Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
June 11, 2018
Rudder 601
http://facultysenate.tamu.eduCALL TO ORDER
Speaker Harlin called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.SPEAKER COMMENTS
Richard Stadelmann Faculty Senate Service Award Presentation
Every spring the Faculty Senate recognizes first-term Faculty Senate member(s) who display uncommon devotion to the mission of the Senate to be awarded the Richard Stadelmann Faculty Senate Service Award. This award is in recognition of the many contributions of former Faculty Senate member Richard Stadelmann. Two award recipients were selected for this session of the Senate. The first award was presented to Dr. Stefanie Harris of the Department of International Studies in the College of Liberal Arts. Speaker Harlin expounded upon several of Dr. Harris’ remarkable efforts in service to the faculty and Faculty Senate during her first term. The second recipient will receive his/her award when he or she is able to be present at a later Faculty Senate meeting.
Guest Speakers
Dr. Carrie Byington, Vice Chancellor for Health Services, Senior Vice President Health Science Center and Dean, College of Medicine
Dean Byington spoke regarding changes to the medical health insurance plan. TAMU has a self-insured plan and Blue Cross Blue Shield manages that plan for those within the System. Beginning June 15, 2018, benefits will not change, but there will be a discount for those who use CHI St. Joseph or TAMU-branded providers. In such cases, faculty, staff and retirees’ co-payments for a primary care physician visit will drop from $20 to $5; there will be a $15 copay for a specialist visit; and there will be a decrease from 20% to 10% for other coinsurance costs, such as hospitalizations. A “Frequently Asked Questions” (http://chi.tamuhealth.org/faqs) document regarding CHI St. Joseph and Texas A&M Health Network was distributed to provide more detail about the benefits. Those using a health care provider that is not a CHI St. Joseph- or a TAMU-branded provider may stay with that provider and continue paying as they are currently.
Senator Daniel Jimenez, College of Engineering asked if faculty and staff have to do anything to get these lower co-pays and how there will be dissemination of this information. Dr. Byington reported one does not have to do anything to have a lower co-pay; it’s essentially an opt-in for faculty, staff and retirees as they see the health care provider. The Benefits Office will distribute this information starting June 15 and continuing through September. Dr. Byington has spoken to all the college deans, an ad was placed in The Eagle, and information will be on the TAMU Benefits website.
Senator Piers Chapman, College of Geosciences asked if other local health providers have been asked if they are prepared to offer the same discounts. Dr. Byington reported this is a misperception, that the providers themselves cannot offer the discount. Rather, the insurer offers the discount. TAMU is able to offer that discount to health care providers should they choose, but such must accomplished so our plan and members do not suffer a loss. TAMU has not entered into any agreements with other health providers on this similar discount. A number of providers were approached, but only CHI St. Joseph in our area was interested in the co-branding relationship and the other factors that go with this discount.
Senator Jim Woosely, College of Education and Human Development, asked if a single provider could obtain this option and was Baylor Scott & White invited to participate in this also. Dr. Byington reported Baylor Scott & White was approached first, but only CHI St. Joseph was interested in co-branding, and the education, and other matters that accompany the offer.
Senator Jim Woosely, College of Education and Human Development, asked what matters accompany the offer. Dr. Byington reported the co-branding means that all currently participating clinics will be branded “CHI St. Joseph and Texas A&M University,” which brings income into the university, along with a 7 year teaching agreement that helps TAMU meet the expectations of the LCME accrediting body for teaching. She favors this multi-year teaching contract over the year-to-year teaching contract between TAMU and Baylor Scott & White, saying the year-to-year contract hampered in many ways TAMU’s ability to deliver a great education to our students, without elucidating what those ways were.
Senator Jim Woosley, College of Education and Human Development, asked what monetary benefit accrues with this relationship. Dr. Byington reported TAMU will benefit in similar ways that all other medical schools have with their clinical partner. The money will go to support the HSC, TAMU, and our health plan, and it’s also beneficial in providing lower cost care to beneficiaries.
