Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

October 8, 2018

3:15pm

Rudder 601

http://facultysenate.tamu.edu

 

CALL TO ORDER

Speaker Harlin called the meeting to order at 3:15pm.
 

INSTALLATION OF NEW SENATORS

New Senators were sworn in and welcomed to the Faculty Senate.
 

GUEST SPEAKER

Guest speaker Charles W. Schwartz, Chairman, Board of Regents, was introduced by Speaker Harlin.
 
Charles W. Schwartz, Chairman, Board of Regents
Chairman Schwartz has been on the board for five years with eight months remaining.  He determined faculty wanted to hear about the University’s finances.

• Tuition is a large part of the budget.  Chairman Schwartz gave comparisons between Texas A&M University and our peer state institutions in U.S., concluding our tuition is on the low end.  At an enrollment of 68,000 we are the largest and fastest growing institution of these.  The tuition increases are tied to the inflation rate.
• The second major component of the budget is State financial aid.  The percentage of aid is between 15%-20%, however, the more research we do, the lower the percentage.  Adjusted for research and operating expenses, the state support of the cost of instruction is 38% to 40%.  Chairman Schwartz believes those numbers will continue to grow as the population of the State of Texas continues to grow.  
• Chairman Schwartz believes the Permanent University Fund (PUF) is greatly misunderstood; he explained what constitutes the fund.  
  1. The University of Texas has two-thirds of the PUF benefits and TAMU has one-third of the benefits.  
  2. TAMU System’s budget is about $5 billion, with about $350 million of that coming from the PUF.  
  3. The lands portion of the PUF includes 2.1 million acres in West Texas used for grazing to create income, hunting leases, solar power, possible water rights, oil wells producing royalty income, all of which goes into the PUF, governed by UTIMCO – the investment management company for UT and TAMU.  
  4. From the approximately $300 million disbursed to us with about a 300% leverage, we sell $900 million worth of bonds, with an AAA rating.  
  5. Last year Chairman Schwartz lobbied against a State bill attempting to redistribute the PUF amongst all of the State Universities.
• The State Legislature meets this year and the BOR will fight to maintain formula funding.  They will also fight to maintain the Special Items in the budget, as losing these would be devastating to our regional Universities.
• Tuition Revenue Bond (TRB) – Two years ago the State of Texas used their AAA bond rating to sell bonds on our behalf and gave us $800 million.  
• The Hazlewood Exemption provides benefits and tuition waivers for veterans and their families, amounting to a subsidy from the University of $200 per student per semester.  This is an obligation of the State of Texas and Chairman Schwartz believes the State needs to pay for the Exemption, not the individual universities.

 
Chairman Schwartz then opened the floor for questions.
 
Jorge Alvarado, College of Engineering
Referring to population growth, Senator Alvarado asked Chairman Schwartz which he thought was the best option: growing the central campus or the smaller regional campuses?  Chairman Schwartz replied that in spite of the strategic plan to limit growth, in its first year of implementation the University still grew 3%.  In College Station we would like to grow the Rellis campus: in eight to ten years there will be 15,000 students at Rellis.  In this opening semester the BOR expected 400 students but it has been closer to 1500.  Over time, the majority of our enrollment growth will be in our regional campuses.
 
Adam Kolasinski, Mays Business School
Senator Kolasinski asked if Chairman Schwartz could explain the logic behind faculty not being allowed to have an advisory vote in the revised Dean & Department Head rules, as he didn’t see any conflict between the rules.
 
Chairman Schwartz replied he did not think the Board did anything to prohibit an advisory vote.
 
Angie Hill Price, College of Engineering
Senator Hill Price expressed faculty concern that the Rellis campus will draw funds from the main campus.  Chairman Schwartz asserted the desire to maintain the excellence of this University, while reminding the Senate that we are a System of 165,000 students, not just a University of 69,000 students, with an obligation to the entire State of Texas.  The intent is to draw students to the System that would otherwise go to other State universities.  He thinks it will be the model that the Legislature wants us to implement, improving graduation rates at regional universities.
 
Senator Hill Price stated, as the Chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee, that if there is anything that the Committee can do to support the Board of Regents with the Legislature, to please let them know.
 
Speaker Harlin thanked Chairman Schwartz for taking the time to address the Senate, and for inviting the Executive Committee to watch a football game from the Regents’ box. 
 

