University of North Texas

Absent: Jim Albright, Robert Benjamin, Azzedine Boukerche. Yvonne Chandler, Steve Craig, Derrick D’Souza, Joseph Huff, Kimi King, Melinda Levin, Michael Monticino, Jane Pemberton, Mitty Plummer, Frances VanTassell, Barbara Wilhite, and Raymond Bryant.

Guests: Michelle Garcia, UNT Daily; Melody Kelly, Assoc. Dean, UNT Libraries; David Kesterson, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Opening: Juliet Getty, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. She asked Senators from Group VI caucus after the meeting to select one of their own to serve on the University Committee. She also asked Senators from Groups I, II, and VIII to meet and to select some one from each of those districts to serve on the Faculty Participation in Governance Committee.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the October 10, 2001 meeting were approved.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Committee on Committees : Senator Luce reported the following people were

nominated for the identified committees:

Faculty Awards Committee: The Senate accepted a written report (see attachment) from the committee.

 

Information Items:

A. VPAA Kesterson reviewed the process for Coordinating Board approval to purchase the TI facility. The process went very smoothly thanks to a prior visit to the facilities by two members of the CB facilities sub-committee and the recent appointment of Jerry Farrington to the Board. The facility is in good condition and includes a sizable acreage along with the building. The building is approximately four times the size of the Gateway Building. No decision has been made about who will occupy the space. Kesterson also reported that the Faculty Forums on Engineering went well. He complimented Juliet Getty on her participation as well as all panel members and participants.

2. Melody Kelly reported on the final draft of the "UNT Faculty Discipline Policy" which was adopted by the Faculty Senate in spring 2001. She explained that the Deans had some minor suggestions that were incorporated into the document. The Board of Regents has approved this policy.

C. Juliet Getty presented "Guidelines for Fulfilling Assessment Objectives for all New Courses to the Core Curriculum" (see attachment) and a chart, "Items from the University Curriculum committee Requiring Faculty Senate Review" (see chart). She explained that the documents are intended to clarify and reduce ambiguity. One senator questioned whether the guidelines were redundant, and Chair Getty said, no. Another questioned whether the Senate could turn down a course, and Chair Getty replied, yes. The chart will be available in several locations, among them, the VPAA Assessment web page, under "current issues" on the Faculty Senate homepage, and will go into the Faculty Handbook.

Vice Chair’s Update - Vice Chair Oxford responded to a previous request for information about modified service monies allocations by reporting that 25% of the money from the faculty line goes to the VPAA’s office and 75% of the money is controlled by the college.

He reported that at the regular monthly meeting with the administrators the following items were discussed: 1.) booting vs. towing cars; 2.) the impact of the proposed College of Engineering will be that there will need to be funding of faculty lines as well as the reallocation of funds as three departments from the College of Arts and Sciences will be moved to the College of Engineering; 3) there will be a national search for a replacement of the position of VPAA; 4.) efforts are being made to promote the University’s variety of cultural events. VPAA Kesterson interjected his position on his replacement by reminding the Senate that he had been appointed for a three-year term and was honoring that commitment.

Chair’s Update - Chair Getty reported 1.) land has be acquired for the UNT Dallas campus; 2.) the College of Engineering Forums went well and the Faculty Senate will be given the opportunity to look at the proposal for the College of Engineering; 3.) there is concern about cheating when students are sent to the Office of Disability Accommodation; it was suggested that Senators think about ways to monitor students: 4.) students and faculty have been being paid for donating blood plasma.

Senator Wallace informed the Senate about changes in the redirection of indirect funds from external grants. He said that Kesterson and Art Goven were responsible for these changes.

Marcia Staff reported that the state charitable campaign was very successful, and gave Jean Bush credit for her work and dedication.

The meeting was adjoined at 3:00.

Submitted by Patricia A. Moseley, Senator (At Large)