January 22, 2024
TAMU Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes
January 22, 2024 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 Elect, Dr. Angie Hill Price called the seventh 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 the chat. Zoom’s registration function was used to track attendance.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Chancellor John Sharp - discussed the past Legislative Session, and searches including faculty.
Questions & Comments made by: Dr. Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering,
Dr. Jorge Alvarado – College of Engineering, Dr. Grace Townsend – TAMUG. Secretary Klein presented questions and comments posted in the chat.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dr. Angie Hill Price – Save the Date: March 4, 2024, 1:30pm – 4:00pm Joint meeting with the University of Texas at Austin Faculty Council which will be held via Zoom.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The December 11, 2023 minutes were approved as distributed. Attachment B –
CONSENT AGENDA
The January 22, 2024 Consent Agenda was approved as presented with the exception of EDHP 623 which was returned to the Graduate Chair for further discussion between the School of Medicine which oversees the Education of Healthcare Professionals program and the Department of Statistics.
Graduate Council - Passed - FS.41.213
New Courses
AERO 678: Low-Temperature Plasma - Theory, Modeling, Applications
CHEN 649: Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion
CHEN 673: Electrochemical Science and Engineering
CSCE 632: Accessible Computing
ECEN 744: Scientific Machine Learning
EDAD 675: Student Access and Retention in Higher Education
ENTO 633: Professional and Scientific Writing
EPSY 674: Foundations of Creativity
HMGT 635: Advanced Quantitative Methods in Hospitality and Tourism
ICPE 641: Data Science Fundamentals for Energy II - Predictive Modeling
ICPE 644: Data Science for Process Systems
ICPE 645: Data Science for Oil and Gas Production
ICPE 670: Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management
ICPE 671: Supply Chain Strategic Cost Management
ICPE 672: Sustainability and Labor Compliance in Global Value Chains
INTA 628: Identity and Ideology in International Politics
INTA 649: Iran - From Revolution to Regional Power
MEID 808: United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 Clinical Knowledge Review and Prep
MEID 816: Interprofessional Disaster Readiness
MEID 836: Practical Application of Evidence Based Medicine in the Clinical Setting
MFCM 837: Rural Community Medicine
MHUM 814: Operations Border Health Preparedness
MPAT 805: Forensic Pathology - Medical Examiner – Coroner Investigating Death
MRAD 820: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound - Upper Extremity
NUTR 631: Clinical Practice Skills in Dietetics
NUTR 654: Nutrigenomics and Precision Nutrition
OBGY 917: Gynecology Oncology Acting Internship
OBGY 921: Gynecology and Women’s Health
PHAR 874: Pre-Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Capstone
PHPM 667: Analytical Issues in Health Services Research I
PHSC 752: Nanotechnology for Biomedical Applications
SENG 640: Material Safety in Semiconductor Manufacturing
SENG 641: Process Safety in Semiconductor Manufacturing
SENG 642: Vapor Phase Techniques for Semiconductor Manufacturing
SENG 665: Reliability Engineering
SURG 893: General and Bariatric Surgery
VIZA 619: Motion Capture Animation
VIZA 621: Virtual and Tangible Sculpture
VIZA 624: Interactive Virtual Environments
VIZA 628: Computational Design
VIZA 638: Advanced Game Design
VIZA 645: Figure Drawing for Narrative and Concept Art
VIZA 655: Principles and Practices in Digital Twin Technology
VIZA 671: Generative Artificial Intelligence for Visual Data
VLCS 604: Topics in Agricultural and Veterinary Research
VLCS 606: Metagenomic Sequencing Informatics I
VTMI 632: Wildlife Capture, Immobilization and Handling
VTMI 670: Current Molecular Approaches in Biomedical Sciences
The following course was pulled from the consent agenda and rolled back to the Graduate Chair role for further discussion.
EDHP 623: Quantitative Research Methods in Healthcare Professions
New Courses – Galveston - Passed FS.41.214
MARS 642: Coastal Resiliency and Hazard Mitigation
Change in Courses - Passed FS.41.215
ANES 803: Anesthesiology Critical Care
BAEN 622: Unit Operations in Food Processing
BAEN 627: Engineering Aspects of Packaging
BUAD 684: Professional Internship
CHEN 601: Laboratory Safety for Chemical Engineers
COMM 616: Topics in Communication Methods
COSC 642: Construction Information Technology
CSCE 625: Artificial Intelligence
ECEN 714: Digital Integrated Circuit Design
EDAD 610: Higher Education Law
EDAD 655: Administration of Higher Education
EHRD 637: Workforce Development
EMED 809: Point of Care Ultrasound
ENDO 600: Current Literature Review I
ENDO 601: Current Literature Review II
ENDO 602: Current Literature Review III
ENDO 603: Current Literature Review IV
ENDO 604: Current Literature Review V
ENDO 605: Current Literature Review VI
ENTC 651: Advanced Materials Technology
EPSY 606: Motivation and Emotion for Optimal Learning and Performance
EPSY 671: Interpersonal Relationships and Children's Academic Outcomes
FINC 644: Funding New Ventures
FINC 646: Technical Analysis of Financial Markets
ICPE 601: Environmental Issues of Energy Systems
ICPE 602: Reservoir Characterization and Modeling
ICPE 604: Energy Systems Engineering I
ICPE 605: Energy Systems Engineering II
ICPE 606: Introduction to Optimization
ICPE 610: The Global Energy Future
ICPE 613: Natural and Shale Gas Monetization: Technologies, Fundamentals, Economics and Applications
ICPE 615: Smart Grid Fundamentals
ICPE 617: Gas Separations for Energy: Fundamentals, Applications and New Directions
ICPE 618: Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage, CCUS
ICPE 619: Nanomaterials Engineering and Energy Storage
ICPE 620: Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
ICPE 622: Energy Efficiency in Buildings
ICPE 623: Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Towards Sustainable Resource Allocation
ICPE 626: Safety in Energy Systems
ICPE 631: Sustainability Considerations In Energy
ICPE 642: Advanced Concepts in Machine Learning for Energy
ICPE 643: Data Science for Power Systems
ICPE 651: International Energy Law
ICPE 652: Renewable Energy Law
ICPE 663: Entrepreneurship in Energy
ICPE 664: Management of Energy Projects
ICPE 665: Energy Industry Project Portfolio Management
IMED 865: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
ISTM 610: Network and Cloud Infrastructure
ISTM 615: Business Database Systems
LAND 601: Landscape Architectural Design Foundations
LAND 602: Cultural and Social Issues in Landscape Architecture
LAND 612: Landscape Architectural Site Engineering and Development
LAND 614: Landscape Architectural Construction
LAND 620: Open Space and Land Use Planning I
LAND 621: Open Space and Land Use Planning II
LAND 640: Research Methods in Landscape Architecture
LAND 655: Landscape Architectural Graphic Communication
MATH 649: Principles of Deep Learning
MEID 805: Residency and Beyond
MKTG 660: Marketing Consulting
