I.
Call to Order
Mr. Harris called the May 2, 2003 meeting of the Academic Senate to order at 1:05 p.m.
in the SETB 3rd Floor Conference Room.
Members of the Senate in attendance included: Dr. Illiana Alanis (s), Dr. Betsy Boze, Ms.
Carol Collinsworth (*), Mr. Roberto Cortina (s), Mr. Doug Ferrier, Ms. Linda Fossen,
Mr. Bill Harris (*), Dr. Edward Hymson (s), Dr. Anthony Knopp (s), Mr. Joe Lacher (s),
Dr. Charles Lackey, Ms. Julie Larson (*), Dr. Jose Martin, Mr. Domingo Molina (s), Dr.
Eldon Nelson, Dr. Rafael Otero (s), Dr. Sylvia Pena, Ms. Cheryl Phelps (s), Mr. Jay
Phillips, Dr. Ruth Ann Ragland, and Mr. Tom Welther.
Visitors included: Ms. Ethel Cantu, Mr. Gilbert Garza, and Mr. Jerry Miller.
II.
Approval of the Minutes from the April 11, 2003 Academic Senate Meeting
Mr. Harris entertained a motion to approve the minutes from the April 11, 2003
Academic Senate meeting. Dr. Hymson so moved, with a second from Dr. Otero. The
minutes were approved as written.
III.
Committee Reports
Mr. Harris called for committee reports. There were no reports.
IV.
Update on ORP Visitation Issue
Mr. Harris provided the Senate with an update on the ORP issue. Mr. Harris said that
after talking with Vice President Rosemary Martinez about this issue, Ms. Martinez
agreed to return to the old policy. The old policy allowed ORP representatives to meet
with their clients in the client’s office on the UTB/TSC campus. Mr. Harris did point out
that cold calling by ORP representatives is prohibited under Regent’s Rules.
V.
Merit Pay Resolution
Mr. Harris reported that the following resolution regarding merit pay was drafted when
word was received that there would be no base merit this year. Mr. Harris then pointed
out that base merit is tied directly to exceptional merit and referred to a copy of the
Academic Senate minutes from December 15, 1995 (each member of the Senate received
a copy) in which the following information was recorded: “Dr. Kendall has
recommended to Dr. Garcia that no competitive merit pay be awarded in a year when no
regular merit pay can be awarded. Dr. Garcia accepted this recommendation”
Dr. Knopp, who was the principle draftee of this resolution, read the resolution into the
record.
“Resolution Regarding Merit Pay (May 2, 2003)
Whereas, it is the long established policy of UTB/TSC that the merit pay system
embodied in our HOOP requires base merit pay whenever exceptional merit pay is
awarded (see official Senate minutes of December, 1993); and
Whereas, the exigencies of the present fiscal difficulties in the State of Texas may
induce the administration to suspend the awarding of base merit for the 2003-22204
academic year while continuing to fund exceptional merit;
And Whereas, the recently announced intention of awarding exceptional merit pay
without base merit, if implemented, would represent a violation of the agreement cited
above and consequently pose a threat to the process of shared governance;
Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the imbalance created for this biennium by the proposed
awarding of exceptional merit without base merit be redressed, should it be implemented,
by the exclusive awarding of base merit for the second year of the biennium (2004-2005).
In the unfortunate event that no money is available for any merit in the second year of the
biennium, base merit must be funded exclusively in the next year for which any merit is
funding in available. Accordingly, the exceptional merit system (collection and
assessment of portfolios) should be suspended in the fall of 2003 (should present
intentions to suspend base merit pay for this year be implemented) and remain suspended
until such time as the balance has been restored to our system through the exclusive
awarding of base merit.”
A discussion followed the reading of the resolution. Mr. Harris said that he and the
former presidents of the Academic Senate met with Dr. Garcia and were told by Dr.
Garcia that no base merit, only exceptional merit would be awarded this year. Dr. Knopp
then drafted this resolution with Mr. Harris and others editing the draft resolution. Dr.
Knopp said it is a “cop out” for the administration not to fund base merit. Dr. Knopp said
the administration needs to know that the two are connected. Dr. Knopp further said that
since the exceptional merit process has been initiated, then go ahead with the awarding
of exceptional merit but address base merit next year. Dr. Knopp also made it clear that
this resolution was drafted not because the faculty want more money but rather it was
drafted as a matter of governance.
Dr. Hymson said it is a matter of money because of an increased cost of living. Dr.
Hymson asked why we can’t generate more money to fund base merit.
Mr. Wade pointed out that we are reading the merit policy incorrectly. He said the
HOOP policy uses the words, “merit” and “exceptional merit”. He said the HOOP policy
does not mention the words “base merit”.
Mr. Harris said the resolution takes a “middle of the road approach” to addressing the
problem of merit and exceptional merit. He said this resolution allows for exceptional
merit to be awarded this year and not awarded next year. Mr. Harris further elaborated
by saying that merit and only merit would be awarded next year.
Dr. Hymson asked, “Why there is no money for salary increases?” “Are there no sources
from which to fund base merit?”
Dr. Martin replied that the administration is exploring every avenue of funding to fund
base merit.
Dr. Knopp said that this resolution is based on “shared pain”- the idea that everyone
would experience cuts. Everyone, he said, would suffer equally.
Dr. Hymson said that the Academic Senate expects that every effort would be made to
fund base merit. Dr. Hymson then proposed a friendly amendment to Dr. Knopp’s
resolution. Dr. Hymson’s amendment reads as follows, “Therefore Be It Resolved, that
the imbalance created for this biennium be first addressed by the administration taking
every action practicable to raise revenue sufficient to fund this year’s merit increases. If
despite the administration’s best effort, funding is not possible Be It Resolved that the
proposed awarding of exceptional merit without base merit be readdressed, should it be
implemented, by the exclusive awarding of base merit for the second year of the
biennium (2004-2005). In the unfortunate event that no money is available for any merit
in the second year of the biennium, base merit must be funded exclusively in the next
year for which any funding is available. Accordingly, the exceptional merit system
(collection and assessment of portfolios) should be suspended in the fall of 2003 (should
present intentions to suspend base merit pay for this year be implemented) remain
suspended until such time as the balance has been restored to our system through the
exclusive awarding of base merit.”
Dr. Knopp accepted Dr. Hymson’s friendly amendment. Mr. Wade requested that the
word “base” be deleted from the resolution and referred to merit.
Hearing no further discussion, Mr. Harris called for a motion to approve the motion as
amended. Dr. Knopp so moved, with a second from Mr. Welther. Mr. Harris then called
for a hand vote. The vote resulted in 7- ayes and 5-nayes. The motion carried and the
resolution will be sent to the Provost and forwarded to the Executive Council.
IV.
Other Business
There were four items of “Other Business”.

