Faculty Senate Meeting

Minutes

October 10, 2016

3:15pm

Rudder 601

http://facultysenate.tamu.edu
 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Speaker Bierman at 3:15pm. 
 
Speaker Bierman installed any new Senators who were not sworn in during the September meeting. 
 
 

Guest Speakers

Scott Woodward, Athletic Director addressed the group.  Athletics is a part of the University.  Formerly, he has worked at LSU and at WSU with Dr. Young.  The goals are to graduate athletes, ensure they have a quality collegiate experience, and win championships with integrity.  He has been here since February.  There are approximately 200 employees in athletics.  There are 613 athletes in 54 majors across the university.  314 have a GPA over 3.0 (57%); 140 have a GPA over 3.5; the average GPA is 2.96; 283 were on academic honor roll; 78% graduate; 35 football athletes have a 3.0 or better.  We won 16 total titles and were 12^th overall in the country.  The teams have developed strong partnerships in the community and do service projects.  There is a group called Aggies R More that focuses on diversity, inclusiveness, and teambuilding.  
There was a question about the chalk talk issue that received national attention over the summer.  He stated that we will continue to educate and we have to do better.
Jeff Guinn, Athletics Academic Coordinator/Associate Athletic Director also addressed the group.  From the academic side, they are working to develop professional skills in athletes as well as academics.  Helping athletes transition into and out of school is critical.
Faculty are invited to attend the Men’s Basketball game on December 10 at 7 p.m. for free.  More details will come out later.                                                                                                                                              
 

Speaker Comments

Speaker Bierman thanked Scott Woodward and Jeff Guinn for coming to speak to us.
Speaker Bierman gave a brief constitution changes update—these changes are still in progress.
Next month we expect to address the anti-racism and ICD changes.
At the end of this meeting, there will be time to address the Post Tenure Review changes and process with Provost Karen Watson available to answer questions.
 

Approval of September 12, 2016 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

The September 12, 2016 minutes were approved as presented.

Consent Agenda 

GRADUATE COUNCIL – GC REPORT
September 1, 2016
New Course Requests 
MARS 656            Coastal Water Policy
Attachment B
FS.34.65
Motion Passed

Course Change Requests 
ANTH 680            Teaching Anthropology
CVEN 604             Engineering Analysis of Treatment Systems
ECEN 762                             Ultrasound Imaging Techniques
Attachment C
FS.34.66
Motion Passed
 
Curriculum Change Request 
Maritime Administration
                                MMAL: B.S. in Maritime Administration and Masters in Maritime Administration and Logistics
                                                Non-thesis Option
Attachment D
FS.34.67
Motion Passed
 
Curriculum Change Request
Maritime Administration
                                MMAL: B.S. in Maritime Administration and Masters in Maritime Administration and Logistics
                                                Thesis Option
Attachment E
FS.34.68
Motion Passed
 
Special Consideration Item 
                College of Dentistry
                                Request name change of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Certificate
Attachment F
FS.34.69
Motion Passed
 
Special Consideration Item 
                College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
                                Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education, and Communication
                                                Certificate in Extension Education
Attachment G
FS.34.70
Motion Passed
 
 Special Consideration Item 
                College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
                                Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education, and Communication
                                                Certificate in Advanced Pedagogy in Agriculture
Attachment H
FS.34.71
Motion Passed
 
Special Consideration Item 
                College of Engineering
                                Masters of Engineering in Systems Engineering
                                                Distance Education Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering
Attachment I
FS.34.72
Motion Passed
 
Special Consideration Item 
                College of Business Administration
                                Proposal for Change in Course Prefix Designation
Attachment J
FS.34.73
Motion Passed
 
Special Consideration Item 
                College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
                                Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences
                                                Request to change RPTS Existing Degree Program CIP Code
Attachment K
FS.34.74
Motion Passed
 
Special Consideration Item 
                College of Engineering
                                Request for a Waiver for GRE scores for Texas A&M Degree Holders in Engineering
Attachment L
Motion Tabled
 
Special Consideration Item 
                College of Engineering
                                Select Masters in Engineering
                                                Request to Waive Final Exam Requirement for select Masters of Engineering Programs
Attachment M
FS.34.75
Motion Passed
 
Special Consideration Item 
                College of Engineering
                                Master of Computer Science
                                                Request approval to allow students to be exempt from the final exam
Attachment N
FS.34.76
Motion Passed
 
UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE – UCC REPORT 
New Courses—September 2, 2016 
MGMT 376        Entrepreneurial Perspectives       (cross-listed with SOCI 376)
SOCI 376             Entrepreneurial Perspectives       (cross-listed with MGMT 376)
Attachment O
FS.34.77
Motion Passed

