The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College

Academic Senate Minutes

August 20, 2004

I. Call to Order

Ms. Cantu called the August 20, 2004 meeting of the Academic Senate to order at 1:15 p.m. in SETB 2548.

Members of the Senate in attendance included: Mr. Steve Benton (s), 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, Dr. Therese Gallegos (s), Ms. Mabel Hockaday (s), Dr. Gerald Hollier (s), Dr. Edward Hymson (*), Mr. Joe Lacher (s), Dr. Charles Lackey, Ms. Julie Larson (*), Dr. Jose Martin, Mr. Domingo Molina (s), Ms. Kim Morris- Garcia (substituting for Mr. Mahandran Rajasurian {s}), Dr. Eldon Nelson, Dr. Rafael Otero (s), Dr. Gerson Peltz (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), and Mr. Tom Welther (*).

II. Review and Approval of the Minutes from the July 23, 2004 Academic

Senate Meeting

Ms. Cantu called for review of the minutes from the July 23, 2004 Academic Senate meeting. Before the minutes were approved, Ms. Larson and Ms. Cantu thanked Ms. Morris- Garcia for recording the minutes of the July 23, 2004 meeting in the absence of Secretary Larson. With that said, the minutes were approved as submitted.

III. Presentation and Discussion: Faculty Memorials

Ms. Cantu invited Dr. Bill Strong, Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA), to address the Senate regarding faculty memorials.

Dr. Strong said that for years a plan has been in place to create an area on campus designated for a faculty memorial. He said he contacted architects and landscapers about the creation of an area designated for a faculty memorial. Dr. Strong said that such an area would cost the university approximately $180,000. Dr. Strong said the university does not have the money to build such an area and that if such a project would be constructed it would have to use outside funding.

Dr. Strong said that in the past trees were planted around the campus in remembrance of a deceased faculty member but he said that plaques were never placed on the trees so over the years people have forgotten what tree belongs to what person. Dr. Strong also noted that on page 42 of the Master Plan, an area has been devoted to a faculty memorial. Once again, Dr. Strong said, the cost to the university of such a designated area would be costly.

Dr. Martin responded that he acknowledges that the value of a faculty memorial would be enormous but he also said that the university sad been pinching every penny in order to meet its budget. He said a faculty memorial could not be built for under $100,000. He said that right now faculty salaries are a top priority. He, too, noted that a faculty memorial is included in the Master Plan.

Dr. Nelson asked if we could tax ourselves to create a memorial. Dr. Hymson asked about the value. Dr. Gallegos suggested that the university take up a collection. Dr. Davis had three suggestions: a memorial grove, brass plaques on benches around the campus, and contributions to scholarships in the deceased faculty’s name. Mr. Ferrier suggested that donations could be made to the library to purchase books in the deceased’s name. Mr. Molina suggested that the deceased faculty member be remembered in their department, college, or school with a picture or portrait. Dr. Martin said that there are many ways to remember loved ones and there is certainly a case to be made for creating a permanent memorial. He said that the university doesn’t have the funds to produce a permanent memorial.

Dr. Hymson moved that we adopt a fund to receive voluntary contributions towards a memorial fund for deceased faculty, staff, and administrators and that whatever memorial fund we come up with come from voluntary contributions and not from university funds. Ms. Phelps seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Dr. Hollier suggested that we need a committee to spearhead this initiative. Dr. Hymson then moved that we establish a committee, headed by Mr. Steve Benton, to recommend to the administration how to establish a memorial fund for deceased faculty, staff, and administrators. Dr. Peltz seconded the motion. The motion carried.

IV. Senate President’s Report

Ms. Cantu had three items in her report.

• Meeting with President Juliet V. Garcia- I met with President Garcia on July 26 to discuss the 2003 Faculty Satisfaction Survey, the concerns of the faculty, and the work of the Academic Senate. We discussed the major findings of the Satisfaction Survey, which revealed high levels of satisfaction with the value placed on teaching and the quality of institutional leadership, but low levels of satisfaction with leadership in the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Business. Of special concern was gender and ethnic discrimination in the School of Business. We also talked about the concerns of the faculty for competitive salaries and resources and for core values of respect, fairness, and a sense of belonging. We acknowledged the tension that exists between faculty who emphasize teaching and faculty who emphasize research, and affirmed the value of both endeavors. We reviewed the work of the Academic Senate Committees on Harassment and Environmental Responsibility and praised their diligence and professionalism. President Garcia expressed her appreciation for the work of the Academic Senate and her intent to review reports and recommendations with the Executive Council.