Mr. Kevin McGinnis, Chief Risk, Ethics, and Compliance Officer at TAMU
Mr. McGinnis gave a PowerPoint presentation on Civil Rights and Difficult Faculty Issues. The System has mandated TAMU change their Civil Rights process. Prior to this new mandate, faculty were investigated in the Dean of Faculties Office and staff were investigated in the Human Resources Office. The System collaborated with the General Counsel Office with the result that all investigations are required to be addressed by one central body. Authority now resides with Mr. Kevin McGinnis. Mr. McGinnis presented PowerPoint slides giving detailed explanations. Most of the cases that come before his office are regarding the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act or Title IX of the Education Amendments Act. TAMU President Michael Young has a major initiative this fall to insure all in the Texas A&M University community know the university wants to know if someone is experiencing these problems and, further, we want any concerned individuals to speak up. Mr. McGinnis’ office performs the investigation regarding faculty, but the Dean of Faculties makes the final decision regarding faculty. Appeals of that decision are forwarded to the Provost and, if there are sanctions less than termination, such is referred to the UGC (University Grievance Committee) and, if termination is recommended, such will be referred to CAFRT (Committee on Academic Freedom, Responsibility, and Tenure). Mr. McGinnis makes decisions on staff cases and appeals of such decision are addressed to Human Resources.
Senator Hank Walker, College of Engineering, asked if lawyers have reviewed case law and insured the process won’t be one of those ones that gets overturned, and was concerned that many report in recent university cases, especially undergraduate ones, there might not have been enough thought put into these processes.
Mr. McGinnis reported this process has been evaluated thoroughly, and that the university will continue to work with General Counsel.
Senator Angie Hill Price, College of Engineering, reported though it was previously thought the role of the Dean of Faculties (DOF) was to be an advocate for faculty, faculty need now be aware that the DOF’s position description has changed. The DOF is now making the decision on sanctions that could include termination. Dr. Hill Price asked if the DOF or anyone in that office sees evidence and/or suggests changes to the report. Mr. McGinnis reported that yes, before the investigative report goes to anyone, it goes to OGC for review, where the report returns back to the investigator, who has the ability to make any changes necessary. Then, the report will go to the respondent and complainant. Once the report is final, it’s referred to the investigative authority for a decision. Dr. Hill Price asked if previously the DOF was given the report before it was in final form and were they able to make changes to it. Mr. McGinnis referred the question to Dr. John August, Dean of Faculties. Dr. August reported the DOF office still has resources for advocacy for the faculty and they are welcome and entitled to talk with Dr. Blanca Lupiani. Mr. Mario Del Rojo Busto, Chief of Staff in the DOF Office, works with the General Counsel Office as the report is being finalized to make sure it is legally sufficient, correct and complete. Dr. August reported he does not see the report during the draft process. Dr. Hill Price asked if, going forward, the Chief of Staff for the DOF is going to have access to the report in advance and can suggest changes to the report. Mr. McGinnis stated no, in the future he didn’t anticipate the OGC office reaching out to the DOF to receive input on cases. Dr. Hill Price asked if this will be documented somewhere to make insure that the DOF is not and cannot suggest changes to the report. Mr. McGinnis reported they can insure it is documented, as the SAP is currently under revision.
