THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT BROWNSVILLE AND TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE
 
Minutes – September 17, 2001

The Staff Senate meeting convened on Tuesday, September 17, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at N217.

Other guests arrived after the meeting was called to order and their names were not recorded.  The Staff Senate does appreciate their participation.

The meeting was called to order by chair Karen Stowe.  An introduction of all the Senators and Guests was made.  Minutes were approved-with some slight changes.

Items Discussed Were as Follows:

1. Partnership Report:  

1. Academic Affairs Partnership:
   Have not met.
     

2. Business Affairs Partnership:  
   Ms. Irma Cavazos reported that they were going to be installing the theatrical lighting system at Jacob Brown Auditorium.  Dr. Moore, VPAPA, also made a presentation on the landscape of the master plan.  He has been asked to do the presentation at the Parking Committee meeting.  Dr. Rivas, VPSA, discussed the events for the celebration on September 21st.  Rosemary Martinez, VPBA, also discussed housing for students.  Ms. Mary Helen Cuellar asked since Jacob Brown will be used for various events if they have considered remodeling the balcony seats.  Dr. Zavaleta said he would check up on this.
      

3. Student Affairs Partnership:  
   Representative was not present.
      

4. Institutional Effectiveness:  
   Meeting was cancelled-they will be notified when meeting will be taking place.
      

5. SUJCD Board of Trustees Meeting:  
   Ms. Karen Stowe attended the Board Meeting that was held on August 23, 2001.  The items that were discussed were the lighting for Jacob Brown, land purchase for parking area along E. Jackson, landscape master plan was presented by the company that will be taking care of this: focuses on native vegetation, water conservation and additional lighting.  Student Union contract for food services has been approved: to include company that is at the mall.  There will be a public hearing on September 11 for the tax rate increase.  Another item that was discussed was changing the name of Eidman Hall to the Sid Eidman Music Hall.  The completion of the Student Union should be in November.  Dr. Zavaleta indicated that the dedication of the Life Health Science Building would be on Friday, September 21st.
      

6. Calendar Committee:  
   Have not met.
      

7. Parking Committee:  
   Ms. Lolata of the Bookstore was there because they have been having problems with parking at the Bookstore.  Parking is for half an hour or an hour and students without parking permits have been parking there since Campus Police do not patrol the parking area.  It has been approved for Campus Police to start patrolling that area and they will be handing out stamped tickets to monitor the time.  The Parking Committee also had traffic appeals (43)-as per Ms. Cavazos; the majority were fined.  Extra signage will also be added around campus to designate Staff Parking, Student Parking, etc.  Another topic was that Staff Parking would become general parking at 5:30 p.m.  Ms. Karen Stowe added that there are new handicap parking permits due to some problems that were brought last year-kids using parent’s handicap permits to park near buildings.  Irma added that handicap parking permits must now be picked up at Campus Police.
      

8. UT System Employee Advisory Council:  
   Ms. Karen Stowe informed the Senate that Linda Cox and Doug Ferrier would continue to represent the Staff at the Advisory Committee.  They will be meeting sometime this fall and they will keep the Senate up to date on topics of discussion.  

2. Old Business:  

1. Service Hours:
   Several Staff members were present at the meeting to express their concern on the change of service hours.  The concerns were that it was not brought up officially-everything was based on rumors, why did stories run in both the Brownsville Herald and Collegian-again without anything being sent out to Staff prior to this, that this is to increase customer service-no classes have been held after 2:00 p.m. on Friday, and one of the advantages from working in conjunction with TSC was that Friday’s would be a short day-people would take their children to the doctor, schedule their own doctor’s appointment-now this one advantage has been taken away.  
     
   Dr. Zavaleta will be attending Executive Council and will convey the concerns that were brought up by the Staff and report to Staff Senate as to what was discussed on the subject matter.  
      

2. Senate Charter:  
   Ms. Stowe expressed to the Senate that the charter is weak.  It does not provide an explanation as to exactly what a Senator’s job is.  People do not feel they are being represented because of the re-structuring of the departments.  

3. New Business:

1. Senate Meetings:
   Karen handed out a schedule of all future Senate meetings.  There seem to be no conflict through January.
      
2. Civic Engagement Advisory Group:
   Karen informed the Senate that there was a new advisory group on campus.  They will be meeting once a month for approximately an hour.  The advisory group will consist of three or four faculty members, community member, staff representative and a student representative.  The group’s main objective is to incorporate service learning.  Faculty will incorporate this into their teaching by raising awareness regarding civic responsibility.  Karen informed the Senate that a survey would be sent out.  She encouraged everyone to please complete the survey.  Marianela Caballero signed up to be on the Civic Engagement Advisory Group.
      
3. Insurance Concerns:
   There are concerns among staff with the new insurance.  Some lab work is not being covered by the insurance.  Also, verification of insurability is taking a long time at the doctor’s office.
      
4. Student Affairs Re-organization:
   Karen advised the Senate on the new changes that occurred throughout the Student Affairs Division.  Enrollment Services-Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, Testing and New Student Relations have been moved to Academic Affairs.
     
   Karen’s concern was her position in the Staff Senate.  Since she is now under Academic Affairs, she cannot be in the Senate because Academic Affairs has their two Senators as per the charter.  Irma asked for a motion to suspend the charter.  Maria Torres made the motion and Mary Helen Cuellar seconded the motion, the Senate voted unanimously to let Karen stay on the Senate and continue as Chair.
      
5. Other New Business:
   Karen encouraged the Senate to participate at the University celebrations.

4. Announcements:
   Maria Torres announced that BAD Doing Good would be participating in a campus clean up on 9/20 at 7:30 a.m. to help out with the Anniversary Celebration.
     
   Hilda Flores asked if the Holiday Schedule was set-up at the State level or if it was a university thing.  There are concerns pertaining to the Holiday Schedule because of days that have been deleted and the cutback on hours.
      
   Nora from Physical Sciences had a question on the raise that was given across the board.  Her concern is that not all employees received the raise as was thought-apparently there are some conditions one had to meet and she wanted to know what they were because no one knows exactly what they are.
     
   Irma Cavazos had a concern over the Staff Meetings held with Dr. Garcia at the beginning of the Fall and Spring Semesters.  She wants to know why Directors go the Faculty meeting instead of the Staff meeting because when Staff members receive their service awards the Directors are not there and vice versa.

Return to Minutes