The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College
Academic Senate Minutes
November 17, 2006
Call to Order
I.
Vice-President, Karen Fuss-Sommer, called the November 17, 2006 meeting of the Academic Senate to
order at 3:08 p.m. in the Gorgas Conference Room.
Senate Members in attendance:
Arney Janna
Castillo, Hector
Celaya Pat (*)
Corbeil Rene (s)
Dameron Charles
Ferrier Doug
Fuss-Sommer Karen (*)
Gallegos Therese (s)
Heise Elizabeth (s)
Hockaday Mabel (s)
Jones Irma (*)
Jones Leslie (s)
Lacher Joe (s)
Lackey Charles
Lanye Charla (s)
Larson Julie (s)
Maldonado-Maxwell
Virginia (s)
Martin Jose
Molina Domingo (s)
Monroe Angela (s)
Morgan Bobbette (s)
Ortiz Dennis (s)
Ready Arlene (s)
Shane Martin
Stockton Carl
Sullivan Rodney (s)
Tamez Eloisa (s)
Senate Members Absent:
Cantu Ethel
Davis Bill (s)
Holt Jim
Martinez Rosemary
Moore Wayne
Nelson Eldon
Pearson David (s)
Peltz Gerson (s)
Phelps Cheryl (s)
Phillips Jay
Ragland Ruth Ann
Silva Hilda
Zavaleta Antonio
Zamarripa Manuel
(s)
Guests:
Fossen Linda
Price Betsy
Welther Tom
II.
Review and Approval of the Minutes
Joe Lacher indicated that on page 4 of the minutes, Victor Fuhro will be retiring not returning. At the end
of that same paragraph, Hector Castillo stated he was looking forward to working with us in his new
position. Joe Lacker moved that the minutes be approved as corrected. Mabel Hockaday seconded the
motion. Motion passed.
III.
Presentations/Discussions
Tom Welther presented the TOEFL standards for international students and passed out information on
the recommendation of the Students Records Committee. The recommendation is on page 1: The
Academic Standards and Student Records Committee recommends that the admission requirements for
international students who did not graduate from an English-speaking high school include a TOEFL score
of 500 on the paper-based test and 61 on the internet-based TOEFL. The scores may not be older than
two years at the time of application. The paper-based test is being phased out. There is a sheet that
describes what is being tested on the TOEFL. This test is being used worldwide for students who do not
speak English as their native language. It is a global test taken and given in just about every country in
the world. South Texas College requires a 500 score on the paper-based test, 61 on internet-based test;
TSTC requires 500 as a min and so does UTPA; Laredo requires a little bit higher score, 550 and TX
A&M International asks for 550; UTEP requires 500; El Paso Community College, 450. Tom Welther has
a BA in ESL and has been involved in training for a long time and indicates that a 500 score is really a
minimal score. If you go below a 500, students have a problem in performing well in an academic setting.
There are presently no scores required at UTB at all. 1/6 of students in remedial classes are in ESL. Dr.
Charles Lackey indicates that there is a separate policy for graduate students and those scores are much
higher. The new internet-based test is much better than the computer-based test. Dr. Lackey would like
to suggest that we acquire the internet based test. Karen Fuss-Sommer asks what we do with students
that graduate from BISD whose English proficiency is suspect. What is done to locate those students
whose English proficiency is also suspect even when they graduate from local school districts. The
response was that if they are not international students, then they are exempt by definition. Why is the
policy directed only to international students and not local students as well? Dr. Therese Gallegos
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indicates that students that have a degree from an American high school are exempt from the TOEFL.
