TAMU Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

December 9, 2019

3:00pm

Rudder 601

http://facultysenate.tamu.edu

 

CALL TO ORDER

Speaker Andrew Klein called the meeting to order at 3:00pm.  
 
 

GUEST SPEAKER

Speaker Klein introduced guest speaker Dr. James Hallmark, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Texas A&M System, and welcomed him to the podium.
 
Dr. Hallmark spoke about four items of interest to the current Board of Regents:

• Post Tenure Review – a System policy change proposal is going before the Board at their February 2020 meeting.  The revision is to offer remediation to a tenured faculty member at the first unsatisfactory rating, consisting of a developmental plan with desired outcomes.  This will bring the System policy in line with existing Texas A&M University policy.
• Ensuring faculty with foreign employment have appropriate export controls in place to minimize security risks such as theft of research by foreign entities.
• The Student Success Initiative – the focus has shifted from providing access to Texas A&M to all students to ensuring their success through graduation.  This is of particular interest to Chair Elaine Mendoza.
• Open Educational Resources (OER) – There are concerns about how to reduce costs to students for educational resources used in their courses.  This issue is of particular concern to the Texas Legislature.  He encouraged faculty to watch for opportunities to continue this conversation.

 
Dr. Hallmark then fielded questions from the following Senators:
Angie Hill Price, College of Engineering
Lou Tassinary, College of Architecture
Catharina Laporte, College of Liberal Arts
Bruce Neville, University Libraries
Jorge Alvarado, College of Engineering
Joan Wolf, College of Liberal Arts
Adam Kolasinski, Mays Business School
 
Speaker Klein thanked Dr. Hallmark for speaking to the Senate.  
 
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

None in December. 
 

SPEAKER COMMENTS

Speaker Klein thanked Senators for their attendance, citing the importance of the December and January meetings in ensuring curricular items are approved in time to appear in the upcoming course catalog.

• He thanked the members of the Election Committee, especially Chair Bruce Neville, who continues to work on the bylaws revisions.
• He shared that reapportionment of Senate seats occurs this year (every three years), and the Election Committee will soon take this on.
• The Senate continues to work on other issues such as the UBIT (Unrelated Business Income Tax) impact on pre-tax parking and the Student Success Initiative.
• He stated that December’s guest speaker will be Ms. Elaine Mendoza, the Chair of the Board of Regents for the TAMU System 
• He encouraged Senators to review the guidelines for evaluation of faculty performance sent out by Claire Katz (Dean of Faculties Office) and provide feedback as requested.

 
Speaker Klein closed his remarks wishing all Happy Holidays and a relaxing break. 
 
 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The motion passed to approve the November 11, 2019 minutes as distributed.  Attachment A – Passed 
 
CONSENT AGENDA – Passed – FS.37.095–FS.37.150 (Full Consent Agenda with FS #’s can be found below Adjournment.)
The motion passed to approve the Consent Agenda after the removal of the following two Program Inactivation Proposals at the request of Senator Angie Hill Price, College of Engineering:
BS-CVEN-COE: Civil Engineering, BS - Coastal and Ocean Engineering Track
BS-CVEN-ENE: Civil Engineering - BS, Environmental Engineering Track
 
Speaker Klein highlighted the suite of Sports Management courses, commending the Sports Management Department’s work with CTE in successfully overhauling the curriculum; he acknowledged CTE’s Debra Fowler who attended.  He also thanked the College of Business for helping Sports Management to achieve their vision for this undergraduate program, working through issues of overlap in course content.
Speaker Klein went on to recognize a couple Visualization courses that were approved, as well as the DIVE 410: AAUS Scientific Diving course, of personal relevance to him.
 
He then asked if any Senators wished to highlight any other curricular items.  Senator Julie Harlin noted the work of Senate last year to create an entrepreneurship minor, citing it as a model for the University-wide leadership minor that was just approved.
 
Senator Clint Magill cited the difficulty seeing what is being changed in courses and programs with the new method of looking at curricular items on the Consent Agenda.  Speaker Klein noted his concern and stated that it is being worked on.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Core Curriculum Council Course Report – Passed – FS.37.151
The motion passed to approve the Core Curriculum Course Report as presented.  (CCC Report with FS # can be found below Adjournment.)
 
