I.
Call to Order
Mr. Harris called the November 22, 2002 meeting of the Academic Senate to order at
1:10 p.m. in SETB 2548.
Members of the Senate in attendance included: Dr. Warren Anderson, Mr. Steve Benton,
Dr. Betsy Boze, Dr. Steve Chamberlain, Ms. Carol Collinsworth, Mr. Roberto Cortina,
Mr. Doug Ferrier, Ms. Linda Fossen, Mr. William Harris, Ms. Mabel Hockaday, Dr.
Edward Hymson, Dr. Anthony Knopp, Mr. Joe Lacher, Dr. Charles Lackey, Ms. Julie
Larson, Dr. Arnulfo Mar, Dr. Jose Martin, Ms. Rosemary Martinez, Dr. Eldon Nelson,
Dr. Rafael Otero, Ms. Cheryl Phelps, Mr. Jay Phillips, Dr. Ruth Ann Ragland, Dr. Rey
Ramirez, Dr. Hilda Silva, Mr. Pat Wade, and Mr. Tom Welther.
II.
Approval of the Minutes from the October 18, 2002 Academic Senate
Meeting
Mr. Harris entertained a motion to approve the minutes from the October 18, 2002
Academic Senate meeting. Before the minutes could be approved, Dr. Knopp pointed out
an error in the minutes. Dr. Knopp noted that his name was omitted from the list of
senators present at the meeting yet he was quoted later in the minutes under the section
entitled, “Parking Questions and Answers”. Thus the minutes should reflect the fact that
Dr. Knopp was in attendance. The secretary is truly sorry for this omission.
With the minutes corrected, Mr. Harris once again entertained a motion to approve the
minutes as corrected. Dr. Hymson so moved, with a second from Mr. Welther. The
minutes were approved as corrected.
III.
Parking Questions and Answers
Ms. Rosemary Martinez, Chief Cardoza, and members of the Parking Committee were
invited to this meeting by Mr. Harris to answer questions from the senators regarding
parking concerns. Dr. Knopp inquired about enforcement. Dr. Knopp said that faculty
lots are jammed with cars that have student-parking permits. He asked, ‘’what about a
parking warden?”
Ms. Martinez replied that the campus police employs parking attendants, who can be
identified by the orange shirts they wear. She said the parking attendants are paid out of
fees collected for parking violations and parking permits. She said that the parking
attendants patrol from 8a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and patrol all parking
lots. She added that the parking patrols are limited by funding constraints.
Chief Cardoza said that during September and October of 2002, parking enforcement was
increased. Chief Cardoza offered the following information regarding parking
enforcement: 632 citations were issued for cars parked illegally in faculty lots (202Music and Education Buildings lot, 88- Eidman Building lot, 151- Computer Center
Wing lot, 6- M1 and M2 Buildings lot, 72- Rusteberg to the right, and 113- Art Building
lot), 100 citations were issued for cars parked illegally in staff lots (49- Library Area lot,
9- across from Catholic Campus Ministries lot, 41- Gorgas lot, and 1-Police Parking lot),
1088 citations were issued for cars parked illegally in student lots (24- Tandy lot, 266North Building lot, 491- from SETB to Daycare Center lot, 34- across from Daycare
Center lot, 13- across from the Water Tower, 227- Boat Ramp Area lot, and 33- Library
Area lot), and 196 citations were issued for cars illegally parked in general parking lots
(77- Commandant’s Quarters lot, 17- Gym Area lot, 8-South Lawn lot, 1-American
Legion lot, 31-Civic Center lot, 16- Jackson Street adjacent to 19th Street lot, 1-Jackson
Street just before 24th Street lot, 27- 24th and Jackson lot, 14- Bookstore Patrons Only lot,
and, 4-Bookstore Patrons Only lot in front of Rusteberg).
Ms. Martinez said that the issue of parking is a faculty, staff, and student issue. She said
that the Parking Committee will be surveying the campus community on parking
attitudes. Ms. Martinez said there is an idea from the Parking Committee to turn all
parking lots into general permit parking. The comments made by Ms. Martinez and
Chief Cardoza results in a lengthy discussion in the Senate.
Several senators discussed the issue of enforcement and several others talked about gated
parking. Ms. Phelps raised the issue of fenced parking lots for faculty to provide
security. Ms. Phelps also asked for a statement of good will from the administration that
faculty would have a place to park. Dr. Chamberlain pointed out that if one faculty
member does not have a place to park, then he/she may hold up the education of 100
students but 1 student not finding a parking space does not hold up the education of 100
faculty members. Mr. Harris added that security is very important. Dr. Chamberlain
echoed the sentiment of the faculty when he said that he would be opposed to general
permit parking throughout the campus.
IV.
SLIP Accounts- Questions and Answers
Mr. Ferrier, at the request of Mr., Harris, addressed the Senate in regard to SLIP
accounts. Before discussing SLIP accounts, Mr. Ferrier provided senators with a handout