The international students will not have passed the TAAS. Is it possible to have minimum scores for
those residents or citizens that do not pass TAAS. If we had 500 in place, we would catch most of the
students that need it. The students that go to the Language Institute are those that score 180 or less and
don’t have fluency. Because we have no TOEFL requirements currently, the international students are
failing as they are not prepared for even remedial courses. If they had 500 score, they might skip the
first ESL course and start in the second ESL course. The international students are just one of the
problems indicates Janna Arney. If we can solve one problem at a time, it would be moving forward. Are
you introducing equivalency?—if a student scores higher on a different test, will that be equivalent and
enough not to take the TOEFL? Tom indicates no. Charlie Lackey indicates that the graduate policy
does provide for equivalency. For an international student that comes from India and has gone to an
English-based school, the student grades may provide the equivalency. Some degree of equivalency
should be built in to the undergraduate policy. If students graduate from an English speaking high school,
they would automatically be exempt. What score does the graduate program use? They use a 77 on
internet-based test; 550 on paper version. The doctoral program recommendation is 600 on the paperbased test and 100 on the internet-based exam says Bobbette Morgan. On the UTB website, there is a
list of the scores required. How much does the test costs? This test takes 2 ½ hours and costs $50. Pat
Celaya is in favor of these scores because we need to do what we can to help our students succeed. Pat
Celaya moved to approve the TOEFL scores recommended by the Students Records Committee.
Rodney Sullivan seconded the motion. Motion passed.
IV.
Senate President’s Report
Tribute to William V. Wilkinson
On Saturday, November 18, at 4:00 p.m., there will be a tribute to Bill Wilkinson in Salon Cassia at the
Education and Business Complex. Dr. Wilkinson, who died this past May, served as Professor and Chair
of the Criminal Justice Department, and previously served as President of the Academic Senate.
TSC Board Meeting
The regular meeting of the Texas South most College Board of Trustees took place on Thursday, October
26, in the Gorgas Board Room. A number of items were discussed at the meeting:
Purchases and Budget Amendments
The Board unanimously approved the purchase of two units in Fort Brown Villa Phase II apartments, and
of half a lot in the Paredes Addition area located behind McDonalds.
A series of four TSC budget amendments were unanimously approved by the Board in order to adjust
expenditures incurred in Fiscal Year 2006.
Bond Projects
The Board received a report from Veronica Mendez, Assistant Vice President for Construction, regarding
the schematic designs for two construction projects: the Center for Early Childhood Studies and the Music
Education Building. Schematic design is the first phase of developing construction documents that will be
used by contractors to build the facility.
The Center for Early Childhood Studies will be built on the Fort Brown peninsula to the south of University
Boulevard. Schematic design is being handled by Wells Janousek of Dallas, an architectural firm
specializing in the design of creative and nurturing environments for children. Ms. Mendez reported that
the Board Bond Advisory Committee for the Center met on Monday, October 2, to review the design
produced by Wells Janousek. The TSC Board voted to accept the design as presented.
The Music Education Building will be constructed in the area behind the Jacob Brown Memorial Center.
The facility is modeled after the Kincaid School Theater in Houston, and the schematic design is being
produced by the architectural firm Studio Red. SueZanne Urbis, Chair of the Fine Arts Department,
discussed the programmatic use of the facility, which will include teaching studios and rehearsal halls with
appropriate space for concert bands, wind ensemble, jazz bands, master chorale, University Choir,
symphony orchestra, and string orchestra. Ms. Mendez reported that the Board Bond Advisory Committee
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for the Music Education Building met on Wednesday, October 11, to review the schematic design by
Studio Red. The TSC Board voted to accept the design.
President Garcia’s Report
In her President’s Report, Dr. Juliet Garcia acknowledged the retirement of Victor Fuhro, Assistant Vice
President for Academic Affairs. She announced that Mr. Fuhro will be replaced by Hector Castillo,
Executive Assistant to the President, who in turn will be replaced by Marilyn Woods.
Dr. Garcia noted that the School of Health Sciences had hosted an open house the previous day, October
25. She also noted that the 50th birthday of nursing education in the lower Rio Grande Valley would be
celebrated the following day, October 27, and that Rosemary Breedlove, Vice Chairman of the TSC
Board of Trustees, would be honored at the event.
