University of North Texas
Minutes of the Faculty Senate Meeting
2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 8, 1999,
Wooten Hall, Room 322Meeting: Faculty Senate Meeting, September 8, 1999, 2:00 p.m., Wooten Hall, room 322
Absent: Jim Albright, Roy DeCarvalho, Sajal Das, Mark DeLoach, Gopal Ganesh, Cliff Hardy, Steve Jackson, Alexandra Leavell, Joyce Rademacher, James Tanner, and Karen Weiller.
Guests: Jean Schaake, Assoc. Dean, Arts & Sciences; Nancy Kalsti, Public Information Office; Emile Sahliyeh, Academic Affairs Committee; Joneel Harris, Registrar; Michael Bruner, Oversight Committee on the Core Curriculum; David Meek, DARS Coordinator, Registrar’s Office; Carolyn Kern, Academic Affairs Committee; Darlene Rodgers, Academic Affairs Office; Phil Diebel, Vice President for Finance & Business Affairs; Suzanne LaBrecque, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs; and David
Opening: The meeting was called to order by the Chair of the Faculty Senate, Melody Kelley at 2:00 p.m.
Report of Chancellor Hurley – Chancellor Hurley reported that the University has begun the new academic year on a positive note with good support from the Texas Legislature and a surge in enrollment. He commented that the faculty and staff have worked to increase enrollment. He encouraged attendance at the ground breaking for the UNT System Center at Dallas to be held on September 10, 1999 with Governor George W. Bush and Senator West and others in attendance. Hurley mentioned his work with the Senate, saying that he is committed to consultation especially with the University Committee. He urged each Faculty Senator to keep other faculty informed. Hurley reported that he has asked the University Planning Council to formulate a Vision Statement for the University, and suggested that those unable to attend the Faculty Convocation in August to obtain a copy of his address which addressed issues and actions for the various state level higher education study committees which have been formed and for use in the capital campaign. He asked the Faculty Senate to work on graduation rates, saying that the UNT rate is about 40+%.
Report of the Provost – Provost Pohl was unable to attend the meeting but will attend the October meeting.
Report of the Vice President for Academic Affairs – David Kesterson reported on the fall semester enrollment which is up 4.35% over the 12th day class enrollment of fall, 1998. Enrollment appears to be up in all categories except doctoral hours. The enrollment at UNTSCD is 51 students at three campuses. He further reported that there are two state level studies of higher education currently being conducted, one is being done by the Lt. Governor and the Senate and the other is being done by the Coordinating board. Kesterson identified five issues upon which to focus this year: (1) a dialogue on research, (2) the use of $400,000 which was included in the budget to be used to further research, (3) the problems of the gridlock in the Metroplex, (4) the retention of students, and (5) the assessment of the core curriculum. Kesterson also explained that the reason there are so many "new" pages in the Faculty Handbook is because there was an attempt to move material from the appendices, and many changes reflect the new administrative structure.
Report of the Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs: Phil Diebel presented an overview of the FY 2000 Operating Budget focusing on new initiatives. The FY20000 Budgeted Expenditures is $307,030,346. The primary sources of funds are General Revenue, 47.2% and Institutional Funds, 30.1%. There are four FY2000 Planning themes: Strengthen Teaching, Scholarship and Research Activities, Build up graduate enrollment, Enhance undergraduate recruitment, retention and graduation levels, and Position program to deal with gridlock on Metroplex roadways. A copy of the transparencies which Diebel used accompanying his remarks is available in the Senate Office.
Approval of the Minutes: The minutes of the June 9, 1999 Faculty Senate meeting were approved (motion by Sue Byron, second by Claire Luce).
Committee Reports: (Copies of all written committee reports are on file in the Faculty Senate Office.)
Academic Affairs - Emile Sahliyeh presented the report. Among the issues addressed by the report was the recommendation that the "maximum hours accepted for AP credit be changed from 24 hours to No Limit." A motion to approve this change was made by Mike Kozak and seconded by Sue Byron. The Senate approved on a voice vote.
