
II. Vice Chancellor Jerry Malandra: Accountability
Yudof and the Board of Regents have taken a new perspective on accountability. It now involves:
1. Internal management to a greater extent to inform the public and policy makers.
2. A focus on ongoing improvement of the education process.
In the past: Info collected has often not been usable or relevant; as a result,
lawmakers and the public think that higher ed is broken and needs to be fixed.
3. The new framework will be a more strategic apparatus that will
• Evaluate the system as a system,
• Examine affordability,
• Scrutinize student success,
• Focus on the impact of UT universities on economic development, and
• Involve every level of administration in the system.
The result, it is hoped, will be a single accountability system to respond to all inquiries, whether from the public or law makers.
III. William Shuite: Office of Federal Relations, a Systems office, in Washington, D.C.
Opened in 199, staffed by 9 people
Mission: The Washington voice of all things UT
Some of its goals:
• Secure $100,000,000.00 in research annually
• Be a voice in policy matters concerning the System and all of its 15
components
· They have a visitors' office, which can be used as a base for work if you ever
happen to be there. Phone: 202-955-9091.
• Undertake
congressional visits & testimony
• Participate in Federal Agency meetings
• Form task forces and peer review panels
• Offer Fellowship opportunities
• Publish a newsletter for high level
federal agencies
• Assist with research and grants
• The Bill Archer Fellowship Program, which
is system-wide and involves 15 students per semester. The hope is that it will
grow.
IV. Dr. Thomas W. Sager, professor of statistics in
the Department of Management Science and Information Systems in the McCombs
School of the University of Texas at Austin analyzed the recent Faculty
Satisfaction Survey. Some of his comments included:
• The
survey was reasonably well constructed,
• Well
executed, and
• Involved
enough time.
• A 38 %participation
rate is respectable Some reservation concerning the data:
• The
respondents may not be representative of the larger faculty population, as
women, Hispanics, and untenured profs had lower participation rates.
• Since
participation was voluntary, only certain individuals may have opted to
participate
• Because
the instrument was long, busy faculty members may have opted not to
participate.
• An average satisfaction level of 4.5 means
one thing if half the scores are 4s and the other half 5s, but it means another
thing if half the scores are 2s and the other half are 7s. Thus, polarization
may be hidden.
• Measurement scores measuring differences
between groups are unclear: The average satisfaction level of UT Group 1
respondents is 4.43/7 vis-à-vis 4.74/7 for Health Institutions. The difference
between the groups is 0.31. In light of the different populations, it is
unclear what that difference means.
Bottom line: It is difficult to say with assurance
what the survey results say about the faculty population generally.
V.
Dr. McKinney reported about Medical Billing in the six health institutions:
Their big problem is that doctors don't
send out their bills. Thus, they don't get
collected. In other words, the institutions
are losing out on payments from patients.
VI.
Dan Stuart, Executive Director of Benefits Administration and Laura C.
Chambers, Manager of Insurance Benefits discussed the following
problems/issues:
• The
program is in a better position than previously. There are new options
compared
to when there was only Sigma; vendor mistakes are now more quickly
uncovered; there was no rate increase last year.
•
Unfortunately, the 90 day wait period is unsavory as the UT system may
be
disadvantaged when competing with other universities for faculty, as it
will have
a harder
time attracting and retaining faculty, due to the fact that benefits are
crucial
in selecting employment.
• The only
way to save money for the benefits program is having higher premiums
or
restricting access.
• There is an Amnesty Program under way right
now for employees to report
dependents that they shouldn't carry on
their plan; no penalty if they "fess up"
now. A total of 40,000 letters were sent
out. In the first hour of the program, 15
people came forward, and in the first two
days 100!! The Amnesty Program will
last till the end of November 2003.
VII. Some interesting bits
of info from the university reports:
• UT Arlington: will be offering
differentiated tuition; attempt at streamlining
tenure, post-tenure review
• UT Austin: lost 800 students from fall 02 to
fall 03; retention rate stands at 91 %;
71 % of students graduate within 6 years;
due to budget cuts, 700 positions were
eliminated, including TA positions; no
salary increase for faculty and staff
• El Paso: Struggling with ballooning
freshman class and faculty hiring freeze
• UT Galveston is having problems with People
Soft, because they only have the
academic version of this program, which is essentially a data warehouse.
They
realize that they need to add in-house mechanisms to make it workable.
• Pan
American: $6.00 tuition increase to provide for 50 to 60 faculty positions;
they have had an 11 % increase in their student population, which now is at
16000; they are also looking at evaluating administrators, including deans, the
provost, and the president; if found lacking, these individuals will have to
undergo a 3-year remediation program.
• Southwester:
Trying to figure out how to charge for distant ed.; they feel that distant ed.
students shouldn't be charged the typical fees; there were no raises and no
firings due to the 7% budget cut.
XII. HOOP Policies
A. HOOP 5.2.6- “Information Resources Committee”- This
was the second reading of this policy before the Senate. In a letter sent to members of the Senate,
Dr. Mario Diaz expressed his concerns about this policy. Dr. Diaz said “I am concerned about the
proposed medication of HOOP 5.2.6 for the following reasons:
1) The document is changing the name of the UNIVERSITY COMPUTING AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE to INFORMATION RESOURCES COMMITTEE. The name that we give to a committee has a particular meaning. In my opinion the new name is diluting the significance and scope of a major educational resource at our institution: computing resources. This is particularly critical because we are first and foremost an educational institution.
