TAMU Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
August 14, 20233:00pm
Via Zoom
http://facultysenate.tamu.edu
The full video recording of the meeting can be accessed on the Faculty Senate website:
https://facultysenate.tamu.edu/Faculty-Senate-Meeting-Recordings
CALL TO ORDER
Speaker Hammond called the second meeting of the 41st session to order at 3:00pm the meeting was conducted via Zoom.
Senator Andrew Klein will be monitoring the raised hand function and will monitor the chat. Registration function is being used to track attendance.
SPEAKERS COMMENTS
Speaker Hammond’s comments:
“My dear faculty it has been three weeks since I last talked with you. And at this moment, and presumably many of you are feeling raw and hurt. Trauma and shock can have devastating effects, and as a university, I think we are experiencing trauma and shock. But I want to remind you that you are not alone. We have each other, the students, and there are many people supporting us from the outside.
Just like three weeks ago, the whole world is watching us. But they’re not watching us because of what has happened to us, but they also fear what may happen to them.
Many universities are dealing with similar issues and are worrying about Academic Freedom being attacked at their own universities. They worry about restrictions being put in place that jeopardize their freedom to create a place of belonging and inclusivity for their staff. They worry about outside influences that may cause faculty or staff to act unethically or against their own core values.
The whole world is watching us. They want to see how we will handle this situation. If we do this well, not only can we serve as a model for other struggling universities, we can also grow stronger.
We are in a tender spot right now but I’m confident we will pull out of this stronger than ever. And we will be more committed as a university to the university’s mission and core values.
For that to happen, we need to change. And everyone needs to participate in the change and several things are necessary for this change.
- First, we need to speak of that has been largely unspoken or spoken in back corners. There has been a strong culture of fear and retaliation over the past few years. I know that as many of you have told me this or given me examples of things that have happened to you or to others. It is not healthy for a university to function in such an environment. When I mentioned this to General Welsh, he said it is unhealthy for any institution to function under such an environment and I agree whole-heartedly. I want you all to start talking about your experiences with fear and retaliation. I want people to know what others have been experiencing so it doesn’t happen in the future. We need to get comfortable with disagreeing with each other and especially our superiors.
- Second, we need to acknowledge the pain that we have been experiencing. Many people feel hurt and used. People have lost role models, presidents, deans, and faith in the university. Even more, people are terrified of what is coming next. Our values were shaken to the core. For many of us, it feels like Texas A&M died this month and I think we need to properly mourn. This may seem silly, but I would like all of us to take a moment of silence to allow yourselves to feel and acknowledge and hurt that you are personally feeling. So, what do we do next? Speaking to the new faculty, gave me a new perspective. I remember my first day/week here and the hope and energy that came from that. I also felt the hope and energy coming from the new faculty that have just joined. At the new senator orientation, I defined what I mean by Shared Governance, and it might make sense to define what I mean by Shared Governance here or rather what Functional Shared Governance means to me.
To me, Functional Shared Governance requires 4 things:
- That faculty speak to the administration truthfully and without fear.
- The administration listens to the faculty and takes it into account.
- When a decision is made against the faculty, a rationale is provided.
- All of this happens with complete transparency, so the faculty feel confident that the administration takes their concerns into account. And even if they disagree with the action taken, they can understand the rationale.
We can move past this, but we need to do this with the administration, not against them. I know it’s hard to trust anything or anyone right now. We continue to find out more hurtful things. It’s natural for you to feel trepidation and weariness of all members of the administration. But without trust, we can’t accomplish anything. No one is innocent, you will never know all the information. All we can do is the next best thing based on our current knowledge. Yes, I’m quoting Anna from Frozen right now. I have a four-year-old daughter and I have watched it many, many times but that is the moment we’re in right now and we should do the next best thing.
What we should not do right now, is demonize people. It’s very easy to demonize people given where we are at and what we have experienced. That will not help us move forward. We must realize that people and the situation is complicated. Additionally, it is easy to blame recent events on outside influences. We should not. Outside influences will always exist. People can and will express their opinions, that is free speech. Everyone has the right to express their opinions. What is not okay, is that those opinions cause us to act unethically. We as a university should be strong enough to act based on our core values no matter what outside influences exist.
We’re at a time of vulnerability. We can look outward for a scapegoat or inward for empowerment to change and inspiration. This is a time when more than ever, we need to live by our values. This is not a time to be performative but rather turn our values into actions by how we act and how we lead. Together, we can create a university community whose values have been challenged but we can persevere and become stronger through our experiences.
There are three main things that I want to see changed:
- Appropriate policies need to be put in place to ensure our faculty are protected. However, all the policies in the world do not help if they are not followed.
- We need transparency in all matters.
- We need to get out from under our culture of fear and retaliation and back to a place where our core values lead to actions.
Let us work together to do the next right thing for the university.”
GUEST SPEAKER
Speaker Hammond welcomed guest speaker Interim President Mark A. Welsh, III.
Speaker Welsh Comments:
Interim President Welsh said first task was to listen and learn. He has heard concern, hurt and worry in every group that he has spoken with and he has spoken with a lot of people. The students aren’t as concerned since they weren’t here over the summer but they don’t like what they have been hearing on the news and they’re confused and concerned. The staff are embarrased.
In trying to find out what is going on to cause all of the confusion and concern, he has found most people are confused because they weren’t included in the conversation to decide what they were doing in the future.
