December 11, 2023
TAMU Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
December 11, 2023 3:00pm
Via Zoom
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 sixth meeting of the 41st session to order at 3:00pm the meeting was conducted via Zoom.
Senator Andrew Klein monitored the raised hand function and will monitor the chat. Zoom’s registration function was being used to track attendance.
SPEAKERS COMMENTS
First off, I would like to remind our faculty that last Friday marked the end of the 21-day waiting period for Interim President Welsh to serve as the sole final candidate. Tomorrow at 10:00am, there is a Texas A&M Board of Regents meeting scheduled. One of the items scheduled on the open session is appointment and the authorization for the Chancellor to execute an employment agreement for Interim President Welsh with the A&M System. Nothing is certain, but I encourage you to watch your email tomorrow for a potential email that might occur.
Second item on the Board of Regents agenda for tomorrow is the authorization to negotiate and execute a ground lease of approximately 32.4 acres of land from NASA located in the Exploration Park Development in Houston, Harris County, TX.
There will be a realistic Mars and Moon environments and I personally look forward to this new amazing space facility.
Item #3 on the agenda is the approval and project scope budget for appropriation for construction services, and approval for the remaining scope for the Law & Education Building Project at Texas A&M in Fort Worth, TX. Project No. 01-3359. For those who haven’t heard, the Texas A&M University System in partnership with the City of Forth Worth and Tarrant County will build a world-class, three building facility with green space for the permanent home of the Texas A&M University School of Law. Other A&M System colleges & agencies to be co-located with complementary commercial tenants to transform the 3.5 acre site in downtown Fort Worth to an Innovation District, a catalyst for commercial entrepreneurism. In addition to the School of Law, many other entities will have presence there. The School of Performance, Visualization, and Fine Arts will have a Virtual Production Institute. Texas A&M Agrilife Research will have an Agriculture, Food, & Nutrition Evidence Center, an Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, a food processing hub, and controlled environment agriculture. The Texas A&M Health Science Center will have an Institute for Healthcare Access. The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station will have a presence as decided by the new dean. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute will have a Research & Implementation Program, an Urban Analysis Program, a Transit Mobility Program, and a Multi-resolution Modeling Program. The Provost Office will host an Office of Youth Engagement and an Office of Undergraduate Recruitment and Outreach. The Texas Division of Emergency Management will have their Region 2 headquarters there. Tarleton State University will host a Biotechnology Institute and Medical Lab Sciences Research. Many other things under discussion such as an Early Childhood Development Center, similar to the Charlotte Sharp and Becky Gates Programs, and an industry sponsored maker space.
So again, I encourage you to watch out for the results of tomorrow’s Board meeting.
Back to Interim President Welsh, I hope you were able to attend the State of the University Address. I found it to be quite excellent with a clear and motivating path forward. I was particularly struck by his humbleness throughout the talk. It is clear that he really values every single individual at the institution and what they bring to the table. I also appreciated his willingness to speak about the university’s reputational damage and other things in our past without trying to gloss over them while simultaneously providing a motivational and energetic path forward.
I’m not sure if I’m allowed to us that phrase anymore. But it was an excellent talk and since then I have asked over 100 faculty what they thought of the talk and every single one of them thought it was excellent. I’m excited to see where this new president will lead us.
Last time we met in November, we had voted on if the Faculty Senate should vet Interim President Welsh as a presidential candidate. That vetting process would have involved among other things, getting faculty feedback about what the faculty want to see in a permanent president and where we still need to go to be the best university in the world. If you recall that vote was negative. The faculty senate voted to not provide feedback before the president’s permanent appointment with those in opposition worried about the potential optics such a vetting would cause.
The interim president was looking forward to getting such feedback. And he still is. He still wants to hear the faculty voice. Specifically, he stated that he wants to know what the faculty think is important to tell in the TAMU story of academic excellence, and how the faculty thing it should be told. He wants to know as the educational landscape changes, what do faculty think TAMU should promote and what should we avoid? He wants to know how the faculty think he should prioritize the needs of the university. During his State of the University Address, he mentioned the formation of a task force to help guide direction. He wants feedback from the faculty about what this task force would look like. And how do we make sure that the ideas that come from the task force are representative of the faculty as a whole. He wants to know if the faculty think we should be offering various certifications, and what they should be. Are their other unique ways we can help educate the people of the state to better support non-traditional students? We are a Land, Sea and Space Grant University, and as such, we need to worry about how we support all Texans in their educational endeavors.
