Faculty Senate - August 2024 Minutes

Call to Order: 3:00 p.m.

Housekeeping

• Approval of Agenda
• Approval of Minutes - Dr. Stiles motioned, and Dr. Shawver seconded. All approved.

Current Business/Information Sharing

1. Welcome Senators - Dr. Capps
   New and existing senators were introduced.
2. Introduction of Dr. Stacy Haynie, MSU President
   Dr. Haynie discussed the current state of the university regarding budget and goals. MSU has been awarded $2 million in 4A/4B money from the City of Wichita Falls for upgrades to Bridwell Activities Center. The goal is to develop a military intake center. Additional funding will be sought from special items in the 2025 Legislative Session. Dr. Haynie discussed the future of the Flower Mound campus. The lease on the property will be allowed to end in three years unless a sublease is identified sooner.
3. Policy Changes Update - Dr. Capps
   1. Texas Tech System Regulation 07.07 – This policy is an update to the system that ensures 1) due process for faculty employment decisions and 2) the role of the MSU President in that process.
   2. OP 06.05 Faculty Tenure and Workload – This was distributed to ensure that faculty are aware of the 2024-2025 guidelines as approved by the TTUS Board.
   3. OP 06.17 Faculty Workload Policy – This was distributed to ensure that faculty are aware of the policy as approved by the TTUS Board. Key to this policy is the elimination of existing course load releases. The standard load is 12 hours per semester. Colleges may adopt additional guidelines to award one and only one three-hour release. Graduate faculty do not get automatic course releases.

New Business

1. Elect Secretary for AY 2024-2025 - Dr. Capps
   Dr. Bradley Wilson resigned from his position at the university. As such, a new Secretary needs to be appointed to the Executive Council. Dr. Coenen indicated her willingness to do so. However, this would require the Faculty Senate to meet at 3:30 instead of 3:00. A motion was made by Dr. Vandehey and seconded by Dr. Stiles to nominate Dr. Coenen for Secretary and move Faculty Senate to 3:30. All approved.
2. Committee Appointments for AY 2024-2025
   The Faculty Senate has several committee positions for which it can make recommendations. The representatives were asked to seek and/or volunteer for those positions. Voting for those will occur for the September 12, 2024, Faculty Senate meeting.
3. Faculty Senate Priorities for AY 2024-2025
   
   1. University online policy is not searchable. It requires clicking on each hyperlink.
      1. Make the OP one single, searchable PDF or
      2. Make the OP webpage searchable
   2. Shared Governance
      1. This is a recurring issue where faculty do not feel involved in the decision making of the university. There is a perception that faculty input is not wanted and, in some cases, has been eliminated (i.e., budget oversight).
   3. Reimbursement
      1. The current rate of reimbursement for faculty travel related to instruction/supervision of students in practicum, internship, or student teaching is $.45/mile.
      2. The standard rate for reimbursement in the System is $.67/mile as adopted by the state and other institutions in the System.
   4. Raises/Faculty Salaries
      1. Departments are continuing to see issues with hiring/losing faculty due to better pay in similar off-campus positions (i.e., health care, public schools, etc.).
      2. Starting salaries for faculty are below that of industry rates. (Graduates are making more than faculty.)
      3. Salary compression continues to be an issue.
      4. Existing concern over potential cut in pay for summer classes. Faculty took a pay cut in 2018 from 1/12th to 1/14th salary, and those salaries were capped. In AY 2023-2024, the Provost indicated additional pay cuts would come. This is concerning given the rise in inflation and lack of merit raises.
4. 2024 Emerging Servant Leaders
   The VP for Leadership Development from TTUS is seeking faculty interest in a leadership study. The flyer was distributed to faculty, who in turn should share with respective colleges.
5. Faculty Complaint
   A complaint was filed with Dr. Capps regarding the lack of transparency and shared governance concerning Texas Tech System Regulation 07.07. This is part of a larger conversation/issue that Faculty Senate has identified as a priority for AY 2024-2025.

Unfinished Business: None

Committee and Other Reports: None

The meeting adjourned at 4:14 p.m. Dr. Capps made a motion to adjourn, and everyone seconded.
The motion to adjourn passed unanimously.

Submitted,
Dr. Matthew Capps
Faculty Senate Chair

Next Meetings:
The next Executive Committee meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. on September 5 via Zoom.
The next Faculty Senate meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. on September 12 in Bridwell Hall 204.