Faculty Senate Minutes

Meeting:                 Faculty Senate Meeting, May 12, 2004, Wooten Hall Room 322

Absent:                  Allen, Benjamin, Getty, Grable, H. Harris, Hastings, Jordan, King, Koch, Oliver, Osadchy, Wilhite

Guests:                  John Peters, Assistant Professor; Doina Farkas, Head, Contracts-Libraries; Barbara Cox, Assistant Professor; Connie Taylor, Exec. Asst. to Chancellor-UNT System; Pat Reese, Librarian; Beth Thomsett-Scott, Science Librarian; Michael Haynes, Asst. Director, Student Financial Aid/Scholarships; Rick Reidy, Assistant Professor; Richard Wells, Journalism Dept.; James Tanner, Chair, English Dept.; Mary Curtis, Assistant Professor; Grant Miles, Associate Professor; Alan McClung, Assistant Professor; Melody Kelly, Assoc. Dean, Libraries; Pam Hight, Librarian; Jo Monahan, Librarian; Michelle Hale, InHouse Editor; Kay Selby, Dir., Academic Publications; James Conover, Professor; Paul Dworak, Compliance Officer; Suzanne LaBrecque, Vice Provost; Anissa Breaux-Schropp, Compliance Officer; Gayla Byerly, Librarian; Monika Antonelli, Librarian; Jeffrey Levy, Librarian; William Moen, Associate Professor; Arlene Weible, Librarian; Bradley Chilton, Associate Professor; Hale Newcomer, Professor; Mary Thibodeaux, Interim Dean, COBA; Brooke Wilson, SGA Vice President Elect; Jesse Davis, SGA President Elect, Gus Seligmann, Chair, UTC; Jeanne Tunks, Chair, University Library Committee; Darhyl Ramsey, Chair, Oversight Comm. On the Core Curriculum

Opening:               Lou Pelton, Chair of the Faculty Senate, called the meeting to order at 2:06pm

Approval of  April 14, 2004 Senate Minutes:   Upon motion by Senator Cole, second by Senator Woods, the minutes of the April 14, 2004 meeting were approved as presented.

Old Business:  None

New Business:

“State of the State”:  Professor Steve Katsinas presented the results of his research on the current state of public support for higher education nationwide.  He gave both a PowerPoint presentation, and provided additional charts.

Welcome for newly appointed interim dean of the College of Business Administration:  Chair Pelton introduced Mary S. Thibodeaux, recently appointed interim dean of the College of Business Administration. 

Committee Reports:

Faculty Load Committee:  Assistant Chair Alan McClung presented the report of the committee.  Upon second by Senator Woods, the report was accepted unanimously on voice vote.

Oversight Committee on the Core Curriculum: Committee Chair Darhyl Ramsey presented the report.  He noted that the committee had experienced difficulty in getting the necessary assessment materials from some departments.  Since the report was drafted, the committee has received materials regarding the following History classes:  2610, 2620, 2675 and 4700.  Acceptance of the report was seconded by Senator Staff.  The report was accepted unanimously on voice vote.

University Writing Committee (written report only):  Chair Pelton introduced the written report.  Acceptance of the report was seconded by Senator Johnston.  The report was accepted unanimously on voice vote.

Visiting Lecture Series:  Professor Monika Antonelli presented the report of the committee.  She noted that the committee needs some consistent funding in order to discharge responsibilities.  Chair Pelton stated that the Provost is considering implementing a major lecture series which might work in conjunction with this Faculty Senate Committee.  Acceptance of the report was seconded by Senator Woods.  The report was accepted unanimously on voice vote.

University Library Committee: Professor Jeanne Tunks presented the report of the committee.  She explained that the committee’s recommendation is to implement a formula for allocating to schools and departments that portion of the library budget that is available for print materials such as books, monographs and journals.  Acceptance of the report was seconded by Senator Conover.  Senator Bond recognized Professor John Peters.  Professor Peters spoke against the motion, noting that the proposed allocations illustrated a misunderstanding of the Blackwell procurement system and an over weighting of majors versus non-majors enrolled in courses.  Senator Mueller recognized Richard Reidy, who spoke in favor of the motion.  Professor Reidy noted that the library simply needs more money and that currently no formula is being used to allocate library funds.  Senator Tieslau posed a question regarding an error in the number of faculty and students in her department.  Professor Tunks stated that if the formula is adopted, departments would have an opportunity to make sure that the data are correct before the formula is applied and funds are allocated.  By a show of hands, the committee report was accepted:  16 for and 12 against.

Faculty Research Committee:  In the absence of Vice President Lloyd Chesnut, Chair Pelton presented the committee’s report.  Senator Plummer seconded acceptance of the report.  The report was accepted unanimously on voice vote.

Scholarship Committee:  Committee Vice Chair Michael Haynes presented the committee’s report.  Acceptance of the report was seconded by Senator Taylor.  Mr. Haynes noted the dramatic increase in the number of applicants for available scholarship money.  The report was accepted unanimously on voice vote.

Committee on Committees:  Senator Tarlton presented the report of the committee and read the names of the nominees.  Acceptance of the report was seconded by Senator Johnston.  The report was accepted unanimously on voice vote.

Curriculum Committee:  Associate Provost Suzanne LaBrecque presented the committee’s report.  Acceptance of the report was seconded by Senator Plummer.  The report was accepted unanimously on voice vote.

Report of the Provost & VPAA: 

In the absence of Provost Howard Johnson, there was no report.