Dr. Geoffrey Booth, Chair, University Grievance Committee (UGC)
Dr. Booth made available via web link on the June 11 Faculty Senate agenda a page 20 page document, “An Impartial, Honest, Effective, and Just Right of Appeal is Essential - Address to the Texas A&M Faculty Senate Meeting to be held on Monday 11 June, 2018,” as well as a 20 page PowerPoint with the same title. Dr. Booth distributed a 2 page summarization (attached) of those larger documents with the same title. Dr. Booth read and expanded upon the core values, mission, code of conduct, and the TAMU Rules and Standard Operating Procedures followed by the UGC. The UGC does not have subpoena power, but when the UGC invites someone to talk with them and there is a refusal of the invited parties to express their side of the story or their point of view, such behavior suggests to the UGC that something is going on that is not as transparent as it should be. The UGC has limited jurisdiction. There are three basic areas of appeals or grievance that are provided. In the appeals that have come to the UGC in the last 18 months, the UGC response to whether the sanctions from the DOF were reasonable or unreasonable was that they were unreasonable. The UGC collectively agreed that the DOF is too lenient in the sanctions imposed and a response was sent to the DOF stating the decision for sanctions were unreasonable and that the UGC believe they should be more stringent. Incredible detail is given to all grievances that come before the UGC. Currently a SAP for the Code of Conduct is being revised and reviewed by the UGC at this time. The UGC works a great deal with Dr. John August, Maria Murphy, Mario de Rojo Busto, and to a lesser extent with Dr. Blanca Lupiani; the UGC has never been put under duress by any of them.
Senator Jay Ramadoss, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, stated that being elected to the UGC does not give someone the “qualifications” to make these significant decisions on cases and asked what type of training UGC members are receiving to ensure they are qualified to make decisions. Dr. Booth responded that every year the UGC has an extensive training session where the existing members of the committee share their experiences with new UGC members. Every UGC has access to past decisions that were made, as a way to educate how decisions were made, but all UGC are sworn to confidentiality.
Dr. Len Bierman, Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom, Responsibility, and Tenure (CAFRT)
Dr. Bierman addressed the Senate. The document, “CAFRT Hearings Guidelines,” and a one page summary, “CAFRT in a Nutshell,” were distributed. Dr. Bierman read the one page handout, explaining there are generally two kinds of cases, traditional cases and new potential cases. The chair and vice chair of CAFRT are non-voting members. When decisions are made not to grant tenure or renew tenure-track appointments, faculty can appeal that decision to CAFRT. The burden of proof is on the faculty member. In traditional cases, CAFRT has jurisdiction over three types of criteria, as listed in the handout. The CAFRT proceedings and preliminary hearing process were explained. SAP 6.3 set forth the reasons the University can dismiss a faculty member, including tenured-faculty. Dr. Bierman listed some of those reasons listed in the SAP, but in these cases, the burden of proof is on the university.
Senator Clint McGill, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences commented that everyone should know that CAFRT only makes a recommendation and does not make the final decision on cases. Dr. Bierman also reported that CAFRT’s recommendation goes to the TAMU President, who makes the final decision.
Dr. George Welch, Faculty Ombuds Officer
Dr. Welch addressed the Senate and reported this position reports to the Vice Provost, Michael Benedik, but, because all cases are confidential, they are not discussed with the Vice Provost. If patterns are starting to develop, such information would be helpful to share with the Vice Provost, along with other data and statistics, particularly if there is a concentration of problems within a particular unit or if there is a problem with rules. In the two months’ time that Dr. Welch has been the Faculty Ombuds Officer, he has visited with 25 faculty members. Such visits with the Faculty Ombuds Officer are very informal because that position has no real power. It is the role of the Faculty Ombuds Officer to help identify problems, so faculty can talk about any concerns they may have. The Faculty Ombuds Officer is impartial, so they do not take the side of the faculty right away. Information about the Faculty Ombuds Officer can be accessed on line at faculty-ombuds.tamu.edu.
Senator Rajesh Miranda, College of Medicine, reported there is a real need for an Ombuds Officer to assist the staff, as many staff have voiced their concerns that they have no place to turn and HR has advised they can be fired without any reason. Dr. Welch reported he would suggest such to the Vice Provost.