 

OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS 

Bylaws Committees Report - Attachment D – For Informational Review Only – FS.37.154
Bylaws Committee Chair Bruce Neville presented the results of the survey on proposed revisions to the Bylaws and Constitution sent to Senators after last month’s meeting.  A robust discussion followed with comments by the following Senators: Jorge Alvarado, Angie Hill Price, Adam Kolasinski, Mark Sicilio, Jay Ramadoss, Julie Harlin, Matt Whiteacre, and Stefanie Harris.
 
 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Faculty Senator Angie Hill Price, College of Engineering, requested that the following Program Activation Proposals be returned to the Civil Engineering department of the College of Engineering:
BS-CVEN-COE: Civil Engineering, BS - Coastal and Ocean Engineering Track
BS-CVEN-ENE: Civil Engineering - BS, Environmental Engineering Track
The motion was made to return the programs to the department per their request, was seconded, and passed.
 

OLD BUSINESS

No old business was conducted.
 

NEW BUSINESS

Proposed Revisions to Student Rules 
Student Rule 1.3 – Student Registration – Attachment B – Passed – FS.37.152
 
Proposed Revisions to Bylaws – Attachment C – Passed – FS.37.153 
Bruce Neville, Chair of the Bylaws Committee, proposed a motion to make a grammatical amendment – the removal of a comma – to this document.  The amendment was approved.  The motion was then made to approve the amended document, and was passed.
 
 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

In Speaker-Elect John Stallone’s absence, Secretary-Treasurer Alva Ferdinand convened the Committee of the Whole.  
 
Julie Harlin, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Senator Harlin raised the issue of the vast number of hours the Registrar’s office spends filling the tubes with diplomas for undergraduate commencement.  Graduate students receive empty tubes.  Perhaps the Senate would undertake to change the current practice of awarding the actual diploma at the commencement ceremony.  Dean of Faculties Blanca Lupiani suggested speaking to student leadership to make this change, as there has not been support for this in the recent past.  Suggestions were made to have student groups volunteer to help with stuffing the tubes.
 
Darlene McLaughlin, College of Medicine
Senator McLaughlin shared that the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program recently approved by the Senate has been put on hold due to budgetary constraints.  She would like to see a mechanism put in place to address situations such as this.  Senator Geoffrey Booth supported this.
 
Shelley Holliday, College of Architecture
Senator Holliday raised a housekeeping concern within the College of Architecture about running out of toilet paper and being told they had used their quota.  Speaker Klein assured her that Senate leadership has been and will continue to speak with administration about this issue.
 
Jonathan Coopersmith, College of Liberal Arts
Senator Coopersmith spoke of the problems with a small number of students behaving badly in relation to the rental bike program on campus, and his concern about the University terminating the bike contract.  He asked that the Senate strongly support the Velo bike effort to administration for the future benefit of transportation on campus.  Speaker Klein shared there are currently four Senators on the Transportation Advisory committee who will continue to work on this issue.  DOF Lupiani stated the University has asked the bike company to provide docking systems that will lead to larger fines when users do not abide by the rules.
 
Richard Hutchinson, College of Engineering
Senator Hutchinson expressed a desire to move the Senate’s December meeting one week earlier to avoid having a meeting during finals.  Speaker Klein indicated that the curricular approval process may prohibit us from moving the meeting, and Senator Neville shared that moving the meeting would require a constitutional amendment.
 
Secretary-Treasurer Alva Ferdinand turned the meeting back over to Speaker Klein.
 
 

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 5:03pm.
 
ATTACHMENTS BELOW: Approved Consent Agenda, Core Curriculum Council Report 
CONSENT AGENDA
            GRADUATE COUNCIL 
            New Courses – Passed – FS.37.095
EDAD 629: Diversity and Social Justice in Higher Education
EDCI 722: Microcontrollers for Educators in the Project-Based Learning Classroom
ENTO 627: Insect Behavior and Natural History
HISP 684: Professional Internship
IDIS 650: Science of Distribution
MATH 677: Mathematical Foundations for Data Science
MATH 678: Introduction to Topological Data Analysis
MATH 679: Mathematical Algorithms and their Implementations
PSYC 652: Statistics and Research Methods in Industrial/Organizational Psychology I
PSYC 653: Statistics and Research Methods in Industrial/Organizational Psychology II
PSYC 660: Self and Identity
RPTS 653: Conservation Psychology
STAT 649: Communication Skills in Statistical Research, Teaching and Consulting
STAT 650: Statistical Foundation For Data Science
VSCS 698: Teaching Surgery Lab
 
