Faculty Senate Minutes

October 12, 2006

 

Senators present: James Jordan, Tammy Patni, Melissa Elliott; Becky Hand; Stan Stallings, Michael Samp, Lynnette Schillo, Jane Hellinghausen, Claudia Philpott, Geoff Schwende Sandy Graves

 

Absent: Robbie Rogers

 

Meeting called to order at 2:05 PM

 

President’s Report

 

President Jordan discussed the work of the Solutions Committee of the Student Success Program for At-Risk students. Programs/policies include the continuation of a new student Orientation course (ORIE 1100); an orientation course for students who do not pass 2 or more portions of THEA (ORIE 0370); and COLL 0171 for students on academic suspension. This group also has the option of sitting out one semester of college.

 

President Jordan learned at the recent TCCTA Leadership Conference that HB 1, passed in the 3rd special session, will now require 9 – 12 graders to have 4 credits (rather than 3) of Math, Science, Social Studies and English. The goal is to reduce the number of high school students needing developmental courses at the college level, increase test scores and increase high school graduation rates.  New rules will be on the Coordinating Board web site. Faculty is urged to stay abreast of changes and their implementation. http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/

 

Committee Reports

 

The Faculty Awards committee still needs a chair; Tammy Patni and Lynnette Schillo will serve on the LRC committee; Becky Hand is on the Evaluation Committee which is developing a performance evaluation tool for faculty. Individual departments will be encouraged to supplement this instrument with department – specific content.  Web – related concerns should be reported to David Carson.

 

Old Business

 

Amy Hendrick’s request for committee members.

 

Compensation Study – Senator Jordan advised that a Salary Committee has traditionally been part of the Senate; he appointed Mike Meyers and Theresa Evans to serve on this committee and to work with Amy on a Compensation study.  

 

Policy and Procedure Committee – Donna Smith has been appointed to this committee.

 

New Business

 

Senator Hellinghausen suggests that staff and faculty get more timely invitations to OC functions. Invitations for recent Phi Theta Kappa inductions were not received until Thursday and Friday prior to the Sunday event. The faculty very much wants to attend and show support at student functions but cannot do so without ample notice of dates.

 

Other

 

Michael Samp advised that he and Rebecca Rivera – Weiss are co – advisors for an American Red Cross campus - based emergency response team. Volunteers are in need and training will be provided.

 

Meeting adjourned at 2:56 pm.

 

 

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Submitted by

Jane Hellinghausen