Senator Geoffrey Booth, College of Architecture, inquired if in the cases Dr. Welch has listened to thus far, are there any patterns starting to emerge or causing concerns. Dr. Welch responded it’s too early to say with definity, but six of the cases have been Academic Civil Rights Investigation Committee-related. Some are cases of faculty who feel they are being mistreated by their department head and/or dean. Faculty are shocked to find out that there is no grievance procedure for annual review of faculty members.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The motion passed to approve the May 14, 2018 minutes as distributed.CONSENT AGENDA
The motion passed to approve the consent agenda as presented. See below.STUDENT RULE 10.21 GRADING
Secretary Sicilio made the motion to pass changes to Student Rule 10.21 Grading. Dr. Clint Magill, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, asked why we don’t drop the rule due to current changes. Speaker Harlin responded that he rule does affect some students who are in the catalogs. The motion to approve the rule change passed.CORE CURRICULUM COUNCIL REPORT
Secretary Sicilio moved approval of the courses in the Core Curriculum report. The motion to approve the courses was seconded. Motion to approve all the courses listed passed.PERSONNEL & WELFARE COMMITTEE
Senator Jose Fernandez-Solis, chair of the Personnel & Welfare Committee (PWC), said that in April the PWC presented a report that in cases of tenure-track and tenured faculty, their outcomes are not grievable for annual reviews, but the process is grievable throughout the entire system. The process can be grieved but the outcomes cannot be grieved. However, In the College of Architecture, there is a process for grieving both the outcomes and the process. The PWC is currently investigating to see if other colleges/schools have that same process. Preliminarily, several colleges do not have such a process like that in the College of Architecture. Dean Vanegas has asked each of his departments to see if they have a process for reviewing both the outcome and the process of the annual review. Going forward, a recommendation will be brought to the EC and then to the Faculty Senate at large on how to proceed. (Documents attached below.)RESEARCH COMMITTEE
Senator Rob Hetland requested that faculty respond to him with any comments on the proposed Open Access Policy so everyone gets the opportunity to review and express their views. Senator Hetland asked the Faculty Senate to review the Open Access Policy document again and it will be brought back to the next Faculty Senate for discussion and will hopefully be approved.SPEAKER COMMENTS
Speaker Harlin announced that the search for the Faculty Senate Assistant is going very well. The search committee has moved quickly and we hope to have the new person here for the next meeting. Thanks to Janet Gonzales for all her help. Speaker Harlin also thanked Sandra Harnden, Dean of Faculties Office, who has worked with us to ensure our agenda and attachments are working on the Faculty Senate website.Speaker Harlin announced that there have been some recent issues for those that work with or do research on animals. A personnel issue has been raised to a level of concern for many. Harlin is working with the CPI chair, along with the Provost and several other administrators to address the situation. Try to ignore rumors and realize shared governance is working, but confidential items cannot be shared.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Speaker-elect Andrew Klein asked if there was any business for the Committee of the Whole.Senator Walter Daugherty reported updates on two items. There remains an on-going problem with on-line fraud stemming from nearly 5 years ago when approximately 5,000 faculty member’s socials security numbers were posted on-line. Recently a faculty member was a target of a scam.