He questions if there was a structural problem, were the wrong people in positions that just didn’t have the communication skills to spread the word. Was there a concous effort to simply not communicate? Whatever that was, remove the blockages and get people talking again. People all across the university need to understand where we are going, what we are doing, and the milestones that we need to achieve.
Second, if there were any structural issues that had been put in place either communications, plans, or organizational structures we need to change those. If there is a ”log jam“ of information because of too much information coming into one place and not enough time to complete the work to get the information out than we need to restructure responisbilites.
Third, look at those things people are frustrated about. MGT Report and the plan that followed. How can we improve structure of staff as in the division of duties between the Provost Office and Faculty Affairs, Student Life. Also, he has created a task force run by Joe Pettibon to take a look at major activites with facilites that go with the Pathforward let’s figure out which of those initiatives are on track get them to continue. If they aren’t on track figure out what we can do to make them successful. If a big problem, what we can do we terminate it, rescope it to make it be successful.
All of these things you need to be included. He will come back after he has the information and get your thoughts and how best to move forward.
As an Interim President, he doesn’t want to go “shaking the tree“ too much but if I can get things stabilized and get communication flowing we can get the university back to the great thing we know it can be. We need to get out from this ugly summer and get our feet back under us.
Interim President Welsh took questions from the following Senators: Raymundo Arroyave – College of Engineering, Jorge Alvarado – College of Engineering, Rajesh Miranda – School of Medicine, Dana Gaddy – School of Veterinary Medicine, Adam Kolasinski – Mays Business School, Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering, Matthew Sachs – College of Arts & Sciences, Debjyoti Banerjee – College of Engineering, Daniel Gomez – School of Education and Human Development, Terri Pantuso – College of Arts & Sciences, Matthew Taylor – College of Agriculture, Asha Rao – College of Arts & Sciences, Trevor Hale - Mays Business School, Catharina Laporte – College of Arts & Sciences as well as those posted in the Zoom Chat and conveyed to the guest speaker by Secretary Klein.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Committee on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) represented by Michal Johnson, Interim Associate Provost for Faculty Success & Interim Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, Juan Garza, Associate Vice President for Enterprise Application Services, and Debra Fowler, Executive Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, presented the efforts of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence in Learning and Education on the appropriate use of generative AI such as ChatGP in academics FS.41.026.
The group then took questions from the following Senators: Catharina Laporte – College of Arts & Sciences, Farzan Sasangohar – College of Engineering, Clint Magill – College of Agriculture, Raymundo Arroyave – College of Engineering, Oksana Shatalov - College of Arts & Sciences
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The motion passed to approve the June 12, 2023 minutes as distributed (FS.41.027).
Minutes from the August 19th, 2023 the special meeting minutes will be presented in September.
CONSENT AGENDA
The motion passed to approve the August 14, 2023 Consent Agenda except for the following courses:
- Courses listed below from the School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts pulled as requested by Senator Uchacz, and returned to the VF Committee Chair Role in CARS for further discussions with faculty considering possible changes in The Path Forward.
- HLTH 334: Women’s Health pulled as requested by Mary Campbell – School of Medicine and returned to department role in CARS for Women’s and Gender Studies to consult with the department.
- BS – HREM: Hotel and Resort Management – BS withdrawn as requested by Senator Rosana Moreira - College of Agriculture to be returned to the AG Committee Chair UG in CARS.
Courses/Programs from the School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts removed from the Consent Agenda
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
New Courses
ARTS 116: Drawing II
ARTS 118: Digital Foundations
ARTS 181: Freshman Seminar
ARTS 204: 4D Principles of Art and Design
ARTS 225: Inventive Anatomy
ARTS 231: Digital Form and Fabrication
ARTS 233: Sculpture Studio I
ARTS 235: Figure Sculpting
ARTS 255: Typography
ARTS 321: Illustration Studio
ARTS 332: Sculpture Studio II
ARTS 351: Graphic Design Studio
ARTS 356: Motion Graphics
ARTS 361: Lens-Based Studio
ARTS 370: Relief Printing
ARTS 371: Screen Printing
ARTS 405: Professional Practice in Studio Art and Design
ARTS 435: Digital Sculpture
ARTS 455: Experimental Typography
ARTS 492: Senior Capstone Studio
ARTS 494: Internship
MUSC 115: Fundamentals of Music Technology
MUSC 130: Introduction to Music Performance
MUSC 140: Introduction to InterArts Performance
MUSC 230: Topics in Music Analysis
MUSC 240: Topics in InterArts Performance Analysis
MUSC 241: Music and Video Games
MUSC 242: Music and Dance
MUSC 243: Music and Visual Art
MUSC 244: Music and Film
MUSC 246: Music and Theatre
MUSC 273: Individual Instruction - Electronic Music Performance I
MUSC 300: Music Research and Writing
MUSC 305: Music Entrepreneurship
MUSC 330: Music Performance Project
MUSC 340: InterArts Music Performance Project
MUSC 373: Individual Instruction - Electronic Music Performance II
MUSC 375: Individual Instruction - Composition II
MUSC 430: Music Performance Studio
MUSC 440: InterArts Music Performance Studio
MUSC 441: Music Performance Capstone
Change in Courses
MUSC 200: Topics in Music
MUSC 204: Music Theory I
MUSC 205: Music Theory II
MUSC 206: Music Theory III
MUSC 208: Musicianship I
