Deans' Council Minutes
May 8, 2007

Attendance : Dr. Frank Ashley, Dr. Mary Hendrix, Dr. Hal Langford, Dr. James Klein, Dr. James Vornberg, Dr. Yvette Murph, Brian Nichols, Dr. R. N. Singh, Dr. Bill Humbert, Stephen Garretson, Lisa Rhoades, Anna Rhea, Sharon Fulkerson, Dr. Bill Clinton, Noi Prapan, Paige Bussell, Donna Spinato, Robert Dotson, Courtney Manskey, Greg Mitchell, Tim Willett, Dr. Bill Thompson, Rick Miller, E. Thayne King, Dr. Raymond Green, Dolly Lasater, Shanna Hoskison, Charlotte Larkin, Nancy Ward, and Shannon Carter.

Crisis Management Plan – Donna Spinato, Chief of University Police, encourages everyone to review the Crisis Management Plan and become familiar with the plan. The University Police Department (UPD) is available to attend faculty or staff meetings to review and deliver training regarding the plan and review what steps to take in the event of a crisis. The university's stance is to be proactive rather than reactive.

Appeals Process – Dr. Hendrix reminded Council members that grades will post soon, and soon thereafter, students will begin to appeal. Academic requirements must be upheld. The students' grade point averages should be reviewed and determinations made regarding existing patterns.

2007-2008 Curriculum Changes – (PDF Document) Registrar Paige Bussell stated at this time only major changes could be processed. Additions could be made throughout the year. Dr. Langford proposed reviewing and completing a curriculum review at the end of the fall semester and another at the end of the spring semesters, but send the accumulated revisions in all at the same time. Deans Council members reviewed the changes and voted to approve the 2007-2008 Curriculum Changes.

College Credit for Independent School Districts – Community colleges will handle lower division college credit for independent school districts.

Foreign Travel – Deans were reminded that all foreign travel must be submitted for approval no less than 45 days out from the day of the travel. Deans are to remind their department heads and faculty of this requirement. When presenting a program, faculty should provide a copy of the program to the Provost Office.

Internal Audit Results – As a result of the recent audit conducted by Systems auditors, a follow-up visit will be scheduled for our campus in approximately six (6) months. The university must improve our faculty and staff hiring procedures. Audit results reflected the following deficiencies: 1) failure to acquire the Provost's approval validating candidate pools; 2) failure to acquire the Provost's approval to bring candidates to campus for interviews; 3) after candidate's appointment failure to acquire necessary transcripts.

Student Worker Vacancies – Departments should post available positions with Human Resources when filling student worker vacancies.

Performance Evaluations – Appointments with Deans Council members will be scheduled no later than May 21 st in order for Dr. Ashley to complete individual performance evaluations.

Procedure 12.01.99.RO.02 – Annual Evaluation of Faculty - (PDF Document) Following review and discussion, Council members voted unanimously to approve this proposal as presented. The recommendation will be forwarded to the President for review..

Proposed Revision to Student Guidebook & Faculty Handbook Regarding Students' Misconduct – Deans Council members reviewed the memorandum from Dr. R. N. Singh, Faculty Senate President to Dr. Keith McFarland, University President, dated May 3, 2007 which recommended a statement regarding students' misconduct in the classroom be incorporated in the student guidebook. Following review & discussion, Council members voted unanimously to approve this recommendation. This proposal will be forwarded to the President's Advisory Council for review/approval.

Rule 12.01.99.RO.R1 – Period for Achieving Academic Tenure Rule (PDF Document) – Faculty Senate approved and recommend to Deans Council approval of a new tenure rule which if approved would be incorporated into the university's tenure procedure. Dr. Singh explained to Deans Council that this would support the System's rule regarding tenure. Council members voted unanimously to approve this recommendation as presented. This proposed rule will be forwarded to the President for review.

Procedure Regarding Faculty & Staff Awards – (PDF Document) - Dr. Singh explained that this proposal would provide flexibility to the Awards Committee to give up to two (2) awards per year for both the Paul W. Barrus and H.M. Lafferty faculty awards. Following review & discussion, Council members voted unanimously to approve this recommendation. This proposal will be forwarded to the President's Advisory Council for review/approval.

WRAP UP

Enrollment Management – Commencement ceremonies will be held in the Field House on Saturday, May 12. Commencement speakers are Vice Chairman of the Board, Bill Jones, and Gene Lockhart, Retired Associate Professor of Music at TAMU-C.

Navarro Campus - There will be a reception at 5:30 p.m. prior to the Navarro Commencement ceremony.

Student Affairs – Tim Willett has been appointed at the Director of the Morris Recreational Center .

Student Financial Aid (SFA) – Director Dolly Lasater reported approximately 6,000 FSFA forms have been downloaded. Approximately 3,000 forms have missing documents of which SFA will be requesting students to provide. On May 17 a retreat has been planned for SFA and Loan Office staff.

Faculty Lounge – Ribbon cutting ceremony for the new faculty lounge is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8th ,Binnion Hall, Room 126. Refreshments will be served.