So, I hope the faculty will agree to provide the requested feedback and faculty voice to General Welsh.
On another note, I have had several discussions with the Chancellor in his office and he is still very supportive of us formally updating the system policy in how faculty are engaged in presidential searches. I expect to have more for you on that at our next meeting.
That brings me to the focus of today’s meeting which is Academic Freedom. Academic Freedom is of the upmost importance. Our faculty have a duty to search for and speak out on behalf of truth. It is academic freedom which enables and supports us faculty to do just that.
Wikipedia defines Academic Freedom as a moral and legal concept expressing the conviction that the freedom of inquiry by faculty members is essential to the mission of the academy as well as the principles of academia and the scholars should have freedom to teach or communicate ideas or facts (including those that are inconvenient to external political groups or to authorities) without fear of repression, job loss, or imprisonment.
In today’s politically complicated environment, faculty at times have felt that their academic freedom is threatened or unsupported. We are reminded that struggles with academic freedom have existed since the dawn of time. Galileo Galilee was imprisoned for stating that the earth revolves around the sun rather than the inverse.
Here at TAMU, multiple faculty have felt their academic freedom under attach. I have heard from faculty from all sides of the political aisle who have felt that their academic freedom has been attached or unsupported.
But I am proud of the advances that have been made over the past few months regarding protections of academic freedom. I have invited Dr. Heather Lench to speak today about the accomplishments made thus far at TAMU. Dr. Lench leads a task force which had several Faculty Senate members on it as well, created by the Office of the Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs on Academic Freedom. This task force created a document to support faculty members targeted by individuals or groups outside of the university. It provides advice for the faculty member involved, their department head, and their dean. I mailed this document out to all faculty members just this past Friday. I hope you become familiar with this document, share it broadly, and support any faculty who may be going through something similar.
After I sent it out, I received great enthusiasm from the faculty. The most common reply was “This is a great start!”
But like me, the faculty agreed that we can do more. I got a number of excellent suggestions about how we can do more. I’m going to read some of them here:
There is no direction to pertinent policies, no information about appeals, or direction to personnel in the system with contact information. Still the onus of all is on the faculty member to figure out what is going on.
There is no direction on how to manage press or FOIA requests. It is not specific enough, rather talks in generalities.
They need to emphasize the need for leadership to 1. Alert the faculty member affected. 2. Offer to work with them; and 3. Continuously monitor the situation.
One person said it would be good for President Welsh to come out publicly with this document and to address the Faculty Senate. It would also be important to back up with real resources and teeth.
The faculty think that deans need risk management to give them latitude to respond publicly on behalf of their faculty. This is a sense by the faculty that up to now it seems to be a run, duck, cover, ignore and hope it goes away. That only causes a faculty member to feel more alone. Other faculty said that maybe our leaders needed training with these things.
Many spoke that they wished that our leaders were braver.
Faculty continue to ask for us to consider abiding by the Chicago Principles.
Faculty gave some really great concrete advice as well as, such as suggesting we add a page of contact information at the end. And I loved this one, we should also encourage all departments, schools, and colleges to post physical copies of the document in a prominent place.
One adjunct faculty member stated, I do not feel this offers enough support for those of us who work part time and predominately online on term-to-term contracts. Most adjuncts will not rock the boat and report such issues as they feel that their position or class assignments would be in jeopardy. In addition, some faculty are labeled as racist, sexist, homophobic or other ism by students for holding all students to the same academic standards in terms of grading. Such labels are not based on evidence or facts, but merely used to bully faculty into giving students higher grades that were not earned. What is the university doing to protect faculty from such slander and libel by students?
Some faculty voiced that they felt that politics plays a part in university reactions. I personally feel strongly that Academic Freedom should have nothing to do with side of the political aisle you affiliate with.