MUSC 210: Musicianship II
MUSC 212: Musicianship III
MUSC 245: Individual Instruction - Composition I
MUSC 253: Individual Instruction - Guitar Performance I
MUSC 254: Individual Instruction - Vocal Performance I
MUSC 255: Individual Instruction - Piano Performance I
MUSC 256: Individual Instruction - String Performance I
MUSC 270: Individual Instruction: Woodwind Performance I
MUSC 271: Individual Instruction - Brass Performance I
MUSC 272: Individual Instruction - Percussion Performance I
MUSC 311: Music History I
MUSC 312: Music History II
MUSC 315: Music History III
MUSC 353: Individual Instruction - Guitar Performance II
MUSC 354: Individual Instruction - Vocal Performance II
MUSC 355: Individual Instruction - Piano Performance II
MUSC 356: Individual Instruction - String Performance II
MUSC 370: Individual Instruction - Woodwind Performance II
MUSC 372: Individual Instruction - Percussion Performance II
Special Consideration Item - New Program Proposal
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BFA-MUSP-IAP: Music Performance - BFA, InterArts Performance Track
Special Consideration Item - New Program Proposal
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BFA-MUSP-PPR: Music Performance - BFA, Performance Practice Track
Special Consideration Item - New Program Proposal
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BFA-VIAD-GDN: Visual Art and Design - BFA, Graphic Design Track
Special Consideration Item - New Program Proposal School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BFA-VIAD-PHV: Visual Art and Design - BFA, Photo & Video Track
Special Consideration Item - New Program Proposal
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BFA-VIAD-PIA: Visual Art and Design - BFA, Painting & Illustration Track
Special Consideration Item - New Program Proposal
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BFA-VIAD-SCU: Visual Art and Design - BFA, Sculpture Track
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget Information Committee Report Attachment C1. – Passed FS.41.059
Personnel & Welfare Committee Report Attachment C2 - Passed FS.41.060.
Planning Committee Report Attachment C3 - Passed FS.41.061.
Research Committee Report Attachment C4 - Passed FS.41.062.
Core Curriculum Council Course Report – Attachment C5 – Passed – FS.41.063.
The motion passed to approve the Core Curriculum Course Report as presented.
(Full CCC Report can be found under Adjournment below.)
OLD BUSINESS
Mary Campbell – School of Medicine moves that HLTH 334 be returned to the department for discussion. Angie Hill Price seconded that motion.
Vote: 69 in favor of sending back to the department and 2 against. HLTH 334 returned to department
Tianna Uchacz – School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts moves to table all items and Angie Hill Price seconded that motion.
Vote: 71 in favor of sending back courses/programs o the School and 3 against. All listed courses and programs returned to the School.
Rosana Moreira – College of Agriculture moves to for BS – HREM: Hotel and Resort Management to withdrawn and send back to college.
Vote: 67 in favor of sending back to college and 1 against. BS – HREM was sent back to the college.
Vote to move Faculty Senate meetings to hybrid or keep them via Zoom.
Raymundo Arroyave – College of Engineering, wished to ensure that the Secretary monitor what is in the chat if the decision is made to move to hybrid meetings. Dana Gaddy – School of Veterinary Medicine, questioned about attendance in person what is the sense of the level of participation rather than hybrid or Zoom.
Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering, stated that during in person meetings everyone must go up to a microphone to be heard so there is not communicating going on behind the scenes. Suspects when it’s raining outside most people will be on Zoom anyway.
Katherine Falvo – TAMUG, mentions the concerns of the folks at remote campuses. I have only been a senator during it was fully remote and I appreciate that. I’m concerned about the lack of conversation we can have with administration, concerns about equity in inclusion.
Adam Haney – TAMUG, reminds faculty about how we felt as a faculty senate about allowing hybrid in the classrooms and how it was not equitable to those that were not in front of the classroom and those joining via Zoom. States that there is nothing precluding faculty in College Station from still getting together but feels that all official business should be handled via Zoom so we can all join equally.
Mark Burge – School of Law, also coming from a remote location from the School of Law in Fort Worth feels that while there is not any intent to make those appearing remote to feel like second-class citizens there is nothing to stop the side chat from happening. Urges the Senate to keep using Zoom. urge you to keep it via Zoom.
Jorge Alvarado – College of Engineering, questions if it is possible to switch between modalities (Have 6 in person/hybrid and 6 via Zoom). Wonders how voting would occur.
Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering, states that when in person voting occurred through a show of hands. The Senate went to a secret ballot in Zoom but that is not how the Senate operated previously. There is a need to discuss voting as the intent was never for the Senate to secretively.
Debjyoti Banerjee – College of Engineering, is sympathetic to the cause of the satellite campuses and thinks there is a point there in terms of equity. Mentions that it that it was discussed in the last meeting that there was some resistance on the part of the Board of Regents to meet over Zoom. Wonders if that sort of thing continues, will we be cut off from meeting with the Board of Regents? States the need to go back to going back to Hybrid format.
Speaker Hammond, reminds everyone that after the September 11th meeting, we do have an event sponsored by the Faculty Affairs in the University Club.
Raymundo Arroyave – College of Engineering, states that as a long-time senator remembers how painful it was to count votes old school and concurs with Speaker-Elect Hill-Price that everyone should know how people voted.
