FACULTY SENATE MINUTES

JUNE 11, 2003

Minutes, Faculty Senate Meeting, June 11, 2003, Wooten Hall, Room 322

Absent:                  Benjamin, Boukerche, Cho, Doherty, Goggin, H. Harris, Hill, King, Kinley, Jordon, Levin, Mueller, Oliver, Osadchy, Parks, Pemberton, Rohwer, Shiner, Staff, Tieslau, Wilhite, Windsor

Guests:                  David Kesterson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; John Todd, Special Assistant to the Provost; Suzanne LaBrecque, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

Opening:               Jeffrey Oxford, chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 2:08 p.m.

Approval of  May 14, 2003 Senate Minutes . Barbara Cox was noted as absent but was present. Corrections were made for page two.  No other corrections were noted.  Minutes were approved as amended.

Old Business:  Second reading of Charter and Bylaws proposed change to Article II, Section 1.

Senator Wallace seconded the Committee’s motion. Chair Oxford explained the background for this proposed change, noting cases when numerous nomination processes had to be enacted due to low response to the call for nominations.  Motion passed unanimously.

New Business:  None

Committee Reports:

Committee on Committees: Senator Tarlton presented the committee’s written report. Additional nominations included Brian Bolin, Don Smith (mentor committee), Martha Tarlton; athletic council LouAnn Bradley, at large, from libraries

Vice-Chair Pelton seconded the committee’s motion.  No discussion.  Motion passed unanimously.

Information Items

Vice President Kesterson’s Report.  Provost Kesterson made comments regarding the budget. The Texas Legislator passed a budget late yesterday afternoon.  It will take two-three weeks to understand the complexity of the budget as it impacts UNT.  The UNT budget committee has not met other than to discuss potential impacts.  The committee will meet in July.  There are many elements with sub-elements in the budget, making it very complex.  We officially do not yet have a state budget because the comptroller has yet to determine if the budget is balanced.  Kesterson mentioned several bills that, if signed by the governor, will impact UNT.  HB 2213 was passed, deregulating tuition that will allow a governing board to set a different tuition rate for each program offered at a given institution.  Senator Plummer asked if any consideration was given to how much students may shop around.  Kesterson confirmed that concern. The UNT Board of Regents does not meet until August thus there has been no decision regarding UNT tuition at this time. The Legislature reconfirmed the initiative of “closing the gaps” and asked universities to continue to make satisfactory progress.  The UNT System Center (UNT Dallas) is on the pathway model for becoming a full university. The founding stipulation required 2500 FTE before becoming a standing university.  Buried in a bill this time was a stipulation to lower that amount to 1000 FTE for one semester; however, the governor must sign this bill.  UNT Dallas presently has about 340 FTE.  The TASP test was eliminated by this Legislature.  We now must develop our own screening devise. The TASP was designed to be a placement test, not an entrance test.  The UNT Board of Regents met regarding change to the UNT admissions policy resulting in automatic admission of the top 20% of high school graduates being lowered to be the top 10%.  The Regents approved this change; the policy will probably begin in the spring of 2004. 

Chair Oxford expressed appreciation to Provost Kesterson for his continued work with the Senate, bringing information items each month.  Senators applauded the Provost’s service, as this was his last Senate meeting due to his resignation from the position of provost and return to faculty status in the English department.

Senator Hastings asked about the provost search.  Kesterson responded that President Pohl is talking with the finalist candidates.  Noting is definite yet.

Vice-Chair’s update

Vice-Chair Pelton reported on the June Senate Executive Committee meeting with administrators regarding the following items.  

  1. The Executive Committee met with COE Dean Keller and representatives from Vice President Jacobson’s office regarding faculty/staff use of the PEB and new student recreation facility.  The Assistant Director presented PowerPoint slides depicting the new facility and explained the purposes and usages of the facility.  About 24 faculty members have expressed concern about use of and fees for the new facility.  It was agreed that these concerned persons will meet with facility directors for a personal discussion, to provide a venue for their concerns and questions so that information is provided first-hand.
  2. Dr. Kesterson notified the EC that there will be no change in the nepotism policy. 
  3. Senator Miles championed participation in the Evaluation of Administrators.  This year’s return rate was exceptionally high.  The Senate needs to follow the progress and process of the use of those evaluations, thus the EC and the Evaluation of Administrators Committee will monitor this progress. 
  4. Melody Kelley helped to develop and promote the position of an ombudsman for UNT.  The Committee on Faculty Participation in Governance worked diligently to develop an ombudsman proposal that was read and approved at last Senate meeting.  Pelton asked that any Senator who wishes to become involved with this let him know.  He noted that the initial framework for an ombudsman was initiated more than 20 years ago.
  5. Pelton next recognized the Senate leadership this year, commenting that the Senate has been very proactive in managing a lot of challenging issues, seeing many things come to fruition.  He brought a resolution to the floor to recognize Chair Oxford for his distinctive service this year (see resolution on Senate website).  Senator Bustinza seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously and a standing ovation was offered for Chair Oxford.
  6. Carolyn Carter was recognized for facilitating the provision of a cake in honor of Chair Oxford for this Senate meeting.

Chair Oxford expressed his appreciation to the Senate and his desire to well represent his group as well as the entire community of UNT. 

Chair’s Update.   Chair Oxford expressed appreciation for the Senate’s support of him this year. He noted the successes of the Senate over the past year, such as the ombudsman position, giving recognition to Melody Kelley for her work on this policy.  The proposal has been approved by several committees with hope of final wording presented to the Senate at the first meeting in the fall.  Oxford has reviewed this with Richard Rafes who is also in favor of the position.   Oxford noted that there are issues and challenges the Senate will be facing in the future, particularly declining budgets. Another issue is the growth of the student body that likely will continue.  He noted his failure to see a developed plan for growth in faculty to complement growth in student enrollment and urged officers and Senators to continue to push this agenda. UNT Dallas is wished the most success possible.  In addition, Chancellor Jackson wishes to pursue a law school and pharmacy school, which are good ideas but may not be affordable.  Assessment is another significant issue that is about to become even more important with SACS re-accreditation upcoming; Oxford reminded that by Thanksgiving all programs must have written assessment criteria with written outcomes.  One issue that was sidetracked this year, due to economic concerns, was that of responsibility-centered management.  President Pohl addressed this at the October Senate meeting, stating that under this plan faculty will be expected to carry their own load financially, such that each member would cover his/her salary by the number of students taught.  Thus, work load, budget, faculty responsibility, etc. will undergo more study with a probable push from the administration.  He urged faculty/senators to be involved and be responsible in actions.  Dr. Kesterson is returning to the English department; therefore, there will be a new provost this fall.  There will also be other new administrators. Oxford called for any questions.

Chair Oxford expressed his pleasure in serving as Senate Chair and thanked Senators. He then presented certificates to the following Senators: completing two terms were Barbara Cox and Grant Miles; completing one-term were Jane Pemberton and John Windsor; completing one term and returning was Frances van Tassell, Sue Parks, Henry Harris, and Tammy Kinley.

Committee of the Whole:

Chair-Elect Pelton presented a certificate to Chair Oxford for his distinguished service.  As of yesterday, the Committee on Faculty Workload’s analysis will be posted on the Senate website.  A hard copy will be provided if requested. 

Chair Oxford adjourned the Senate at 3:15 and encouraged Senators to join him in enjoying the cake.

Respectively submitted by Frances van Tassell, Senate Secretary

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Send comments or questions to Sue Young, syoung@unt.edu, at the Faculty Senate Office, Telephone (940) 565-2053.