Sen. Vogel raised a question re a student who is not graduating but is on the list of candidates. The Dean of Faculties suggested contacting the Registrar.

AERO 619

Attachment F

Attachment K

Discussion: 
Sen. Matthewson was concerned that the second degree is an MS, which implies a thesis.

Sen. Price stated that there are precedents for offering non-thesis MS.

Attachment L

Attachment M

Attachment N

Discussion:
Sen. Ruoff expressed concern about the change in 1.16.2. re add/drop period for classes. 

Sen. Walker cited a memo stating that a change in the state law necessitated the revision to allow students more time to decide if they want to remain in a particular class. He then raised a concern about “add days” because classes may be unnecessarily cancelled because of insufficient enrollment.  

Sen. Ruoff proposed an amendment to rule 1.16.2.   Second: Matthewson.

“Remove [the] change to drop class without record to 12th class day [from 5th class day].

Discussion of Sen. Ruoff’s amendment:
Sen. Stewart asked that the Speaker to recognize Kristen Harper [Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs] so she could speak to the issue: Dean Harper explained that only TAMU counts 12th-day drops; the new rule will conform to state practices. Re “add days” issue is being addressed. 

Sen. Price believed that a change in drop/add time table will diminish the amount of subject material that can be taught in first week and perhaps beyond the first week if the add date is extended. She also suggested that they have a different drop day that is limited so that a student can have after the 5th day and up to the 12th day to drop a course without labeling it a “Q-drop.”

Sen. Bednarz suggested that additional drop days would not be as deleterious to students as “add days” because students will have missed too many classes if they enroll beyond the 5th day. He also argued that later add dates could hurt students who wanted to enroll in the class but could not because it was “full.”

Sen. Stewart recommended that the 1.16.2 rule be dropped from the agenda and be sent back to the committee.

Sen. Price stated there was an amendment to the rule they needed to address.

The Speaker, advised by Parliamentarian Stadelmann, ruled that the amendment must be considered because it had been moved, seconded, and debate had occurred; it could not be withdrawn at that time.

Sen. Matthewson asserted his support for the amendment.

The amendment to 1.16.2 was passed.

NOT PASSED
Attachment O

Discussion:
Sen. Daugherity offered an editorial correction: delete “last” from the sentence.

The Speaker explained why the Executive Committee removed this rule from attachment N for specific consideration. He said that there are concerns re students with legitimate reasons (e.g. extraordinary illness)  taking a final as much as a year after the scheduled exams 

Sen. Price argued that changes are not always easy to make after 50th day.

Sen. Stewart supported those circumstances when one needs an entire semester; cited circumstance.

Sen. Matthewson favored the change because it allows exemptions under special circumstances.

Sen. Vogel spoke against change because he felt it had the potential to exploit students financially.

Sen. Mackenzie asked that Dean Kristen Harper be recognized.  Dean Harper read the passage from the justification memorandum re COMPASS.

Sen. Price believed that the change is proposed for the convenience of the computer system rather than for valid academic reasons.

Sen. Walker suggested using the grade change procedure to change ‘F’ back to an Incomplete; when the exam(s) has been completed the Incomplete can be changed to the appropriate grade.

Rule 10.5 was not passed.

Dean of Faculties Karan Watson urged the Faculty to participate in dialogue re shared governance. Recently Sen. Cepeda-Benito convened a meeting to assess the state of shared governance. The DOF asked the Senate to convey ideas re shared governance to her office for a proposed spring round table.

New Business

Sen. Cepeda-Benito spoke re President Bush’s visit and speech at graduation on Friday, December 12.The Senate has access to VIP seating for the event, and those who want tickets should contact the DOF office ASAP. 

Sen. Daugherity asked whether A&M is considering an honorary degree for President Bush.

Sen. Price, Chair of the Honorary Degrees Committee, responded that there have been no requests  for honorary degrees.

Committee of the Whole

Speaker Elect Bednarz presided over the Committee of the Whole:

· Sen. Matthewson expressed concerns about the placement of “barricades” (specifically trash dumpsters) set out by physical plant; he considers these a dangerous   situation for pedestrians and bicyclists.

· Sen. Bednarz asked Senators to report similar dangerous situations.

· Sen. Grant expressed concerns re “redefined days” because many students are apparently confused about such days.  Furthermore, some faculty are not honoring   the redefined days, which sets up possible conflicts of class times for students. Review sessions often conflict with class meeting times on redefined days.

· Speaker Magill relayed complaints from students who claim they were given a major assignment on the last class day; the assignments were due on day of the   scheduled final exam.

· Sen. Walker noted that the official schedule establishes Nov. 24 as last day to give non-final exam.

· Sen. Daugherity read from Rules and Regulations re the definition of a redefined day.

· Sen. Price noted that the Transportation Services Committee is forming a sub-committee to investigate problems with those who drive delivery trucks on   sidewalks and non-roadways.

· Sen. Stewart also expressed a concern about motorcycles being driven on non-roadways.

· DOF Watson stated that final exams may be given only at scheduled exam times. She also noted that Faculty are not required to give a final exam.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 4:20pm.