Change in Courses – Passed – FS.37.096
ANSC 616: Equine Exercise Physiology
ANSC 637: Food Safety: Policy, Regulations and Issues
ECON 603: Public Economics I
EPSY 630: Single-Case Experimental Design
LAW 7007: Alternative Dispute Resolution Survey
OCNG 600: Survey of Oceanography
OCNG 677: Geophysical Data Assimilation
PHIL 681: Seminar
PHPM 684: Practicum
PSYC 627: Psychological Assessment of Children and Adolescents
PSYC 639: Pediatric Psychology
PSYC 683: Professional Seminar 
SPED 602: Ethics and Professional Conduct in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis
SPED 628: Consultation in Special Education
SPED 642: Prevention, Support, and Intervention for Students with Emotional and Behavior Problems
VIZA 654: The Digital Image
 
Change in Courses – Galveston – Passed – FS.37.097
MARA 610: Maritime Strategic Management
MARA 623: Maritime Economics Theory and Applications 
MARA 624: Port Development and Intermodal Freight
MARA 627: Marketing of Maritime Services
MARA 636: Maritime Managerial Decision Making
MARA 641: Maritime Financial Management
MARA 664: Maritime Production, Operations and Logistics Management
MARA 672: Global Maritime Trading System
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.098
   College of Dentistry
Department of Public Health Sciences
            CERT-DDPH: Dental Public Health - Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.099
   College – Galveston Campus
              Department of Maritime Business Administration 
MMB-MBAA: Master of Maritime Business Administration and Logistics in Maritime Business Administration and Logistics
 
Program Inactivation Proposal – Passed – FS.37.100
   College of Geosciences
Department of Oceanography
            CERT-CG41: Ocean Observing Systems - Certificate
 
Program Inactivation Proposal – Passed – FS.37.101
   College – Galveston Campus
Departments of Marine Engineering Technology & Maritime Business Administration
BS/MML-MARR/MAAL-GAD: Marine Engineering Technology- 5-year Bachelor of Science/Master of Maritime Admin Logistics
 
Special Consideration Item
   College of Engineering and Mays Business School – Passed – FS.37.102
Departments of Industrial & Systems Engineering and Finance
BS/MS-INEN/FINC-BBU: Industrial Engineering - 5-year Bachelor of Science/ Master of Science in Finance 
 
 
UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE 
   New Courses – Passed – FS.37.103
ASTR 420: Advanced Astrophysical Research Methods
BICH 456: RNA World
BIOL 402: Communicating Biological Research to the Public
CEHD 100: Introduction to Teacher Professional Responsibility
ENTO 102: Continuing Academic Success in Entomology
FIVS 102: Continuing Academic Success in Forensic and Investigative Sciences
KINE 335: Coaching in Group Fitness
MATH 478: Topological Data Analysis
PHYS 148: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
PHYS 418: High Energy Physics
SCSC 315: Hemp Production and Utilization
SPMT 260: Overview of Practices in Sport
SPMT 262: Human Capital Management in Sport
SPMT 265: Sport Communication
SPMT 270: Sport Marketing
SPMT 272: Sport Marketing Issues
SPMT 295: Introduction to the Culminating Experience
SPMT 360: Organizational Issues in Sport
SPMT 362: Sport Leadership
SPMT 364: Financial Management in Sport
SPMT 366: Sport Facility and Event Management
SPMT 370: Fan Behavior in Sport
SPMT 372: Sales Strategies in Sport Organizations
SPMT 374: Strategic Sport Marketing
SPMT 462: Leadership Application in Sport
SPMT 470: Application of Marketing Strategies in Sport
SPMT 472: Data Analysis and Problem Solving in Sport
VIST 282: 2D Visualization Techniques
VIST 283: 3D Visualization Techniques
 
New Courses – Galveston – Passed – FS.37.104
DIVE 410: AAUS Scientific Diving
MARB 409: Biology of Sharks and their Relatives
MARB 416: Marine and Coastal Biology of Patagonia, Argentina
MARE 399: High Impact Experience in Marine Engineering Technology
MARE 481: Seminar
MARR 481: Seminar
MAST 270: Historic Seafaring and Maritime Heritage
 