SPEAKER COMMENTS

Speaker Harlin acknowledged the recent loss of several faculty members, some of who were Faculty Senators at some point in their career, including John McDermott who was the founder of the TAMU Faculty Senate.  Angie Hill Price, as recent former Speaker and convener of the Order of the Broken Gavel of all former speakers, put together a tribute from the Senate to Dr. McDermott.  Speaker Harlin proceeded to read the tribute, followed by a moment of silence to recognize Dr. McDermott and the other faculty recently lost at our institution (the text of the tribute can be found below the Consent Agenda).
 
Speaker Harlin then provided an update on the issues being addressed by the Executive Committee as well as updates on joining committee meetings remotely.

• Joint Resolution with UT-Austin on the Higher Education Coordinating Board implementation of the Fields of Study Requirement.  This will be addressed later in the Agenda.
• Dean of Faculty Dr. John August recently announced his retirement in February; the Senate applauded his service to the institution.  We provided names to the Search Committee and two Senators were selected to serve: Speaker Harlin and Former Speaker/Current Senator Jim Woosley.  Senators were encouraged to reach out with concerns or recommendations.
• Speaker Harlin is also serving on the Title IX Sanctions Committee for faculty and staff.  The committee has an aggressive timeline.
• A group has been constituted from EC members and Caucus Leaders to look at the EnMed program, which will be on our November Agenda.  There has been a conference call and will be a meeting tomorrow to learn more about the program to get questions answered and concerns addressed prior to it showing up on the Agenda.
• At the September meeting, the Entrepreneurship Minor was tabled, and an ad hoc group has been convened led by Ann Kenimer, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies, with members from the EC and faculty members who have been developing the program.  That will be on our Agenda soon.
• There have been issues with technology for those Senators joining our committees remotely via WebEx, in spite of having IT in the room multiple times.  We are committed to having all of our Senators participate, and as a back-up plan have set up a conference call number for those meetings.
• Thank you again to Senators who were able to attend the Chancellor’s Viewing Party for the game against Alabama.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES 

The motion passed to approve the September 10, 2018 minutes as distributed.
 

CONSENT AGENDA

The motion passed to approve the consent agenda as presented.  (Consent Agenda is found below Adjournment.)
 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Proposed Revisions to Dean and Department Head Rules – Attachment HH
Speaker Harlin briefly recapped the background on these revisions:

• The System rule change meant the University rule change was in conflict
• The primary change was that any vote taken on Deans and Department Heads is non-binding and is now advisory
• As the Rules come from the Provost’s office and were not drafted by the Senate, we would be voting on them as presented.

 
Following the motion for approval, a robust discussion ensued.  The following Senators participated in the discussion: Adam Kolasinski, Mays Business School; Jorge Alvarado, College of Engineering; Ben Wilhite, College of Engineering; Lou Tassinary, College of Architecture; Joan Wolf, College of Liberal Arts; Angie Hill Price, College of Engineering; Bob Strawser, Mays Business School; Claire Katz, College of Liberal Arts; Jorge Alvarado, College of Engineering; Speaker-Elect Andrew Klein, College of Science; Eric Rowell, College of Science; as well as Michael Benedik, Vice Provost and Chief International Officer.
 
The motion to call the question on Attachment HH, requiring two-thirds vote of those present, failed to pass.
 
The motion passed to table Attachment HH.
 
Draft of Proposed 2019-2020 University Academic Calendar and Abbreviated Projection of the 2020-2021 University Academic Calendar – Attachment LL – Passed – FS.36.142
 
The motion was passed to approve Attachment LL as presented.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) Report – Attachment II – Passed – FS.36.139
Paul Batista, Faculty Athletics Representative, Associate Professor of Sport Management
 
The motion was passed to approve Attachment II as presented.  (Approved FAR Report can be found below Consent Agenda.)
 
Core Curriculum Council
The Core Curriculum Council courses (Attachments JJ and KK) were approved as presented.  (Approved Core Curriculum Council courses can be found below Consent Agenda.)
 
No further committees reported.
 

NEW BUSINESS

EC Resolution on Fields of Study (FOS) – Attachment MM – Passed – FS.36.143
 
The motion was passed to approve Attachment MM as presented.
 
Proposed Revisions to Student Rules – Attachment NN – Passed – FS.36.144
Rule 28          Student Conduct Files and Reports
 
The motion was passed to approve Attachment NN as presented.
 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Speaker-Elect Klein had two announcements:

• February 5 is Orange & Maroon Day in Austin and we will be looking for Faculty Senate participation
• The Joint Meeting between our Faculty Senate and UT’s Faculty Council will be on March 4; please mark that on your calendar.