Mr. Harris reported that Mr. Joe Lacher has agreed to serve on the Undergraduate
Curriculum Committee as the representative from the School of Health Sciences.
The senate approved this appointment.

Mr. Harris also reported that the Academic Senate needs a second representative
to send to the Faculty Advisory Council (FAC) meeting in June. Mr. Harris said
he will be unable to attend the meeting. He said Ms. Collinsworth will attend the
meeting but we need to send another representative to the meeting (June 5th and
6th) in Austin. Anyone willing to volunteer should contact Mr. Harris.

Mr. Gilbert Garza addressed the Academic Senate regarding a faculty/staff
bowling tournament. Mr. Garza said the Faculty/Staff Bowling Tournament will
be held on Saturday, June 7, 2003 from 12-4 at Galaxy Bowling Lanes in
Brownsville. Proceeds from the tournament will be used for student scholarships.
Mr. Garza said that four-person teams consisting of two women and two men will
be selected at random prior to the tournament. Mr. Garza said the deadline to
register is Friday, May 23, 2003 at noon. Mr. Garza said the entry fee is $9.00 for
four games. Contact Mr. Garza in Media Services for more information or to
register.

Last, Ms. Larson announced the results of the Spring Academic Senate Elections.
Here are the results:
Executive Committee
PresidentEthel Cantu
Vice PresidentTom Welter
SecretaryJulie Larson
TreasurerEdward Hymson
Senators
College of Liberal ArtsRoberto Cortina
Cheryl Phelps
William C. Davis (the elder)
School of Health Sciences
Joe Lacher
College of Science, Math, and Technology
Steve Benton
Domingo Molina
Luis Colom
School of Education
John Sutterby
Renee Rubin
School of Business
Gerald Hollier
Professional Library Staff
Mabel Hockaday
VII.
Senate President’s Report
Mr. Harris had two items in his report.

