Deans Council Meeting
Webb Hill
December 19, 2007

Attendance: Dr. Mary Hendrix, Dr. Hal Langford, Dr. James Klein, Dr. James Vornberg, Dr. Allan Headley, Dr. Brent Mangus, Dr. Sharon Chambers, Dr. Deborrah Hebert, and Stephanie Holley.

Graduate Assistantship Data – Five Year Comparison – (PDF Document) – Council members reviewed data presented by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. The Academic Deans will provide additional information regarding rationale for their college’s allocations based upon teaching; labs; research; and assistants. After the additional information is provided, Graduate Studies and Research will review the data and Deans Council will consider reallocations based on need and enrollment.

Study Abroad Programs (PDF Document) – The Bilingual/ESL proposal submitted was reviewed and approved. The Psychology proposal was not approved..  

Procedure 11.04.99.RO.06 “Undergraduate Scholastic Probation and Dismissal (PDF Document) – The proposed revision regarding this procedure was reviewed and discussed; however, Deans Council members decided to table this revision for discussion at a future Deans Council meeting. 

Enrollment Data for Fall 2008 – Discussion was held regarding possible dates and length of future orientation sessions. Length of orientation sessions might be extended to include some overnight stays. Ms. Holly also discussed specific plans for increasing enrollment. 

Faculty Workloads –Dr. Hendrix shared the Fall faculty relase workload document with deans and asked Dr. Headley to share a document showing all faculty who have accumulated courses releases for theses and dissertations.  Deans Council agreed that there appears to be inequity among the Colleges for reassignments. Some colleges grant reassigned time for supervision of theses and other colleges provide reassigned time after the fact. Some Colleges are providing three-course loads for faculty research. Dr. Hendrix asked Dean Headley to bring this issue to the Graduate Council.  She expressed concern that we must provide faculty assigned to doctoral programs with the time they need to be active scholars.

Summer Scheduling—Dr. Hendrix indicated Academic and Student Affairs has a $2.1 million dollar base amount and faculty salary savings is used to supplement summer funding . The cost of summer school is approximately $2.6 million. Dr. Hendrix expressed concern that as we increase faculty salaries thorough merit pay allocations and we fill faculty positions more quickly, this funding mechanism may not be sufficient in the future.  Deans were requested to review their faculty workloads to ensure efficient use of funds. Council members were asked to work with their faculty to look for areas where additional funding could be generated through workshops, conferences, products, etc. Dr. Hendrix indicated she has received approval to hire a Coordinator of Summer Camps, Conferences, and Institutes and will be filling this position as soon as possible to assist faculty with implementing their ideas.

Accountability (PDF Document) – Dr. Hendrix shared with the deans that the A&M System will be participating in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Voluntary System of Accountability. For additional information, please see: http://www.aascu.org/accountability/

Academic Program Planning/Development (PDF Document) – Dr. Hendrix indicated progress is predicted in the areas of academic planning by the A&M System. . February 1 is the deadline for submitting our FY2008 and FY2009 Academic Program Planning and Development Plan to the Vice Chancellor’s Office.

Statutory Review Cycles (PDF Document)—Dr. Hendrix shared a document provided by the A&M System indicating statutory review cycles for academic programs, core curriculum, and mission statements.

Environmental Health, Safety and Security Audit – In fiscal year 2007, the university was audited regarding its environmental health, safety and security operations. The results were released to the university in December 2007. A summary of the results and deficiencies pertaining to Academic and Student Affairs were shared with Council members. Group discussion was held as to how improvements could be made to comply with the audit’s recommendations.    

TAMUS New Academic Proposal Review Timelines (PDF Document) – Dr. Hendrix shared A&M System New Academic Program Proposal Review timelines.

Hispanic Enrollment Trends (PDF Document) – Dr. Hendrix shared data provided by Dr. McBroom regarding Hispanic enrollment trends.

University Rule 12.01.99.M2 “Statement on Academic Freedom, Responsibility, Tenure and Promotion” (PDF Document) – Dr. Hendrix asked deans to review and consider the document as A&M-Commerce’s procedure. She indicated our current procedure is no aligned with the A&M System. Deans asked Dr. Hendrix to share the document with Faculty Senate for feedback.

Guidelines for Annual Midterm Review (PDF Document) – Dr. Hendrix asked deans to review and consider the document as A&M-Commerce’s procedure for mid-term review for faculty. Deans asked Dr. Hendrix to share the document with Faculty Senate for feedback.