Last month, Senator Daugherty alerted the Faculty Senate of a serious problem in the way Workday was programmed to deal with summer insurance premiums for faculty. After much discussion and collaboration with several administrators to correct this issue, the problem has been corrected in Workday. At least 286 faculty had their insurance payment corrected, however the College of Science did not respond in time for the Save for Summer plan, but hopefully they will do so by July 1. Senator Daugherty publicly thanked Joseph Duran for his part in making the change happen in Workday. For the next academic year, starting September, faculty are advised to check with their HR person or they may be automatically enrolled in the new 12 over 9 Program which deducts 12 months’ premiums over 9 months. Senator Daugherty was thanked for his efforts which are deeply appreciated.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m. by Speaker Harlin.CONSENT AGENDA - Detail
GRADUATE COUNCILNew Courses – Passed FS.36.025 Attachment B
ACCT 622 Accounting in Income Taxes
ACCT 624 Tax Technology and Analytics
CSCE 712 Digital Forensic Engineering
ENTO 632 Professional Grant and Contract Writing in Entomology
GEOP 619 Finite Element Methods in Geophysics
INTA 694 Economic Restructuring in Latin America
OCEN 684 Professional Internship
PHPM 678 Qualitative Research in Public Health
VIBS 676 Speciation Genetics
Change in Courses – Passed FS.36.026 Attachment C
ACCT 610 Financial Accounting
ALEC 617 Leadership in Organizational Culture and Ethics
CPSY 676 Family Counseling and Psychotherapy
EHRD 690 Theory of Educational Human Resource Development Research
ESSM 612 Rangeland Vegetation Management
ESSM 652 Advanced Topics in Geographic Information Systems
HORT 604 Applied Physiology of Horticultural Crops
ISTM 655 Security Management and Compliance
LAND 630 Development of Landscape Architecture
PETE 611 Application of Petroleum Reservoir Simulation
PETE 663 Formation Evaluation and the Analysis of Reservoir Performance
PHEB 619 Infectious Disease Epidemiology
PHEO 676 Environmental Sustainability and Public Health
PLAN 612 Transportation in City Planning
PLAN 624 Digital Communication in Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
POSC 684 Professional Internship
PSAA 631 Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations
PSAA 653 Weapons of Mass Destruction
PSAA 668 U.S. Law and Homeland Security
PSAA 669 Legal Environment of Nonprofit
PSAA 676 Public Service and Administration Capstone Seminar II
PSYC 671 Experimental Design for Behavioral Scientists
RPTS 670 Youth Development Programs and Services
SENG 655 Process Safety Engineering
SPED 601 Assessment in School Settings
VIBS 603 Neuroanatomy
VIBS 610 Epidemiologic Methods II and Data Analysis
VIBS 670 Advanced Toxicology
WFSC 642 Field Military Land Management
Change in Courses - Inactivation Proposal – Passed FS.36.027 Attachment D
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
ENTO 621 Biology and Systematics of Entomophagous Insects
Change in Courses - Inactivation Proposal – Passed FS.36.028 Attachment E
College of Dentistry
OBIO 680 Current Topics in Biomedical Sciences I
OBIO 681 Current Topics in Biomedical Sciences II
OBIO 684 Directed Readings I
OBIO 685 Directed Readings II
OBIO 686 Directed Readings III
Change in Programs – Passed FS.36.029 Attachment F
College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
MS-MEEN Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Change in Programs – Passed FS.36.030 Attachment G
College of Engineering
Department of Petroleum Engineering
MS-PETE Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering
Change in Programs – Passed FS.36.031 Attachment H
College of Nursing
Department of Nursing
MSN-FNPR Master of Science in Nursing in Family Nurse Practitioner
Change in Programs – Passed FS.36.032 Attachment I
College of Nursing
Department of Nursing
MSN-FRNR Master of Science in Nursing in Forensic Nursing
Change in Programs – Passed FS.36.033 Attachment J
College of Nursing
Department of Nursing
MSN-NRED Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Education