MKTG 671: Innovation and Product Management
PBSI 671: Methods and Statistics in Psychological Science II
PHPM 676: Analytical Issues in Health Services Research II
SENG 677: Consequence and Impact Analysis
SURG 836: Orthopedic Hip Surgery
SURG 854: Orthopedic Surgery Acting Internship
VIZA 612: Concepts of Visual Communications II
VIZA 613: 3-D Modeling and Animation
VIZA 622: Design Communications I
VIZA 630: Contemporary Art Seminar I
VIZA 652: Computing for Visualization I
VIZA 653: Computing for Visualization II
VTPP 605: Systemic Physiology I
VTPP 606: Systemic Physiology II
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.216
Mays Business School
Departments of Accounting and Department of Finance
BBA/MFM-ACCT/FINM-YF5: Accounting- 5-Year Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Financial Management
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.217
Mays Business School
Departments of Accounting and Department of Business
BBA/MS-ACCT/CLBA-YR5: Accounting- 5-Year Bachelor of Business Adminstration and Master of Science
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.218
School of Architecture
Department of Land Architecture & Urban Planning
BS/MLP-URPN/LPDV-ALP: Urban & Regional Planning - 5-Year Bachelor of Science/Master of Land and Property Development
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.219
College of Engineering and School of Public Health
Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering and Department of Environmental & Occupational Health
BS/MPH-INEN/OCSH-PPH: Industrial Engineering - 5-Year Bachelor of Science/Master of Public Health in Occupational Safety and Health
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.220
College of Engineering and School of Public Health
Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering and Department of Environmental & Occupational Health
BS/MPH-ITDE/OCSH-PPH: Interdisciplinary Engineering - 5-Year Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health in Occupational Safety and Health
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.221
School of Public Health
Department of Health Behavior
BS/MPH-PHLT/HPCH-PPC: Public Health - 5-year Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health in Health Promotion & Community Health Sciences
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.222
School of Public Health
Department of Environmental & Occupational Health
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.223
School of Public Health
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.224
School of Public Health
Department of Health Policy & Management
BS/MPH-PHLT/PHPM-PPM: Public Health - 5-year Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Health in Health Policy & Management
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.225
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management and Department of Public Service & Administration
BS/MPS-RWFM/PSAA-BPS: Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management- 5-year Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Service Administration
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.226
College of Engineering and Mays Business School
Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering and Department of Finance
BS/MS-INEN/FINC-BBU: Industrial Engineering - 5-year Bachelor of Science/ Master of Science in Finance
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.227
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.228
School of Architecture
Department of Land Architecture & Urban Planning
BS/MUP-URPN/URPL-AUP: Urban & Regional Planning - 5-Year Bachelor of Science/Master of Urban Planning
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.229
School of Architecture
Department of Land Architecture & Urban Planning
CERT-CDEV: Community Development - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.230
School of Dentistry
Department of Public Health Services
CERT-DDPH: Dental Public Health - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.231
School of Architecture
Department of Land Architecture & Urban Planning
CERT-ENHZ: Environmental Hazard Management - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.232
Mays Business School
Department of Management
CERT-ENTR: Entrepreneurship - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.233
School of Dentistry
Department of Periodontics
CERT-PERI: Periodontics - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.234
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Sociology
CERT-WGST: Women’s and Gender Studies - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.235
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Communication & Journalism
MA-COMM: Master of Arts in Communication
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.236
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education & Communication
MAY-AYDV: Master of Applied Youth Development
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.237
School of Public Health
Department of Health Policy & Management
MHA-HADM: Master of Health Administration in Health Administration
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.238
School of Medicine
MS-EDHP: Master of Science in Education for Health Care Professionals
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.239
College of Engineering
Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
MS-ENTC: Master of Science in Engineering Technology
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.240
College of Engineering
Department of Nuclear Engineering
MS-NUEN: Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.241
College of Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering
MS-SENG: Master of Science in Safety Engineering
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.242
College of Engineering
Department of Nuclear Engineering
PHD-NUEN: Doctor of Philosophy in Nuclear Engineering
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.243
School of Pharmacy
PHMD-PHAR: Doctor of Pharmacy
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.244
Texas A&M University – Qatar Campus
Department of Chemical Engineering
MEN-CHEN-QT: Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, Qatar Campus
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.245
Texas A&M University – Qatar Campus
Department of Chemical Engineering
MS-CHEN-QT: Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Qatar Campus
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal - Passed FS.41.246
School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts
BA/MA-PERF/PERF-LEN: Performance Studies - 5-Year Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Performance Studies
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal - Passed FS.41.247
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Communication & Journalism
BA/MA-USLA/COMM-LEJ*: University Studies, Journalism Studies Concentration - 5- year Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Communication
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal - Passed FS.41.248
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Agricultural Economics
