Resolutions

2007-2008

Resolution on Duel Enrollment Task Force

Whereas, the Faculty are concerned about the quality of education delivered by all programs within the institution and;

Whereas, there is no policy supporting dual enrollment on our campus and;

Whereas, program quality is under the domain of faculty;

Therefore, be it resolved that:
1) a task force be created to review the dual enrollment process and program and;
2) a policy be developed to ensure program quality and compliance with accrediting standards and;
3) faculty have representative input into this policy development.

Submitted by:

Karen Fuss-Sommers, Senate President
Date: November 16, 2007

Approved by Senate Date: November 16, 2007
Sent to the Vice-President for Academic Affairs Date: November 27, 2007

2006-2007

Resolution on Recycling on Campus

Whereas, the members of the Academic Senate, as representatives of an institution of higher learning that should set an example for the community it serves for leadership in all areas, including those of conservation, hold that the institution has a responsibility and must be committed to promoting a sustainable environment for employees, students, faculty, and visitors.

To that end, we resolve that the UTB/TSC campus adopt the sustainable practice of recycling. As such, all recyclable materials that can be recycled with reasonable effort campus-wide would be required.

2005-2006

Resolution on Smoking in the Workplace

Whereas, the members of the Academic Senate of the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College are representatives of an institution of higher learning that is looked to by the community it serves for leadership in all areas, including those of public health, and

Whereas we believe that the institution has a responsibility and must be committed to maintaining a healthy environment for employees, students, faculty, and visitors,

Therefore, be it resolved that the Academic Senate of the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College calls for the UTB/TSC campus become entirely smoke-free and that smoking be prohibited campus-wide, to include all campus grounds and buildings (on-campus and off-campus), whether owned or leased by UTB/TSC.

Resolution Supporting Shared Governance at Texas A&M-Kingsville

Whereas, on October 3, 2005, the President of Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the Texas A&M Board of Regents suspended the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Faculty Senate, and

Whereas, the members of the Academic Senate of the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College Academic Senate are committed to the principle of shared governance, and

Whereas, we believe the president of a college or university should be an advocate of that principle, and

Whereas, we believe that the faculty at all state universities and colleges have a right to assemble and petition grievances, and that those who do so should be immune from any retribution for their statements and actions, and

Whereas, we believe that the faculty should determine how its faculty senate members are selected,

Therefore, be it resolved that the Academic Senate of the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College deplores the destruction of shared governance at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and calls for a renewal of meaningful shared governance at that institution.

2004-2005

Resolution Regarding Discriminatory Comments by Staff of the THECB- January 21, 2005
Whereas, the University of Texas at Brownsville in partnership with Texas Southmost College submits proposals for undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral programs, that address the standards and criteria developed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;

Whereas, decisions of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board should be based on the standards and criteria they have established; and

Whereas, discriminatory remarks, such as those made by Jeffrey Phelps to the Faculty Advisory Council on December 2, 2004, that “the Coordinating Board should not be approving doctoral programs, such as a PhD in Physics, on the fringes of Texas in a region that is not a large metropolitan area,” are detrimental to the decision-making process,

Therefore, be it resolved that the Academic Senate of the University of Texas at Brownsville in partnership with Texas Southmost College recommends that the staff of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board make fair and equitable recommendations to the board members of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, that the staff of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in their public comments reflect the intent, standards and criteria set forth by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and that the staff of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board refrain from discriminatory remarks.

Passed unanimously by the Academic Senate of the University of Texas at Brownsville in partnership with Texas Southmost College on January 21, 2005.

Outcome: This letter was received from Raymund Paredes, Commissioner of Higher Education, THECB:

                                                                                February 4, 2005
Dear Professor Cantu:
     I received a copy of your letter to Jeffrey Phelps in which you express concern over comments at The University of Texas System Faculty Advisory Committee meeting on December 2, 2004.
     Let me state unequivocally that the staff and members of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, apart from what Mr. Phelps may or may not have said, weigh all proposals for degree programs on the merits of each proposal. We have no policy, formal or informal, that favors the placement of doctoral programs in urban institutions. We are eager to work with the faculty and administration of UT-Brownsville to expand and strengthen its academic programs in a manner consistent with the best interests of Texas higher education.
     We look forward to continuing our work with Dr. Garcia, Dr. Martin, and other faculty and staff at UT-Brownsville on the development of additional academic programs for the people of South Texas.
                                                                                 Sincerely,
                                                                                 Raymund A. Paredes

2003-2004

Resolution Regarding The Naturally Sustainable Campus- May 14, 2004
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 create, maintain, and promote a naturally sustainable environment within its existing and future campus through the identification, planning, and development of a naturally sustainable campus environment.
Pat Wade presented this resolution, Bill Davis seconded it. The resolution passed in the Senate and was forwarded to VPAPA John Ronnau.