Change in Programs – Passed FS.36.034 Attachment K
School of Law
Department of School of Law
MJ-INPR Master of Jurisprudence in Intellectual Property
Change in Programs – Passed FS.36.035 Attachment L
School of Law
Department of School of Law
MJ-JURS Master of Jurisprudence
Change in Programs – Passed FS.36.036 Attachment M
School of Law
Department of School of Law
ML-INPR Master of Laws in Intellectual Property
Change in Programs – Passed FS.36.037 Attachment N
School of Law
Department of School of Law
ML-LAWS Master of Laws
UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE Attachment O
New Courses – Passed FS.36.038
PHLT 270 Broad Street Learning Community I
New Courses – Passed FS.36.039 Attachment P
Texas A&M University at Galveston
MARA 350 Maritime Business Computer Programming and Security
Change in Courses – Passed FS.36.040 Attachment Q
ACCT 408 Internal Auditing
ACCT 447 Financial Statement Analysis
ALED 424 Applied Ethics in Leadership
BESC 367 U.S. Environmental Regulations
BESC 401 Bioenvironmental Microbiology
BESC 402 Microbial Processes in Bioremediation
COSC 301 Construction Surveying
COSC 461 Building Information Modeling System
FIVS 205 Introduction to Forensic and Investigative
HIST 280 The Historian’s Craft
HORT 428 Greenhouse Technology & Sustainable Crop Production Systems
MATH 409 Advanced Calculus I
MATH 491 Research
MEEN 408 Mechanics of Robotic Manipulators
NURS 462 Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for the RN
PHLT 301 Public Health Concepts
PHLT 331 Occupational Safety and Health I
PLPA 301 Plant Pathology
RPTS 371 Understanding and Developing Effective Skills for Youth Development
RPTS 426 Tourism Impacts
URPN 369 Transportation and Urban Form
VTPB 405 Biomedical Microbiology
WFSC 484 Internship
WFSC 491 Research
Change in Courses – Passed FS.36.041 Attachment R
Texas A&M University at Galveston
MARB 415 Coastal Marine Biology and Geology of Alaska
W&C COURSES
C Courses – Passed FS.36.042 Attachment S
ANSC 406-C Beef Cattle Production and Management
C Recertification
BESC 481-C Seminar
FSTC 481-C Seminar in Food Sciences
SPAN 301-C Oral Expression
W Courses Attachment T
BUSN 403-W Personal Competency Assessment
HLTH 482-W Grant Writing in Health
INTS 491-W Research
INTS 497-W Independent Honors Study
PETE 436-W Petroleum Technical Presentation II
PHIL 352-W Africana Philosophy
PHIL 371-W Philosophy of Literature
PHIL 413-W Eighteenth-Century Philosophy
PHYS 327-W Experimental Physics I
W Certification
ASTR 491-W Research
IDIS 340-W Manufacturer Distributor Relations
PHIL 414-W Nineteenth Century Philosophy
PHIL 416-W Recent British and American Philosophy
PHIL 418-W Existentialism
W Recertification
ENGL 355-W The Rhetoric of Style
PHIL 480-W Medical Ethics
PHYS 491-W Research
RUSS 301-W Advanced Grammar and Composition I
______________________________End of Consent Agenda________________________________
Student Rule – Passed FS.36.043 Attachment U
Consideration of Student Rule 10.21 Grading
Committee Reports
Core Curriculum Council – Passed FS.36.044 Attachment V
New Courses Submitted for International and Cultural Diversity Designation
ALEC 350-ICD Global Agricultural Issues
ANTH 335-ICD Cultures of Central Asia
ANTH 426-ICD Anthropology of Food and Nutrition
ANTH 435-ICD Medical Anthropology
ECON 312-ICD Poverty, Inequality and Social Policy
ECON 452-ICD International Trade Theory and Policy
ENGL 308-ICD History of Literary Criticism
GERM 202-ICD Intermediate German II
GERM 322-ICD German Culture and Civilization II
MGMT 450-ICD International Environment of Business
MGMT 457-ICD Global Entrepreneurship
MKTG 402-ICD International Marketing: Study Abroad
PHIL 283-ICD Latin American Philosophy
POLS 366-ICD Political Conflicts of the Middle East
PSYC 206-ICD Black Psychology
PSYC 303-ICD Psychology of Women of Color
SPAN 304-ICD Advanced Grammar for Heritage Speakers
SPAN 412-ICD U.S. Hispanic Writers
New Courses Submitted for Cultural Discourse
ANTH 404-CD Women and Culture
ARTS 234-CD Body Art of Tattoos
COMM 257-CD Communication, Religion and the Arts
ENGL 378-CD The British Novel, 1870 to Present
PHIL 111-CD Contemporary Moral Issues
