Faculty Senate

Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Minutes of the meetings of February 23, 2004

Quorum established with 26 present.

Minutes of December 15 approved with editorial correction.

New Business:

1. Dr. Peter Racheotes reported from the Curriculum Committee.

2. Prof. Niell proposed a University calendar for academic year 2004-05.  Dr. Garick moved and Dr. Waggy seconded a motion to propose adoption of this calendar (passed unanimously).

3. Dr. Racheotes reported renewed commitment among Texas professors to student honor codes.

4. Following his favorable review of Turnitin.com, Dr. Gandy moved that the University purchase this software to prevent plagiarism (seconded by Dr. McDonald, passed unanimously).

5. The University Affairs Committee is asked to recommend commencement procedures.

6. The Faculty Affairs Committee predicts that by next year faculty will begin to evaluate administrators formally.

7. Prof. Neill reported on issues of the Texas Council of Faculty Senates: 

            a. tuition reduction for faculty dependents,

            b. composition of search committees,

            c. coordinated admissions,

            d. faculty participation in oversight of college budgets,

            e. policies to manage online courses,

            f. policies to manage information technologies.

8. Following remarks by Dr. Waggy, a member of the Graduate Council, Dr. Hamilton moved that Section 9, Article 2 of the Senate Constitution be amended to read:  “The Senate representative to the Graduate Council shall be a member of the Faculty Senate appointed by the Faculty Senate President.” (Motion carried unanimously.)

Committee Reports:

Dr. Owen, for the ad hoc Salary Equity Committee, distributed data on TAMU-T faculty salaries with comparison by rank and discipline to CUPA averages, with CUPA referring to College and University Professional Association of Human Resources.

Adjourned 1:10