that detailed his presentation.
In his presentation, Mr. Ferrier talked about the missions of Distance Education (DE),
Information Resources, and Library units. Mr. Ferrier said the mission of Distance
Education is “to integrate technologies into DE courses (e.g. online, web-enhanced,
videoconferencing, and telecourses) as well as supporting them with student and faculty
services.” This unit also designs, develops, and implements Distance Education courses.
Mr. Ferrier described the mission of Information Resources as “providing technology
access, services and support to faculty and students.” Mr. Ferrier explained that the
mission of the Library Unit is “to provide access to information and online resources.”
Mr. Ferrier said the overall mission of the three units (Distance Education, Information
Resources, and the Library) is “to merge the resources of the three departments to
provide the best and most reliable services and technology to the University community.”
Mr. Ferrier then explained the situation with the old SLIP accounts. Mr. Ferrier said that
as of December 31, 2002 the old SLIP 16 lines will be discontinued. This is due to the
high cost of the hardware maintenance contract. Mr. Ferrier said that if a faculty member
is using the dial-up phone number 548-8730 and he/she wants to continue to use
university dial-up services after December 31, 2002, he/she should pick up an application
from Information Resources (L211) to open a radius dial-up account. Mr. Ferrier also
said that the 23 radius lines will not be enough to provide adequate service to all the 500
users. He said the current cost for 23 radius lines will be $5220.00 per year. He further
stated that the an additional 23 lines will be added for a total 0f 46 lines which he
believes will alleviate some of the busy phone lines during peak periods. He said the cost
for the additional lines will be another $5222.00 per year, bringing the total cost to $10,
440 per year.
Following his presentation, Mr. Ferrier answered questions and fielded concerns. Dr.
Mar told Mr. Ferrier that his SLIP account was disconnected without his knowledge. Dr.
Mar said that it would have been a good idea to inform users that the SLIP accounts
would be discontinued. Mr. Ferrier apologized for any inconvenience. Mr. Harris
thanked Mr. Ferrier for his presentation.
V.
HOOP Policy 7.4.11
Dr. Martin handed out copies to the senators of HOOP Policy 7.4.11- “Program to
Access, Certify, and Improve English Proficiency of Faculty”. Dr. Martin explained that
the purposes of this policy is to establish uniform procedures to assure that all
instructional personnel possess the state-required oral English proficiency. Dr. Martin
further reported that in 1989, the Texas State Legislature passed House Bill 638 which
requires institutions of higher education in Texas to establish a program or short course to
assist faculty members whose primary language to assist faculty members whose primary
language is not English to become proficient in the use of English and also requires that
all faculty members are proficient in the use of English as determined by a satisfactory
grade on the “Test of Spoken English” or a similar approved alternative test. In
accordance with this legislative mandate, the Deans Council at UTB/TSC drafted this
policy. Dr. Martin said that the this policy would allow faculty members who are not
able to demonstrate proficiency in English on the basis of country of origin, education,
academic training or other credible evidence, such as experience in the use of the
language or an established teaching record to demonstrate English proficiency by
providing official results of their performance on either the “Test of Spoken English” or
the “Speak Test”. Faculty members may also demonstrate English proficiency to staff
trained in Communication or Language, through formal individual interviews,
presentations, and/or in-class teaching sessions. Faculty members identified as requiring
assistance in the improvement of their English proficiency will be referred to the
Language Institute for individual consultation or outside referral. Faculty shall be
financially responsible for any charges connected with this process and for the cost of
training, which may be required to remedy deficiencies.
After reviewing this policy, several senators expressed their concerns. Mr. Welther and
Dr. Hymson expressed their concern over whether or not this policy would cover visiting
professors. Dr. Hymson was also concerned with the reference to financial
responsibility.
Hearing no further discussion, Dr. Knopp moved to accept this reading of the policy as
written and move it to a second reading. Ms. Collinsworth seconded the motion. The
Senate concurred and the policy will be back in the Senate for a second read.
VII.
Other Business
There were five items of “Other Business”.