PHIL 376-CD Philosophy, Film and Evil
PHIL 382-CD Ethics and Cybertechnology
PHIL 482-CD Ethics and Engineering
Courses Submitted for Recertification for International and Cultural Diversity Designation
ANTH 201-ICD Introduction to Anthropology
ANTH 205-ICD Peoples and Cultures of the World
ANTH 270-ICD Cultural Diversity and Ethic
ENGL 204-ICD Introduction to African-American Literature
ENGL 206-ICD Twenty-first Century Literature and Culture
ENGL 306-ICD Transnational Literature and Culture
ENGL 338-ICD American Ethnic Literature
ENGL 352-ICD Literature, World War II to Present
FREN 202-ICD Intermediate French II
MUSC 201-ICD Music and the Human Experience
MUSC 328-ICD Japanese Traditional Performing Arts
SOCI 205-ICD Introduction to Sociology
SOCI 206-ICD Global Social Trends
THAR 281-ICD History of the Theatre II
Courses Submitted for Recertification for Cultural Discourse Designation
ENGL 350-CD Twentieth-Century Literature to World War II
MUSC 222-CD Music of the Americas
PERF 301-CD Performance in World Cultures
SOCI 217-CD Introduction to Race and Ethnicity
THAR 156-CD Dress, Culture and Society
THAR 386-CD Evolution of the American Musical
WGST 200-CD Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies
Texas A&M University at Galveston
New Courses Submitted for Cultural Discourse – Passed FS.36.045 Attachment W
MAST 226-CD Museums, Law & Ethics
| UNIVERSITY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (UGC) |
AN IMPARTIAL, FAIR, HONEST, EFFECTIVE, and JUST RIGHT OF APPEAL IS ESSENTIAL—Address as requested to the Texas A&M Faculty Senate Meeting held on 11 June, 2018—Geoffrey BOOTH, UGC Chair.
Our Core Values
At Texas A&M University, through our AGGIE Code, we seek to encourage and inspire our students, colleagues, and alumni. We should never intimidate, subjugate, manipulate, or exploit them. Recognition and respect for human dignity and inclusivity really matter. There is no ‘us’ and ‘them’—rather we are all us—"…the AGGIES are we” (The Spirit of Aggieland). https://www.aggienetwork.com/muster/song_spirit.aspx
Our Mission as faculty committed to Texas A&M University
We strive to achieve an environment at Texas A&M University where everyone’s voice matters and where each of us has an inalienable right to be heard, to vote according to our conscience and reason, and to be afforded the dignity and respect that all deserve regardless of administrative rank or position. This should not be just empty rhetoric, but evidenced in action, culture, and every deed. No one in any community—especially the AGGIE community—should be made to live with fear in their heart—"Fearless on every front”.
https://president.tamu.edu/messages/announcing-national-branding-campaign-fearless-on-every-front.html
Our Explicit Code of Conduct
Fundamental, is our explicit code of conduct reflected in our actions and behavior toward others. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, the biblical golden rule (Luke 6.31).
Any and all faculty members, no matter their rank or administrative position, have a responsibility to never use their position of authority and power over another for inappropriate actions and purposes and to always treat everyone with respect and dignity.
TAMU Rules and Standard Operating Procedures:
http://rules-saps.tamu.edu/TAMURulesAndSAPs.aspx
- Wrongful Dismissal, Non-Granting of Tenure and Non-Renewal of Appointment; (UGC involved only to the extent of 2 and 3 below hereunder)
- Grievances Related to Illegal Discrimination, Sexual Harassment or Related Retaliation Charges; and (UGC recommendation on reasonableness of sanctions (short of dismissal) imposed on respondent, in respondent appeals only—no de novo hearing of findings).
- Other Faculty Grievances/Complaints. (UGC investigation, report, and recommendation only where it is determined that grounds exist to hear the grievance).
http://facultysenate.tamu.edu/FacultySenate/media/Media/Agenda/JUNE%202018/Booth-s-address-as-requested-for-11-June,-2018-Faculty-Senate-meeting.pdf
http://facultysenate.tamu.edu/FacultySenate/media/Media/Agenda/JUNE%202018/UGC-Briefing-and-report-to-TAMU-Faculty-Senate-meeting-6-11-2018-Geoff.pptx