I was very impressed with the amount of suggestions on how we can move forward and better support our faculty and preserve academic freedom.
So, today’s main business item is to discuss what progress has been made thus far. And I have asked Heather Lench from the Academic Freedom Task Force to lead us through. After Heather speaks, I will open it up for discussion on what we need to do more. I will also be providing Heather Lench with an anonymized listing of the suggestions that you have given me thus far so that the task force can work on implementing them.
I had initially listed this talk to occur during our New Business section, but because of the importance of this discussion, I have moved it up to our Guest Speaker slot. As we already have several people who have reached out to me who want to speak in addition to Dr. Lench on behalf of this topic.
Okay, so the way that I thought we would be able to make the most effective progress is for Heather Lench to brief us on what has been done thus far. You may ask clarifying questions during this talk, but please hold off with existing problems with the process or suggestions for improvement until after she is done. After she is done, there are a few people who have requested to speak and have prepared statements so I will call on them first. After that point, I will open the floor for discussion of what issues still remain unresolved and then a discussion on what can be done to help resolve them.
Dr. Lench, the floor is yours.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Dr. Heather Lench, Senior Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs
Update on Task Force on Academic Freedom & Faculty Protection – FS. 41.140
Dr. Wendy Greenwood, School of Nursing
Dr. Jane Bolin, School of Nursing
Comments and questions raised by: Senator Adam Kolasinski – Mays Business School. Senators Rajesh Miranda, Robert Carpenter and Mark Sicilio– all from the School of Medicine. Senator Clint Magill – College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. Senator Raymundo Arroyave – College of Engineering,
Speaker –Dr. Tracy Hammond thanked, Dr. N.K. Anand, Dr. Heather Lench and Dr. Alan Sams.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The motion passed to approve the November 13, 2023 minutes as distributed. Attachment B – FS.41.141
CONSENT AGENDA
The motion passed to approve the December 11, 2023 Consent Agenda as presented.
Graduate Council
New Courses – Passed -FS.41.142
ACCT 657: Accounting Data Analytics
ACCT 658: Advanced Accounting Data Analytics
ACCT 677: Chief Financial Officers and Financial Leadership
ANSC 655: System Dynamics for Animal Science
BAEN 632: Bioaerosols and Modeling
CSCE 715: Secure Authentication Systems
CSCE 716: Foundations and Applications of Blockchains
CSCE 717: Algorithmic Game Theory
ECCB 630: Advanced Restoration Ecology
FINC 679: Real Estate Analytics II
HMGT 612: International Event Management
HMGT 630: Contemporary Perspectives in Qualitative Research within Hospitality & Tourism
ITDE 703: Learning, Motivation, and Critical Theories in Engineering Education
ITDE 710: Research Lifecycle and Publication in Engineering
PBSI 672: Qualitative Methods in Psychological Sciences
RWFM 602: Wildlife Tracks and Signs
RWFM 621: Communicating Natural Resources
RWFM 625: Watershed Analysis and Planning
RWFM 630: Conservation Principles and the Role of Hunting
RWFM 645: Fish Health and Diseases
RWFM 660: Leadership in Natural Resource Management
RWFM 671: Fisheries and Small Impoundment Management
RWFM 672: Aquatic Vegetation Identification and Management
SSEN 644: Offshore Installation and Construction
SSEN 645: The Hydrogen Economy
New Courses – Galveston – Passed -FS.41.143
MARB 625: Human Impacts in the Marine Environment
Change in Courses – Passed- FS.41.144
ACCT 648: Accounting Information Systems
ANSC 609: Physiology of Growth and Stress in Livestock
COSC 608: Structural Principles and Practices
COSC 620: Construction Company Operations
COSC 628: Construction Contracts and Risk Management
COSC 644: Advanced Construction Systems
CSCE 749: Applied Cryptography
ECEN 642: Digital Image Processing and Computer Vision
ECEN 680: Testing and Diagnosis of Digital Systems
ECEN 710: Switching Power Supplies
ECEN 713: Data Sciences and Applications for Modern Power
ECEN 722: Field Programmable Gate Arrays Information Processing Systems
EDCI 650: The Multicultural Young Child in Family and Culture
EPSY 608: Foundations in Professional Coaching
EPSY 609: Coaching Groups and Teams
EPSY 610: Peer Coaching in PK-12
EPSY 661: Data Analysis for Single-Case Experimental Design in Educational Research
HMGT 625: Hotel and Tourism Industry Analytics
ISTM 660: Applied Predictive Analytics for Business