MAG-AGEC: Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Economics
Special Consideration - New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.249
College of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
CERT-AIML: Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - Certificate
Special Consideration - New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.250
College of Engineering
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
CERT-DICD: Digital Integrated Circuit Design - Certificate
Special Consideration - New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.251
College of Engineering
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
CERT-EFMC: Electromagnetic Fields & Microwave Circuit Design - Certificate
Special Consideration - New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.252
College of Engineering
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
CERT-SCMF: Semiconductor Manufacturing - Certificate
Special Consideration - New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.253
College of Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering
CERT-SSCP: Safety in Semiconductor Processing - Certificate
Special Consideration - New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.254
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Educational Psychology
EDD-BESD: Doctor of Education in Bilingual, English as a Second Language, and Dual Language Education
Special Consideration - New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.255
College of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
MS-ARIN: Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
Special Consideration - New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.256
School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts
PHD-VCIM: Doctor of Philosophy in Visual Computing and Interactive Media
Miscellaneous Bulk Inactivation Request - Passed FS.41.257
Medicine - GR Courses Not Taught - Bulk Inactivation
Medicine - Professional Courses Not Taught - Bulk Inactivation
Pharmacy - GR Courses Not Taught - Bulk Inactivation
Miscellaneous Course Request - Passed FS.41.258
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
New Courses - Passed FS.41.259
AERO 221: Analytical Methods for Aerospace Engineering
ANSC 455: System Dynamics for Animal Science
AREN 430: Hygrothermal Analysis of Building Envelopes
BUSN 206: Emerging Business Technology Environment
BUSN 207: New Product Development and Go-to-Market Strategies
BUSN 208: Business Application Development
BUSN 209: Business in Technology Experience
CHEN 449: Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion
CHEN 473: Electrochemical Science and Engineering
CHEN 478: Advanced Process Economics and Finance for Chemical Engineers
CHEN 479: Process Synthesis, Integration and Intensification
COSC 427: Project Execution and Administration - Constructionarium United Kingdom
COSC 433: Immersion in Facilities Management
ECDE 352: Partnering with Families in Early Childhood
ECDE 472: Evaluation of Human Service Programs
ECEN 433: Advanced Micromachining Technologies for the Informational Era
ECFB 321: Curriculum Design for Early Childhood Programs SEL and Literacy
ECFB 424: Capstone Teaching in an Early Childhood Program
EPSY 322: Adult Development and Aging
EPSY 441: Family Development and Relationships
EPSY 442: Parenting and Family Caregiving
EPSY 443: Techniques of Coaching and Counseling
EPSY 444: Professional Ethics in Decision-Making
FSTC 416: Precision Fermentation and Future of Foods
GENE 303: Fundamentals of Genetics
GEOG 395: Thematic Cartography
GLST 210: Languages of the World
GLST 408: Techne, Technology, and the Visual Arts
GLST 413: Race, Gender, and the Environment
GLST 475: Film, Propaganda, and Dissidence
HMGT 333: Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions
INTA 330: Governing Capitalism
JWST 301: Contemporary Jewish Cultures
MSTC 224: Composing Commercial Music
MSTC 311: Technology-Based Performance
MSTC 352: Electronic Music Literature through Practice
MSTC 354: The Recording Medium
MXET 250: Robotic Systems Design
NUTR 400: Ethics in Nutrition and Healthcare
NUTR 403: Advanced Nutrition in Sports
NUTR 454: Nutrigenomics and Precision Nutrition
PERF 320: Research Methods in Performance and Visual Studies
PERF 330: Public Scholarship in Performance and Visual Studies
PERF 343: Role-Playing as Performance
PERF 430: Performance and Visual Studies Studio
RELS 350: Religions, Utopias, and Happiness
RUSS 355: Contemporary Russia in Its Own Films
SCSC 436: Industrial Hemp Bioproducts
SENG 441: Process Safety in Semiconductor Manufacturing
SOCI 446: Sociology of War Crimes
VIST 225: Virtual Production Techniques
VIST 325: Pre-Visualization and Storyboarding for Virtual Production
VIST 327: Virtual Cinematography and Lighting
VIST 425: Art Direction for Virtual Production
VIST 428: Advanced Game Design
VIST 429: On Set Virtual Production
Change in Courses - Passed FS.41.260
AERO 422: Active Controls for Aerospace Vehicles
AGEC 223: Establishing Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Networks I
AGEC 324: Agribusiness Entrepreneurship – Budgeting
AGEC 423: Establishing Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Networks II
AGEC 424: Agribusiness Entrepreneurship – Economic Analysis
ALEC 372: Designing and Delivering Effective Youth Programs
ANSC 303: Principles of Animal Nutrition
AREN 330: Mechanical Systems for Buildings
BICH 303: Elements of Biological Chemistry
BICH 409: Principles of Biochemistry
BICH 410: Comprehensive Biochemistry I
BICH 432: Laboratory in Molecular Genetics
BICH 456: Ribonucleic Acid World
BICH 464: Bacteriophage Genomics
BMEN 431: Biomolecular Engineering
BUSN 404: Business Capstone Project
CHEN 205: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics I
CHEN 426: Chemical Engineering Plant Design
COMM 205: Communication for Technical Professions
COMM 431: Rhetoric of Social Movements
COSC 153: Introduction to the Construction Industry
COSC 184: Construction Safety I
COSC 233: Introduction to Facilities Management
COSC 284: Introduction to Applied Workplace Ethics, Etiquette and Communications
ECEN 214: Electrical Circuit Theory
ECEN 340: Electric Energy Conversion
ECEN 403: Electrical Design Laboratory I
ECEN 453: Microwave Solid-State Circuits and Systems
ECEN 457: Operational Amplifiers
ECEN 478: Wireless Communications
ENTO 102: Continuing Academic Success in Entomology
ENTO 210: Global Public Health Entomology
ENTO 322: Insects and Human Society
EVEN 320: Principles of Environmental Engineering Chemistry
FIVS 102: Continuing Academic Success in Forensic and Investigative Sciences
FIVS 210: Forensic Photography
FIVS 422: Crime Scene Investigation
GENE 314: Principles of Genetics Laboratory
GENE 412: Population, Quantitative and Ecological Genetics
HLTH 333: Spirituality and Health
HMGT 401: Entrepreneurship in Hospitality, Tourism and Events
HMGT 452: Strategic Management for Hospitality and Tourism
HORT 416: Understanding Wine - From Vines to Wines and Beyond
IDIS 340: Manufacturer Distributor Relations
IDIS 433: Industrial Sales Force Development
INTS 489: Special Topics in...