Farzan Sasangohar – College of Engineering, is in favor of saving time for faculty and appreciates issues with travel. He highly encourages fellow senators to work through Zoom only. Cost savings could go to funding more socials.
Katherine Falvo – TAMUG, states that of the things that is hard in this conversation is that those from remote campuses are often told how accessible it is for us by those that are not needing to utilize those methods of accessibility. In addition, benefits to those on main campus are not accessible to those at other sites. The pros for main campus faculty are cons for those at other sites.
Speaker Hammond, reminds faculty that we must make a decision today as when we went remote, it was only until August, so we need to move on to in-person based on that.
Adam Kolasinski – Mays Business School, accepts that going to the in-person option is a pro for faculty on main campus and that’s not a pro that is available to those at remote campuses. But, that’s not a pro that any of have right now so going to the in-person/hybrid we’re going to give those of us on College Station campus better off. Does not see how going hybrid makes anyone at the satellite offices worse off.
Adam Haney – TAMUG, acknowledges that Senator Kolasinski identified the missing piece and that is equity. Finds it to be inequitable to those on satellite campuses to not have official business be conducted in the same way for everyone. states that this does not preclude College Station from gathering together. Given his experience with hybrids in the past, believes they are just not fair.
Jim Woosley – School of Education and Human Development, states that perhaps we should try hybrid for one semester and then look at it again.
Larry Fickel makes an amendment to remain on Zoom for the next the faculty senate session. His amendment was seconded.
The Senate voted on Senator Fickel’s amendment.
Vote: 48 in favor and 18 against. The amendment was approved.
The Senate then voted to have the next session of the Faculty Senate on Zoom.
Vote: 39 in favor and 28 against. Motion passes. The next session (9-12 meetings) of the Faculty Senate will continue to be held via Zoom
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NEW BUSINESS
AWARD PRESENTATIONS
Shared Governance Award – In recognition of the work of Texas A&M University administrators who positively impact faculty through their commitment to shared governance, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee established "The Faculty Senate Shared Governance Award" in Fall 2019. This award is not given every year, but only on those occasions when an administrator goes above and beyond in demonstrating their commitment to shared governance. The aim of this award is to recognize the strong commitment of administrators to the concept of shared governance across our institution.
Winner, Debbie Thomas, Executive Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs of Texas A&M University at Galveston, and Associate Provost of Texas A&M University.
Dr. Deborah Thomas joined Galveston a year ago as our Chief Academic Officer and has been outstanding in gaining the trust and respect of our faculty. This is an impressive feat given the suspicion which pervades the relationship between the two campuses. Dr. Thomas has proven her dedication to shared governance navigating our campus through the MGT evaluation process. Through numerous contentious meetings with each department and unit here, she was always responsive to our concerns. Returning emails with informed responses, coming to events, and engaging with faculty on multiple levels. Her advocacy on our behalf displays an uncommon commitment to shared governance through the recommendations which were accepted, and rejected, which closely mirrored the desires of our Faculty and Staff. Debbie has always been honest and straightforward with us, and this displays a genuine respect and desire to work together to achieve goals – exemplifying the principle of shared governance. Those who know of her from Geosciences can also attest to her commitment. I fully support her receiving this award and have the full endorsement of the entire Galveston delegation.
Additionally, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee has agreed upon the following a resolution to show our support for Dr. Thomas.
The Senate Resolution on Recipient of the Faculty Senate Shared Governance reads as follows:
Recognizing the monumental challenges posed to Texas A&M University at Galveston by the MGT evaluation, and
Noting the immense potential for substantial disruption to the operations of Texas A&M University at Galveston, and
Understanding the legitimate fears and angst of the Faculty of Texas A&M University at Galveston, and
Listening to those concerns in a one-on-one basis and actively seeking to work with the Galveston Senate Delegation,
Now therefore be it resolved;
The Faculty Senate of Texas A&M University hereby bestows upon Chief Academic Officer and Executive Associate Vice President Dr. Deborah Thomas the Faculty Senate Shared Governance Award for,
Actively collecting, advocating for, and implementing faculty feedback to the MGT report and recommendations,
Keeping Faculty engaged and informed about impacts and possible outcomes of administrative decisions,
Earning and maintaining the respect of the Faculty of Texas A&M University at Galveston through challenging times,
Respecting Faculty recommendations and input truly exemplifying the principles of shared governance through these actions.
Ratified by the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate on July 24, 2023
A copy of the award and resolution which will be framed and given to Dr. Thomas can be found in attachment D2.
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The faculty voted to enable the meeting to continue the meeting past 6:00 pm 43 in favor 10 against. The meeting continued.
The Walter Daugherity Award – Awarded annually to a member of the Faculty Senate who has displayed an uncommon devotion to the mission of the Senate.
Winner – Dale Rice, Previous Speaker of the Faculty Senate.
I will read a few words from a few of his nominators.
His role led us through not only the pandemic years but the incredible changes our current administration has brought upon the university.
