I.
Call to Order
Mr. Harris called the June 28, 2002 meeting of the Academic Senate to order at 2:10 p.m.
in the SETB 3rd Floor Conference Room.
Members of the Senate in attendance included: Dr. Illiana Alanis, Mr. Steve Benton, Mr.
Mike Boster, Dr. Steve Chamberlain, Ms. Carol Collinsworth, Mr. Roberto Cortina, Mr.
Doug Ferrier, Mr. Victor Fuhro, Mr. William Harris, Ms. Mable Hockaday, Ms. Julie
Larson, Dr. Arnulfo Mar, Dr. Jose Martin, Dr. Sylvia Pena, Mr. Jay Phillips, Dr. Ruth
Ann Ragland, Dr. John Ronnau, Ms. Karen Fuss-Sommer, Dr. Deborah Suzzane, and Mr.
Tom Welther.
II.
Approval of the Minutes from the May 10, 2002 Academic Senate Meeting
Mr. Harris entertained a motion to approve the minutes from the May 10, 2002 Academic
Senate meeting. Mr. Cortina so moved, with a second from Mr. Boster. The minutes
were approved as written.
{At this point in the meeting, Mr. Harris suspended the agenda and moved agenda items
around as the Provost had to leave early to attend another meeting.}
III.
Provost’s Report
Dr. Martin had eight items in his report.

Dr. Martin reported that he and Dr. Garcia attended the dedication of the Regional
Academic Health Center (RAHC) on Friday, June 28, 2002 in Harlingen, Texas.
Dr. Martin said officials at the RAHC have offered MCAT preparation for
UTB/TSC students for the next academic year. Dr. Martin also noted that the
RAHC will double the number of Mexican American physicians in residency.

Dr. Martin reported that the Palo Alto National Battlefield Library is using
UTB/TSC as a depository for historical documents. Those documents will be
housed in the Archives.

Dr. Martin reported on the progress of the Bachelor of Applied Technology
(BAT) degree. Dr. Martin reported that other institutions looked at the BAT
degree as the end of civilization. They could not believe an institution would
have a degree in Applied Technology. Dr. Martin reported that the BAT degree
would be used as a completion degree for those students with an Associate of Arts
degree in Applied Science. Dr. Martin said that students in eight areas of
technology would be eligible for this degree. The areas include: Diagnostic
Imaging, Computer Information Systems/Science Technology,
Drafting/Computer Drafting and Design, Respiratory Therapy, Digital Imaging
Technology, Network Information Management Technology, Engineering
Technology-Manufacturing/Electronics/Mechanical, and Nursing
(General/Practical). Dr. Martin also said that the President of TSTC and Dr.
Garcia will be in Austin, Texas to defend this degree before the Coordinating
Board. In addition, Dr. Martin reported that the proposed Bachelor of Science
degree in Biology is under review.

Dr. Martin reported that the new Student Center is complete. It will be dedicated
in August 2002.

Dr. Martin reported that the Science Fair held March 22, 2002 at UTB/TSC was a
huge success. Dr. Martin said the event will be held again next year and judges
will be needed.

Dr. Martin reported that on Thursday, June 27, 2002 the TSC Board of Trustees
voted to purchase the Amigoland Mall and Fort Brown properties. Dr. Martin
also reported that the Board of Trustees authorized a bond election, which would
raise 97 million dollars. Dr. Martin reported that the money would be used to
cover ten areas of need:
1). Capital improvements2). Gym and welcome center3). Faculty expansion4). Library expansion5). Student services6). Biomedical7). West Campus and Technology Center8). Fine Arts complex9). Child Development Center10). Fort Brown-
11 to 12 million dollars
14 million dollars
11 million dollars
11 million dollars
6 million dollars
4 million dollars
32 million dollars
12 million dollars
4 million dollars
5 million dollars
Dr Martin said that with the bond election, TSC could release funds for a Faculty
Center for Teaching Preparation. Dr. Martin also said the UTB/TSC employees
cannot campaign for the bond issue but can give information.
IV.

Dr. Martin reported that the fall will be an exciting time. He said there is an new
spirit of cooperation in the Rio Grande Valley.