MATH 673: Mathematical Foundations of Cryptography
NUEN 640: Severe Accident Analysis of Nuclear Facilities
PBSI 607: Methods and Statistics in Psychological Science I
RWFM 670: Environmental Impact Assessment
RWFM 678: Latent Variable Model Applications
SCMT 635: Sourcing and Procurement Management
SCMT 637: Supply Chain Modeling and Optimization
SCMT 670: Service Operations Models
SCMT 680: Practical Lean Business Systems
SCMT 701: Supply Chain and Analytics Career Management
SCMT 702: Supply Chain Communication and Leadership
SOPH 602: Health Policy and Management
SPED 624: Professional Development in Research
VIZA 611: Concepts of Visual Communications I
VIZA 631: Contemporary Art Seminar II
VIZA 680: Professional Practice in Visualization
Change in Courses – Course Inactivation Proposal – Passed -FS.41.145
SOPH 604: Framing and Persuasion: Public Health in the Public Sphere
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.146
College of Engineering
Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering
DEN-ENGR: Doctor of Engineering in Engineering
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.147
College of Engineering and School of Medicine
Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering and School of Medicine
MEN/MD-ENGR/MDMD-ENGR/MDMD: Master of Engineering and Doctor of Medicine Combined Degree Plan
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.148
Mays Business School
Department of Management
MS-ENLD: Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.149
School of Architecture
Department of Construction Science
PHD-COSC: Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Science
Miscellaneous Bulk Inactivation Request – Passed -FS.41.150
Architecture - GR Courses Not Taught - Bulk Inactivation
Engineering - GR Courses Not Taught - Bulk Inactivation
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
New Courses – Passed -FS.41.151
AERO 478: Low Temperature Plasma - Theory, Modeling, Applications
AGCJ 301: Media Production in Agriculture and Life Sciences
AGCJ 355: Digital Storytelling in Agriculture and Life Sciences I
AGCJ 455: Digital Storytelling in Agriculture and Life Sciences II
ALED 419: Followers and Followership
ANTH 420: Pirates, Privateers, and Sea Raiders
ARAB 215: Introduction to Modern Arab Culture
ARAB 258: Global Middle Eastern Cultures
ARTS 231: Digital Form and Fabrication
ARTS 455: Experimental Typography
CHEM 257: Organic Chemistry I - Structure and Function
CHEM 258: Organic Chemistry II - Reactivity and Applications
CULN 483: Culinary Health Practicum
ECDE 382: Supporting Diverse Learners and Their Families
ECFB 422: Infant Development and Program Planning and Infant/Toddler Lab
EHRD 325: Human Capital Acquisition, Management, and Development
FILM 101: Introduction to Visual Studies
FILM 333: Story for the Screen Time
FINC 430: Venture Capital Investing
FSTC 319: Molecular Methods for Microbial Detection and Characterization
GEOG 409: Geographies of Decarbonization
GLST 402: Global Perspectives on Environmental Humanities
GLST 406: Humanities Studies in Science and Technology
HMGT 440: Global Engagement in Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism Studies
INTA 216: World Cinema and International Politics
ISTM 365: Fundamentals of Cloud Computing
MATH 135: Mathematics for Teachers I
MATH 136: Mathematics for Teachers II
MTDE 314: Skills for Technology Leadership
MTDE 433: Transition from Fossil Fuels
MTDE 445: The Hydrogen Economy
MUSC 115: Fundamentals of Music Technology
MUSC 130: Introduction to Music Performance
MUSC 140: Introduction to InterArts Performance
MUSC 220: Music History Survey
MUSC 230: Topics in Music Analysis
MUSC 241: Music and Video Games
MUSC 243: Music and Visual Art
MUSC 273: Individual Instruction - Electronic Music Performance I
MUSC 300: Music Research and Writing
MUSC 305: Music Entrepreneurship
MUSC 330: Music Performance Project
MUSC 373: Individual Instruction - Electronic Music Performance II
MUSC 375: Individual Instruction - Composition II
MUSC 430: Music Performance Studio
MUSC 441: Music Performance Capstone
NUTR 406: Nutrition in Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases
NUTR 483: Practicum for Nutrition in Sports
PHLT 322: Concepts in Health Education
PHYS 415: Nuclear and Particle Physics
PSAA 205: Data and Decision‐Making in Public Service
PSAA 210: Integrated Solutions to Public Service Problems
PSAA 272: Introduction to National Defense and Homeland Security
PSAA 301: Research Methods for Public Service
PSAA 302: International Perspectives in Public Service
PSAA 344: Public Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
PSAA 350: Economics of Public Policy
PSAA 360: The Nonprofit Sector
PSAA 364: Fundraising and Philanthropy
