November 2, 2001 UNT Inhouse publication: Administrators give reports to Faculty Senate

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Administrators give reports to Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate heard reports from UNT System Chancellor Alfred F. Hurley, UNT President Norval Pohl and Phil Diebel, vice president for finance and business affairs, during the senate's meeting Oct. 10.

Hurley brought the senators up to date on several issues pertaining to the UNT System. He discussed fall enrollment figures, how the presence of the UNT System Center at Dallas has improved the perception of UNT in the Dallas community and the important role that UNT faculty play in the center's success. He said he hopes that an announcement can be made soon regarding a site for what will someday be UNT-Dallas.

Pohl addressed the senate on a number of UNT items, ranging from how the university is addressing space needs, the progress of UNT's proposed engineering school, and transportation and parking issues to the creation of an ad hoc committee to examine UNT Homecoming and determine ways the traditional event could be improved.

Diebel reviewed the fiscal budget with senators, breaking the budget down into three primary fund groups — the education and general funds, the institutional funds and auxiliary enterprises (such as dining services and housing). He explained that about half of the new money designated to address Pohl's budget themes in the 2001-02 budget is earmarked for UNT employee salaries.

In other business, the senate heard and approved a report from the Committee on Committees, read and approved a report from the Fine Arts Committee, after making a change to the report, and heard and approved a report from the Academic Affairs Committee.

Jeffrey Oxford, senate vice chair, reported on questions the University Committee posed to the administration. Subjects included reimbursement for travel for professors who teach courses at the UNT System Center, possible grant funding available through the Texas Engineering and Technical Consortium and the impact on department workloads of faculty going on modified service.

Juliet Getty, senate chair, spoke about a newly formed UNT Beautification Committee, guidelines assembled by the Curriculum Assessment Committee regarding the preparation of new courses for the core curriculum, and two surveys in which faculty members were asked to participate.

The next meeting is at 2 p.m. Nov. 14 in Wooten Hall, Room 322. Meetings are open to all members of the university community.

Agenda items, minutes and other information can be found on the Faculty Senate web site, www.unt.edu/facsenate/facultysenate.htm.