Dale's experience as a journalist has equipped him with the ability to ask thought-provoking questions that cut to the heart of the matter. This skill has proven invaluable in his role as a Speaker of the Faculty Senate, as he consistently seeks to uncover the truth and promote transparency. During his tenure as Speaker, Dale navigated two difficult years of change with remarkable grace and composure. Even in the face of adversity, he remained steadfast in upholding the decorum of the Senate. While some resorted to aggression or made insensitive remarks, Dale's unwavering commitment to respect and integrity shone through. He set an example for others to follow. Dale's leadership style reflects the core values that define our university: loyalty, integrity, respect, and service. He leads by example, inspiring his colleagues to uphold these values in their work. His dedication to the mission of the Senate is unparalleled, as he consistently strives for excellence in all his endeavors. In summary, Dale's uncommon devotion to the mission of the Senate makes him a very deserving recipient of this award.
A copy of the certificate which will be framed and presented to Dr. Rice can be found in Attachment D3.
The Richard Stadelmann Award - Awarded annually to a first-term member of the Faculty Senate who has displayed an uncommon devotion to the mission of the Senate.
Winner – Krista Oldham – University Library Archivist and first-term Senator.
I will read a few words from her nominator.
Krista Oldham was elected as a University Libraries representative to Faculty Senate during a time when the future membership of former Library Faculty was uncertain. Knowing that future membership and participation in the Senate was of the utmost importance, she chose to serve on the Bylaws committee and actively participated to codify Librarian membership in the Senate by working closely with members of the Bylaws committee and Former Speaker Rice to alter the language of the Constitution, which was successfully passed.
A copy of the certificate which will be framed and presented to Senator Oldham can be found in Attachment D4.
Additional Item of New Business
Proposed Bylaw Revisions to the Elections Committee found in Attachment D1.
Vote to accept the proposed Bylaw Revisions, 45 in favor and 0 against. The revisions to the Senate Bylaws are adopted.
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Speaker Hammond mentioned items of interest for next month’s Faculty Senate Agenda
- The Board of Regents has a student member on their executive board. Speaker Hammond would like to propose to the regents that they also select a faculty member representative to serve on the board.
- Speaker Hammond suggests voting on the Chicago Principles of free expression as a basis for us moving forward. These can be posted on the Faculty Senate website.
- Speaker Hammond then indicated the need for creating a place where faculty members can provide feedback anonymously on the MGT Report.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
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Speaker-Elect Price – College of Engineering reminded everyone that Committee of the Whole is an opportunity to bring issues forward to be discussed at either an Executive Committee Meeting or assigned to committees. Nothing that needs to be debated or solved is discussed at this time.
Jorge Alvarado, stated that meetings used to adjourn by 5:00pm. Now, we are adjourning at 6:00pm how come? Because of Zoom?
We lose quorum.
Parliamentarian Tianna Uchacz –School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, stated that it is in our bylaws.
Speaker-Elect Price said that they will bring that up to the Executive Committee.
Clint Magill – College of Agriculture, indicated the Honor Council was reorganized and is proposing some changes that a lot of us on the Honor Council are concerned about. The changes would reduce the amount of student participation in a lot of cases.
Speaker-Elect Price said that they will bring that up to the Executive Committee and she’s pretty sure it will be given to a committee.
Larry Fickel – School of Architecture, stated that he had sent a message to Speaker Hammond concerning the Honor Council. They had a meeting last week with Dr. Bell and he feels Dr. Bell understands all the changes he was wanting to make over the summer and implement before the fall semester started. They will discuss the changes and implement them next spring if changes need to be made. The Honor Council used to be under the Provost Office but with MGT, it was moved under Student Services. They’re trying to implement changes where everything follows similar guidelines to the student rules. He Wanted everyone to be aware and will keep everyone informed. He informed Dr. Bell that any changes needed to be brought before the Faculty Senate for approval.
Tony Cahill – College of Engineering, requested that Senators please make sure they are recognized before speaking. It was very difficult to follow previous motions and it was unfair to the officers when “they have to try to herd us like a bunch of cats”.
Matthew Sachs – College of Arts & Sciences, President Welsh said he was not aware of the allegations in the Inside Higher Ed newspaper story. Those allegations were supposed to come directly from the previous president’s cabinet. Senator Sachs finds this so bad that he can’t see how we can put it in the rear-view mirror. The process is fundamentally flawed. He asks the Executive Committee to investigate.
Matthew Taylor – College of Agriculture, in continuation of the Honor Council discussion indicated that Dr. Bell appeared at the most recent Academic Affairs meeting and outlined many of those proposed changes. Dr. Bell received a lot of feedback as in we do not see many of these changes working in the way he envisioned. Senator Taylor shared the slides that Dr. Bell provided with the Academic Affairs and would be happy to send to other senators.
He also noted that he and Dr. Haney noted the loss of financial support by the Study Abroad Office was causing some interesting fees to pop up for students and faculty who participated in study abroad. For example, if your students are presenting internationally, they must pay a fee and if they do not, their travel will be held up in Concur until the fee is paid. The Academic Affairs Committee has tried to get that office to come and speak with them but they have yet to do that It would really like to hear some justification as to what is going on.
Heather Ramsey – College of Arts & Sciences – wanted to recognize and say Thank you to Senator Janice Epstein who is retiring. She has been one of the greatest contributors to the Faculty Senate. She was a Stadelmann award winner, and was the inaugural winner of the Walter Daugherty Award. Senator Ramsey wanted to thank her for everything that she has done.
Speaker-Elect Angie Hill Price – wanted to second that sentiment. Senator Epstein has been amazing and a mentor for me as well. Please enjoy your retirement and thank you so much for all your service to the university.