• General Faculty Meeting- the general faculty meeting on August 18, 2004 featured a review of the Academic Senate’s work on the faculty issues raised at the Fall 2003 faculty meeting; a reading of a letter from President Garcia in response to the issues raised in the meeting with Academic Senate President Cantu referenced above; a report from Carol Collinsworth, Chair of the Budget Formation Committee on how to read and question a department budget; a resolution on the Naturally Sustainable Campus presented by Elizabeth Heise of the Environmental Responsibility Committee, which the faculty passed, and a presentation by Rafael Otero on the election of department chairs to terms of three years. The faculty raised issues of concern that were discussed and then prioritized. In rank order, these are the areas the faculty wants the Academic Senate to address:

1. Increase faculty salaries.

2. Elect department chairs to terms of three years.

3. Implement secure parking areas for faculty near classrooms/office buildings and require proof of insurance fro all parking permits.

4. Increase hires of master’s degreed tenure-track faculty at technical rank to teach lower division coursed.

5. Provide guidance for Personnel Committees.

6. Incorporate summer teaching as part of workload to allow flexible scheduling.

Faculty also requested information or clarification about the following topics;

1. What are the guidelines from the State of Texas regarding the reporting of

absences?

2. How are the formulas for salary comparisons to peer institutions by

department and field derived?

• Welcome New Members of the Academic Senate- a warm welcome is extended to these newly elected senators: Therese Gallegos, College of Liberal Arts; Gerson Peltz and Paul-Hermann Zieschang, College of Science, Math and Technology; Thelma Sullivan, Academic Professional Staff; Manandran Rajasuriar, School of Health Sciences, and Gerald Hollier, School of Business.

We also welcome Emir Jose Macari, the new Dean of Science, Math and Technology.

Ms. Cantu, in her report, also read the aforementioned letter from President Garcia. Ms. Cantu said that this letter and her meeting with Dr. Garcia speak well of the communication between Dr. Garcia and the Academic Senate via Ms. Cantu.

V. Partnership Committee Reports

A. Business Affairs Partnership Committee- Dr. Otero reported that the Business Affairs Partnership Committee met and approved the installation of 60 new light poles from Tandy to Rusteberg and the resurfacing of several parking lots.

B. Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Committee- no report.

VI. Appointments to Academic Budget and Finance Review Committee

Ms. Cantu reported that the Academic Budget and Finance Review Committee, which is a technical committee, has three members whose terms expire in September, 2004. Ms. Cantu said the three out-going committee members include: Sessica Wyche, Carol Collinsworth, and David Pearson. Ms. Cantu said she has received the names of three nominees to fill the vacancies and in consultation with the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate brought the three names to the Senate for its approval. Ms. Cantu said the nominees are: Domingo Molina, Rafael Otero, and Bobbette Morgan. Ms. Cantu said that these nominees, if approved, would serve a two-year term (from September 2004 to September 2006). Dr. Davis moved to accept the nominations brought forward by the Senate President and Mr. Welther seconded the motion. The motion carried. Ms. Cantu will forward the list of names to Vice President of Business Affairs Rosemary Martinez.

VII. Discussion: Issues and Concerns Raised by Faculty at the General Faculty Meeting

Ms. Cantu reported that the General Faculty Meeting was held on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 in the SETB Lecture Hall. As she reported in her President’s Report, the faculty raised issues of concern that were discussed and then prioritized. The issues raised, in ranked order, included:

1. Faculty salaries.
2. Election of department chairs to terms of three years.
3. Implementation of secure parking areas for faculty near classrooms/office buildings and proof of insurance for all permit holders.
4. Increase hires of master’s degreed tenure-track faculty at technical rank to teach lower division courses.
5. Provide guidance for personnel committees.
6. Incorporation of summer teaching as part of workload to allow flexible scheduling.

The following discussion took place in the Senate regarding each issue.

• Faculty salaries- Senators indicated that they don’t want Provost Martin to stop fighting for higher faculty salaries. Dr. Hymson moved to commend Provost Martin for working hard to increase faculty salaries and asked that Provost Martin continue his diligent effort. Mr. Cortina seconded the motion. The motions carried.
• Election of department chairs to terms of three years- this issue was referred back to Dr. Otero and Mr. Molina, creators of this idea, to bring their ideas and resolution back to the Senate at a future meeting.
• Implementation of secure parking areas for faculty near classroom/office buildings and require proof of insurance for all permit holders- Senators indicated that they want preferred parking. Dr. Stockton said that the proposed parking lots around the new Educational/Business Complex are going to be designated as general parking. Mr. Molina said that there is an idea floating around to designate all parking as general parking. Dr. Davis moved that the university continue to keep faculty lots or sections of lots at the current level or above and provide faculty lots or sections of lots around new buildings at a level sufficient for the reasonable needs of the faculty and staff. Dr. Gallegos seconded the motion. The motion carried. Ms. Cantu asked what the Senate wanted done with the motion. Senators responded that they wanted the motion carried forward to Provost Martin, VPBA Rosemary Martinez, and President Garcia.