PSAA 372: Emergency Management Enterprise - Local, State and Federal
PSAA 403: Public and Nonprofit Budgeting
PSAA 404: Ethics in Public Service
PSAA 405: Cultural Competency in Public Service
PSAA 430: Leading and Managing Public Service Organizations
PSAA 441: Program Assessment and Evaluation
PSAA 442: Cross‐Sector Collaboration
PSAA 443: Managing Workplace Diversity in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
PSAA 450: Using Data to Make a Difference
PSAA 453: Environmental Policy
PSAA 472: Terrorist Threat to the Nation
SCMT 281: Supply Chain Management Professional Development
SENG 440: Material Safety in Semiconductor Manufacturing
SENG 442: Vapor Phase Techniques for Semiconductor Manufacturing
VIST 419: Motion Capture Animation
New Courses – Galveston – Passed -FS.41.152
DIVE 411: Offshore Research Diving
DIVE 430: Techniques in Overhead Environment Diving
Change in Courses – Passed -FS.41.153
ACCT 447: Financial Statement Analysis
AGEC 217: Fundamentals of Agricultural Economics Analysis
AGEC 414: Agribusiness and Food Market Analysis
AGEC 415: Food and Agribusiness Strategic Market Planning
AGEC 432: Rural Real Estate and Financial Analysis
AGEC 440: Agribusiness Strategic Analysis
AGEC 460: Cross-Cutting Issues in Agricultural Economics
ALEC 472: Grant Writing and Program Evaluation for Youth Development Organizations
ANSC 113: Farm Animal Biosystems
ANSC 333: Reproduction in Farm Animals
ANSC 498: Animal Science Capstone
ARSC 201: Self-Directed Experiences with Adolescents
ARTS 104: Introduction to Graphic Design
ARTS 341: History of Animation
BMEN 201: Professional Development Essentials
BMEN 207: Computing for Biomedical Engineering
BMEN 250: Biostatistics and Data Visualization
BMEN 311: Imaging Living Systems
BMEN 321: Circuits, Signals, and Systems
BMEN 351: Biomedical and Health Data Science
BMEN 361: Biomedical Engineering Mechanics
BUSH 141: Bush Undergraduate Success Hub
CHEM 234: Organic Synthesis and Analysis
CHEM 238: Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 446: Organic Chemistry III
CHEM 470: Industrial Chemistry
CVEN 250: Introduction to Graphics and Visualization Applications in Civil Engineering Design
CVEN 307: Transportation Engineering
CVEN 322: Civil Engineering Systems
CVEN 342: Materials of Construction
CVEN 343: Portland Cement Concrete Materials for Civil Engineers
CVEN 349: Civil Engineering Project Management
CVEN 365: Introduction to Geotechnical Engineering
CVEN 424: Civil Engineering Professional Practice
CVEN 444: Structural Concrete Design
CVEN 450: AutoCAD in Civil Engineering
CVEN 451: Public Works Engineering
CVEN 483: Analysis and Design of Structures
EURO 441: The Russian Novel I - Tolstoy and Dostoevsky
EURO 442: The Russian Novel II - The Twentieth Century
EVEN 401: Design Problems in Environmental Engineering II
FIVS 282: Occupational and Professional Development
HISP 352: Hispanic Literature and Film
HISP 409: Hispanic Photography in a Global Context
HIST 210: Introduction to Russian History
HMGT 300: Supervised Field Studies
HMGT 314: Service Quality in Hospitality, Hotel Management, and Tourism
HMGT 353: Food and Beverage Management
HMGT 424: Event Management Capstone
HMGT 450: Financing Hospitality, Hotel, and Tourism Services
HMGT 467: Seminar for the Visitor Economy
IDIS 444: Distribution Project and Process Management II
IDIS 471: Industrial Business to Business Marketing
ITDE 499: Degree Plan Approval for ITDE
MATH 147: Calculus I for Biological Sciences
MATH 167: Explorations in Mathematics
MATH 410: Multivariate Real Analysis
MATH 437: Principles of Numerical Analysis
MATH 446: Analysis on Metric Spaces
MATH 447: Integration and Measure Theory
MGMT 363: Managing People in Organizations
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 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 371: Individual Instruction - Brass Performance II
MUSC 372: Individual Instruction - Percussion Performance II
NUTR 203: Scientific Principles of Human Nutrition
NUTR 204: Perspectives in Nutrition
NUTR 304: Food Service Systems Management
NUTR 475: Nutrition and Physiological Chemistry
OCNG 203: Communicating Oceanography
PHIL 482: Ethics and Engineering
PHLT 440: Contemporary Issues for Community Health Interns
PSAA 440: Public Policies and Policymaking
RUSS 302: Advanced Grammar and Composition II
RUSS 410: Seminar in Russian Studies
RUSS 443: Contemporary Russian Prose
RUSS 446: Russian Artistic Culture I - Beginnings to 1900
RUSS 447: Russian Artistic Culture II - 1890 to Present
RWFM 346: Park Ecology and Management
SCMT 340: Managing Logistics and Supply Chain Operations
SPAN 421: Latin American Poetry and Music
VIST 173: Foundations of Visual Computing II
VIST 206: Visual Studies Studio I
VIST 235: Theory and Practice in Visualization