 
Speaker-Elect Klein then asked if there was any business.
 
Angie Hill Price, College of Engineering
Senator Hill Price spoke about the Transportation Services Advisory Committee, giving a heads up that there has been discussion about changing Business Permits due to abuses from some users.  Any concerns can be given to her or other committee members Speaker Harlin, Speaker-Elect Klein, and Senator Magill.
 
With no further business the meeting was returned to Speaker Harlin.

 

ADJOURNMENT
Speaker Harlin adjourned the meeting at 5:25pm
 
 
ATTACHMENTS BELOW: Consent Agenda, Core Curriculum Council, Dr. John McDermott’s Memorial Tribute, and FAR Paul Batista’s Attachment II
 

CONSENT AGENDA

            GRADUATE COUNCIL 
            New Courses – Attachment B – Passed – FS.36.107
 OMFP 630    Directed Readings I
OMFP 631     Directed Readings II
OMFP 632     Directed Readings III
OMFP 639     Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Service VIII
OMFP 640     Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Service IX
OMFP 650     Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Seminar VIII
OMFP 651     Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Seminar IX
VTMI 631      Wildlife Diseases
 
Change in Courses – Attachment C – Passed – FS.36.108
CHEN 681             Seminar
ECEN 749             Microprocessor Systems Design
HLTH 645             Health Education Research and Program Evaluation
HPCH 684             Practicum
HPCH 791             Doctoral Capstone
PHEB 684             Practicum
PHEB 791             Doctoral Capstone
PHEO 684             Practicum 
 
Change in Courses - Inactivation Proposal – Attachment D – Passed – FS.36.109
     College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences
           WFSC 632              Ethology                      
 
Change in Programs – Attachment E – Passed – FS.36.110
     Bush School of Government & Public Service
       Department of International Affairs
           CERT-CAIA  Advanced International Affairs – Certificate 
 
Change in Programs – Attachment F – Passed – FS.36.111
     Bush School of Government & Public Service
       Department of Public Service & Administration
            CERT-CHLS      Homeland Security– Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Attachment G – Passed – FS.36.112
     College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
        Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences
                  MNR-NRDV           Master of Natural Resources Development in Natural Resources Development
 
Change in Programs – Attachment H – Passed – FS.36.113
     College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
        Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering
                  MS-BAEN               Master of Science in Biological and Agricultural Engineering
 
Change in Programs – Attachment I – Passed – FS.36.114
     College of Education & Human Development
        Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture
                  MS-EDCI                Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction
 
Change in Programs – Attachment J – Passed – FS.36.115
     College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
        Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Science
                  MWS-WISC            Master of Wildlife Science in Wildlife Science
 
Change in Programs - Inactivation Proposal – Attachment K – Passed – FS.36.116
     School of Public Health
Department of Public Health
DRPH-EPIE Doctor of Public Health in Epidemiology and Environmental Health
 
Change in Programs - Inactivation Proposal – Attachment L – Passed – FS.36.117
     School of Public Health
Department of Public Health
                  DRPH-HPCH          Doctor of Public Health in Health Promotion and Community Health Services
 
Special Consideration Item – Attachment M – Passed – FS.36.118
     College of Engineering
        Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
      CERT-AMIC           Analog and Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Design
 
Special Consideration Item – Attachment N – Passed – FS.36.119
     School of Public Health
       Department of Public Health
      DRPH-PHLS Doctor of Public Health in Public Health Sciences
 
 UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE 
            New Courses – Attachment O – Passed – FS.36.120
NURS 307           Foundations of Nursing Practice Clinical
VTPB 411            One Health and Tropical Ecology
VTPP 420            Applied Pharmacology
 
        Change in Courses – Attachment P – Passed – FS.36.121
AERS 201            Evolution of Air and Space Power
ARTS 339            Themes in Contemporary Art
BIMS 491            Research
CSCE 416            Hardware Design Verification
MEEN 406          Energy Management in Industry
MEEN 421          Thermal-Fluids Analysis and Design
NURS 306           Foundations of Nursing Practice Theory
SENG 310           Industrial Hygiene Engineering
VTPP 434            Physiology for Bioengineers I
VTPP 435            Physiology for Bioengineers II
        
Change in Programs – Attachment Q – Passed – FS.36.122
  College of Science
     Department of Biology – BA 
           BA-BIOL      Biology
 
Change in Programs – Attachment R – Passed – FS.36.123
  College of Science
     Department of Biology
           BS-BIOL       Biology – BS 
 