Vice Chair’s Update:  Vice Chair van Tassell reported on several issues from the dialogue with administrators May 5, 2004.  Service:  Provost Johnson was unaware of any intentional reduction in the value placed on service.  Members of the EC expressed frustration that departments do not recognize the value of university-level service.  Salary Increases:  Johnson stated that his goal was to increase faculty compensation to be on par with three peer institutions:  Texas Tech, the University of Houston, and the University of Texas at Arlington.  He said increases from the one percent excellence pool would be made on the basis of peer review and rationale.  Time line for Development Leaves:  Johnson stated that he would be happy to receive recommendations regarding time lines for awarding faculty development leaves.  Faculty-Student Ratio:  Johnson said he needed more time to investigate the issue but would get back with the EC on the matter.  Excellent Centers/Centers of Excellence:  Johnson said the institution needs to develop a definition that will be applied in the academic plan.  The definition of an “excellent center” will not be the one currently applied.  National reputation:  Johnson stated that the reputation of the institution is determined by the quality of its faculty and students.  The academic plan will play a key role in planning for the institution.  The academic plan should be completed by the end of the fall 2004 semester.  Reprimands: Johnson and Pohl had no knowledge of any one who had been promoted after receiving a reprimand.  Both said they would be glad to respond to specific inquiries.  Summer budget/funding:  Johnson said that we have to get control over summer budget and offerings.  We will need to restructure how we view summers, particularly in light of the move to increase faculty compensation for the academic year.  Promotion and Tenure Decisions:  Johnson noted that he had made his first promotion and tenure recommendations.  He stated that in doing so he had applied university policies and followed university procedures.  

Chair’s Update: 

 Town Hall Meetings:  Chair Pelton thanked all faculty and administrators who made the Faculty Town Hall Meeting a success.  He noted that 147 individuals attended the meeting.

 Academic Year 2004-05 Challenges:  Chair Pelton identified five challenges for the next academic year.  They include: 1) implementation of  the EIS system; 2)  proposals for  changes in remuneration for summer teaching for faculty; 3) continued need for a collective voice of the faculty (e.g., Town Hall Meeting and evaluation of academic administrators); 4) continued increase in the institution’s use of funds for non instructional proposes, with a resulting decrease in the proportion of funds supporting instructional efforts; and 5) implementation of RCM (responsibility centered management)/RCB (responsibility centered budgeting).

 Chair Pelton thanked everyone who had helped him through his term as chair.  He thanked, in particular, former Senate Chair Jeffrey Oxford, former Senate Administrative Assistant Carolyn Carter, and current Administrative Assistant Sue Young.

 Election of Officers:

Chair Pelton asked for nominations for officers for the Faculty Senate for the 2004-2005 academic year. 

Senator Mueller nominated Vice Chair van Tassell for Chair.  Senator Taylor seconded.  Vice chair van Tassell was elected Chair on voice vote.

Senator Taylor nominated Professor Grant Miles for Vice Chair.  Senator Mueller seconded.  Professor Miles was elected Vice Chair on voice vote.

Senator Cover nominated Senator Staff for Secretary.  Senator Taylor seconded.  Senator Staff was elected Secretary on voice vote.

Committee of the Whole:

Senator Plummer asked a question regarding the source of the material used in the “over/under” reports provided to departments. Chair Pelton suggested that Senator Plummer consult President Pohl’s web page on RCM for additional information.

Chair Pelton stated that the plus/minus grading system will be implemented in Fall 2005.

Chair Pelton announced that a campus Safety Walk is scheduled for 9 p.m. Thursday, May 13.

Senator Bond inquired about the percentage of candidates who were not recommended for promotion and/or tenure by the Provost in Spring 2004.  Chair Pelton recognized Professor Gus Seligmann, Chair of the University Tenure Committee (UTC).  Professor Seligmann reported that the UTC has received nine requests for tenure hearings.  Senator Taylor, Chair of the University Review Committee, stated that the URC has not received any filings to date.  Vice Provost LaBrecque stated that it was her understanding that of the total number of candidates reviewed (for both tenure and promotion), 64% of the candidates received positive recommendations from the Provost.

Senator Conover inquired about increases in the price of reserved parking spaces for the 2004-2005 year. 

Vice Chair van Tassell presented the following resolution on behalf of the Senate Executive Committee:

Whereas, our colleague Lou E. Pelton has served with distinction as Chair of the Faculty Senate for one year (2003-2004); and

Whereas, he has served as an advocate for faculty, provided a vision for a more effective Faculty Senate, encouraged faculty participation in governance, communicated effectively with administrators on behalf of faculty, and provided good food to motivate the mind; and

Whereas, he has admirably served as Faculty Senate Chair during which time Provost Johnson served his first year, the first annual Faculty Town Hall Meeting with Administrators was held, the first hard-copy newsletter was distributed, the Faculty Forum was created, the first Ombudsperson was selected, a resolution tracking system was implemented, and the faculty evaluation of administrators had its highest return rate; and  

Whereas, he has demonstrated distinguished leadership and service to the Faculty Senate with one term as Vice Chair of the Faculty Senate and Chair of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee (2002-2003); and

Whereas, he has rendered effective service as a member of the Committee on Committees, Charter and Bylaws Committee, Committee on Faculty Participation in Governance, Scholarship Committee, Visiting Lecture Seminar Series Committee, International Education Committee, Honors Day Committee, Traffic Appeals Court Panel, and the University Planning Council; and

Whereas, he has constructively and graciously dealt with significant issues while maintaining a calm and patient demeanor, motivating and professional attitude, good humor, and enthusiasm for the University;

Therefore, be it resolved, the Faculty Senate on May 12, 2004, expresses its appreciation to Lou Pelton for his tireless efforts and wishes him well in all future endeavors.

Chair Pelton adjourned the Senate at 4 pm.