TSTC at Waco/Marshall Faculty Senate Executive Board Meettng
September 13, 1996

The Waco-Marshall Faculty Senate Executive Board met in the IDEAS center on Friday, September 13, 1996. President Lease being ill, Communications Chair Terry Conroy called the meeting to order at approximately 10:15. Among those present were the following board members:

Communications Chair--Terry Conroy
President-Elect--Mike Huneke
Secretary--Brenda Cornell
Treasurer--Sid Lenoir
Scholarship Chair--Dave Day
Academics Chair--Fred Khozein
Committee on Committees Chair--George Lof fert (arrived at approximately 11:00)
Ombudsman--Jim Lillie

Also present was Sam Cryan, SGA President.

The minutes of the September 6 meeting were approved with corrections. Although there was no planned agenda, Terry stated that Barbara had asked her to find out whether or not George Loffert had been able to secure any volunteers for faculty committees. While the board awaited George's arrival, Terry opened the floor for discussion of miscellaneous concerns:

1. Scholarship Committee: Dave Day has obtained 2 faculty volunteers for the Scholarship Committee: Dr. Chuck Solomon and Dr. Bob Gentry. Presently, this group will review all applications for ECU Scholarships (the students will also need faculty recommendations) and narrow them down to two. In order to be eligible to apply for a scholarship, students must be ECU members [criterion confirmed by Frances Cobb). According to Dave Day, incoming students may apply before being admitted to TSTC; therefore, information should be distributed to the high schools. It is also important for high school sponsors to have this information.

2. Reactions to the call for "advancing and emerging technologies": For the most part, this phrase has been interpreted to refer to "high tech" programs (such as those new instructional programs approved for technologies such as CNS and BET). Terry raised concern for the fate of the "low tech" programs, and the group agreed that more specific definitions of "advancing and emerging technologies" are needed at this point. Sam suggested that it may become necessary for us to approach the Lt. Governor's office to allow us to write our own definition of "advancing and emerging technologies" since Bivins' definition is likely to be very different. Jim Lillie stated that Dr. Groves had given the Senate Education Committee a list of advancing and emerging technologies. Jim noted further that he [Jim)was surprised to see the technologies classified as "vocational" or "occupational." Sam Cryan has copies of lists of the names of those on the higher education committee and will make copies for all interested Executive Board members.

3. Distance Learning: Currently, there are several TSTC initiatives in the area of distance learning. Sid Lenoir is part of a committee that plans to visit Duncanville on the 19th of September in order to view distance learning programs. Also, TSTC is enlisting interested area colleges in distance learning partnerships although the Coordinating Board has been somewhat resistant. Already there is public evidence of training in the area; for example, Dallas County is televising courses on PBS. Lance Zimmerman (CNS) is offering internet courses on an international scale (i.e., Greece). Sam Cryan remarked that according to a conference he attended at Austin Community College, the state is supportive of such contemplated mergers as one between A&M and TSTC.

4. Committee Volunteers: Upon the arrival of George Loffert, Terry asked about a list of committee volunteers for campus committees. George stated that he had been unable to do his job completely without an overall list of campus committees. However, he does not believe the task will be very difficult: "Some people just need a little nudge." Sam stated that there were several Campus Operating Policies to be considered, such as the new loan refund policies for students (especially with regard to cancelled classes). It is the belief of the Executive Board that the process of getting committee volunteers is an extremely relevant one, for many campus procedures (registration, information processing, etc.) could be facilitated with increased faculty participation and interest.

There being no further business, the motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and passed at approximately 11:40.

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