Change in Courses
ANSC 325           Advanced Livestock and Product Evaluation
MGMT 477        Entrepreneurship: The Lean Startup
PSYC 411            Psychology of Self
Attachment P
FS.34.78
Motion Passed

Change in Curriculum 
          College of Liberal Arts
                  Women and Gender Studies Program
                              BA in Women’s and Gender Studies
Attachment Q
FS.34.79
Motion Passed
 
Change in Curriculum 
          College of Liberal Arts
                  Department of Anthropology
                              BA in Anthropology
Attachment R
FS.34.80
Motion Passed
 
Change in Curriculum
College of Liberal Arts
                        Department of Anthropology
                                    BA in Anthropology, Archaeology Track
Attachment S
FS.34.81
Motion Passed
 
Change in Curriculum 
          College of Liberal Arts
                  Department of English
                              BA in English
Attachment T
FS.34.82
Motion Passed
 
 Change in Curriculum 
          College of Liberal Arts
                  Department of English
                              BA in English, Middle School Concentration
Attachment U
FS.34.83
Motion Passed
 
Change in Curriculum 
          Mays Business School
                    Department of Management
                              BBA in Management
                                        Consulting/General Management Track
                                        Entrepreneurial Leadership Track
                                        Human Resource Management Track
                                        Non-Profit Management Track
                                        Pre-Law Track
Attachment V
FS.34.84
Motion Passed
          
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Change in Courses 
MART 422/315       Seamanship III               
MART 498                Maritime Medical Care
Attachment W
FS.34.85
Motion Passed
 
Special Consideration Item 
          College of Liberal Arts
                  University Studies Degree
                        Area of Concentration- Liberal Arts
                              Request for new degree program
Attachment X
FS.34.86
Motion Passed
 
 
W-COURSES – September 13, 2016 
Courses submitted for C certification
GEOL 460           Geology Senior Project
 
Courses submitted for W recertification
AGEC 217           Fundamentals of Agricultural Economics Analysis
INTS 481             Senior Seminar in International Studies
MARB 482          Seminar
MKTG 448          Marketing Strategy
PHIL 307             Philosophy of Social Science
THAR 381           Theatre History and Dramatic Literature I
THAR 382           Theatre History and Dramatic Literature II
VIBS 311             Biomedical Explorations through Narrative
Courses submitted for C recertification
CHEM 481          Seminar
Attachment Y
FS.34.87
Motion Passed
 
__________________________________End of Consent Agenda____________________________________
 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Budget Information Committee Year-End Report 2015-2016
Attachment Z
FS.34.88
Motion Passed
 
Core Curriculum Committee Report—September 5, 2015
        Courses Submitted for Recertification
        ENGL 104 Qatar        Composition and Rhetoric
        ARCH 249                                     Survey of World Architectural History
        ENGL 219                                     Literature and Other Arts
        FILM/FREN 425          French Film
        HORT 203                                     Floral Design
        MUSC 221                                    Guitar Heroes
        THAR 101                                     Introduction to Western Theatre and Drama
        POLS 207                                      State and Local Government
        ANTH 204                                    Peoples and Cultures of the Ancient World
        ENGL 228                                     American Literature: Civil War to Present
        ENGL 365/
        RELS 360                                       Bible as Literature
        ITAL 201                                       Intermediate Italian I
        ITAL 202                                       Intermediate Italian II
        LAND 240                                     History of Landscape Architecture
        MUSC 201                                    Music and the Human Experience
        PHIL 111                                       Contemporary Moral Issues
        BESC 201                                      Introduction to Bioenvironmental Sciences
        BESC 204                                      Mold and Mushrooms
        KINE 223                                       Introduction to the Science of Health and Fitness
        SCSC 105                                      World Food and Fiber Crops
        MATH 141                   Finite Mathematics
        MATH 167                   For All Practical Purposes
        ARCH 212                                     Social and Behavioral Factors in Design
        ARCH 458                                     Cultural & Ethical Considerations for Global Practice
Attachment AA
FS.34.89
Motion Passed
 

Informational Review Items

Unfinished Business

There was discussion on Attachment L—Request to Waive the GRE Scores of TAMU graduates applying for graduate admission in the College of Engineering.  The explanation was that there were recruitment issues and that not requiring the GRE for TAMU graduates would help recruitment of students who are graduating from our programs.  There was concern expressed by members of faculty senate in the College of Engineering that there had not been previous discussion at the college and departmental level.  The item was tabled by a unanimous vote.

