Texas Tech University

Faculty Senate Meeting

Meeting #257

January 11, 2006

The Faculty Senate met on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 in the Matador Room in the Student Union Building, with President John Howe presiding.  Senators present were:  Johnson, Kvashny, Perry, Boros, Carr, Drager, Dunham, Grair, Grappendorf, Howe, Miller, Myles, Niwayama, Schaller, Smucker, Toda, Bremer, Ritchey, Agnello, Maushak, Jackson, Sinzinger, Amor, Blum, Reifman, Shriver, Dillon, Kreidler, Spurrier, Whitfield, Chambers, Oskam, Gelber, Meek, Marbley, Morse and Smith.  Senators excused were: Doerfert, Grass, Hart, Santos, Hein, Mercer, Letchford, Masten, Laughlin, Vaughn, Garner, Wilson, Alvarado, Thompson and Donahue.  Senators unexcused were: Brooks, Davis, Gallegos, Louden, Carlson, Kimball, Rahnama, Klinker, Olivarez, Collins, Lakhani, Mann, Reeves, Durham, Ellis, Mayer and Sheets Hernandez.

I.        Call to Order.  President John Howe called Meeting #257 to order at 3:24 pm, January 11, 2006.

II.     Recognition of Guests.  President Howe recognized the following guests:  Vice Provost James Brink, Vice Provost Liz Hall, Provost William Marcy, Past Faculty Senate President Gene Wilde, Director of Strategic Planning Gil Reeve, Faculty Assistant to the President Mary Jane Hurst, Substitute Parliamentarian Gary Elbow, and Staff Senate Liaison to the Faculty Senate Rebecca Owen.

III.   Approval of Minutes.  Minutes of Meeting #256 brought forward for approval by President Howe.  Minutes approved with correction of criterion to criteria. 

IV.  Invited Guests: 

Dr. Gil Reeve, Director of Strategic Planning [00-17:58]

Dr. Gil Reeve indicated that the SACS accreditation was reaffirmed and thanked Jim Brink, Gary Elbow and many others for their hard work.  SACS has required the university to plan and assess all University programs, use the assessment to improve programs and to document the use of the assessment.  Additionally, Dr. Reeve discussed the University Strategic Plan as well as program level strategic plans.  The revised Strategic Plan is anticipated to be in effect by Fall 2006 and the revisions include reducing and realigning the number of goals.  The revised Strategic Plan is located in the appendix of the minutes. 

V.     Old Business [18:04-49:05]

a.       Nomination Committee [18:09-20:06]

Senator Reifman updated the Senate on the nomination of senators for the three executive office positions.  If you are interested in running for those positions, please contact Senators Reifman, Dunham or Garner.  Additionally, current officers are available for questions regarding duties and responsibilities.

b.      Committee on Committees [20:09-22:22]

Senator Schaller identified three senators that have volunteered to serve on the ad hoc committee on child care:  Senators Toda, Alvarado, and Marbley.  Question brought forward by President Howe.  Nomination of the senators approved.  Senator Schaller indicated that Patty will be mailing nomination forms for University committees and has asked for participation.

c.       Faculty Status and Welfare Committee [22:25-23:09]

Senator Smucker indicated the committee will be working with a faculty member on campus to evaluate faculty benefits.

d.      Consulting [23:12-23:20]

President Howe indicated that Senator Grass has requested more time to prepare the committee’s report to be submitted to the Senate.

e.       Liaison Reports [23:22-49:10]

President Howe as liaison and member of the Budget Advisory Council informed the Senators that the BAC is currently evaluating the potential implementation of base tuition, as requested by the Regents.  In base tuition, undergraduate students will pay a set tuition rate based on 15 hour enrollment.  The plan encourages students to take more units and the tuition program supports the GOT program.  However, issues regarding summer school and part-time students must be resolved.  Senator Perry asked what would be the anticipated effect on classroom size.  President Howe indicated that the benefit would be less reliance on resources during the summer and more formula funding.  [23:22-34:55]

Rebecca Owen, Staff Senate Liaison to the Faculty Senate, discussed two issues the Staff Senate has been evaluating:  fall break and the proposed parking fee structure.  The Staff Senate has indicated they will not support the Fall Break Proposal developed by the Student Senate; however, the Staff Senate is willing to work with the Student Senate to address the issues that are anticipated to negatively impact the University staff.  The Staff Senate has been asked to submit alternative proposals regarding parking fee options.  The concern of the Staff Senate is that parking fee costs are escalating more quickly than raises. One alternative to the fee structure is to increase parking fees only 10 percent per year until the new fee rate is reached. [35:19-49:05]

VI.  New Business [49:14-52:00]

a.       Senator Drager thanked everyone for the card and get well wishes he received following open heart surgery. [49:14-49:37]

b.      Incomplete Policy [49:41-50:59]

Faculty members have expressed concern regarding the timing and thrust of the new Incomplete policy.  If you have a concern, please let the Agenda Committee know.

c.       Faculty Consultation on Program Changes [51:01-52:00]

Senator Howe discussed the changes occurring in departments on campus, without consultation of the faculty.  If there is a general issue in which the Faculty Senate should be involved, please let the Agenda Committee know.

VII.            Announcements [52:04-1:05:15]

a.       President Howe announced the following committee assignments as determined by the Agenda Committee:

Budget Study Committee—ID cards

Academic Programs Committee—University van rental

Ad hoc committee—Electronic ballots

b.      Mary Jane Hurst, Faculty Assistant to the President, described her new position and the role she will play in the President’s Office.

c.       Senator Reifman informed the Senate that Texas Tech University has been cited as a great school for B students in a US News and World Report article (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/articles/brief/06average_brief.php).  A copy of the article is located in the appendix of the minutes.

d.      Reception in the faculty lounge following the meeting.

VIII.         Adjournment.  Meeting was adjourned at 4:35 pm.