Administrative Council Meeting Minutes
March 9, 2009
Attendees: John Burns, Norman Hopper, Sukant Misra, Steve Fraze, Philip Gipson, Alon
Kvashny, Eduardo Segarra, Kevin Pond, Jane Piercy, Peter Dotray (for Tom Thompson)
1. 2010 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards
Dr. Burns distributed information for the submission of nominations for the 2010
Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards. Nominations are sought for awards in four
categories: medicine, engineering, science and technology innovation.
2. Ethics Week 2009
Dr. Burns announced the Director of the Ethics Initiative has asked the colleges to
organize ethics-related events during the week of April 20-24 (which culminates
with Arbor Day on Friday the 24th), and to encourage departments to do the same.
The working group of the Ethics Initiative asks that you contact Jonathan Marks
(Director of the Ethics Initiative) and let him know what you are doing so that they
can help publicize events so that the occasion can be documented. The working
group has asked that student learning be assessed. This is of critical importance for
maintaining SACS accreditation. If you need suggestions about appropriate
assessment, please contact Andrea McCourt of the steering committee and the Office
of Planning and Assessment.
3. Administrative Council Retreat
The suggestion was made to have the Administrative Council Retreat at the
Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico. The retreat would include spouses. Dr.
Burns will check on available dates at the center.
4. Faculty Retreat Date and Location
According to the Fall 2009 academic calendar, faculty are on duty beginning
Monday, August 24. Classes begin on Thursday, August 27. As a result, the Faculty
Retreat will be moved up one day and be held on Tuesday, August 25. We will check
on the availability of the National Ranching Heritage Center for the location of the
retreat. Discussion began regarding the theme of the retreat. Donna will email past
themes to the Administrative Council. The council is asked to send suggested
themes to Donna.
The question was raised as to whether or not the date of the ASB Cookout should be
changed since classes will be in session on the Friday after faculty are on duty.
5. Advisory Board
Discussion began regarding the next Advisory Board meeting. Should the Advisory
Board be included at the next Faculty Retreat, and if so, how should it be organized?
Dr. Burns asked the council to send him suggestions and ideas for the meeting.
6. Blue Phone – Cost
Dr. Burns reported the estimate for the “blue phone” installation near the
Agricultural Pavilion is $8,600. He will discuss the cost with the Facility Allocation
Council at the next meeting.
7. CASNR Tour with President Bailey
Dr. Burns distributed the agenda for President Bailey’s tour of CASNR. The tour is
scheduled for today from 10:00 – 12:00, followed with lunch at the Animal and Food
Sciences Building.
8. Other
Jane reported the Rod Preston Scholarship endowment is in place and the letters are
ready.
Dr. Burns distributed information on three graduate courses of interest.
a. MCDR 5000: Foundations of Strategic Studies: Process and Environment
b. MCDR 5306: National Security and Intelligence in a Post 9/11 World
c. MCDR 5307: Capstone Seminar in Strategic Studies
Dr. Burns reported the cost of the new PSS Building has been estimated at $30
million. The location of the building has not been determined.
Dr. Burns reported the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and DOE
have proposed a research lab at the Pantex location. The proposal includes a
360,000 SF building and 50 wind turbines.
Dr. Misra reported the Hill Exhibit was a success. Drs. Burns and Misra made visits
to the offices of Congressman Mike Conaway, US Senator John Cornyn, US Senator
Kay Bailey Hutchison, US Representative Randy Neugebauer and Congressman Mac
Thornberry. Dr. Misra reported the 2009 earmarks decision should be made this
week.
Dr. Misra reported that all paperwork for 2010 earmark requests have been
completed.
Dr. Misra reported he attended a United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) meeting regarding university partnerships. Dr. Misra also
reported that the two Africa proposals have been submitted. There were 300
submissions. Twenty will be funded, and only one per institution.
Jane reported additional scholarships have been started in spite of the economy.
CASNR’s goal is to have the masked rider fully endowed with a scholarship.
Dr. Segarra reported that Dr. Rahman, new faculty member in Agricultural and
Applied Economics, is here working now.
Dr. Gipson reported the Department of Natural Resources Management held a
statistics short course over the weekend with about 40 in attendance from all across
campus.
Dr. Pond announced the Animal and Food Sciences Awards Banquet will be held on
April 4th at Cagle’s Steakhouse. Richard “Dick” Wallrath will be recognized for his
contributions to TTU.
The next Administrative Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 6th.