Change in Courses – Passed – FS.37.105
AGSM 315: Food Process Engineering Technology
ANSC 327: Food Bacteriology Lab
ARTS 325: Digital Painting
ASTR 320: Astrophysical Research Methods
BAEN 201: Analysis of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Problems
BAEN 422: Unit Operations in Food Processing
BAEN 427: Engineering Aspects of Packaging
BIOL 438: Bacterial Physiology
CVEN 302: Computer Applications in Engineering and Construction
CVEN 402: Engineered Environmental Systems
CVEN 406: Environmental Protection and Public Health
ENGL 204: Introduction to African-American Literature
GENE 412: Population, Quantitative and Ecological Genetics
HEFB 324: Technology and Teaching Skills for the 21st Century Learner
HEFB 450: Supervised Student Teaching
HLTH 236: Introduction to Health Disparities and Diversity
HLTH 332: School Health Program
HLTH 407: Global Health
HLTH 410: Worksite Health Promotion
HLTH 421: Elementary School Health Instruction
KINE 429: Adapted Physical Activity
KINE 484: Internship in Kinesiology
KNFB 315: Elementary School Physical Activities
KNFB 325: Introduction to Secondary School Teaching
MATH 168: Finite Mathematics
NFSC 417: Food Process Engineering Technology II
PETE 301: Petroleum Engineering Numerical Methods
PETE 310: Reservoir Fluids
PETE 314: Transport Processes in Petroleum Production
PETE 321: Formation Evaluation
PETE 323: Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering
PETE 324: Well Testing
PETE 325: Petroleum Production Systems
PETE 335: Technical Presentations I
PETE 337: Junior Student Paper Contest
PETE 353: Petroleum Project Evaluation
PETE 355: Drilling Engineering
PETE 401: Reservoir Simulation
PETE 402: Integrated Asset Development
PETE 404: Integrated Reservoir Modeling
PETE 406: High Performance Drilling Design and Operational Practices
PETE 409: Enhanced Oil Recovery
PETE 410: Production Engineering
PETE 413: Natural Gas Engineering
PETE 416: Solving Common Production Engineering Problems
PETE 418: Deterministic Reserves Evaluation
PETE 437: Senior Student Paper Contest
PHYS 225: Electronic Circuits and Applications
STAT 211: Principles of Statistics I
STAT 404: Statistical Computing
VIBS 111: Biodefense, Biosecurity and Bioterrorism
VIST 284: Visualization Techniques
 
Change in Courses – Galveston – Passed – FS.37.106
MARA 363: The Management Process
MARA 421: Admiralty Law
MARA 435: Labor Law and Policy
MARA 470: Environmental Law
MARE 424: Gas Turbine Power Generation
MARE 451: Senior Design Project I
 
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.107
     College of Science
Department of Biology
            BA-BIOL: Biology - BA
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.108
     College of Engineering
        Department of Computer Science & Engineering
            BA-COMP: Computing - BA
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.109
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Animal Science
                  BS-ANSC-ANS: Animal Science - BS, Science Option
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.110
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Animal Science
                  BS-ANSC-PIN+: Animal Science - BS, Production/Industry Option
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.111
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering
                  BS-BAEN: Biological and Agricultural Engineering - BS
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.112
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology
                  BS-BESC: Bioenvironmental Sciences - BS
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.113
     College of Science
Department of Biology
            BS-BIOL: Biology - BS
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.114
     College of Science
Department of Biology
            BS-BMCB: Molecular and Cell Biology - BS
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.115
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
                  BS-CHLT: Community Health - BS
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.116
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology
                  BS-ENST-AG: Environmental Studies - BS
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.117
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology
                  BS-ENST-GE: Environmental Studies - BS 
 