Dr. Garcia informed the Board that the Bahia Grande Restoration Team was nominated for its ongoing
work restoring the hydrology of the Bahia Grande system, and was also selected to receive a 2006
Coastal America Partnership Award for its outstanding efforts to restore and protect the coastal
environment.
The Board was informed that the Department of Engineering, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin,
recently brought a $40,000 centrifuge to campus, and that the Department of Defense plans to award
$273,500 in a cooperative agreement with UTB/TSC to help businesses in the region to expand and add
jobs.
V.
Partnership Committee Reports
Student Affairs Partnership Committee-Karen Fuss-Sommer
The Student Affairs Partnership Committee met on October 18, 2006. Mr. Daniel Huntley introduced 4
students who have benefited from our change to our new division. He introduced the new fee proposal for
athletics of seven dollars. This is a different fee from the student’s services fee currently in place. Doug
Ferrier will be requesting a distance education fee waiver for some students.
Texas Council of Faculty Senate-Irma Jones
At the October 17, 2006 TCFS meeting, the Texas Association of College Teachers (TACT) set out their
Legislative Agenda which was 1) schedule faculty salaries to match the average of the other top ten most
populous states. 2) Repeal last session’s legislation regarding the 120 semester credit hour limitation. 3)
Add a faculty member to university system boards of regents 4) support the Sunset Review of the
Teachers Retirement System, including the initiative of a cash infusion to the Retirement Trust and a
schedule benefits increase. 5) support increasing the ORP employer contribution from 6 to 8.5 percent
and quality criteria for approved products and companies.
Catherine Parsoneault from THECB spoke about some initiatives: 1) college readiness standards that go
along with the academic distinction component. 2) course redesign project that will indicate how
knowledge and information are conveyed to students. Incorporate technology into college level courses.
3) Degree mills and impact of new law making it illegal to represent yourself and look for employment
using a degree mill diploma. List on CB website of degree mills organizations.
HOOP Policies-Janna Arney
7.1.1 Recruitment and Hiring of Faculty 2nd Reading. Dr. Arney read the change that was made on this
policy which was a purpose statement that was added. Only the first paragraph was read. Rodney
Sullivan moved that we accept the policy as amended. Mabel Hockaday seconded the motion. Domingo
Molina asks, What is a credit course? It is a course that is for credit, whether academic or technical, but
not continuing ed. Therese Gallegos wanted to add a comma after courses. Domingo asks what faculty
this policy referred to. Faculty refers to SACS courses really, not continuing education courses. After this
little bit of discussion, motion passed.
7.3.4 Faculty and Chairs Merit 2nd Reading. Karen Fuss-Sommer read this policy. Elizabeth Heise asks,
What happens to someone who is applying for merit that is a chair now but applied when they were not a
chair? The difference would be in the direction the evaluation or recommendation would go. Therese
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Gallegos—why is it that sometimes “chair” is capitalized and sometimes it is in lower case? This question
was directed at Dr. Martin to answer what the protocol was. Dr. Dameron asked for clarification of what
has been done in other policies? Depends on what is done on all the other policies. Suggestion: When
the chair is a title of a person, capitalize. Jobs are lowercase, titles are capitalized. Why not just keep it
confused as it has always been? Karen Fuss-Sommer indicates. Linda Fosen suggests that the
institution appoint a small group to put together a style guide or sheet. Also address the words “college”
and “school” as well. Domingo Molina indicates that on the second page, it talks about the dean, where is
everything established and when merit is awarded. A question was asked about the length of time a
faculty member can select to place items in their portfolio. There are no time lines but the portfolio goes
back to the last successful personnel action. This question was addressed last year. In his area, there
are faculty members that have never applied for merit but are now applying for promotion. There is no
policy in effect right now about a faculty member applying for merit at the same time as promotion. A
comment was made that this procedure has been the unwritten rule. Who is responsible for procedure?
