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Faculty Senate

Nov 28, 2007 Minutes

Members present:

Senators Stone, Bond, Feakes, Hazlewood, Hindson, McGee, McKinney, Meek, Melzer, Ogletree, Shah, Winek

Guests: President Trauth; Provost Moore; Assoc. Provost Bourgeois; AVPEM Heintze; and Scott Thomas, University Star

Meeting called to order at 4:00.

 

PAAG:

FBS:  President Trauth discussed the athletic benchmarks that need to be reached for the University to move to the Football Bowl Subdivision as recommended by the President’s Cabinet.  Although there is a current moratorium for programs moving to the FBS, she indicated a plan that was being put in place to support the move when the moratorium is lifted.  Assuming support through a student referendum this spring, there will be a structured increase in the Student Athletic Fee:  $4 per SCH in three stages.  While this increase is insufficient to fuel the move to FBS, additional revenues will come from ticket sales and donations, stadium suite leases, capital gifts, and city support to accumulate approximately $10 million needed for the move.

Round Rock Campus Plans:  President Trauth commented on the future plans for the Round Rock campus.  She indicated that the new Nursing Program is on schedule.  The program for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) should be implemented with 100 students by Fall, 2010, expecting a total capacity of 400 students.  The Nursing School Director Search has been initiated with an anticipated hire date of spring/summer 2008.  Also, two faculty members will be hired by fall, 2008, with additional faculty to be added for the first class in fall, 2010. An architecture team is currently designing the new 77,740 gross square feet, 3 story building.  When asked if all of the College of Health Professions will eventually move to Round Rock, President Trauth indicated that while newer facilities at Round Rock will probably be dedicated to health related programs, the addition of a third and fourth new building at Round Rock would still not provide enough space for the entire College of Health Professions, so such a move would not be feasible in the near future.

Institutional Research Alumni Survey Access:  When asked about faculty access to the Alumni Survey database, President Trauth said it was open record data.  Anyone wanting access should contact Joe Meyer, Director of Institutional Research.

Capital Campaign:  President Trauth presented renderings to the two phases of the proposed Performing Arts Center.  Phase 1 will be the construction of a theatre-recital hall and phase 2, a large performance hall, each with an anticipated cost of about $50 million.  The actual campaign will have three foci:  Academic Excellence, Bricks and Mortar, and Athletics.  The Academic Excellence portion will be aimed developing merit and need-based scholarships and adding additional faculty. The Performing Arts Center will be a substantive part of Bricks and Mortar.  Athletics will have two phases:  facilities improvement and funding for additional scholarships.

 

Break:

 

PAAG Follow-up:  Comments by Senators included:

  • There is genuine concern in the College of Health Professions about a possible move to Round Rock and the move’s impact on the current program.
  • There is also concern that the University will get a lovely building, the Performing Arts Center, which will not meet the needs of educational issues.  For example, will building the center provide a central location on campus for the School of Music?
  • Should the Senate take a position on the FBS move?  The President’s intent seems to be that the move would take no money from academics.

 

URC Recommendation:  A Senate subcommittee consisting of the College of Science Senators recommended that the Senate accept the College of Science Committee recommendation for Research Enhancement Grants.  The Senate approved the recommendation.  An issue between funding from Liberal Arts and Fine Arts was determined to be a non-issue.  A motion was made to accept the recommendation the University Research Committee and it was approved.

 

Development Leave Application Changes: The Senate approved recommended changes for applications for Development Leave.  

 

 

New Business: 

  • Spring Schedule:  The Spring 2008 schedule will continue with the uniform start times.  There is still some question as to what will happen with the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 schedules.
  • Study Abroad:  VPAA Thorne will be invited back to the Senate to continue discussion of international studies.
  • Dean Evaluation Survey:  The Annual Evaluation of Deans and other administrators is still on schedule for the Spring semester.
  • Senator Election:  The election of Stephen Furney, HPER, as Senator for Education was confirmed.

               

Minutes:  Minutes for 11/14/07 were approved.