September 14, 2015
Printable Minutes
Faculty Senate Meeting
Minutes
September 14, 2015
601 Rudder Tower
http://facultysenate.tamu.edu
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Speaker Strawser at 3:18.
Guest Speaker
Michael Young, President, Texas A&M University
Speaker Comments
Approval of August 10, 2015 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
The minutes of the August meeting were approved as submitted.
Consent Agenda
GRADUATE COUNCIL – GC REPORT
August 6, 2015
New Course Request
MSEN 605 Field Theories in Materials Science
MSEN 617 Crystallography and Crystal Structure Determination
NUEN 608 Fast Spectrum Systems and Applications
OCNG 661 Advanced Oceanographic Data Analysis and Communication
SCSC 640 Intellectual Property in Plant Sciences
SPED 636 Meta-Analysis in Single-case Research
Attachment B
FS.33.47
Motion Passed
Change Course Request
EDAD 605 The Secondary School Principalship
ESSM 636 Range and Forest Watershed Management
HORT 605 Internet Applications for Horticulture
OCNG 657 Data Methods and Graphical Representation in Oceanography
VIBS 670 Basic Environmental Toxicology
Attachment C
FS.33.48
Motion Passed
Curriculum Change Request
MS in Maritime Administration and Logistics (3-2) Program
Attachment D
FS.33.49
Motion Passed
Special Consideration Item
Master of Science in Public Health
Closure of Low Producing Programs
Attachment E
FS.33.50
Motion Passed
Special Consideration Item
Master of Science in Management
Proposed Change in CIP Code
Attachment F
FS.33.51
Motion Passed
UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE – UCC REPORT
New Courses – August 7, 2015
CVEN 450 AutoCAD in Civil Engineering
ECEN 467 Harnessing Solar Energy: Optics, Photovoltaics and Thermal Systems
ESSM 310 Forest Tree Improvement and Regeneration
ESSM 404 Changing Natural Resource Policy
GEOL 102 Principles of Geology Laboratory
MSEN 222 Material Science
Attachment G
FS.33.52
Motion Passed
Change in Courses
AGEC 424 Rural Entrepreneurship I
AGEC 425 Rural Entrepreneurship II
ECEN 424 Fundamentals of Networking
GEOL 101 Principles of Geology
MSEN 310 Structure of Materials
MSEN 410 Materials Processing
MSEN 420 Polymer Science
MSEN 460 Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Properties of Materials
PETE 335 Technical Presentations I
PETE 355 Drilling Engineering
PETE 435 Technical Presentations II
PHLT 301 Orientation to Public Health
RPTS 474 Management of Programs and Services for Youth
WFSC 406 Conservation Biology and Wildlife Habitat Management
Attachment H
FS.33.53
Motion Passed
Change in Curriculum
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
BS in Ecological Restoration
Attachment I
FS.33.54
Motion Passed
Change in Curriculum
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
BS in Rangeland Ecology and Management – Ranch Management Option
Attachment J
FS.33.55
Motion Passed
Change in Curriculum
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
BS in Rangeland Ecology and Management – Rangeland Resources Option
Attachment K
FS.33.56
Motion Passed
Change in Curriculum
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Ecosystem Science and Management
Minor in Rangeland Ecology and Management
Attachment L
FS.33.57
Motion Passed
Change in Curriculum
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
BS in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences and
Youth Development Certificate
Attachment M
FS.33.58
Motion Passed
Change in Curriculum
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
Tourism and Hospitality Management Certificate
Attachment N
FS.33.59
Motion Passed
Change in Curriculum
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Attachment O
FS.33.60
Motion Passed
Change in Curriculum
Dwight Look College of Engineering
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Minor in Materials Science and Engineering
Attachment P
FS.33.61
Motion Passed
TAMU Galveston
New Course
MART 205 Marine Surveying
Attachment Q
FS.33.62
Motion Passed
TAMU Galveston
Change in Curriculum
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Department of Maritime Administration
BS in Maritime Administration
Attachment R
FS.33.63
Motion Passed
TAMU Galveston
Change in Curriculum
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Department of Maritime Administration
BS in Maritime Administration and Master in Maritime
Administration and Logistics (3+2)
Attachment S
FS.33.64
Motion Passed
TAMU Galveston
Change in Curriculum
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Department of Maritime Administration
Minor in Maritime Administration
Attachment T
FS.33.65
Motion Passed
Special Consideration Item
Mays Business School
BBA in Business Administration