Dr. Janice Epstein – College of Arts & Sciences, stated that it really has been a pleasure and it gave me a lot of fulfillment that I did not get in the Math Department. The Senate is so respectful of everybody that it really has changed my life and I appreciate it.
Catharina Laporte – College of Arts & Sciences, wondered are we still going to do an independent study of what happened because the MGT Report has had criticism and the taxpayers paid for that.
And in the Office of Graduate Council, none of the texts from the Chancellor specifically identified where it said that she was fired don’t worry. I want to know where that went.
Speaker-Elect Angie Hill Price – Yes, that is still happening, but the Executive Committee will certainly take that up and respond.
Rajesh Miranda – School of Medicine, I have been asked on behalf of Dr. Leonard Bright. I would like him to be recognize by the Senate to speak.
Dr. Leonard Bright – Thank you for allowing me to provide a statement for the record. I wrote an open letter detailing my treatment under Mark Welsh as Dean. I appreciate the support that I have received. I can provide all documents and videos that support my allegations. I have nothing to hide. I believe it is important that I speak to the culture of TAMU I have experienced, especially given the recent controversies. Let not be too quick to put this genie back in the bottle. We have an opportunity to make real cultural change, but it will not happen if we are hesitant about pushing past the spin.
TAMU wants you to believe their false narrative that my claims are about racism, to deflect attention from my actual claims about discrimination, a rigged promotion process, and retaliation by Mark Welsh. In fact, it was Dr. Frank Ashley who stated in a recorded meeting that a racist helped thwart his full promotion application at TAMU years ago. I never made this claim, but it is a typical tactic of the Welsh team.
Mark Welsh has earned my distrust. When he learned of my actual claims of discrimination and a rigged promotion process, he retaliated, and deserted his post. His poor decision-making was captured in an extensive UGC report after which the Provost agreed to remove his supervisory authority over me.
It is my understanding that the original report is over 100 pages and gives a detailed account of various systematic issues present in the Bush School under his leadership. Welsh can immediately release the original 2020 UGC report and his video recorded sessions to show that he is truly willing to be transparent and accountable. He should lead by example. If he refuses, I question whether he will be any different at the university level. Welsh’s team appear to be afraid of this 2020 UGC report getting out.
The faculty should fully understand not only what Chancellor Sharp, the Board of Regents, Dr. Banks, and others did, but also what Mark Welsh did, given his appointment as Interim President. I believe the same culture that existed at the university and system levels also existed in the Bush School which enabled Mark Welsh to do what he did. We deserve full transparency and accountability.
Jorge Alvarado – College of Engineering, states he still does not does still do not feel happy or at ease about Academic Freedom. We heard from the president and he is giving us some assurances but it may happen again. We need to avoid issues like this from repeating as in the Alonso case. Senator Alvarado finds the whole thing silly, the Lieutenant Governor picking up the phone to file a complaint because he did not like something that was said.
Adam Kolasinski – Mays Business School, suggests that maybe the Executive Committee can investigate this. There should be somebody who trained in the First-Amendment and Academic Freedom who can look over allegations against faculty or students. If the allegations are found to be true but are covered by the First-Amendment or Academic Freedom, it should be automatically dismissed without investigation. That’s what should have happened in Professor Alonso’s case. Someone should have looked at this and dismissed it. We need to ask the university for a first-amendment officer.
On another topic, when the administration wants to go against the faculty, they should have to explain why they’re doing it. Now the current Dean and Department Head rules were just recently changed to no longer expose the results of the faculty survey to the faculty. He remembers N.K. Anand defending this stating that he did not want to embarrass candidates who were appointed over faculty will. Is the Executive Committee doing something to change this rule because we really need that transparency?
Raymundo Arroyave – College of Engineering, agrees with Adam. There should be an Ombudsman, or some sort of faculty, student or staff advocate for academic freedom and believes think it’s important to have such a position. We should protect the rights of everyone to express our beliefs. President Welsh said that he doesn’t want to look backwards only forwards. That’s fine but there should be meaningful actions that signify change.
In response to Senator Hale, that person was not looped in during the Alonso’s case and this was an academic freedom issue.
Trevor Hale – Mays Business School, stated that we already have an Ombudsman which is Professor Buchanan.
Speaker- Elect Price, stated that the Faculty Ombudsman is not to be an advocate for faculty but to ensure the university is following rules and policies.
Rajesh Miranda – School of Medicine, agrees with Adam, this would be very important position to have.
Also, he was wondering if the Executive Committee planned on looking into FOIA requests that were made on our faculty? Who is being targeted by FOIA requests. Can the EC investigate this?
Adam Kolasinski – Mays Business School, wanted to point out that the Faculty Ombudsman doesn’t have the authority to throw out a case that is first amendment protected. Does not think there is anyone in the hierarchy that has that authority.
Recognized and called upon to speak by Dr. Price and approved by Speaker Hammond.