VIST 370: Interactive Virtual Environments
VIST 405: Visual Studies Studio III
VIST 439: Capstone Proposal Development
VIST 474: Designing for the Web
Change in Courses – Course Inactivation Proposal – Passed -FS.41.154
FIVS 421: Latent Print Processing
Change in Programs - Passed -FS.41.155
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Chemistry
BA-CHEM: Chemistry - BA
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.156
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Chemistry
BA-CHEM-BCA: Chemistry - BA, Biological Chemistry or Medical, Dental, Pharmacy School Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.157
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Chemistry
BA-CHEM-CET: Chemistry - BA, Chemical Education Track
Change in Programs - Passed -FS.41.158
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Chemistry
BA-CHEM-ECA: Chemistry - BA, Environmental Chemistry Track
Change in Programs – Passed- FS.41.159
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Oceanography
BA-OCNS: Ocean Studies - BA
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.160
College of Arts & Sciences
University Studies
BA-USLA-SEL*: University Studies - BA, Society, Ethics and Law Concentration
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.161
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education & Communication
BS-AGCJ: Agricultural Communications and Journalism - BS
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.162
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Animal Science
BS-ANSC-ANS: Animal Science - BS, Science Option
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.163
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Plant Pathology & Microbiology
BS-BESC: Bioenvironmental Sciences - BS
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.164
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Chemistry
BS-CHEM: Chemistry - BS
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.165
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Chemistry
BS-CHEM-BCT: Chemistry - BS, Biological-Chemistry Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS. 41.166
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Chemistry
BS-CHEM-ECT: Chemistry - BS, Environmental Chemistry Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.167
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Chemistry
BS-CHEM-MCT: Chemistry - BS, Materials Chemistry Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.168
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology
BS-ECCB-ECB: Ecology and Conservation Biology - BS, Ecology and Conservation Biology Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.169
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology
BS-ECCB-EIF: Ecology and Conservation Biology - BS, Ecoinformatics Track
Change in Programs – Passed- FS.41.170
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology
BS-ECCB-FRS: Ecology and Conservation Biology - BS, Forest Resources Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.171
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Ecology & Conservation Biology
BS-ECCB-VZY: Ecology and Conservation Biology - BS, Vertebrate Zoology Track
Change in Programs – Passed FS.41.172
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Education Administration & Human Resource Development
BS-HRDV: Human Resource Development - BS
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.173
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Atmospheric Sciences
BS-METR: Meteorology - BS
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.174
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Oceanography
BS-OCNG: Oceanography - BS
Change in Programs – Passed- FS.41.175
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Physics and Astronomy
BS-PHYS-SMM: Physics - BS, Semiconductors & Modern Materials Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.176
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
BS-RWFM-AFM: Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management – BS, Aquaculture & Fisheries Management Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.177
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
BS-RWFM-NRM: Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management – BS, Natural Resources Management & Policy Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.178
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
BS-RWFM-RLM: Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management – BS, Rangeland Management Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.179
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
BS-RWFM-WFM: Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management – BS, Wildlife Management Track