ISEN 210: Deterministic Optimization Modeling and Design
ISEN 311: Introduction to Data Analytics and Engineering
ISEN 330: Human Systems Interaction
JOUR 304: Editing for the Mass Media
MKTG 441: Improving Healthcare Service
MSTC 101: Introduction to Performance Technology
MSTC 150: History of Electronic Music
MSTC 221: Fixed Media Composition
MSTC 223: Recording and the Producer
MSTC 341: Programming for Composers
MSTC 417: Intermedia Performance
NUTR 210: Horizons in Nutrition and Food Science
OCNG 252: The Blue Planet - Our Oceans Laboratory
PBSI 360: Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
PHLT 303: Social Context of Population Health
PHLT 304: Biological Basis of Public Health Diseases & Disorders
PHLT 305: Epidemiology in Public Health
PHLT 330: The Environment and Public Health
PHLT 432: Human Factors and Ergonomic Health and Safety
SCSC 309: Water in Soils and Plants
SCSC 310: Soil Morphology and Interpretations
SENG 455: Process Safety Engineering
SPED 314: Effective Mathematics Strategies for Students with Disabilities
STAT 315: Computational Data Science
VIST 442: Digital Characters - Art, Technology, Uses and Meaning
Change in Courses – Course Inactivation Proposal - Passed FS.41.261
PBSI 101: Neuroscience Overview
Change in Courses – Galveston Campus - Passed FS.41.262
MARA 360: Maritime Cybersecurity Issues
MARE 482: License Preparation Seminar
MART 311: Tug and Towing Operations
Change in Courses – Course Inactivation Proposal – Galveston Campus - Passed FS.41.263
MARR 101: Marine Engineering Fundamentals
MARR 300: Intermediate Operations
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.264
College of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
BA-COMP: Computing - BA
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.265
Bush School of Government & Public Service
Department of International Affairs
BA-INTA: International Affairs - BA
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.266
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Global Languages & Cultures
BA-MODL-RUS: Modern Languages - BA, Russian Option
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.267
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
BA-PVST: Performance and Visual Studies - BA
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.268
Mays Business School
Department of Accounting
BBA-ACCT: Accounting - BBA
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.269
Mays Business School
Department of Business
BBA-BHNR: Business Honors - BBA
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.270
Mays Business School
Department of Business
BBA-BUAD: Lower-Level Business Program
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.271
Mays Business School
Department of Finance
BBA-FINC: Finance - BBA
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.272
Mays Business School
Department of Management
BBA-MGMT-CSL: Management - BBA, Consulting/General Management Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.273
Mays Business School
Department of Management
BBA-MGMT-ENT: Management - BBA, Entrepreneurial Leadership Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.274
Mays Business School
Department of Management
BBA-MGMT-HRM: Management - BBA, Human Resource Management Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.275
Mays Business School
Department of Management
BBA-MGMT-LAW: Management - BBA, Pre-Law Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.276
Mays Business School
Department of Information & Operations Management
BBA-MISY: Management Information Systems - BBA
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.277
Mays Business School
Department of Marketing
BBA-MKTG-ADS: Marketing - BBA, Advertising Strategy Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.278
Mays Business School
Department of Marketing
BBA-MKTG-ANC: Marketing - BBA, Analytics and Consulting Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.279
Mays Business School
Department of Marketing
BBA-MKTG-HCM: Marketing - BBA, Healthcare Marketing Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.280
Mays Business School
Department of Marketing
BBA-MKTG-PSS: Marketing - BBA, Professional Selling and Sales Management Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.281
Mays Business School
Department of Marketing
BBA-MKTG-SRE: Marketing - BBA, Strategic Retailing Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.282
Mays Business School
Department of Information & Operations Management
BBA-SCMT: Supply Chain Management - BBA
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.283
College of Engineering
Department of Aerospace Engineering
BS-AERO: Aerospace Engineering - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.284
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Mathematics
BS-APMT: Applied Mathematics - BS, Math Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.285
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Mathematics
BS-APMT-ACT: Applied Mathematics - BS, Actuarial Science Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.286
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Mathematics
BS-APMT-CPS: Applied Mathematics - BS, Computational Science Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.287
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Mathematics
BS-APMT-CRT: Applied Mathematics - BS, Cryptography Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.288
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Mathematics
BS-APMT-ECO: Applied Mathematics - BS, Economics Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.289
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Mathematics
BS-APMT-STA: Applied Mathematics - BS, Statistics Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.290
College of Engineering
Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering
BS-AREN-MSB: Architectural Engineering - BS, Mechanical Systems for Buildings Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.291
College of Engineering
Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering
BS-AREN-SSB: Architectural Engineering - BS, Structural Systems for Buildings Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.292
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics
BS-BICH: Biochemistry - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.293
College of Arts & Sciences
BS-BIMS: Biomedical Sciences - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.294
College of Engineering
Department of Biomedical Engineering
BS-BMEN: Biomedical Engineering - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.295
College of Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering
BS-CHEN: Chemical Engineering - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.296
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Communication & Journalism
BS-COMM: Communication - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.297
College of Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
BS-CPEN: Computer Engineering - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.298
College of Engineering
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
BS-CVEN-CEM: Civil Engineering - BS, Construction Engineering and Management Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.299
College of Engineering
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
BS-CVEN-GCE: Civil Engineering - BS, General Civil Engineering Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.300
College of Engineering
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
BS-CVEN-WRN: Civil Engineering - BS, Water Resources Engineering Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.301
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Educational Psychology
BS-EDUC-BLE: Education - BS, Bilingual Education EC-6
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.302
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture
BS-EDUC-ENS: Education - BS, English Language Arts/Social Studies, Middle Grades Certification
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.303
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Educational Psychology
BS-EDUC-ESP: Education - BS, Special Education EC-12
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.304
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture
BS-EDUC-MTS: Education - BS, Math/Science, Middle Grades Certification
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.305
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture
BS-EDUC-PK6: Education - BS, Pre-K-6, Generalist Certification
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.306
College of Engineering
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
BS-ELEN: Electrical Engineering - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.307
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Entomology
BS-ENTO: Entomology - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.308
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Agricultural Economics
BS-FINP: Financial Planning - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.309
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Entomology
BS-FIVS-LWE: Forensic and Investigative Sciences - BS, Pre-Law Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.310
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Entomology
BS-FIVS-SCE: Forensic and Investigative Sciences - BS, Science Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.311
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Food Science & Technology
BS-FSTC-FSO+: Food Science and Technology - BS, Food Science Option
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.312
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Food Science & Technology
BS-FSTC-INO+: Food Science and Technology - BS, Food Industry Option
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.313
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.314
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism
BS-HMGT-BHO: Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism - BS, Business Hospitality Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.315
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.316
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism
BS-HMGT-HRT: Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism - BS, Hotel and Resort Management Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.317
College of Engineering
Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
BS-IDIS: Industrial Distribution - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.318
College of Engineering
Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
BS-INEN: Industrial Engineering - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.319
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management
BS-KINE-AEP: Kinesiology - BS, Exercise Science Track, Applied Exercise Physiology Concentration
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.320
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management
BS-KINE-BEP: Kinesiology - BS, Exercise Science Track, Basic Exercise Physiology Concentration
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.321