Mr. Welther brought up the issue of proof of insurance for all permit holders. He wondered if we currently require proof of insurance in order to get a parking permit. Dr. Hymson said no and added that it would be very difficult to enforce a mandatory proof of insurance policy. Dr. Boze commented that the stickers can be easily removed and transferred from one car to another, thus making the policy difficult to enforce. Dr. Davis suggested that the Senate refer this issue to the Parking Committee. Mr. Welther moved that all permit holders provide proof of insurance at the time of permit pick-up and that this issue be referred to the Parking Committee to further work out the details of how to implement this requirement. Mr. Cortina seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Ms. Phelps brought up the issue of secured parking. Ms. Phelps, with a friendly amendment from Dr. Hymson, moved that any lots designated for faculty be secure by gates or other means of enforcement to provide security. Dr. Hymson seconded the motion and the motion carried. This was a ‘sense of the Senate” motion.

· Increase hires of master’s degreed tenure-track faculty at technical rank to teach lower division courses- Dr. Gallegos explained this issue to the Senate by saying that it makes sense to convert some lecturer lines to technical track to that these faculty members could teach lower division classed. Dr. Gallegos said this would be very helpful in departments like English and Math. Ms. Cantu suggested that the Senate take action on this issue at another Senate meeting. Senators agreed to that suggestion.

· Provide guidance for personnel committees- Dr. Sutterby explained this issue to the Senate by saying that personnel committees on campus are proceeding without any guidance or instructions on how they should operate. Ms. Cantu said that this issue was brought up in the General Faculty Meeting by Dr. Rivas, who serves as the Senate Ombudsman in response to several complaints she has heard. Ms. Morris-Garcia said that sometimes grievances or complaints would be avoided if the personnel committees had guidelines to follow. Dr. Hymson moved that this issue be referred to an appropriate committee as determined by the Senate President. Mr. Welther seconded the motion and the motion carried. Ms. Cantu will refer this issue to the appropriate committee.

· Incorporate summer teaching as part of workload to allow flexible scheduling- Dr. Rubin explained this issue to the Senate by saying that some faculty are interested in teaching a nontraditional load- summer/fall or summer/spring. She said teaching a nontraditional load would allow departments to offer more classes in the summer, especially in the School of Education when primary and secondary teachers have their summers off and want to take graduate classes. Mr. Molina asked if this option would be available to all faculty or just graduate faculty. Mr. Benton moved that this issue be referred to an appropriate committee as determined by the Senate President. Dr. Hymson seconded the motion and the motion carried. Ms. Cantu will refer this issue to the appropriate committee.

VIII. New Business

There was one item of “New Business”.

• Mr. Welther voiced his concern over the service awards. Mr. Welther said the service awards look like spears and have the potential of being very dangerous. He said that perhaps the awards could be rounded off. Just a thought.

IX. Provost’s Report

Dr. Martin had seven items in his report.

• Dr. Martin congratulated those faculty members and administrators who received service awards.
• Dr. Martin reported that as many as 900 students were purged from the system because they did not pay their tuition and fees. He said that the budget is based on a 6% increase in students.
• Dr. Martin reported that the UT Regents approved the UTB/TSC budget. Dr. Martin said that letters will be forthcoming regarding promotion, exceptional merit, and merit increases.
• Dr. Martin said that forty new faculty were hired this fall. Dr. Martin thanked all of those who served on the various search committees.
• Dr. Martin reported that the Presidents of UTB/TSC and TSTC Harlingen announced on Monday, August 16, 2004 a collaboration to bring higher education opportunities to students in Brownsville. The programs of study that TSTC Harlingen will offer at the ITEC Campus include Digital Imaging Technology, Network Information Management and Geographic Information and Global Positioning Systems. Dr. Martin said approximately 50 TSTC Harlingen students are involved in the collaboration.
• Dr. Martin reported that the UTB/TSC parking permits will not be available until August 31, 2004. He said there are many reasons for the delay.
• Last, Dr. Martin reported that the TSC Board of Trustees will meet on Thursday, August 26, 2004 to consider placing a $68 million bond issue on the ballot for the November 2 general election. Dr. Martin said that the bond proposal, if approved, would double the size of the library, build more classrooms and parking, create a child development center that would serve as a learning center for the university’s master teaching program, expand workforce education and establish a center for cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Dr. Martin said taxpayers in the district would see an increase of 3.8 cents per $100 valuation or for the average home in the City of Brownsville; taxpayers would pay about $22 more a year in taxes or $1.87 a month.

X. Announcements

Ms. Cantu had three announcements:

• Ms Cantu announced the dates for the Fall Academic Senate meetings. The dates are:

Friday September 24, 2004 1:00 p.m.

Friday October 22, 2004 1:00 p.m.

Friday November 19, 2004 1:00 p.m.

Friday December 17, 2004 1:00 p.m.

• Ms. Cantu announced that she and Mr. Welther will attend FAC meetings on October 7 and 8, 2004 and December 2 and 3, 2004.
• Last, Ms. Cantu announced that the TSC Board of Trustees Bond Workshop will be held tomorrow, August 21, 2004, from 8:00 to 3:30. She said she and Dr. Otero will attend.

VI. Adjournment

The meeting stood adjourned at 3:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Ann Larson, Academic Senate Secretary