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.180
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Kinesiology & Sport Medicine
BS-SPMT: Sport Management - BS
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.181
College of Engineering
Department of Petroleum Engineering
CERT-PETV: Petroleum Ventures - Certificate
Change in Programs Passed -FS.41.182
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
CERT-PSDV: Psychology of Diversity - Certificate
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.183
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Chemistry
MINOR-CHEM: Chemistry - Minor
Change in Programs Passed -FS.41.184
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Global Languages & Cultures
MINOR-HPCE: Hispanic Studies for Community Engagement - Minor
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.185
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Oceanography
MINOR-OCNG: Oceanography - Minor
Change in Programs – Passed -FS.41.186
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
MINOR-PNRM: Park and Natural Resource Management - Minor
Change in Programs – Galveston – Passed -FS.41.187
Texas A&M - Galveston Campus
Department Maritime Business Administration
BS/MMB-MBAU/MBAA-GAD: Maritime Business Administration - 5-year Bachelor of Science and Master of Maritime Business Administration and Logistics
Change in Programs – Galveston –Inactivation Proposal - Passed FS.41.188
Texas A&M - Galveston Campus
Department of Liberal Studies
BS-USGA-MLP*: University Studies - BS, Marine Environmental Law and Policy Concentration
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.189
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Public Service & Administration
BA-PSAA: Public Service and Administration - BA
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.190
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BFA-MUSP: Music Performance - BFA
New Programs – Special Consideration Passed -FS.41.191
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Public Service & Administration
BS-PSAA: Public Service and Administration - BS
New Programs – Special Consideration - Passed -FS.41.192
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Political Science
MINOR-AMPP: American Politics and Policy - Minor
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.193
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Political Science
MINOR-CMPL: Comparative Politics - Minor
New Programs – Special Consideration - Passed -FS.41.194
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Public Service & Administration
MINOR-HSEM: Homeland Security and Emergency Management
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.195
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Political Science
MINOR-INRL: International Relations -Minor
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS. 41.196
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Political Science
MINOR-LFND: Legal Foundations - Minor
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed - FS.41.197
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Public Service & Administration
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.198
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Public Service & Administration
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.199
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Political Science
MINOR-PDRS: Political Data and Research - Minor
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.200
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Public Service & Administration
MINOR-PPAN: Public Policy Analysis
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.201
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Political Science
MINOR-PTHE: Political Theory - Minor
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed- FS.41.202
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Political Science
MINOR-REGP: Race, Ethnic, and Gender Politics - Minor
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.203
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
MINOR-RLMT: Rangeland Management - Minor
New Programs – Special Consideration – Passed -FS.41.204
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
MINOR-WFMT: Wildlife & Fisheries Management - Minor
Miscellaneous Bulk Inactivation Request – Passed -FS.41.205
Architecture - UG Courses Not Taught - Bulk Inactivation
Engineering - UG Courses Not Taught - Bulk Inactivation
W&C Courses
Courses with C – Recertification – Passed-FS.41.206
FSCI 281-C: Oceans and One Health Sophomore Seminar
MARA 416-C: Port Operations, Administration and Economics
Courses with W – Certification – Passed -FS.41.207