Last, Dr. Martin reported that faculty letters regarding salary raises were sent
Master Plan Report- Dr. Garcia
Dr. Garcia addressed the Senate regarding bond election and the master plan report. In
her presentation, Dr. Garcia said we need to build a master facilities plan that will
provide a place where students in our region can attend college. She said we must
discover the best sources of revenue, both in terms of people and facilities, to accomplish
this goal. She said we need to know not only where we are going but also how to get
there. She said when there is a parting of the clouds, we must move in. She said that is
what we did. She said in December 2001 she was approached by Fort Brown hotel
owners asking if UTB/TSC would be interested in purchasing their property. Then
Simon Properties owners of Amigoland Mall called and asked if UTB/TSC would be
interested in purchasing Amigoland Mall. Dr. Garcia said TSC decided to move on the
offers and assess the properties. The mall was too expensive and in need of repairs, so
TSC decided to decline the offer from Simon Properties. Simon Properties then said they
would reduce their asking price from 8 million to 3 million and take the loss as a
donation. TSC accepted this offer. Dr. Garcia was also approached about purchasing the
Andres Cueto Building. TSC now owns three properties- the Andres Cueto Building, the
Fort Brown property including the Ramada and Holiday Inn, and Amigoland Mall (to be
known as West Campus).
Dr. Garcia said in order to accomplish this goal of providing facilities for students in this
region to attend college, UTB/TSC had to borrow money. The TSC Board of Trustees
realizing the need to accomplish this goal authorized a 97 million dollar bond election.
Before authorizing the special bond election, the Board heard from faculty, students,
administrators, directors, deans, and department chairs. All concluded that there was a
need at UTB/TSC for capital improvements and expansion.
With the authorization of the bond election, Dr. Garcia met with members of the
Brownsville Economic Development Council. The Council pledged 2 million dollars and
its political endorsement in favor of the bond issue.
Dr. Garcia pointed out that the next ten weeks will be hectic as UTB/TSC prepares for
the vote in the bond election. The election will take place on September 14, 2002. Dr.
Garcia said that according to the law, no money can be spent on promotion of the bond
election. She said only information can be published. She said private citizens may
voice their opinions on the bond issue, Dr. Garcia also said that if we don’t have a bond
election, we have no money. She said the 97 million dollars will be used for capital
improvements and expansion. Dr. Garcia said the bond will raise taxes only 5.9 cents.
She said property tax on the average $50,000 home would increase $25.00, on the
average $100,000 home- $50.00, and on an average 150,000 home- $75.00. The tax base
does not include Harlingen and San Benito.
Dr. Garcia concluded her presentation by asking the Senate for its help. She said if all
the students and faculty at UTB/TSC voted in favor of the bond, it would pass.
V.
Faculty Advisory Council (FAC) Report
Mr. Harris reported on the outcomes of the Faculty Advisory Council (FAC) meeting
held in June 2002 in Austin, Texas. Mr. Harris said for the most part, the June meeting
was a lame duck meeting because of elections. Several items were discussed.

Mr. Harris said the FAC discussed the issue of technology transfer. He said under
the current system intellectual property is split 50/50- with half going to the
institution and half going to the inventor. Now the split will be 60/40- with
institution receiving 60 percent and the inventor receiving 40 percent. He said the
FAC Technology Committee was upset because there was no faculty input.

Mr. Harris also reported that there is a new policy from the Regents regarding
background checks. Under the new policy, there will be two levels of background
checks for new hirees, employers changing positions, and adjunct instructors for
every new contact. Individuals on campus, a human resources officer, and the
campus police chief would conduct the background checks. The
recommendations used would be strictly confidential and the person being
investigated would not be informed of the results. Further information can be
found on the Regents’ website: www. utsystem. edu/bor/rules.

Mr. Harris reported that he was reelected as co-chair of the FAC Governance
Committee.
VI.
Other Business
There were three items of “other business”.

Mr. Welther expressed his concern over the evaluations of administrators. He
said part-time instructors are being asked to evaluate their dean even though they
may have never had contact with him or her. Mr. Welther also expressed concern
over the middle selection on the evaluation form that reads, “Neither agree or
disagree”. Mr. Welther said part-timers choose this selection because they want
to be on the safe side. They just go down the middle so their evaluation does not
reflect their true feelings.
Mr. Harris responded by saying that perhaps Dr. Suzzane could look into
alternative selections of the evaluations.

Mr. Fuhro passed out a revised draft of the Faculty and Staff Meeting Schedule
for the fall. There were two important changes on the schedule from previous
years- faculty advisement of students and Colleague training for faculty advising
students.
Mr. Harris asked for clarification on faculty advisement of students. Do faculty
members actually have to be in their offices during this time? Mr. Fuhro will seek
clarification.

VIII.
Mr. Cortina expressed his concern over entrance exams and other standardized
tests being scheduled for students during prime time class periods. He said
students are either leaving class early or not attending class because they need to
take TASP or the Teacher Education Entrance Exam. He said this is very
disruptive to the class.
Senate President’s Report
Mr. Harris had four items in his report.
IX.

Mr. Harris reported that he attended the Diamonds Among Us Celebration.

Mr. Harris reported that we need cooperation and communication on the bond
issue. He said passage of the bond would be one way we can add new faculty.

Mr. Harris reported that the Institutional Effectiveness Committee met but
couldn’t remember who was on the committee. Mr. Harris said he attended the
meeting.

Mr. Harris reported that a special election will need to be held in September to
replace Douglass Cagwin who has resigned from the university.
Adjournment
Mr. Harris entertained a motion to adjourn. Ms. Fuss-Sommer (in her last act as a
Senator) so moved with a second by acclamation. The meeting stood adjourned at 4:15
p.m.