N.K. Anand – Vice President for Faculty Affairs, John Buchanan is the faculty ombudsman person who can also mediate disputes between faculty and administrators and vice versa. If you want to make a change, let the Executive Committee send us the language we will post all the comments and provide them to the president and the president has the final say.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was returned to Speaker Hammond and was adjourned at 6:30pm
CONSENT AGENDA
Graduate Council
New Courses FS.41.028
AERO 636: Human Factors Engineering for Aerospace Designs
ANTH 664: Cultural Heritage and Resource Management
ARSC 601: College of Arts and Sciences Study Abroad
DCED 610: Conditioning for Dancers
DCED 618: Guest Artist Residency in Dance Technique
DCED 620: Music Praxes in Dance
DCED 621: Understanding Technology in Creative Practice
DCED 622: Collaborative Composition
DCED 623: Choreography in Media Arts
DCED 624: Producing Dance
DCED 625: Screen Dance Composition
DCED 631: Theory and Practice of Dance Technique
DCED 632: Screening Techniques and Assessment
DCED 633: Research Application into Studio Practice
DCED 636: Professional Practice - The Project
DCED 637: Professional Practice - Written
DCED 638: Teaching Functional Anatomy for Dancers
DCED 640: Improvisation and Partnering
DCED 642: Contact Improvisation
DCED 650: Contemporary Ballet
DCED 651: Pointe and Variation
DCED 660: Ballet I
DCED 661: Ballet II
DCED 662: Ballet III
DCED 671: Modern Dance I
DCED 672: Modern Dance II
DCED 673: Modern Dance III
DCED 686: Jazz Dance I
DCED 687: Jazz Dance II
DCED 688: Jazz Dance III
DCED 691: Research
DCED 698: Hip Hop Dance I
DCED 699: Hip Hop Dance II
DDDS 022: Clinical Photography in Dentistry
ECCB 601: Teaching Methods for Ecology and Conservation Biology Science Labs and Courses
HMGT 631: Marketing in the Digital Age for Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism
MSCI 626: Principles of Successful Fellowship Writing for the Medical Sciences
NUEN 616: Small Modular Reactors and Microreactors
OCNG 624: Machine Learning in Environmental Sciences
PETE 668: RSVR Non-PETE Assets - Geothermal Energy, Compressed Gas Energy Storage, Carbon Sequestration
PETE 687: Machine Learning for Petroleum Engineers Using Python
PHSC 736: Advanced Physical Pharmacy
PVFA 626: Writing for Publication in the Arts
PVFA 631: The Arts in Higher Education
PVFA 634: Understanding Communities in the Arts
PVFA 635: Research Methods in the Arts
PVFA 638: Analyzing Research in the Arts
Change in Courses FS.41.029
ISTM 685: Directed Studies
MEEN 628: Heat Transfer-Convection
NUEN 647: Uncertainty Quantification and Data Science for Engineering Applications
PETE 658: Energy and Sustainability
VIBS 650: Education in a Veterinary Medical and Biomedical Environment
Change in Programs FS.41.030
Mays Business School
MBA-BUAD: Master of Business Administration in Business Administration
Change in Programs FS.41.031
College of Arts & Sciences
MGS-GEOS: Master of Geoscience in Geoscience
Change in Programs FS.41.032
School of Public Health
Department of Health Behavior
MPH-HPCH: Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences
Change in Programs FS.41.033
School of Public Health
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
MPH-PHEB: Master of Public Health in Biostatistics
Change in Programs FS.41.034
School of Public Health
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
MPH-PHEP: Master of Public Health in Epidemiology
Change in Programs FS.41.035
School of Public Health
Department of Health Policy & Management
MPH-PHPM: Master of Public Health in Health Policy Management
Change in Programs FS.41.036
School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
MS-BIMS: Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences
Change in Programs FS.41.037
School of Medicine
MS-MDSC: Master of Science in Medical Sciences
Change in Programs FS.41.038
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Statistics
MS-SDSC: Master of Science in Statistical Data Science
Change in Programs FS.41.039
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Educational Psychology
MS-SPED: Master of Science in Special Education
Special Consideration Item - New Program Proposal FS.41.040
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
MFA-DANC: Master of Fine Arts in Dance
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
New Courses FS.41.041
AGSM 437: Landscape Irrigation
ANTH 464: Cultural Heritage and Resource Management
BUSH 300: Bush School Study Abroad
HMGT 212: Resort Event and Program Planning
HMGT 281: Career Planning in Hospitality, Hotel Management, and Tourism
HMGT 313: Managing for Service Quality in Events, Tourism and Recreation
HMGT 354: Restaurant Management
HMGT 380: Healthy Living and Recreation Environments
HMGT 382: Sustainability and Place Management
HMGT 430: Leadership Seminar in Hospitality and Hotel Management
HMGT 470: Contemporary Hotel and Resort Development
HMGT 480: Hospitality Enterprises Practicum
NUTR 366: Nutrients and the Human Body I
NUTR 367: Nutrients and the Human Body II
PHLT 316: Public Health Data Management and Assessment
PHLT 336: Health Disparities and Diversity in Society
PVFA 111: Creating with Care
THEA 112: Introduction to Stagecraft
THEA 220: Decentering the Text
THEA 250: Stage Makeup
THEA 255: Costume Technology
THEA 307: Stage Management
THEA 310: Strategies for Equitable Acting
THEA 320: Directing Live Performance
THEA 342: Applied Theatre
THEA 345: Environmental Scenography
THEA 355: Creative Costuming
THEA 360: Art of Light
THEA 370: Producing Theatre
THEA 379: Voice for the Stage
