Administrative Council Meeting Minutes
August 2, 2010
Attendees: John Burns, Norman Hopper, Sukant Misra, Cindy Akers, Eduardo Segarra,
Steve Fraze, Philip Gipson, Alon Kvashny, Kevin Pond, Eric Hequet (for Tom Thompson),
Jane Piercy, Norman Martin
1. Approval of June 9, 2010 Minutes
Minutes of the June 9, 2010 meeting were approved.
2. Administrative Council Retreat – Friday, August 20th –Plains Baptist Assembly
Administrative Council members are asked to meet in front of the Goddard Building
at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, August 20th. The CASNR vehicle has been reserved. Drs.
Segarra and Fraze indicated they would take their vehicles. Dr. Akers indicated that
she could take her suburban if necessary. Members were asked to contact Donna
regarding their transportation preferences. The retreat will begin at 9:00 a.m. Each
department chair has been asked to give a 15 minute PowerPoint presentation
identifying challenges and opportunities at the disciplinary level. Department
chairs are asked to send their presentations to Donna by 5:00 p.m. on August 18th.
After the department chair presentations, there will be a break. After the break,
Jane will give a 15 minute presentation on development and the forecast for the next
5 – 10 years. After Jane’s presentation, Dr. Misra will give a presentation on RCM.
Lunch will be served after the presentations.
3. Faculty Retreat – August 24, 2010 – Merket Alumni Center
The morning session will include the Administrative Council and CASNR Advisory
Board. Department chairs will give a PowerPoint presentation giving an overview
of the departments, including the department’s strengths, challenges and
opportunities. Department chairs are asked to send their presentations to Donna by
August 22nd. Dr. Misra will give a presentation on RCM after the department chair
presentations. Lunch will be provided at noon. Beginning at 1:30 p.m. the CASNR
faculty will meet. Dr. Burns will give a state-of-the-college address. President Bailey
will give a state-of-the-university address. President Bailey and Ron Mitchell will
make a presentation on the RCM process. Dr. Misra will give a presentation on how
RCM relates to CASNR.
The Faculty Retreat Dinner will begin with a social time at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will
be served at 6:30 p.m. CASNR awards will be presented.
4. Promotion and Tenure Support Letters
Discussion began regarding the support letters for the promotion and tenure
dossiers. Further information will be forthcoming.
5. New Hires – Background Check
All new hires must have a background check prior to the start of their employment.
This includes faculty, instructors, and staff. If a current employee’s title changes,
they are required to have a background check. (We have since found out that a
background check is not required for a title change.) The question was asked if a
background check must be done on a faculty member who is receiving a promotion.
Dr. Burns will check with the Provost Office.
6. Projected Fall Enrollment Report
Dr. Akers distributed the CASNR Student Services Center Student Numbers Report
for fall 2010, which includes applications, admits, Red Raider Orientation, and new
and transfer enrollment. Also distributed, are numbers for CASNR Summer I and II
enrollment.
7. Other
Dr. Hopper reminded the members of the September 3rd deadline for completing
Digital Measures, which includes for each instructor of record teaching a formal
undergraduate course their abbreviated vita and a syllabus for the course. Also, if
departments have any CIP code changes resulting in funding code changes, these
should be submitted before fall classes start.
Dr. Misra reported the university’s RRE accounts are short. If possible, departments
need to identify any changes that can be made on previous expenditures.
Norman Martin reported the CASNR website has a new link, “where to find it.” The
link lists maps of CASNR buildings. Norman reported the university does not have a
centralized photographer. If a local photographer is needed, Norman suggested
contacting Neal Hinkle.
Dr. Pond reported the state 4-H officer training event was held recently on campus
for the first time, and plans are to have the event on campus again next year. Also, a
three-day leadership session of top 4-H students was held on campus. Dr. Pond
announced TTU will partner with the Junior Livestock Association pilot project this
weekend. Approximately 120 are registered to show 400 livestock animals. This
group will be coming from all over the state. Plans are to try and partner with the
group again next year.
Dr. Burns reported the president’s office would like to introduce the university
strategic hires at the next Board of Regents meeting.
Dr. Kvashny suggested that the timeframe for faculty evaluating the department
chairs be changed from May to March. Many faculty members are not on campus in
May.
Dr. Segarra reported that TAMU is re-configuring the extension service. Some
stations may be closed. As much as 250 extension jobs may be eliminated.
Dr. Burns reported the president has scheduled a Budget Working Group Retreat on
August 23, 2010. The university needs to plan for a 10% cut in the next biennium.
Jane announced there will be a system-wide kick-off campaign on September 17th.
Dr. Hequet announced the PSS Faculty Retreat will be held on August 16th. The
theme for the retreat is “The Graduate Program.”
Dr. Burns reminded the members that CASNR’s commencement is Saturday, August
7th, 9:00 a.m.