Dr. Knopp expressed his concern that blocks designed to prevent students from
enrolling in a course or courses for which they have not met the prerequisites are
not working. Dr. Knopp said developmental students are getting into credit
courses for which they should have been blocked from taking. He said
developmental students are enrolled in general education core courses and are
failing because they do not have the appropriate academic preparation.
Dr. Eli Pena responded to Dr. Knopp’s concern by explaining that at the
beginning of the fall semester 10 or 15 developmental students were given
permission to enroll in core curriculum courses. Dr. Knopp replied that there
were far more than 10 or 15 students. Dr. Knopp make it clear that he does not
want developmental students entering core curriculum courses because they are
doomed to fail.
Dr. Ragland said that there was a change in the logic of the Colleague system that
allowed students to get around the blocks put on courses. Dr. Ragland said Ms.
Fossen has formed a committee working on the problem.
Dr. Eli Pena further elaborated by saying that there are many ramifications of
prerequisites. He said there are many course “equates”. He said that the system
at the time was picking up the code, “in progress”. If a student took one
prerequisites instead of all prerequisites, students got into blocked courses. Dr.
Pena said he disenrolled 300 students at the beginning of the semester who did not
meet prerequisites.
Ms. Fossen added her insights by saying that this is a serious problem. She said
there are courses in the catalog where prerequisites are not shown but the
Colleague system shows prerequisites. She said there are options for improving
the technology. She is working with Datatel to make changes. She said she
would look at the problem and try to find solutions. Ms. Fossen said a
Prerequisite Committee has been formed and consists of the following members:
Ms. Linda Fossen, Dr. Farhat Iftekharuddin, Mr. Jerry Martinez, Dr. Eli Pena, Mr.
Albert Barreda, Mr. Jay Phillips, Mr. Julio Ledezma, Dr. Suzanne Urbis, Dr.
Charles Dameron, and Dr. Jose M. Garza.
Mr. Phillips said Dr. Knopp’s concern has been expressed to the Prerequisite
Committee. He said that instructors should announce on the first day of class
what the prerequisites for the class may be. Mr. Phillips said the committee is
addressing concerns and said if we can’t fix the problem internally than we need
to look externally.
Dr. Otero said in the School of Business, faculty have been asked to manually
check to see if students have met the necessary prerequisites. Mr. Albert Barreda
added that you could run “Query” against them. If students don’t meet the
prerequisites, then drop them.