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management
BS-KINE-EST: Kinesiology - BS, Exercise and Sport Science Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.322
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management
BS-KINE-MTB: Kinesiology - BS, Exercise Science Track, Motor Behavior Concentration
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.323
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Education Administration & Human Resource Development
BS-LTPS: Learning Technology and Performance Systems - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.324
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Biology
BS-NRSC-MCB: Neuroscience - BS, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.325
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
BS-NRSC-BCN: Neuroscience - BS, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.326
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition
BS-NUTR-DPD: Nutrition - BS, Didactic Program in Dietetics Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.327
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition
BS-NUTR-HNH: Nutrition - BS, Human Health Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.328
School of Public Health
BS-PHLT-PHN: Public Health - BS, Non-internship Track
Change in Programs Passed FS.41.329
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Poultry Science
BS-POSC-TK2: Poultry Science - BS, Technical Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.330
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Soil & Crop Sciences
BS-PSSC-CRP: Plant and Environmental Soil Science - BS, Crops Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.331
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Soil & Crop Sciences
BS-PSSC-SWR: Plant and Environmental Soil Science - BS, Soil and Water Emphasis
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.332
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Statistics
BS-STAT: Statistics - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.333
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Soil & Crop Sciences
BS-TGSC: Turfgrass Science - BS
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.334
School of Architecture
Department of Land Architecture & Urban Planning
BS-URPN-UPY: Urban and Regional Planning - BS, Urban Policy Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.335
School of Architecture
Department of Land Architecture & Urban Planning
BS-URPN-URD: Urban and Regional Planning- BS, Urban Design Track
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.336
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
CERT-BEHL: Behavioral Health - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.337
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management & Tourism
CERT-HSMG: Hospitality Management - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.338
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Educational Psychology
CERT-INST: Interdisciplinary Studies - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.339
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences
CERT-WOOR: Work and Organizations - Certificate
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.340
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Global Languages & Cultures
MINOR-ARAB: Arabic Studies - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.341
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Global Languages & Cultures
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.342
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Atmospheric Sciences
MINOR-CLMC: Climate Change - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.343
College of Engineering
Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering
MINOR-ENPM: Engineering Project Management - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.344
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Entomology
MINOR-ENTO: Entomology - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.345
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Agricultural Economics
MINOR-FINP: Financial Planning - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.346
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
MINOR-GDSN: Graphic Design - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.347
College of Engineering
Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering
MINOR-INEN: Industrial Engineering - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.348
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Global Languages & Cultures
MINOR-JWST: Jewish Studies - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.349
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Education Administration & Human Resource Development
MINOR-LTPS: Learning Technology and Performance Systems - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.350
School of Military Science
Department of Commandant, Corp of Cadets
MINOR-MLST: Military Studies - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.351
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
MINOR-MSTC: Music Technology - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.352
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Anthropology
MINOR-MUST: Museum Studies - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.353
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
MINOR-SART: Studio Art - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.354
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture
MINOR-SEED: Secondary Education - Minor
Change in Programs - Passed FS.41.355
Texas A&M – Galveston Campus
Department of Maritime Business Administration
MINOR-MCYB: Maritime Cybersecurity - Minor
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal - Passed FS.41.356
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Communication & Journalism
BA-USLA-JNS*: University Studies - BA, Journalism Concentration
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal - Passed FS.41.357
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Food Sciences & Technology
BS-FSIM: Food Systems Industry Management - BS
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal - Passed FS.41.358
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition
BS-NUTR-NSO: Nutrition - BS, Molecular and Experimental Track
Change in Programs – Inactivation Proposal - Passed FS.41.359
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Global Languages & Cultures
CERT-PRAR: Proficiency in Arabic - Certificate
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.360
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Mathematics
BA-MATH-TCH: Mathematics - BA, Mathematics Teaching Emphasis
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.361
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture
BS-ECDE-LDR: Early Childhood Development & Education - BS, Leadership Track
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.362
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Teaching, Learning & Culture
BS-ECDE-TNL: Early Childhood Development & Education - BS, Teaching (Non-Licensure) Track
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.363
School of Education & Human Development
Department of Educational Psychology
BS-HDFS: Human Development & Family Sciences, BS
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.364
School of Public Health
BS-PHLT-PHI: Public Health - BS, Internship Track
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.365
School of Nursing
BSN-NURS-HON: Nursing - BSN, Honors Track
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.366
Mays Business School
Department of Business
CERT-BSTC: Business of Technology - Certificate
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal - Passed FS.41.367
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition
CERT-CUHL: Culinary Health - Certificate
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal – Passed FS.41.368
College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Global Languages & Cultures
CERT-PMDL: Certificate of Proficiency in Modern Languages - Certificate
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal – Passed FS.41.369
College of Engineering
Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering
MINOR-ENET: Engineering Entrepreneurship - Minor
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal – Passed FS.41.370
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
MINOR-MUSC: Music - Minor
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal – Passed FS.41.371
School of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal – Passed FS.41.372
College of Engineering
Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
MINOR-TSAL: Technical Sales - Minor
Special Consideration- New Program Proposal – Passed FS.41.373
School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
MINOR-VPRO: Virtual Production - Minor
W&C Courses
Courses with W – Certification – Passed FS.41.374
MARB 433-W: Applied Bioinformatics
SCSC 481-W: Senior Seminar
Courses with W – Recertification – Passed FS.41.375
COMM 415-W: New Media and Civil Society
MARB 403-W: Cetacean Behavior and Behavioral Ecology
End of Consent Agenda_____________________________
COMMITTEE REPORTS – Approved FS.41.376
Core Curriculum Council Report – Attachment C
Core Curriculum Recertification:
Foundational Component Area: Language, Philosophy & Culture
ANTH 316-GE: Nautical Archaeology
ENGL 228-GE: American Literature: Civil War to Present
ENGL 292-GE: Introduction To Literature And Medicine
GEOG 202-GE: Geography of the Global Village
MAST 270-GE: Historic Seafaring and Maritime Heritage
PHIL 251-GE: Introduction to Philosophy
Foundational Component Area: Life/Physical Science
ANTH 225-GE: Introduction to Biological Anthropology
ANTH 226-GE: Introduction to Biological Anthropology Laboratory
ASTR 103-GE: Introduction to Stars and Exoplanets
ASTR 104-GE: Introduction to Galaxies and Cosmology
HORT 201-GE: Horticultural Science and Practices
OCNG 252-GE: Oceanography Laboratory
PHYS 207-GE: Electricity and Magnetism for Engineering and Science
SCSC 105-GE: World Food and Fiber Crops
Foundational Component Area: American History
HIST 106-GE: History of the United States
Foundational Component Area: Creative Arts
PERF 228-GE: History of Electronic Music
Foundational Component Area: Social & Behavioral Science
EPSY 320-GE: Child Development
SOCI 211-GE: Sociology of Deviance
New Core Component Proposal:
Foundational Component Area: Language, Philosophy & Culture
ARAB 258-GE: Global Middle Eastern Cultures
New Core Component Proposal:
Cultural Discourse
JWST 301-CD: Contemporary Jewish Cultures
End of Consent Agenda_____________________________
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A motion was made by Senator Sinha, College of Arts & Sciences to send EDHP 623 back to the School of Medicine which oversees the Education of Healthcare Professionals program due to its course content being very similar to STAT 651. A vote was taken and approved. The course was returned to the Graduate Chair at the request of Dr. Fuhui Tong (Interim Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate School) who will share with both programs.