THEA 390: Theatre Practicum - Performance
THEA 392: Theatre Practicum - Design
THEA 401: Theatre Pedagogy
THEA 410: Advanced Problems in Acting
THEA 435: Technology for Designers
THEA 441: Capstone Seminar in Theatre
Change in Courses FS.41.042
AERS 101: Air Force Heritage and Values I
AERS 102: Air Force Heritage and Values II
AERS 105: AFROTC Leadership Lab I
AERS 106: AFROTC Leadership Lab II
AERS 201: Team and Leadership Fundamentals I
AERS 202: Team and Leadership Fundamentals II
AERS 303: Leading People and Effective Communication I
AERS 304: Leading People and Effective Communication II
AERS 403: National Security Affairs, Leadership Responsibilities, and Commissioning Preparation I
AERS 404: National Security Affairs, Leadership Responsibilities, and Commissioning Preparation II
AERS 485: Directed Studies
ARTS 345: History of Gaming
CSCE 222: Discrete Structures for Computing
DCED 401: Dance Pedagogy
ECCB 320: Ecosystem Restoration and Management
ESET 300: Industrial Electricity
FILM 299: History of Film
HMGT 211: Planning and Implementation of Events and Programs
HMGT 320: Event Management and Operations
HMGT 331: Marketing in the Digital Age for Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism
HMGT 336: Recreation Program Assessment and Evaluation
HMGT 340: Global Communities & Diverse Populations in Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism
HMGT 446: Information and Communication Technology in Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism
NUTR 440: Microbes and Microbiome in Nutrition
PERF 245: Introduction to Theatrical Design
PERF 308: Performing Arts Administration
PHLT 441: Strategies for Population Health Improvement
RWFM 443: Aquaculture Production and Hatchery Management
RWFM 447: Aquatic Animal Nutrition, Diet Formulation and Feeding
RWFM 480: Plant Identification and Undergraduate Range Management Exam
SCSC 330: Social and Ethical Aspects of International Cropping Systems
Change in Courses – Galveston FS.41.043
MARA 466: Strategic Management
MARS 305: Environmental Micropaleontology
MARS 325: Introduction to GIS for Marine Sciences
Course Inactivation Proposal FS.41.044
TEED 302: Teaching/Learning Processes: Psychological Perspectives on Education
Change in Programs FS.41.045
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Geology & Geophysics
BA-GEOL: Geology - BA
Change in Programs FS.41.046
College of Engineering
Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
BS-DAEN: Data Engineering - BS
Change in Programs FS.41.047
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BS-KINE-DSC: Kinesiology - BS, Dance Science Track
Change in Programs – Galveston FS.41.048
Department of Maritime Business Administration
BS-MBAL: Maritime Business Administration Lower-Level
Change in Programs – Galveston FS.41.049
Department of Maritime Business Administration
BS-MBAU: Maritime Business Administration - BS
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal FS.41.050
College of Engineering
Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
BS-TCMG: Technology Management - BS
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal FS.41.051
College of Engineering
Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
MINOR-TCMG: Technology Management - Minor
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal – Qatar FS.41.052
Texas A&M University – Qatar
MINOR-POLQ: Political Science - Minor (Qatar)
Special Consideration Item - New Program Proposal FS.41.053
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BFA-THEA: Theatre - BFA
Miscellaneous Request FS.41.054
PERF to MUSC or THEA prefixes
Prefix Change Request- UG AGLS Financial Planning (courses only)- to FINP
Undergraduate Courses (INTS to INTA)
W&C Courses
Courses submitted for C- Certification FS.41.055
FSTC 491-C: Research
ITSV 476-C: Information Technology Service Management Capstone II
Courses submitted for C – Recertification FS.41.056
ESET 419-C: Engineering Technology Capstone I
EVEN 400-C: Design Problems in Environmental Engineering I
Courses submitted for W – Certification FS.41.057
AGLS 441-W: Financial Planning Capstone
FILM 469-W: Cult Cinema
FILM 481-W: Seminar in Film Studies
GLST 205-W: Research in Global Studies
HMGT 401-W: Entrepreneurship in Hospitality, Tourism and Events
PHIL 410-W: Classical Philosophy
POSC 381-W: Investigation of Professional Development in Poultry Science
RWFM 491-W: Research
Courses submitted for W – Recertification FS.41.058
ANSC 414-W: Sheep and Goat Production and Management
BUSN 225-W: Business Competency
EVEN 201-W: Introduction to the Environmental Engineering Profession
FREN 336-W: Politics, Culture and Society in Contemporary France
GERM 491-W: Research
MMET 380-W: Computer-Aided Manufacturing
MSEN 302-W: Unified Materials Lab II
RELS 481-W: Advanced Seminar in Religious Studies
SCMT 300-W: Business Communications I
VIBS 443-W: Biology of Mammalian Cells and Tissues
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget Information Committee Report - Attachment C1 FS.41.059
Personnel & Welfare Committee Report – Attachment C2 FS.41.060
Planning Committee Report – Attachment C3 FS.41.061
Research Committee Report – Attachment C4 FS.41.062
Core Curriculum Report – Attachment C5 FS.41.063
Recertification of Foundational Component Area: Language, Philosophy, Culture
CLAS 250-GE: Greek and Roman Civilization
ENGL 231-GE: Survey of English Literature I
ENGL 334-GE: Science Fiction Present and Past
HIST 101-GE: Western Civilization to 1660
Recertification of Foundational Component Area: Communication
ENGL 210-GE: Technical and Professional Writing
End of Consent Agenda_____________________________