Outcome: This resolution and the Environmental Responsibility report were discussed at a meeting between AS Pres Cantu and UTB/TSC Pres Garcia on July 26, 2004. The faculty passed this resolution at the General Faculty Meeting on August 18, 2004. The ER committee members and AS Pres Cantu meet with VPAPA Ronnau on August 30, 2004 to discuss implementation. The ER report and resolution were presented to the TSC Board of Trustees as a Board Briefing at the September 24 meeting. The report was well received. Trustee Breedlove recommended that the report be considered at the Physical Facilities Partnership Committee and that a report/resolution be presented to the TSC Board of Trustees within 90 days.

Update: On January 7, 2005, Trustee Breedlove, VPPA Ronnau, AS Pres Cantu, ER Chair Wade, and faculty members Jude Benavides, Elizabeth Heise, Genaro Lopez, Al Richardson, and Mary Jane Shands, toured the resaca by the Education-Business complex. The recommendation of the group was to preserve the resaca in its natural state and remove only what is necessary to construct the bridge. The group will meet again on January 28 to review the landscape plan. The Physical Facilities Committee has not yet reviewed the ER report.

Update: On May 26, 2005, Pat Wade, Chair of the Academic Senate Committee on Environmental Responsibility, and President Ethel Cantu presented a summary of the work of the committee to Trustees Breedlove, Robles, and Oliveira at the Physical Facilities Subcommittee meeting . The trustees were very complimentary of the work done by the committee and very receptive to the recommendations, including a resolution on the naturally sustainable campus. The TSC Board accepted the recommendation of the Physical Facilities Subcommittee and passed this resolution at their June 16, 2005 meeting.

Resolution in Support of a Sustainable Campus Environment:
               Whereas a well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing campus is in keeping with our campus values and is especially important to creating a sense of place; and
                Whereas our campus is located in close proximity to the Lower Rio Grande River Wildlife Corridor and other sensitive native habitat and ecosystems; and
                Whereas, being good stewards and a model for the community in energy conservation, efficient architecture, recycling, and sustainable eco-systems, is in keeping with the mission of our community university.
                Therefore be it Resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Texas Southmost College District supports our community university’s continuing efforts to create, maintain, and promote a naturally sustainable environment within its existing and future campus.
                Passed and adopted this 16^th day of June, 2005.

2002-2003

Resolution Regarding Merit Pay- May 2, 2003
Be It Resolved that the imbalance created for this biennium be first addressed by the administration taking every action practicable to raise revenue sufficient to fund this year’s merit increases. If despite the administration’s best effort, funding is not possible Be It Resolved that the proposed awarding of exceptional merit without base merit be readdressed, should it be implemented, by the exclusive awarding of base merit for the second year of the biennium (2004-2005). In the unfortunate event that no money is available for any merit in the second year of the biennium, base merit must be funded exclusively in the next year for which any funding is available. Accordingly, the exceptional merit system (collection and assessment of portfolios) should be suspended in the Fall of 2003 (should present intentions to suspend base merit pay for this year be implemented) remain suspended until such time as the balance has been returned to our system through the exclusive awarding of merit.
Dr. Hymson and Dr. Knopp proposed this resolution. It passed in the Senate and was sent to the Provost with a mandate from the Senate that it be forwarded to Executive Council.

Outcome: Base merit was awarded for 2003-04 at 1%. Exceptional merit was awarded at the usual 5%.

Resolution Regarding Budget Decisions April 11, 2003
Resolved that: The teaching and learning process is the core commitment of the University. All budget decisions must be made in light of that commitment. Budget decisions which do not clearly reflect the core curriculum will not have the support of the faculty. Administrators who cannot act effectively to protect that core curriculum will lose the confidence of the faculty.
Dr. Hymson proposed this resolution, at the request of Dr. Norman Binder. It passed in the Senate and was forwarded to the Provost.

Resolution Regarding Ombudsman February 21, 2003
Be It Resolved that the Senate will appoint a tenured faculty member who has received formal training in mediation to serve as an ombudsman. The ombudsman’s role shall be as follows: -to act as an informal mediator in disputes between individual faculty members and their colleagues or administration at a level below that of the formal grievance procedures; -to assist Senate officers in determining broader issues that my arise as a result of specific problems or disputes; -to ensure that all parties to disputes receive due process; and -to act as a fact-finder for the Senate where Senate intervention may be called for.
Mr. Harris proposed this resolution. The Senate passed it.

Outcome: Dr. Olivia Rivas, Professor, School Specialties, was nominated for Ombudsman by AS Pres Cantu and approved by the Academic Senate at the February 6, 2004 meeting. Dr. Rivas completed formal mediation training with the TSC/Harvard Mediation Program and with the Texas A&M University System Office of Community Development.