Faculty Senate Minutes April 18, 1995

MINUTES OF THE UT MARTIN FACULTY SENATE MEETING

April 18, 1995

CALL TO ORDER
The third and final meeting of the 1995 Spring Semester was called to order at 3:15 p.m. by President Victoria Seng in Room 201-02-03 of the Boling University Center. Senators for the upcoming academic year were present, as well as 37 senators for the ending academic year. There were also several visitors in attendance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were no additions or corrections to the minutes of March 21, 1995. Minutes stand approved as distributed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Chancellor Margaret Perry approved all faculty senate recommendations from the previous meeting, but requested an amendment to the recommendation regarding faculty evaluations, with the amendment showing where they are to be kept and for how long.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Executive Committee
Seng reviewed the minutes of the April 4 meeting of the Executive Committee. Faculty representation on the Board of Trustees has passed legislature. There is conflicting information regarding who will be the first representative, but the Senate will be informed as to who this representative will be.

Budget and Economic Concerns
Carroll Slack stated that there was nothing from this committee to come before the Senate at this time.

Undergraduate Council
Randy Cate presented and moved approval for the curriculum changes from the Schools of Agriculture and Human Environment, Arts and Sciences, and Education, as approved by the Council on March 28. Motion passed.

There was discussion regarding the cultural diversity requirement. An experimental course has been proposed for Fall 1995, for undeclared students in freshman studies groups. A motion was made to postpone the requirement until Fall Semester 1996. The motion was seconded and passed.

Graduate Council
Robert Erk presented and moved approval for the curriculum changes from the School of Education, as approved by the Graduate Council on March 20. Motion passed.

Instruction Committee
Nell Gullett stated that there was nothing from this committee to come before the Senate at this time.

Library
Michael Caldwell asked Seng to announce that on May 2 at 10:00 a.m. the Library Committee will be given a tour of the new library, and that the senators are also invited for the tour.

Personnel Policies
Edd Joyner presented and moved approval for two corrections in the Faculty Handbook, as approved by the Committee on April 11. Motions passed.

Faculty Handbook Section 1.2.2

    UTM and its programs are accredited by the following agencies: the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, the American Chemical Society,... and the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Faculty Handbook Section 2.7.3.1

    Student evaluation of teaching effectiveness.... The results of the three most recent evaluations will be used as part of all subsequent faculty assessments of the faculty member, and be kept in the faculty member's file in the immediate supervisor's office. Prior evaluations may be removed only at the request of the faculty member.

NEW BUSINESS
Seng expressed appreciation to and presented plaques to Louis Kolitsch for his service this year as Senate secretary and Charles Harding for his service as Senate Vice-President/President Elect. She also gave a recap of the previous academic year. Harding then presented a plaque to Seng, for her service as Senate President. Both Seng and Harding expressed appreciation to Kristy Crocker, who served as clerical support for the Senate.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m.



Victoria Seng, President


Louis W. Kolitsch, Secretary

 

 

kcrocker@admin.utm.edu