ATMO 463-W: Air Quality
ECFB 321-W: Curriculum Design for Early Childhood Programs SEL and Literacy
GEOL 210-W: Geological Communication
HORT 315-W: Issues in Horticulture
POLS 200-W: Foundations of Political Science
Courses with W – Recertification – Passed -FS.41.208
COMM 420-W: Gender and Communication
COMM 447-W: Communication, Group Processes and Collaboration
HIST 280-W: The Historian’s Craft
WGST 320-W: Feminist Inquiry and Research Methods
End of Consent Agenda_____________________________
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Core Curriculum Council Report – Attachment C - Passed -FS.41.209
Foundational Component Area: Life and Physical Science
ARSC 104-GE: Contemporary Issues in Science - Cosmos, Earth and Humanity
PHYS 227-GE: Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory for the Sciences
Foundational Component Area: Communication
ENGL 203-GE: Writing about Literature
Foundational Component Area: International & Culture Diversity Designation
HMGT 442-ICD: International Perspectives in Hospitality, Tourism and Events
LAND 240-ICD: History of Landscape Architecture
PHLT 336-ICD: Health Disparities and Diversity in Society
Foundational Component Area: Creative Arts
HORT 203-GE: Floral Design
Foundational Component Area: Social & Behavioral Science
INST 301-GE: Educational Psychology
Foundational Component Area: Language, Philosophy, Culture
ITAL 251-GE: Global Italy
Foundational Component Area: Cultural Discourse
JWST 201-CD: Introduction to Jewish Studies
Foundational Component Area: Mathematics
MATH 135-GE: Mathematics for Teachers I
MATH 136-GE: Mathematics for Teachers II
NEW BUSINESS
Student Rule 57.6.1 – 57.6.2 – Deadlines: Disputes over an unauthorized absence determination and Disputes over final grades. Attachment D2 – Passed- FS.41.210
Student Rule 61 – Student E-mail Attachment D3 – Passed -FS.41.211
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senator Dana Gaddy – School of Veterinary Medicine, discussed lack of insurance from Texas A&M for equipment that has been damaged due to roof leaks. Senator Rajesh Miranda – School of Medicine responded that his school had to purchase their own insurance.
Senator Matthew Taylor – College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, discussed supervising students in 485’s in labs settings where the lab is a BSL 2 or higher due to risks. Asked if others have experienced being told that they aren’t allowed to supervise these students. Speaker-Elect. Dr. Angie Hill Price responded that she had never heard of this and has supervised many students in 485’s.
Senator Larry Fickel – School of Architecture, discussed revisions to Student Rule 36- Pet Animals. His wife has dogs involved in Pets with a Purpose and visits the Medical Libraries and Veteran Services and was stopped in the MSC and told she couldn’t enter unless her dog is a service dog. They are certified therapy dogs but not service dogs. Speaker-Elect. Dr. Angie Hill Price commented that she is on that committee that makes these decisions. She stated that it has always been only service animals allowed. Therapy dogs are not service animals. There are ways to have animals into buildings that she will share with Senator Fickel.
Senator Jorge Alvarado – College of Engineering, inquired about if Kevin McGinnis is retiring soon and has a replacement been found yet? Dr. Heather Lench stated that he is retiring, and they are starting a search. Provost Alan Sams requested that there be faculty involved in the decision and that it is a Vice President position which will be handled by the President’s Office. Provost Sams stated that an interim may be put in place if a replacement isn’t found before Mr. Kevin McGinnis retires.
Also, regarding buildings his building is very old and needs a new building. Feels the decision to get a new building is based on donors and not on needs.
Senator Patricia Pietrantonio – College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, learned that the building that she is in is rented and the elevator hasn’t worked for over a year. This has been brought up to Aggie Life Leadership. Stated that it is creating delays in students getting to classes and moving equipment etc. Also responded to Senator Gaddy’s comment earlier that when a piece of equipment broke in their building, 3 faculty members had to pay to replace that piece of equipment. Speaker-Elect. Dr. Angie Hill Price stated that there aren’t uniform brands of elevators throughout campus and getting parts after Covid has been delayed. They have changed the company that they were using for repairs and feel it is getting better.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was returned to Speaker Hammond and was adjourned at 4:23pm.