University Curriculum Committee and Core Curriculum Oversight Committee – Associate VPAA. Suzanne La Brecque presented the report of the committee along with Frances Van Tassell, chair of the Core Curriculum Oversight committee. Faculty Senate Chair Kelly directed the discussion to be divided among several sections of the University Curriculum report. The first discussion concerned the new BFA degrees. Two major questions concerned the notion of "concentrations" in the musical theatre and theatre arts degrees and the possible lack of coordination with the College of Music in developing the concentrations in singing. Both VPAA Kesterson and La Brecque responded that the use of the term, concentrations was consistent with practice and that the degree requirements for singing had been reviewed by the School of Music as evidenced by signatures. A motion to approve the BFA – Major in Dance was made by Gus Seligmann and seconded by Mike Kozak and was approved on a voice vote by the Senate. A motion to approve the BFA – Major in Theatre (both concentrations) was made by Mike Kozak and seconded by Sue Byron and was approved on a voice vote (with one abstention) by the Senate. A motion to Table the BFA – Musical Theatre (all concentrations) for further collaboration among the University Curriculum Committee, the College of Music, and the Department of Dance and Theatre was made by Mitty Plummer; the motion passed.
The second section of the Curriculum Committee report to be discussed was the "approved core curriculum courses." These courses were jointly approved by the two committees, CJUS/SOCI 2100 (Crime and Justice in the U.S.), GNET 2060 (Professional Presentation), MGMT 3330 (Communicating in Business), and RHAB 3000 (Microcounseling). A motion to approve these courses was made by Gus Seligmann and seconded by Barbara Con, and was passed on a voice vote by the Senate.
The next group of courses discussed were the courses approved by the University Curriculum Committee but not supported by the Core Curriculum Oversight Committee. Following questions about the appropriateness of BEHV 3200 (Science and Human Behavior), a motion to not approve was made by Gus Seligmann and seconded by Mike Kozak. Dennis Fisher moved to Table those courses where agreement between the Curriculum Committee and the Core Oversight Committee had not been reached (RHAB 2500, BEHV 3200, and AGER 2250). The motion passed on a voice vote. Additionally, both committees were asked to review those courses pending approval and to attempt to reconcile differences in criteria applied to the course approval process. This review should take place in a timely manner, before the October Senate meeting. Both La Brecque and Van Tassell agreed to do this.
Committee on Committees – The committee made the following nominations: for Academic Affairs, Group VII, Ann Jordan, term expires, 2002; for the Scholarship Committee, Group III, Douglas Root, Group III, term expires 2002; for the Information Resources Council. Group II, a UC appointment; for the Steering Committee on Distance Learning, Group IV, Roy DeCarvelho, a UC appointment. A motion to approve these nominations was made by Mike Kozak and seconded by Juliet Getty. The motion was approved by a voice vote.
Vice Chair’s Update – Dennis Fisher reported on the University Committee’s meeting with the Chancellor, Provost, and VPAA. Discussed at that meeting was the UNT System Center at Dallas and the upcoming ground breaking, enrollment and recruitment activities, the criteria for full time employment, and the Gateway Center (groundbreaking projected for February 2000). The members of the Senate were encouraged to send items for discussion to the University Committee.
Chair’s Update – Melody Kelly recognized the new Senators (Benjamin, Durst, Glover, Miles, Tam, and Tarlton). Kelly urged the Senators to utilize the Faculty Senate web page where among other data, there is a Senate roster, a list of members of committees, draft charges for committees, and links to information about current issues.
Committee of the Whole – Gus Seligmann recommended that in the future hard copies of presentation materials should be provided. Hildegard Froehlich voiced concern about increasing fees, specifically mentioning the library fee. Melody Kelly explained that the fee helps to support longer hours, new computers, and the materials budget. The fee was reported to the Senate by the University Library Committee in June, 1999.
The Senate adjourned after 4:00 p.m.
Submitted by Patricia Moseley, Secretary.