2) Secondly the committee is changing its membership from 16 members to 19 members while the number of faculty members stays the same and it is further diluted. The way that this committee is increased in numbers and administrative units represented looks dangerously closed to an organizational vision that resembles corporativism.
3) A major cause for concern in our department is the apparent lack of a mechanism to represent the community of researchers and scientists at our institution that rely very heavily on computing resources.”
Ms. Cantu responded to Dr. Diaz’s concern regarding the membership from 16 members to 19 members by explaining that the Director of the Library, Information Resources, Distance Education, and Media Services are all one person. Mr. Ferrier has multiple titles. Thus the membership remains the same. Ms. Cantu also pointed out that in terms of faculty membership there are currently vacancies on the committee. She said Dr. Diaz is welcome to nominee someone to sit on the committee. Dr. Pena said she agreed with Dr. Diaz in terms of the number of faculty who sit on the committee. She felt the faculty should have more voting power, suggesting that perhaps the committee should be nine and nine. Dr. Hymson said the number of faculty members should change so faculty has the same number as administration. Dr. Hymson moved to table. Mr. Welther seconded the motion. HOOP 5.2.6 was tabled.
B. HOOP 5.2.9- “Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee- This policy was tabled.
XII. New
Business
There were two items of “New Business”.
· Ms. Cantu reported that the Information Resources Committee has seven faculty members sitting on the committee. Two of these members. Bill Berg and Diamond Freeberg would like to continue to serve on the committee. Ms. Cantu entertained a motion to reappoint Bill Berg and Diamond Freeberg to the Information Resources Committee. Dr. Hymson so moved, with a second from Mr. Welther. The motion carried.
· Mr. Welther had a concern regarding degree plans. He said he had an advisee who started under one degree plan but has not completed his/her degree and eight years have elapsed. Now he/she is being told that he/she must complete his/her degree under a new degree plan. Mr. Welther wondered how many students may find themselves in this situation. Mr. Welther is concerned because in some cases more courses have been added. Mr. Welther wants to see an expiration date printed on the top of the degree plan. Dr. Hymson moved to place this issue on a future agenda. Mr. Welther seconded the motion. The motion carried.
XIV. Provost’s Report
Dr. Martin had six items in his report.
· Dr. Martin said he would like to thank those of you and other faculty who have volunteered to participate in the Futures Commission. All delegates will to the Futures Commission will convene Wednesday, November 19, in the Gran Salon. Dr. Martin also thanked Ms Ethel Cantu for her willingness to serve as co-facilitator for the Academic Programs group. The community facilitator will be Dr. Rose Marie Gowan, a physician in our community and a member of the Academic Affairs Partnership Committee.
· Dr. Martin reported that a total of 35 faculty members have been nominated for the Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teaching Award. Actually, about 60 nominations forms were received but some faculty received several nominations. These faculty members will be receiving letters soon asking them if they wish to accept the nomination. A distinguished committee of former Chancellor’s Council Award recipients will be appointed early next year to recommend the 2004 recipient. You will recall that last year’s recipient was Dr. Bill Adams, chair of the History Department.
· Dr. Martin reported that he just returned from the UT Board of Regents meeting in Austin. Dr. Martin said the theme of this meeting was tuition deregulation.
· Dr. Martin reported that the Search Committee for the Dean of Science, Mathematics, and Technology has been appointed and will begin work soon. Dr. Sylvia Pena has graciously agreed to chair this committee. Other members are: Dr. J.R. Iglesias, Dr. Manuel Blanco, Dr. Taeli Yi, Ms. Blanca Lozano, Mr. Pat Wade, Mr. Alfredo Munoz, Dr. Elizabeth Heise, Dr. Michael Lehker, Ms. Rogenna Provenzano, Dr. Manuel Campanelli, Ms. Laura Villarreal, and Dr. Jack Southard. Also, the Search Committee for the Director of Institutional Research and Planning is hard at work. Dr. John Ronnau is heading up this committee. The other members are: Mr. Doug Arney, Mr. Doug Ferrier, Ms. Natividad Hinojosa, Ms. Cynthia Lerma, Dr. Marilyn Woods, Mr. Terry Jay Phillips, and Ms. Norma Ramos.
· Dr. Martin reported that the University of Texas Law School Dean Bill Powers will be on campus Wednesday, November 19, at 10 a.m. in the SETB 3rd Floor Conference Room to talk about admission to law school at UT Austin. Please let your students know and encourage them to attend. Dr. Martin also said that we plan to have our second Filemon B. Vela Pre-Law Academy this summer, and you’ll be hearing more about this later.
· Last, Dr. Martin reported that students who have completed 60 hours of coursework are eligible to earn $30 for taking a 45-minute test as part of a pilot study by the UT System. The top scorer will receive a $1,200 scholarship. The test will be given on Tuesday, November 25 and Wednesday, November 26, at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day. To register, students can go by the Testing Office, Tandy Hall 216 or send an e-mail to Dr. Pat McGehee at pmcgehee@utb.edu. Encourage your students to participate.
Following the Provost’s Report, Mr. Benton expressed his concern over faculty members who received promotion from associate to assistant professor but only received a 5% raise. He, as well as others, were under the impression that promotion come with a 10% raise. Dr. Martin explained that faculty receiving promotion from associate to assistant receive a 5% raise. All other promotions receive a 10% raise. Mr. Benton suggested that faculty should be told about this because right now people do not know this.
XIV. Announcements
There were no announcements.
XV. Adjournment
The meeting stood adjourned at 5:00 p.m.