NEW BUSINESS
College and School name changes per Quick Look assessment
The following schools have asked for their names to be changed from school to college:
- School of Architecture
- School of Dentistry
- School of Education and Human Development
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing
- School of Performance, Visualization & Fine Arts
- Irma Lerma Rangel School of Pharmacy
- School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
The following is a new college creation:
Creation of the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies at the Galveston Campus.
A resolution was made in support of the creation of the College of Marine Sciences.
Be it resolved that the Faculty Senate fully supports the creation of the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies at the Galveston Campus.
A motion was made by Dr. Mark Sicilio and seconded by Dr. Fadi Khasawneh
After a vote, the creation of the college has passed.
SPEAKERS COMMENTS
Speaker Hammond reminded everyone to keep chat comments respectful.
Senators, I want to make sure that you are aware of Texas Land Grants Day, occurring on Friday, February 2nd, all day from 9-4 on the Texas A&M Campus with free lunch and breakfast tacos. This will be the fifth instantiation of this annual research collaboration event, Texas Land Grants Day (TXLGD). The conference is a collaboration between PVAMU and TAMU and serves as a launchpad for new opportunities, projects, and grants between institutions.
For those of you who don’t know there are only two Land Grants in Texas. The two land grant institutions in Texas are Texas A&M and Prairie View. They were both created at approximately the same time because of the Morrill Act. Texas A&M was created and then because they didn’t want any black people at Texas A&M, Prairie View was created. This was during the separate but equal time. Both universities have become a powerhouse in research. Texas A&M is an R1 and unmistakably one of the top universities in the country. Prairie View is an R2, but on track to be the first R1 HBCU.
Texas Land Grants Day alternates from being at TAMU one year and then Prairie View the next and repeat. It allows our researchers to learn about the great things that each school is doing. Many strong authentic collaborations have been borne through Texas Land Grants Day, and the administration has created many ways to facilitate collaborations including small start-up grants, like Prise, but also creating a process to support Prairie View faculty to be on TAMU graduate committees and vice versa and also supporting semester-long student exchange opportunities.
I want to emphasize that the purpose of Texas Land Grants Day is to support authentic collaborations. Many universities right now are clamoring to collaborate with HBCUs. And the researchers at HBCUs have a lot of options. Prairie View is one of the top if not the top HBCU in the nation. , received a request to be on a grant proposal right after Texas A&M became an HSI. The grant was in my area, so I asked if I could see the proposal and help with it. They told me there was no need, they just needed me because TAMU was an HSI. That did not feel good. And clearly, I passed on the opportunity to participate. Texas Land Grants Day allows us to form authentic long-lasting collaborations and connections with Prairie View that we enter in as equal partners.
Also, if you have been or are currently engaged in collaborative PVAMU and TAMU research or education projects funded internally or externally, we invite your students to showcase their efforts in your collaborative project at our student poster session.
And if you need one more motivation, in addition to the amazing researchers from both Prairie View and TAMU, there will be program officers from USDA, NSF, and NASA, who are excited to describe relevant opportunities for you, and also the opportunity to talk to the program officers yourself.
To repeat there will be program officers from USDA NSF and NASA
The event is on Friday, February 2, 2024, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at Texas A&M University. You can find more information at https://ieei.tamu.edu/txlgd/ .
I urge you to come.
Also, I wanted to let you know that Faculty Affairs continues to try to make policies that support our faculty. Last month, as you recall, Heather Lench discussed a document made by the academic freedom task force about how to respond to issues that faculty face. I also gave supporting advice on how to respond to not-so-flattering news stories about them. We all recognize that most faculty are not public figures, so when you experience public criticism in the media, fair or unfair, like most private citizens, faculty are often unprepared for how to act. The guidelines provide faculty advice on how to act in such cases, as well as setting up a committee that can provide personal advice to faculty members who find themselves in such situations. I know that faculty who are being identified for news pieces can receive a large volume of open records requests. And I also know that, as to all of you, that open records request, in and of themselves, in no way constitutes harassment. It is, after all, the right of every citizen to file them. However, a large volume of open records requests can be overwhelming for most faculty, as most have never had to deal with them. The hope is that these new guidelines will support all of the faculty with advice on how to manage such a situation, while fully complying with all the applicable Texas laws, both in letter and in spirit. "We have an open records office that is charged with educating faculty on the law so that they remain in compliance with both letter and spirit of the law. " I for one am very grateful for them. If you use the guidance document, please provide feedback back to NK Anand, Heather Lench, and their team.