Mr. Benton expressed his concern over advertisements placed in classrooms for
employment working at home. Mr. Benton brought an example of one such
advertisement to the Senate. This advertisement said, “Attention All StudentsPrepare Mailings in Your Spare Time- Weekly Paychecks. Up to $938.00
Possible Per Week”. Mr. Benton wondered about the University’s liability when
we as a university put up such advertisements. Dr. Ragland replied that Student
Affairs must approve all information put up in a classroom.

Mr. Benton shared with the Senate an experience he had this semester. Mr.
Benton said that one day a student, the student’s mother and the student’s sister,
came into his class. The student then told Mr. Benton that he did not know he
was receiving financial aid. He told Mr. Benton that he went over to the Financial
Aid Office and someone there told him to have his instructor write a letter to
Financial Aid stating that the student could attend class. Mr. Benton said the
request came in the middle of the semester. Mr. Benton said he would not write
this letter. Once again Mr. Benton wondered who would give students this
information.

Ms. Collinworth expressed her concern over lab fees. She said lab fees are not
given to the department with a lab. Ms. Collinsworth said the state deducts lab
fees from reimbursement amounts. A department teaching lab sections does not
get the money generated from lab fees: the money goes into a general fund.
Dr. Martin responded that when he was dean, he put forward a lab fee. He never
saw any of the lab money. Dr. Martin said lab fees that we charge are deducted
from the money we receive from the state. He said if you charge a lab fee, then
the state deducts it from the allocation of funds. Dr. Martin also said that we can’t
charge incidental and lab fees. We can only charge one fee- either incidental or
lab. Dr. Martin said the feeling from department chairs is to eliminate lab fees
and charge a fee for their majors.

Ms. Collinsworth commented on fixed assets. She said computers have a fiveyear life, not seven years as the state says. She also said that fixed assets should
be categorized and put in inventory control. Dr. Martin replied that if we lose
more than 2% of inventoried equipment, then the state charges the University.
Last year, Dr. Martin said, we were over 2%. Dr. Martin said we must protect our
fixed assets.

Last, Dr. Knopp expressed his concern over the final exam schedule fiasco. Dr.
Knopp said first the fiasco should not have happened and second the panic over
the situation seemed out of hand. He cited the example of a memo from his dean
asking instructors to have their students sign a piece of paper indicating that they
were informed of the changes in the exam schedule in each course they teach. Dr.
Knopp felt this was overkill. Dr. Martin replied that he was not aware of this
memo. Dr. Ragland apologized for the confusion with the final exam schedule.
She said there were many problems associated with the schedule.
VIII.
Senate President’s Report
Mr. Harris had three items in his report.
IX.

Mr. Harris reported that the Holiday Party is scheduled for Thursday, December
12, 2002 from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Student Union Ballroom. Tickets are ten
dollars per person and may be purchased from Dr. Lucy Willis.

Mr. Harris reported that next Faculty Advisory Council FAC) meeting is
scheduled for December 5-6, 2002. Ms. Collinsworth will attend the December
FAC meeting. Mr. Harris reported that he will be unable to attend the December
FAC meeting because the new UT-System Chancellor Mark Yudof will be
visiting our campus on December 6, 2002. Mr. Harris is scheduled to meet with
the Chancellor. Mr. Harris also added that the December Academic Senate
meeting has been cancelled. Mr. Harris said the next meeting will be January 11,
2003.

Last, Mr. Harris reported that the TSC Board of Trustees will meet on Monday,
November 25, 2002.
Provost’s Report
Dr. Martin had four items in his report.
X.

Dr. Martin reported that the Spring Convocation meetings will take place
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday- January 8, 9, and 10, 2003. The official
meeting schedule has not been set yet.

Dr. Martin reported that members of the Criminal Justice Department will address
the TSC Board regarding the new Forensics Lab.

Dr. Martin reported that the School of Health Sciences had a site visit from the
Board governing medical technology programs. Dr. Martin was happy to
announce that the UTB/TSC Medical Technology Program passed with flying
colors. Kudos to Ms. Shamina Davis, Director of the Medical Technology
Program.

Last, Dr. Martin reported that Dr. Ronnau is looking for possible names for the
new student housing and Amigoland. If your are interested in submitting a name,
contact Dr. Ronnau.
Adjournment
Mr. Harris entertained a motion to adjourn. Dr. Knopp so moved, with a second by
acclamation. The meeting stood adjourned at 4:00 p.m.