This body could recommend that procedures be drafted and included in the time line for personnel action.
Deans Council should review the policy before it comes to the senate approval. This current policy must
go back and start through all the channels and then return to this body as it was the one that proposed it.
It was recommended that we add an item under C2f: exceptional merit decisions should be based from
the last successful personnel action. There was a comment that if you add more stuff to this policy, the
more bogged down it will become. It was suggested that we leave it in the procedures process. Mr.
Fuhro used to do personnel calendar so maybe the new Mr. Fuhro, Hector Castillo, should put together
the procedures. Dennis Ortiz proposed that we add to C2f: exceptional merit decisions should be based
on faculty activity since the last successful application for tenure, promotion or exceptional merit.
Therese seconded the motion. Domingo Molina would like to change the word “should” to “shall”. The
motion is now: Exceptional merit decisions shall be based on faculty activity since the last successful
application for tenure, promotion and exceptional merit. Karen began flogging Domingo. The motion was
seconded and the motion passed.
Rodney Sullivan made the suggestion that the Senate should recommend that these proposed changes
be sent to the appropriate university bodies, panels, etc. to be properly acted upon through the university.
Elizabeth seconded the motion. A friendly amendment was made to add to that the motion that it return to
the body for final perusal. Motion passed.
Old Business
Alternate Drop-off Locations for Student Evaluations-Therese Gallegos
Therese sent an email to all deans and only four responded to the question how they feel about getting
the faculty evaluations submitted to the deans’ office. It was noted that some dean’s offices do not have
a place to slip the envelope in under the door. Is there anywhere else to take the evaluations? How
about a lock box or depository? A drive-by depository by the library parking lot to have students drive
through would be ideal. Is there a drop box for books at library? Doug Ferrier indicates that yes there is
a door located next to the front door. Yes, they could drop the evaluations there. Who is responsible for
ensuring the faculty evaluations take place? Institutional Research-Art Guerra is responsible for making
sure that faculty evaluations take place. He said he did not have a problem with what we are doing to
change the process. It was noted, however, that they should be part of this discussion since they are
supposed to be monitoring this process. Nothing could be less secure than the process that is taking
place now. Could this concern be referred to dean’s council? Charles Lackey thought of another idea. If
old mail boxes are available, why not get some and put it out during the evaluation time and use them as
drop boxes. Julie clarifies that at one time there were different mailboxes in different buildings so that
the mail could be dropped in one drop area of the building and then the mail would be taken from the
departments. She does not believe that the mailboxes are being used for anything. Institutional
Research must be the ones that would go around and remove the evaluations from those drop boxes.
The more hands you have throughout the process, the more diluted it becomes. Most of our students
drive and do not walk. Why not have one drive by box outside the library. Dennis suggests giving the
student that is dropping off the evaluations a UTB pen or something so that the instructor does not feel
bad about asking them to drop off the evaluations. Leslie Jones stated that there is a portable drop box in
her area available that could be used. Rodney Sullivan indicated that although the Senate is recognizing
a problem that exists, it does not have the power to solve the problem. There are too many logistical
problems involved in what is happening. We need to make a motion to make someone else responsible
for this concern. Julie Larson indicates that we need to invite Dr. Mudgh to next month’s meeting to
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address the concern. Elizabeth Heise made a motion for the Senate to invite Dr. Mudgh to next month’s
meeting to address this concern. Domingo Molina seconded the motion. Motion passed.
New Business
Charla Lanye reported that a mental health counselor was appointed to a drug and alcohol task force.
The chair of the committee hopes to come and make a presentation regarding their mission. A survey
found that students are indicating they didn’t know there was a drug and alcohol use policy at this campus
so this committee needs to ensure students become aware of all policies that exist. The question was
asked if this was in response to our non-smoking resolution. No, was the answer, this is addressing even
more issues. The chair of this task force is the judicial person, David Marquez, on campus. The senate
will invite him to present in January.