I have some more good news from the Faculty Affairs team. For the first time, the University Promotion Committee (UPTC) discussed tenure and promotion cases and voted on each case. The University Promotion Committee (UPC) discussed Academic Professional Track (APT) promotion cases and voted on each case. The feedback we received from the committee members is overwhelmingly positive. We hope that this added rigor will strengthen the Promotion and Tenure process at the university level and ensure fairness to both candidates and Texas A&M University. To explain further, there is now a new committee that discusses each tenure case and each APT promotion case. This extra set of eyes ensures that these important cases have a fair outcome.
Additionally, as we have mentioned before SAPs have been improved to support due process for faculty. These changes have ensured that faculty have academic freedom and freedom of speech when it is appropriate and lawful. I, am grateful for these as well.
This brings me to another important change that I want to bring up. Starting before COVID, there have been three different faculty committees that have been working on the code of conduct for faculty, which describes what would be defined when faculty have acted unethically. This document could be made into an SAP now. I know several of you to whom I have sent it still see the need for a few changes, but it is much better than it was and, in the end, serves to protect our faculty and in a sense assures the ethical excellence that all of us follow.
While it can be put into an SAP now, another possibility is that instead of having it as an SAP, we have one more group consisting of some of our faculty senators to provide one last check on the document, and when they feel it is ready, they present it to the entire faculty senate and then we vote to ratify the code of conduct, which then goes on our website as part of our charter. If the code of conduct ever needs to be edited, because the world is a quickly changing place, the faculty senate would then edit the document and vote on the changes. This means that the faculty would then set the expectations that faculty hold for faculty professional conduct as a proud faculty member at Texas A&M. This also means that when suddenly there are large changes to a huge number of SAPs, such as when say, we remove the dean of faculty or say we merge colleges, we won’t miss, say, the sudden omission of a line that severely alters how it would be interpreted. Again, this would ensure that the faculty owns and makes all changes to the code of conduct. My thoughts are that we form a new committee or assign it to an existing committee. And that committee goes through it and then when they are ready, that committee will present it to the entire faculty senate, and we vote on it, suggest changes, etc. I plan to put a discussion on this for next month, and if we have any time, we can talk about it briefly at the end of the meeting. But I wanted to give you a heads-up.
The Provost Office has also been working on looking at a potential Dean of Faculties replacement. Alan Sams has done an excellent job listening to the faculty and instead of a Dean of Faculties, we are going to have a position that is instead a faculty advocate.
We are still planning on creating a survey to gain insight about what you would like to see in TAMU's future, what changes you have seen that you like, and maybe what you don’t want to be changed, so we can provide the president a view of what the faculty are feeling.
And to talk about something fun coming up. Many of our faculty are very familiar with the UT / TAMU rivalry. I want to remind those who might not know that the rivalry is coming back.
The Texas vs UT game is coming up next Thanksgiving, and you will start to be getting some teasers in the next coming months. It will be very exciting, and this inaugural SEC event will be called the “Lonestar Showdown”.
Another good news is that the system office has been looking into modifying the system policy for presidential searches to ensure faculty involvement. Chancellor John Sharp continues to do a lot for the faculty and all of Texas A&M. And so, at this point, I will welcome our guest Chancellor John Sharp.
Provost Alan Sams added the following comments:
It was a great committee, very positive and it consisted of several faculty, a couple of former deans of Faculty Deans, Department Head representatives and some individuals from the Faculty Affairs Office.
The charge from the President was to strengthen the faculty advocacy role that the former Dean of Faculty's office previously had. When it was transitioned to the to the Faculty Affairs Office, there was a sense or a perception that people did not know who to contact for faculty advocacy the function that they were familiar with from former Dean of Faculty. So that was the central point that the committee tried to work on and arrived at a at a strong consensus around the table.
The consensus decision was to create a position and call it Associate Provost for Faculty Advocacy as you may have read in the President's update from last week. It was felt that this position needed to be embedded in the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Office so that's why it's an Associate position in Faculty Affairs. It still has a dotted line reporting to the Provost.
It was important to have the title specifically designated for faculty. Advocacy was an effort to increase the visibility of this as a focus of the role. The individual in this position will listen and learn and embody the faculty voice, and bring that voice to the administrative conversation as well. The committee had considerable conversation about the variety of things this full-time position would do.
Another important opinion of the committee was this position should be located geographically someplace other than the Jack K. Williams building. And so, as we bring this role back to the university, we are looking for a location for this position. The Y.M.C.A. Building, or something similar, would be an appropriate place.
The committee discussed the difference between this role and that of the Ombuds position which is a neutral party. The Ombuds person listens to faculty, making them aware of options and helps them work through their concerns, or whatever their particular situation happens to be. It does not necessarily provide that faculty voice into the administrative infrastructure, but also does not actively intervene or explore faculty perspectives and the faculty voice. In some committee’s conversations, there was a pretty clear distinction between what the Ombuds does and what this Faculty Advocacy Associate Provost will do.
Speaker Hammond Commented:
To give people an idea of what I think this position may do, in my role as Speaker last year, I have many times spent 20 hours a week discussing concerns Faculty have raised with me. On some issues, I will reach out to various people involved to try to figure out what's really going on, and how we can help the faculty. Heather Lench, Senior Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs has been amazing in this, and she has been a great person to. But often faculty did not know to contact her. Heather Wilkinson, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs also does all a lot. She mentors and coaches faculty. Having an Associate Provost for Faculty Advocacy will make it clear who Faculty should contact. So that's sort of little bit of background of what I was thinking of it as I'm really excited about the position. I can’t wait to go to this person.
Dr. Heather Wilkinson Commented:
So now I'll add, I believe, two really important points. The first was that the committee was not seeking to overly define the position. but rather create a position in such a way that there would not be tension between this position and Faculty Affairs. So, the position would be created as Speaker Hammond mentioned, where a person would fall. By way of example, as the Speaker mentioned, Dr. Heather Lench is part of the chain of decision making in the context of when issues come up with faculty. And so, one of the goals of this position is to have someone who is not part of the decision making chain involved in advocating for faculty or assisting faculty, and potentially having issues rise to the level where they need to be addressed by Faculty Affairs. So, I think there, that's just a nuance of what the value of this position might be.
