Meeting: Faculty Senate Meeting, September 12, 2001, Wooten Hall, Room 322

Absent: Jim Albright, Nick Anghel, Robert Benjamin, Azzedine Boukerche, Ishamel Bustinza, Yvonne Chandler, Steve Craig, Derrick D’Souze, Henry Harris, Ann Jordan, Donald Little, Grant Miles, Michael Monticino, Sue Parks, Lou Pelton, Jane Pemberton, Mitty Plummer, Debbie Rohwer, Linda Schamber, David Tam, Robert Wallace

Guests: David Kesterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Suzanne LaBrecque, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs; Rick Villarreal, Athletic Director; John Todd, Special Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Kay Selby, Director, Academic Publications, and Michelle Garcia, UNT Daily reporter.

Opening: Juliet Getty, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. She invited John Hipple, Counseling/Testing Center, to address the Senate regarding the September 11 national tragedy. Dr. Hipple gave the following suggestions for helping students reduce long-term emotional dissonance, stating that faculty members are the first line of defense for students. The university has a "natural helping order" through a sense of family in the classroom. Faculty are encouraged to take time to talk with students, to think about the events and come to terms with the terrorism attack. As people have more information and opportunity to talk, a greater sense of comfort results. All responses are normal and faculty are encouraged to understand this. If faculty are concerned about their role, they should avoid intense discussion about reactions to the disaster, then consider more in-depth discussion over time. Remember that we are a "university family."

Senator Getty informed senators that each group should caucus at the close of the Senate meeting, to discuss nominees to suggest to the Committee on Committees, for representatives to an ad hoc committee requested by the University Committee. This ad hoc committee will be charged with looking at the university workload policy. Group VI also needs to caucus to replace Kevin Callahan on the University Committee.

At 2:15, Senator Getty welcomed Rick Villarreal, UNT’s new Athletic Director. Villarreal spoke of UNT as "world class" with a focus on academics. He noted that his responsibility is to help UNT students grow in four ways, including socially, spiritually, athletically, and academically. He spoke of the success of UNTs athletic programs, encouraging senators to come to football games. He addressed his concern that UNT football games are played in a track stadium and explained that things are changing. There will be a new team meeting room. Villarreal asked faculty to help build campus spirit, noting that we will have faculty/staff nights for basketball games, by department. Faculty members are encouraged to wear UNT green on game Fridays. Recognition was given to UNT’s women’s strong athletic programs. Men’s athletics are also strong and football and basketball will grow. Villarreal is available to speak to classes and encourages faculty to invite him. He encouraged senators to plan for departmental tailgate parties at games this fall. He also encourages students to work for the athletic department, to learn what it does, thus to build understanding that may lead to improved campus spirit. Students report that we lack spirit and tradition; Villarreal noted that students create these, thus he is working to help students build a tradition of campus spirit.

Senator Newell noted that she has held season football tickets for 37 years and spoke of the excitement of the TCU game. She asked that parking lots near the stadium be more accessible. Villarreal responded that this concern is being addressed. A large sign may be placed early on Interstate 35, indicating access to parking lots at the stadium. Villarreal closed with noting that UNT’s athletes have a graduation rate of 46.5%; his goal is for 50% this year.

Minutes of the June 13, 2001 Senate meeting were approved.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Committee Reports: Committee on Committees, Senator Luce. There are still vacancies for Groups VI and VIII. Senators were asked to contact Senator Clue with nominations. A questionnaire will be sent out soon; faculty are encouraged to return to Carolyn Carter. Nominations Committee – Committee on Benefits: Don Smith, III; Paul Nakonezny, VII. Com. On Faculty Participation in Governance – Andrew Herbert, IV. Com. On Status of Women – Marilyn Morris, IV. Scholarship Com. – Janelle Mathis, VI. University Committee – Barbara Cox, I; Grant Miles, V; Ann Jordan, VII, & Don Little, VIII. IRC – Christy Crutsinger, A-L. Univ. Planning Council – Richard Tas, A-L; Dennis Fisher, A-L; Richard Wells, A-L; & Marcia Staff, A-L.

Information Items: Dr. Kesterson opened with a statement about that he is impressed with the issues the Senate has dealt with recently, from the core curriculum on. He noted the plan to work on faculty workload.