Therese Gallegos wanted to make sure her faculty knew she was bringing forth their concerns. A faculty
member in her area was complaining that the white boards in the classroom in North are never washed.
She called housing and they are supposed to wash them. Should anything else be done? Some dry
erase markers do not come off the board. Domingo Molina brought liquid bottles to spray the boards
when he gets there. Elizabeth Heise said that the issue had come up in their college. The housekeeping
people claimed that it was Emma Miller’s office that should have spray bottles and markers for the
classrooms. Should Therese approach housekeeping? Doug Ferrier has the referred item and will
report at the next meeting.
One faculty member got ticket by the Newman Center where he normally had been parking with no
ticketing. However, he was parked illegally. Therese sent the complaint to campus security and they
said they would get back to her and they never did. If they are parking in the wrong spot, there is nothing
to be done.
Provost’s Report
We lost a dear colleague; Mr. Thomas Bell, Assistant Master Technical Instructor in Industrial Technology
passed away in Houston after a long and gallant fight. In lieu of flowers, his family will appreciate
contributions to a scholarship fund. Let us have a moment of silence.
Dean Jay Phillips is now at Valley Regional Hospital. He went through a crisis but is doing better and his
spirit is alive and well. He has decided he will be a pioneer in “Tele-Deaning” (Can he have coined a new
word?) Keep him in our thoughts and prayers.
Tomorrow, Dr. Garcia will acknowledge a contribution of $100,000 in memory of Dr. Bill Wilkerson, Law
Enforcement, who passed away recently
On Wednesday, the UT System Regents gave their approval to our proposed Education doctoral program
in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Bilingual Education. This degree proposal is under
review at the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Assuming the proposal receives
SACS support at its December annual meeting; we will take the proposal to the Coordinating Board and
seek final approval. If all continues on schedule, we intend to begin offering courses to the first group of
doctoral students in Fall 2007.
The UT Regents also approved a non academic title, Distinguished Senior Lecturer, to recognize
outstanding senior faculty who are hired in lecturer positions. This is a first for the UT System. The A&M
System already has this non academic title. This title is for someone who is a lecturer whom we
recognize as a senior lecturer.
The regents gave UTB/TSC authorization to negotiate the purchase of Los Tomates Banco, a panel of
land accessible from 24th Street and from the East Loop. This will be the first time that there will be UT
System land for expansion. One possible use for this land will be for athletic fields. Brownsville does not
have a nice soccer stadium anywhere so it may be something to be used by everyone.
Talking about athletics, our women’s volleyball team is one win away from winning the regional
championship and going to the nationals.
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We expect to have our first soccer teams—both men and women—next fall. Our students had a
referendum on whether to authorize a new fee to support athletics. About 3000 students participated and
the majority supported the new fee.
The Borderplex Council for Health Education met late on November 15 in Austin to receive the
recommendations of the evaluators for support of proposals for Nursing Education and Diabetes
research. Our faculty did very well.
At their last meeting, the TSC Board of Trustees approved the schematic designs of the Music Education
building and the Early Childhood Center
Announcements
Karen announced that Dia de la Familia is being held from 2-5 p.m. at the EDBC courtyard on Sunday.
Hamburgers and Hot dogs will be served and Jesus Galvan will be leading the cooking with Irma Jones
running the cakewalk.
Mr. Lacker and the Department of Nursing received a positive review from the NLN that occurred last
week.
Chip Dameron noted that last Saturday, the College of Science, Math and Technology had their
anniversary activities. Because it rained and was chilly, it dampened the attendance but those who were
there had a good time; There was bird watching and physics circus (go around to schools and give 30
min event about physics illustrating the physics laws with pretty neat experiments and activities).
Adjournment.
The motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 3:55 p.m. The executive committee of the Senate
wishes a wonderful Thanksgiving to everyone. Rodney Sullivan made a motion to adjourn. Pat Celaya
seconded the motion. The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by
Irma S. Jones, Secretary
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