Questions and Comments made by the following:
Provost Alan Sams, Senator Jorge Alvarado – College of Engineering
Speaker Dr. Tracy Hammond – College of Engineering
Senator Rajesh Miranda – School of Medicine
Senator Adam Kolasinski – Mays Business School
Senator Clint Magill – College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Speaker-Elect. Dr. Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering
Senator Jorge Alvarado – College of Engineering
As well as comments in chat presented by Secretary Klein
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Senator Rajesh Miranda – School of Medicine: I have a question about Faculty 180. It appears the data that we enter goes into a database that lives outside of the university. And there were recently questions among the faculty about whether the external company that is administrating Faculty 180 has access to faculty data. For example, things like reference letters and student evaluations. Can the senate look into this because we are starting to use Faculty 180 as a standard for our annual evaluations so I would really like to look into this to see where the data goes. A note was made of this to be brought up with the Executive Committee.
Senator Larry Fickel – School of Architecture: Addressed the Planning Committee Report from last year. Senator Fickel understood that a short report would go out at the Senate meeting but that never happened. One of the items on the report that needed to be discussed is whether or not the Planning Committee needed to continue to exist. The committee spent a lot of time on issues that never went anywhere. Speaker Hammond responded: I did ask for committee reports but some of them chose not to submit a report. I know Jeannine contacted each committee for their reports.
Senator Jorge Alvarado – College of Engineering: At one point, we had the Council of Built Environment (CBE) however, Former President Banks got rid of it. I think we need it back because a lot of decisions are being made about buildings without faculty input. The CPI and the Faculty Senate used to send a representative to the CBE.
Senator Kathryn Falvo – Texas A&M University at Galveston: I would really like the Executive Committee to discuss about the quick turnovers required for names requested committees. Recently, names were requested with a two-day turnaround for the names of faculty for committees volunteered members of the Senate. It was unclear on the initial email if that was supposed to be something that we solicited from the people we represent. However, with such a quick turnaround there was not time for Senators to determine who is eligible and provide names. There are faculty who need the university level service and I would have loved to connect with them. but I didn’t have time to serve my constituents in this case.
A second issue is figuring out how to professionally manage that aspect of Zoom meetings. I would suggest moving to a platform that is visible to all our constituents. Speaker Hammond responded that the chat could be printed and mailed out that this would be easy to do.
Senator James Howell – College of Arts & Sciences: I wanted to bring up the academic calendar for this coming Fall 2024 and then the Fall of 2025. This relates to the introduction of the fall break which has moved things around a little bit. The concern specifically was the fact that with the fall break instituted, the start date for the semester keeps creeping earlier and earlier into August. Our start date for August 2024 is the 19th. And the calendar for 2025 is going to be August 18th and a lot of department s have people meet the week prior to the start of the term so people are essentially working 6 weeks plus without a paycheck. Another concern was the last day of classes will be the Monday following Thanksgiving break.
Speaker Hammond responded: I discussed the issue with Provost Sams a number of times because it is an issue in our department as well. I could not believe that sometimes people did not receive their appointment letters stating that they were rehired until two weeks after classes started.
Provost Sams Responded: I don’t have a quick resolution to this problem. Scheduling is an extremely complicated and long process. It has dozens of stakeholder groups. The process is one of the things that the President and I have subsequently talked about was the fall break in general.
Speaker Elect. Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering Commented: It is definitely a concern for student workers, but primarily our graduate students who are not supposed to work at all until their contract starts. Making sure that they are on contract by August 15th so they can work on those first days of classes is extremely important.
Senator Amarnath Banerjee – College of Engineering: This is related to Faculty 180 Interfolio. From personal experience, and I believe some of my other colleagues have a similar experience that using this platform has proved to be very difficult. My profile gets corrupt and even after sustained effort to correct everything, it still goes back to some corrupt state. The reports generated include fictitious things, duplicate items, missing items, and there is no way to reconcile it. I had a long chat with our Associate Dean who volunteered to try to fix it just to give up in the end. Plus, there is the issue that Senator Miranda raised about what information is available to an outside source so I believe this should be revisited.
Senator Debjyoti Banerjee – College of Engineering: In support of what Senator Alvarado said, I think we need the Council of Built Environment back. I had the opportunity to serve on that committee. It was a good learning experience for me, but I think it’s also a good place to resolve a lot of building issues as well as future campus planning. So I think it has served its purpose and would be nice to bring it back.
The second item is to continue on what Senator Howell said regarding the calendar. I might be mistaken, but is this true that the faculty and staff don’t have a spring break this semester? It’s only for students, and I’m trying to figure out what is the justification for that.
Speaker Elect. Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering Responded: The state gives all state universities a certain number of days of holidays that they’re allowed to give. I think it’s 12 that we are allowed. So we have added other holidays to our calendar which means, something had to come off. Faculty with a 9- month appointment have a break because there are no students on campus. Those of us with administrative roles will be here for spring break and unfortunately staff are as well.
Senator Debjyoti Banerjee – College of Engineering: So, was the Faculty Senate a part of the decision-making process?
Speaker Elect. Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering Responded: Well, yes. The State allows the number of days then the system goes through and sets the days. So if you look at the calendar, you will notice that we have Labor Day instead of days off during spring break.
Speaker Tracy Hammond – College of Engineering and Speaker Elect. Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering introduced the Faculty Senate new Operations Coordinator, Sherilyn Fields.
Sherilyn Fields, Operations Coordinator: This is my first day in the office and I am fully integrated and participating in a lot of meetings and getting set up here in the office. I am excited to join the office and I am excited to work with all of you. If there’s anything I can do, please raise the red flag and I will get the help you need.
Senator Adam Haney – Texas A&M University at Galveston: One thing I would like to add to the discussion about the creation of Marine Sciences, Maritime Studies. I would like to have it officially documented that one thing was left out of the memo is our Student Government Association remains intact. I know they’ve encountered some problems and questions with why do they exist since we are part of College Station. The intention is that they remain intact going forward for the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee and functioning the same way they have going forward. I know going forward a couple of years down the road, there could be a question as to why this college has its own Student Government Association whereas others do not. I would just like to document that.
Speaker Elect. Angie Hill Price – College of Engineering responded: Well, the Student Government Association is for the campus, not that college as you have three colleges at that campus. Thank you for making that clarification.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was returned to Speaker Hammond and was adjourned at 5:10 pm.