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.118
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Entomology
           BS-ENTO: Entomology - BS
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.119
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Nutrition & Food Sciences
            BS-FSIM: Food Systems Industry Management - BS
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.120
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
                  BS-HLTH-AHO: Health - BS, Allied Health Track
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.121
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
                  BS-HLTH-SCH: Health - BS, School Health Track
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.122
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
BS-KINE-AEP: Kinesiology - BS, Exercise Science Track, Applied Exercise Physiology Concentration
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.123
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
BS-KINE-BEP: Kinesiology - BS, Exercise Science Track, Basic Exercise Physiology Concentration
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.124
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
BS-KINE-DSC: Kinesiology - BS, Dance Science Track
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.125
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
BS-KINE-EST: Kinesiology - BS, Exercise and Sport Science Track
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.126
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
BS-KINE-MTB: Kinesiology - BS, Exercise Science Track, Motor Behavior Concentration
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.127
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
BS-KINE-PEK: Kinesiology - BS, All-Level Physical Education Teacher Certification Track
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.128
     College of Science
Department of Biology
            BS-MBIO: Microbiology - BS
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.129
     College of Education & Human Development
Department of Health & Kinesiology
BS-USEH-DAN*: University Studies - BS, Dance Concentration
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.130
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
CERT-CU42: Parks and Conservation - Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.131
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Entomology
           CERT-CU46: Public Health Entomology - Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.132
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
CERT-CU56: Hospitality Management - Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.133
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
CERT-CU57: Tourism Management - Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.134
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
CERT-CU60: Youth Development - Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.135
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
CERT-CU9: Community Recreation and Park Administration - Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.136
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Soil & Crop Sciences
MINOR-AGRO: Agronomy - Minor
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.137
     College of Engineering
        Department of Engineering
MINOR-ENPM: Engineering Project Management - Minor
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.138
     College of Science
Department of Mathematics
            MINOR-MATH: Mathematics - Minor
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.139
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
MINOR-RPTS: Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences - Minor
 
Change in Programs – Passed – FS.37.140
     College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
        Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
MINOR-TMGT: Tourism Management - Minor
 
Change in Programs – Galveston – Passed – FS.37.141
     College – Galveston Campus
Department of Marine Science
            BS-CESS: Coastal Environmental Science and Society - BS
 
Change in Programs – Galveston – Passed – FS.37.142
     College – Galveston Campus
Department of Marine Engineering Technology
            BS-MARR: Marine Engineering Technology - BS
 
Change in Programs – Galveston – Passed – FS.37.143
     College – Galveston Campus
Department of Marine Engineering Technology
            BS-MARR-LIO: Marine Engineering Technology - BS, License Option
 
Change in Programs – Galveston – Passed – FS.37.144
     College – Galveston Campus
Department of Maritime Transportation
            BS-MART: Marine Transportation - BS
 
Change in Programs – Galveston – Passed – FS.37.145
     College – Galveston Campus
Department of Maritime Business Administration
            BS-MBAU: Maritime Business Administration - BS
 
Change in Programs – Galveston – Passed – FS.37.146
     College – Galveston Campus
Department of Marine Science
            MINOR-CESS: Coastal Environmental Science and Society - Minor
 
Special Consideration Item – Passed – FS.37.147
     College of Education & Human Development
        Department of Health & Kinesiology
            BS-SPMT: Sport Management
 
Special Consideration Item – Passed – FS.37.148
     Associate Provost for UG Studies
Department of AP-Undergrad Studies
           MINOR-LEAD: Leadership - Minor
 
 
W&C COURSES  
Courses Submitted for W Certification – Passed – FS.37.149
ANSC 414-W: Sheep and Goat Production and Management
CHEM 234-W: Organic Synthesis and Analysis
COMM 460-W: Communication and Contemporary Issues
COSC 494-W: Internship
EVEN 201-W: Introduction to the Environmental Engineering Profession
FILM 469-W: Cult Cinema
INTS 401-W: Urbanism and Modernism
NFSC 313-W: Food Chemistry Laboratory
SCSC 429-W: Turf Management Systems
SOCI 230-W: Classical Sociological Theory
URPN 409-W: Urban Design Studio
 
Courses Submitted for W Certification—Galveston – Passed – FS.37.150
MART 215-W: Seamanship II
 
______________________________End of Consent Agenda____________________________________
 
 
COMMITTEE REPORTS
CORE CURRICULUM COUNCIL COURSE REPORT – Passed – FS.37.151
 
New Courses Submitted for Foundational Component Area: Creative Arts
PERF 223-GE: Aesthetics of Activism
 
New Courses Submitted for Foundational Component Area: Language, Philosophy & Culture - Galveston
MAST 270-GE: Historic Seafaring and Maritime Heritage
 
New Courses Submitted for Foundational Component Area: Social & Behavioral Sciences
AGEC 235-GE: Foundations of Money Education
KINE 282-GE: Culture of Wellness
 
New Courses – International and Cultural Diversity 
HIST 301-ICD: Blacks in the United States Since 1877
HIST 336-ICD: Europe Since 1919