Old Business      

New Business

Posthumous Degree Candidate
Attachment BB
FS.34.90
Motion Passed Unanimously
 

For Review/Discussion

Proposed 2017-2018 Academic Calendar and Projected 2018-2019 Academic Calendar
Attachment CC
Motion Reviewed
 

Information Only (not to be voted upon)

Post-Tenure Review—pending receipt of final document
It was reiterated by Provost Watson that this is an administrative process that has been in place since 1997.  The issue is how to help people when there is a problem and it is woven with the annual review process.
She reminded us that a faculty committee came up with the changes to the current document.  There were 4 open forums held in the spring and 2 more this fall.  The changes were meant to formalize dimensions of the documentation so that no one would go to zero in teaching, research, or service.  Further, it sought to clarify unsatisfactory/needs improvement and clarify the peer review/comprehensive review committee; and lastly create an official appeal for the remediation plan.
The definition of tenure and responsibilities of tenure was touched upon by Provost Watson.
 
Provost Watson spoke of changes such as that faculty members must not go to zero on any of the three dimensions unless there was a specific assignment to compensate. Documentation of such would be key from department head. The second change by the committee was that if one area was deemed “unsatisfactory”; a grade overall of “unsatisfactory” would be given.
 
She also stated that the guidelines had to be clear and communication would be key in determining an “Unsatisfactory” from a “Needs Improvement”, for example.

 Geoffrey Booth from the University Grievance Committee shared that this should be a positive exercise that protects tenure, but the current document is scary for faculty.
The Provost responded that departments should be working at the departmental level to develop guidelines with approval of the dean of faculties that incorporates the SAP for PTR.
Richard Carlson from the College of Geosciences stated that departmental guidelines should be jointly determined by the department head and the faculty.
The Provost responded that many departments don’t have PTR guidelines, but they need to have them.  Faculty should be more involved to ensure departmental guidelines are reviewed often and they should include the expectations for faculty.
The Provost comically referred to department heads as Evil, Spineless, Clueless, or Good.
Blanca Lupiani the Associate Dean of Faculties clarified that the post-tenure review guidelines and processes are accessible online at the Dean of Faculties website.
 
 The Provost touched on the fact the the guidelines have changed in the past ten years and faculty need to be informed and have access to up to date guidelines produced by the faculty member’s respective departments. Expectations for faculty should be clear from the department.
 Angie Hill Price stated that we still have not seen the final PTR SAP and who gets to decide?
The Provost stated that this was an administrative process.  The burden of proof is on the university to revoke tenure.
Many faculty senators were concerned about the clarity of the document, the lack of a final document, and the lack of a vote needed to approve the final document.
The definition of tenure and responsibilities of tenure was touched upon by Provost Watson.
 
Provost Watson spoke of changes such as that faculty members must not go to zero on any of the three dimensions unless there was a specific assignment to compensate. Documentation of such would be key from department head. The second change by the committee was that if one area was deemed “unsatisfactory”; a grade overall of “unsatisfactory” would be given.
 
She also stated that the guidelines had to be clear and communication would be key in determining an “Unsatisfactory” from a “Needs Improvement”, for example.
 
Daniel Jimenez, College of Engineering, questioned why faculty disagreed with the idea that one “unsatisfactory” rating in one of the three categories would lead to an overall “unsatisfactory” rating.
 
Raymundo Arroyave, College of Engineering, stated that faculty need to continue to earn the privilege of tenure; tenure is not a free, blank check. Cooperation is needed in order for the PTR SAP to be updated as the document, as well as the process itself, is not currently clear or precise.
 
Speaker Bierman stated that the Senate does not have the power to vote on the PTR SAP, however the executive committee members did seek to endorse the document if a vote was not allowable.
 
Bob Strawser from Mays Business School stated that the three dimensional set up of the PTR SAP is not the best set-up. He states there is inconsistency between Colleges and departments within the University itself.
 
Speaker Bierman stated that he takes full responsibility for the additional forums; there may have been miscommunication and/or poor attendance by faculty, however there has been ample input.
 
Benjamin Wilhite, College of Engineering, would like to see additional involvement of the Senate in the PTR SAP. He would also like to see faculty members have consistent, positive tenure reviews in order to continue being a part of their respective departments, rather than judged on prior accomplishments, for example, ten years prior.
 
Provost Watson stated that the faculty role in the PTR SAP is not over and that future engagement is welcome for recommendations for future versions of the PTR SAP and the PTR SAP is a continuing work in progress.
 
It is unknown when the final version of the PTR SAP will be posted and available.
 
Mark Sicilio, College of Medicine, states that the PTR SAP has the potential to be a “win-win” for administration and faculty. He amongst others were under the impression that the Faculty Senate would vote on the PTR SAP and that continued improvement is possible.
 

Committee of the Whole

Speaker Bierman called upon Speaker-Elect Price to take the Senate into the Committee of the Whole.
 
Jon Jasperson, Mays Business School, responded stating that the Senate should consider some type of action in regards to the recent events involving students leaders in the Student Senate and the text messages that were sent that were not representative of our student body.
 
Speaker-Elect Price returned the meeting to Speaker Bierman.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 5:15pm.
 
click here to for a PRINTABLE version of the agenda