Request for a new degree program
Attachment U
FS.33.66
Motion Passed
Special Consideration Item
Dwight Look College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Minor in Analysis, Design and Management of Energy Conversion Systems
Request for a new minor
Attachment V
FS.33.67
Motion Passed
Special Consideration Item
Dwight Look College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Minor in Control of Mechanical Systems
Request for a new minor
Attachment W
FS.33.68
Motion Passed
Special Consideration Item
Dwight Look College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Minor in Design and Simulation of Mechanical Systems
Request for a new minor
Attachment X
FS.33.69
Motion Passed
W-COURSES - Report August 5, 2015
Courses submitted for W recertification
ANSC 491 Research
ANTH 423 Bioarcheology
ECON 426 Economics of Antitrust and Regulation
Attachment Y
FS.33.70
Motion Passed
__________________________________End of Consent Agenda____________________________________
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Informational Review Items
Unfinished Business
Old Business
New Business
Proposed Revisions to Student Rule 48
Attachment Z
FS.33.71
Motion Passed
Proposed Revisions to Student Rule 49
Attachment AA
Motion Tabled for October Meeting
Proposed Revisions to Student Rule 50
Attachment BB
Motion Tabled for October Meeting
Proposed Revisions to Student Rule 53
Attachment CC
Motion Tabled for October Meeting
Proposed Revisions to Student Rule 57
Attachment DD
Motion Tabled for October Meeting
Proposed Revisions to Student Rule 59
Attachment EE
Motion Tabled for October Meeting
Information Only
Approval of Faculty Senate Constitution
Associate Provost Benedik commented on the changes proposed for the Constitution. He noted that the new verbiage should reflect that the appointments to the Health Science Center faculty now are approved by the Provost, so reference to a separate approval for those faculty by the head of the HSC should be stricken from the rule.
Senator Jasperson asked why the committee of Committees was being removed. Speaker Strawser responded that it had not been active in that function in years. Senator Magill commented that the Speaker normally asks for candidates for committees from the membership of the Senate or from the faculty. Senator Rice recommended that the Bylaws reflect the actual processes of the Senate as they are now. Senator Carlson suggested that the Senate should specify how recommendations are made in writing in the Constitution or Bylaws as appropriate, and not just eliminate the Committee on Committees. Senator Jepson spoke in support of Senator Carlson. It was noted that the Constitution changes must be approved by the faculty at large, after being approved by the Senate.
Committee of the Whole
Senator Rodgers spoke with respect to the proposed changes in the Student Rules. He was concerned that sections of the rule 48 contradicted with rule 57, and that these should be rewritten to be consistent.
Senator Clark raised concerns about bicycle traffic on campus and related safety concerns. Secretary Price stated that a study on bicycle safety is near completion, and recommendations to improve conditions are included in the report.
The student rule 8.1 has some issues regarding the final exams, and when exams are permitted. It was requested that the Academic Affairs committee review this.
Senator Akabani spoke about his concerns regarding increased traffic on University Drive and the resulting hazards, and hoped that the University is considering these concerns as well.
Senator Akabani informed the Senate that three Academic Track Professional faculty were given termination notices. He said that there was no rationale as the demand for the courses they teach is still there, and recommended that the Senate investigate.
Senator Hill reviewed the report from the Task Force on 4 year graduation rates. He pointed out that admission selectivity based on SAT scores is directly correlated to 4 year graduation rates, but also noted that this was not necessarily causation. He observed that as the University is growing, in order to sustain graduation rates, the University must ensure selectivity in admissions as the entering class size increases.
Senator Hill also expressed concern about the construction on West Campus and the apparent abuse of the trees during the construction process. He inquired as to who was responsible for the health of the trees on campus, and couldn’t determine who was in charge. Provost Watson noted that the CBE is concerned about the green space on campus, and has defined a subcommittee on utilization and planning.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 4:58 PM.