Change in Programs – Attachment S – Passed – FS.36.124
  College of Science
     Department of Biology
           BS-BIOL       Biology Undergraduate Program
 
Change in Programs – Attachment T – Passed – FS.36.125
  College of Science
     Department of Biology
           BS-BIOL       Biology Undergraduate Program-Department Requirements
 
Change in Programs – Attachment U – Passed – FS.36.126
  College of Science
     Department of Biology
           BS-BMCB    Molecular and Cell Biology – BS 
 
Change in Programs – Attachment V – Passed – FS.36.127
  College of Agriculture and Life Science
     Department of Ecosystem Science & Management
           BS-FORS      Forestry – BS 
 
Change in Programs – Attachment W – Passed – FS.36.128
  College of Science
     Department of Biology
           BS-MBIO     Microbiology – BS 
 
Change in Programs – Attachment X – Passed – FS.36.129
  College of Agriculture and Life Science
     Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
           BS-RPTS      Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences – BS with Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Attachment Y – Passed – FS.36.130
  College of Science
     Department of Biology
           BS-ZOOL     Zoology – BS
 
Change in Programs – Attachment Z – Passed – FS.36.131
  College of Agriculture and Life Science
     Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
           CERT-CU9              Community Recreation and Park Administration – Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Attachment AA – Passed – FS.36.132
  College of Agriculture and Life Science
     Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
           CERT-CU42            Parks and Conservation – Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Attachment BB – Passed – FS.36.133
  College of Agriculture and Life Science
     Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
           CERT-CU45            Professional Event Manager – Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Attachment CC – Passed – FS.36.134
  College of Agriculture and Life Science
     Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
           CERT-CU60            Youth Development – Certificate
 
Change in Programs – Attachment DD – Passed – FS.36.135
  College of Science
     Department of Science
           MINOR-NRSC        Neuroscience – Minor 
Special Consideration Item – Attachment EE – Passed – FS.36.136
TAMU – Galveston
  College of Engineering
     Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution
BS-MXET-ELM      Multidisciplinary Engineering Technology – BS, Electro Marine Engineering Technology Track
 
W&C COURSES          
 New Core Component Proposal – Attachment FF – Passed – FS.36.137
         Courses Submitted for C Certification:
MATH 482-C       Research Seminar
PERF 481-C Capstone Seminar-Performance as Research
 
New Core Component Proposal – Attachment GG – Passed – FS.36.138
         Courses Submitted for W Certification:
AGCJ 313-W                     Agricultural Media Writing I 
INTS 410-W                      Gender and the Global Modern
KINE 407-W                      Motor Control and Learning
PERF 101-W                     Introduction to Performance Studies
WFSC 413-W                    Problem Solving in Wildlife and Fisheries
 
 
______________________________End of Consent Agenda____________________________________
 
Core Curriculum Council 
New Courses Submitted for Cultural Discourse – Attachment JJ – Passed – FS.36.140
ANTH 301-CD  Indians of North America
NURS 421-CD  Care of Community Health Clients
NURS 464-CD  Health Promotion Across the Lifespan for the RN
SOCI 207-CD                Introduction to Gender and Society
 
 
New Courses Submitted for International and Cultural Diversity Designation – Attachment KK – Passed – FS.36.141
AGEC 452-ICD       International Trade & Agriculture
AGEC 453-ICD       International Agribusiness Marketing
ARAB 201-ICD       Intermediate Arabic I
ARAB 202-ICD       Intermediate Arabic II
ARCH 458-ICD       Cultural and Ethical Considerations for Global Practice
ARTS 149-ICD        Art History Survey I
ENGL 232-ICD       Survey of English Literature II
ENGL 339-ICD       African-American Literature Post-1930
ENGL 340-ICD       Modern and Contemporary Drama
ENGL 374-ICD       Women Writers
ENGL 376-ICD       The American Novel Since 1900
ENGL 401-ICD       Contemporary Literary Theory
GEOG 323-ICD       Geography of Latin America
HLTH 236-ICD        Race, Ethnicity, and Health
HORT 335-ICD       Sociohorticulture
INTS 211-ICD         Foundations in Cultural Studies
INTS 301-ICD         Theories of Globalization
ITAL 201-ICD         Intermediate Italian I
ITAL 202-ICD         Intermediate Italian II
LAND 240-ICD       History of Landscape Architecture
NURS 466-ICD       Community Health for the RN
SPMT 337-ICD       International Sport Business
 
 
 
Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) Report – Attachment II – Passed – FS.36.139
Paul Batista, Faculty Athletics Representative, Associate Professor of Sport Management
            Report follows.