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Jan 25, 2006 Minutes

Approved Faculty Senate Minutes 01/25/06

Members present:

Chair Stone, Senators Brennan, Conroy, Davidson, Fite, Hazlewood, Hindson, Homeyer, James, McKinney, Montondon, Rao, Shah, Sorenson, Warms, Winek

 Guests: Jason Buch, Univ. Star

 Meeting called to order at 4:00.

 

Senate Standing Rules: The Senate approved some minor changes to the Senate�s standing rules.A notable exception was:the rejection of term limits for the Senate chair.

 

Research Faculty PPS4.09: Chair Stone mentioned a number of revisions to the current PPS draft.AVPRFR Covington has made some changes requested by the Senate, but still has not addressed the fundamental objection to the use of both the title and the word, Professor, in the document.There is also some concern with respect to how such positions will impact faculty governance.

 

University Curriculum Committee: Dr. Michael Boone, EAPS, was named as a replacement for Dr. Patrice Werner.

 

College Curriculum Committees: Currently, there is no delineated process for departmental elections for College Curriculum Committee representatives.There is immediate need for an election to be held for the College of Education.Generally, it was decided that normal elections of College Curriculum Committees would be done in the fall semester at the same time College Budget Committees are elected.

 

Final Exam Schedule: A faculty complaint has been raised regarding the final exam schedule that requires final exam for Tue-Thur afternoon classes to be held on the last afternoon of the exam cycle when grades are due early the next morning.It was decided that this would be a reasonable item to add to the PAAG agenda.

 

Round Rock Teaching: Although it was announced late last fall that incentives would be provided to faculty members who teach classes at the Round Rock campus, there are still some complaints from faculty who are being forced to teach there.There was some question about how to handle the matter.

Should the faculty member file a grievance?Since the issue was discussed recently in PAAG with the President and Provost, it was decided to add the item to next week�s PAAG agenda.

 

Break

 

Texas Council of Faculty Senates: Senators Stone and James will attend the Texas Council of Faculty Senates meeting February 17 -18.

 

PAAG Agenda: Items for next week�s PAAG agenda were considered.It was decided to ask that items to be considered include:

         The next market equity cycle.

         Summer research support for new faculty members.

         The final exam schedule.

         Mandatory Round Rock teaching assignments.

University Marketing Plan: After hearing last week�s presentation on the apparent marketing plan for the University by AVPEM Heintze, some senators expressed concern about the AVPEM�s lack of knowledge of the history of, and rationale behind, the work that has been done up to this point. The lack of faculty participation and use of faculty expertise in his plan�s development was particularly disturbing.Senators Conroy and Rao will work on specific objections in anticipation of the issue being on the March PAAG agenda.

 

New Business: Someone raised the question: �Is there a conspiracy against using Macs on campus?�While it appears there are many apostles arguing the virtues of the PC, supporters of the Mac are equally vociferous.It was decided that AVPITS Milt Nielsen would be invited to the Senate to discuss a range of issues.

 

Minutes: Several pending draft minutes were approved.