Mr. Harris announced that the summer meeting of the Academic Senate will be
held on Monday, July 7, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. in the SETB 3rd Floor Conference
Room.

Mr. Harris reported that he attended a meeting on Tuesday, May 1, 2002 of the
Student Fee Advisory Committee. Mr. Harris reported that the members of the
committee consisting of both students and faculty voted to increase tuition and
designated tuition. Mr. Harris reported that the designated tuition will increase
from $25.00 to $32.00 per semester credit hour.
VIII.
Provost’s Report
Dr. Martin had eight items in his report.

Dr. Martin reported that on May 1, 2003, UTB/TSC held a celebration honoring
the doctoral students graduating from the collaborative doctoral program between
the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Houston. Dr. Martin
thanked Dr. Lackey for his work organizing and running this celebration.

Dr. Martin reported that the first UTB/TSC Pre-Law Academy will take place
May 12 through May 23, 2003. This Pre-Law Academy named in honor of Judge
Filemon B. Vela is a non-credit, two-week preparatory program at UTB/TSC for
current UTB/TSC students, or recent UTB/TSC graduates, who are interested in
pursuing a career in Law. Dr. Martin thanked Dr. Ragland for organizing this
event.

Dr. Martin reported that Mr. Harris has been selected to participate as Senior
Fellow in a one-week internship with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board (THECB). This internship will be occur in May 2003.

Dr. Martin reported the UTB/TSC Nominee for the CASE Professor of the Year is
Dr. Milo Kearney. Dr. Kearney is a professor in the Department of Social
Sciences.

Dr. Martin reported that Dr. William Adams is UTB/TSC’s recipient of the 2003
Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teaching Award. Dr. Adams will receive his
award on Friday, May 9, 2003 at 6 p.m. at the Distinguished Guests Ceremony in
the SETB Lecture Hall. Congratulations, Dr. Adams.

Dr. Martin reported that Spring Commencement at UTB/TSC will be held on
Saturday, May 10, 2003 on the grounds of the new Student Union. Dr. Martin
reported that the Commencement speaker will be Dr. Alma Solis. Dr. Solis is
1976 graduate of TSC and is currently a research entomologist with the United
States Department of Agriculture.

Dr. Martin reported that the Student Fee Advisory Committee gave its approval to
increase both tuition and designated tuition.

Last, Dr. Martin reported on the budget. Dr. Martin said this budget cycle has
been a rollercoaster of emotions. Dr. Martin said that at this time the State of
Texas really does not know how big the state deficient is. Dr. Martin said it looks
like UTB may fair pretty well, indicating that we may receive 97% of our budget
request. Dr. Martin reported that no institution has been treated as well as UTB.
Dr. Martin also reported that community colleges have been hit very hard.
Dr. Martin said that given budget cuts, rational decisions will have to be made on
what can be done. Dr. Martin said the State Comptroller said that the state
deficient were caused by an overestimate of state revenues. Dr. Martin said that
in order to deal with the budget problems, he and Dr. Garcia will meet with every
vice president and will go over the budget line by line to review costs. Dr. Martin
said we will need to look at alternatives and possibilities. Dr. Martin said he is
grateful and proud that the Student Fee Advisory Committee voted to raise tuition
and designated tuition. Thank you.
IX.
X.
Announcements

Mr. Cortina wished to send the Academic Senate’s condolences to Ms. Cheryl
Phelps on the loss of her sister. A sympathy card will be sent to Ms. Phelps on
the Senate’s behalf.

Dr. Boze also wished to send the Academic Senate’s condolences to Mr. Daboub
on the loss of his stepson. Mr. Daboub’s stepson was a Marine killed in action in
the war with Iraq. A sympathy card will also be sent to Mr. Daboub on the
Senate’s behalf.
Adjournment
Mr. Harris called for a motion to adjourn. Dr. Knopp so moved, with a second by
acclamation. The meeting stood adjourned at 4:00 p.m.