Texas Tech University
Faculty Senate Meeting
Meeting #253
September 14, 2005
The Faculty Senate met on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 in the Matador Room in the Student Union Building, with President John Howe presiding. Senators present were: Doerfert, Daniels, Drager, Dunham, Grappendorf, Hart, Howe, Kimball, Miller, Myles, Niwayama, Rahnama, Santos, Schaller, Smucker, Toda, Bremer, Hein, Mercer, Ritchey, Maushak, Olivarez, Collins, Mann, Thompson, Amor, Blum, Reifman, Louden, Laughlin, Kreidler, Spurrier, Whitfield, Chambers, Oskam, Reeves, Garner, Gelber, Meek, Wilson, Alvarado, Donahue, Ellis, Marbley, Morse, Sheets Hernandez and Smith. Senators excused were: Grass, Jackson, Lakhani, Letchford, Mann and Carr. Senators unexcused were: Sinzinger and Tombs.
I. Call to Order. President John Howe called Meeting #253 to order at 3:22 pm, September 14, 2005.
II. Recognition of Guests. President Howe recognized guests including: President Jon Whitmore, Provost William Marcy, Vice-Provost James Brink, Past Faculty Senate President Gene Wilde, Director of Strategic Planning Gil Reeves, Reporter from the Daily Toreador MegAnn Lora, Staff Senate Liaison to Faculty Senate Rebecca Owens, SGA President Nathan Nash and Dr. Lewis Held.
III. Approval of Minutes. Minutes brought forward for approval by President Howe. Minutes approved. [2:13]
IV. Invited Guest: Dr. Jon Whitmore, President Texas Tech University [2:50-25:00].
V. Old Business [25:06-1:03:40]
a. Fall Break [25:06-58:08]
Agenda Committee drafted five motions
i. Motion I: The Faculty Senate endorses the general thrust and intent of the Student Senate’s May 2005 “Proposal for a Fall Break”, although recognizing that some refinement in detail is desirable.
Motion failed. Approved 18: Opposed 27
ii. Motion II: The Faculty Senate endorses a one day fall break, to be held on a Friday in October, and the advancing of fall final examination two days.
Motion failed. Approved 14: Opposed 28
iii. Motion III: The Faculty Senate endorses a two day fall break to be held on Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving Week, to be compensated for by advancing the fall final examination schedule 2 days.
Motion passed. Approved 30: Opposed 16
iv. Motion IV: The Faculty Senate requests that a Senate committee be charged with examining the possibility of starting all semester classes earlier (by two days? Or even by one week?) and using some or all of the days of instruction gained to allow a two day mid October fall break
Motion failed. Approved 9: Opposed 35
v. Motion V: The Faculty Senate requests that Senate Committee A be charged with modifying the Student Senate’s May 2005 “Proposal for a Fall Break” so that it will do the least possible harm to existing academic programs; that the Committee on Committees recommend additional members for Committee A so that the constituencies most directly affected by a fall break proposal would be directly represented; and that the modified Committee A offer a finished report to the full Senate, prior to the end of this fall semester, on how a fall break might best be established.
Motion failed. Approved 7: Opposed 39
b. Intellectual Property on Thesis and Dissertations [58:20-59:26]
President Howe presented memo from Dr. John Borrelli, Dean of the Graduate School, clarifying copyright issues and issues with the Electronic Theses and Dissertation Form.
No discussion.
c. Bicycle Facilitation [59:27-1:00:22]
President Howe pointed out new bicycle lanes on campus and indicated more were planned.
Congratulated the Senators who worked on bicycle lane resolution last year.
No discussion.
d. Faculty Lounge [1:00:23-1:03:10]
President Howe described the Faculty Lounge Committee authorized by President Whitmore.
Final authorization changes were made to the committee.
Please present ideas to utilize the space to the Faculty Lounge Committee.
e. Other old Business—Ad hoc committee to address administrator evaluations will file report at the next meeting. [1:03:16 -1:03:40]
f. Committee Reports [1:03:51 - 1:07:38]
i. Committee on Committees: Senator Schaller [1:04:01-1:07:38]
Three faculty members had been nominated to Faculty Lounge Committee: Senators Hein and Blum and Non-senator Mulsow.
No Discussion. Motion to endorse report by Committee on Committees approved.
VI. New Business [1:07:43-1:22:56]
a. Presidential Library Resolution [1:07:49-1:16: 57]
President Howe read the Presidential Library Resolution drafted by the Agenda Committee.
Senator Ellis motioned to amend the Presidential Library Resolution; Second by Senator Kimball.
Amendment: To delete “enthusiastically.”
Vote on Amendment: Amendment passed. Approved 24: Opposed 17
Amended motion approved.
b. Hurricane Katrina Resolution [1:16:58-1:17:54]
i. President Howe read the Hurricane Katrina Resolution drafted by the Agenda Committee.
ii. Approved as read.
c. Other New Business [1:17:55-1:22:56]
i. Senator Perry would like to discuss eraider password changes.
President Howe asked for unofficial show of hands to send to a committee.
Motion to forward to study committee to be selected by the Agenda Committee passes. Approved 20: Opposed 16
ii. Senator Dunham would like to evaluate OP 68.01. President Howe indicated it will be discussed as announcement.
VII. Announcements [1:22:57:-1:29:13]
a. President Howe charged Faculty Senate Sub-committee D to examine OP 68.01.
b. President Howe charged Faculty Senate and Welfare Committee to conduct a retirement benefit analysis.
c. Faculty may park in R7 on home football games with a valid permit.
d. Dean Smith, Vice President for Research will speak at the next meeting.
e. Senate vacancy elections.
VIII. Adjournment. Meeting was adjourned at 4:51 pm.