1. The Faculty Handbook is now online; 644 hits have already been noted. A hard copy of the handbook is available in all administrative offices; copies were given to new faculty at orientation.
2. Forms for faculty requests for supplemental travel may now be obtained online (information about dates, guidelines, and forms) and found on the Provost’s web page. He reminded senators that these are supplemental funds with decisions made four times a year.
3. In response to changes in Texas demographics, the Coordinating Board passed the "closing the gaps" state initiative. There are 5.3 million people in the metroplex alone. In this initiative, the CB posed the following four challenge areas:
1. participation by students
2. success of students and graduation rates (By 2015 UNT is predicted to move from the current 3406 bachelor’s level students to 6456. UNT gets credit for any student who was enrolled but graduated elsewhere.)
3. excellence – recognized academic programs (UNT has 15-18 nationally recognized programs and will be identifying further programs to promote to academic recognition at the national level.)
4. research – increased funding (UNT has 48 doctoral programs. We need more research funds and expenditures. Grant indirect costs are helpful to the university in many ways. UNT is the fourth largest in the state and has more doctoral programs than most, yet is low in research dollars expenditures. We must make a final report to the CB by December 17, 2001. A preliminary report is out now.)

Dr. Kesterson continued by discussing continual work on a UNT engineering program. A grant was received for the planning phase; a committee is being formed to work on program plans. Faculty forums will be held to discuss the plans. No decision has been made regarding the structure of the program, whether it should/will be a separate college, a small unit, a program, a school, a department, or other structure. The new committee will recommend a structure, while another committee will address what the program includes.

Space concerns were addressed. By 2015, UNT is predicted to have 45,000 students. We may acquire additional space/facilities. The desire is to keep academics at the heart of the campus, then use the outer areas for services.

Senator Fisher confirmed the value of having the Faculty Handbook online. He also pointed out the issue of a six-year window for students to graduate and asked if we know the "real" UNT graduation rate.

Vice Chair’s Update – Jeff Oxford discussed the following responses for the questions the University Committee posed in its last meeting with UNT administrators:

1. There is no official agreement with our North Texas System Center to mandate that only tenured faculty teach

classes at the Center; adjuncts are allowed and are, in fact, currently teaching there.

2. There is no current active plan for purchase of properties in the UNT vicinity. Some properties are under consideration for purchase but there are no specific plans at present.

1. There are no specific plans for a faculty lounge at this time.
2. There is no current plan for a separate women’s dressing area for faculty/staff in the new recreation sports facility.

There were no requests for a separate dressing area by faculty/staff when given the opportunity at open meetings.

This center is the result of student initiative and is paid for from student fees.

3. Streets in the university area are property of the city of Denton, thus construction issues must be worked out with the

city. Construction plans are set in place in line with city availability, with an attempt to balance work done on

UNT’s campus with work on TWU’s campus.

Senator Oxford noted that after questions were posed and answered in the UC meeting, a discussion was held regarding the potential engineering program.

Chair’s Update – Juliet Getty commended Senator Fisher for his service to the Faculty Senate. She noted that the Senate faces challenges ahead, stating that the next focus will be on faculty workload. She reminded senators that we each represent a constituency of faculty and encouraged senators to share information with Senate Group members. She suggested that each senator set up a group member Group Wise address list, to facilitate ease of information sharing.

1. Senator Fisher asked Dr. Kesterson about current enrollment figures. Kesterson responded that we have just below 28,000 students enrolled at this date. Jonell Harris, Enrollment Manager, is investigating why a group of students began the enrollment process then dropped out, thus are not in our classes. This was an unusual phenomenon, thus needs to be understood. The number of transfer students is up this semester.
2. Senator Kinely asked if the UNT WebCT system is being improved, noting problems and concerns with the system. Dr. Kesterson replied in the affirmative and suggested that any faculty member with concerns contact Maruice Leatherbury.
3. Dr. LaBrecque noted the following items:
1. President Pohl’s letter regarding the national tragedy is posted on the UNT Website.
2. A list of possible responses to the tragedy is also posted on the Website.
3. A place for messages from faculty, staff, and students about the national tragedy is also available on the Website.
4. There is a volunteer center to help the UNT community become involved.
5. Counselors are available for faculty, staff, and students.
6. On September 19, 2001, a tree will be planted in Denton, representing race equality.

Senator Getty adjourned the meeting at 3:40, asking senate groups to caucus to identify one person for the Committee on Committees and two for the ad hoc workload committee.

Submitted by: Frances van Tassell, Faculty Senate Secretary