University Faculty Meeting Minutes

August 13, 2003

The 2003-04 opening general faculty meeting was held on August 13, 2003, in Johnson Hall Auditorium. Dr. Leo McGee, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. and welcomed everyone back to campus.

Professional and Organization Reports

Dr. Linda Null, President of the Faculty Senate, announced that the first meeting of the Faculty Senate would be on September 8. She encouraged the faculty to visit the Senate web site, to communicate directly with any of the 40 members of the Faculty Senate, or to send her an e-mail to express any concerns they might have.

Dr. Sharon Whitney, President of the TTU Chapter of AAUP, said that the first meeting of the academic year would be on September 5, and all the meetings are listed on the Administrative Calendar or at the AAUP web site. She urged faculty members to join AAUP.

Professor Ray Jordan, President of the TTU chapter of the Tennessee Education Association, encouraged faculty members to join TEA and NEA. Professor Jordan said that for about $1 a day members can have access to lobbyists, attorneys for legal advice and representation, and liability insurance.

Introduction of New Faculty

Dr. Marvin Barker, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, welcomed the faculty back for another year and then introduced by college new tenure-track faculty members and those with specific term appointments. Dr. Barker also announced new administrative appointments in the colleges and the various units. (List attached to file copy of the minutes) Dr. Barker introduced Dr. Elwood Watson, Associate Professor of History at ETSU, who will be visiting on the Tech campus this semester. Dr. Barker announced the names of those faculty members who were recently promoted or awarded tenure.

President's Address

President Bell welcomed new and returning faculty and staff to TTU. He recognized several faculty members who had received special awards or made special contributions. President Bell discussed three building projects that are included in the Campus Master Plan–the School of Nursing, the Challenger Learning Center, and a new science complex. He shared a draft of the TTU 2015 Vision statement that he will be discussing with the Faculty Senate and other campus groups this fall. (Full text of President’s address attached to file copy of minutes)

Presentation of Service Pins

Assisted by the academic deans, President Bell recognized 46 faculty members for service representing 925 years and presented service pins to those in attendance. Professor Charlene Mullins received a standing ovation when she received a service pin for 50 years of service to TTU. President Bell expressed appreciation to these faculty members for their many years of dedicated service to Tennessee Tech. (List attached to the file copy of the minutes)

Recognition of Retiree

Dr. Bell presented a certificate to Dr. Annie Selden, who recently retired from the Department of Mathematics.

Announcements

Professor Rebecca Tolbert, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, announced
that hard copies of the Administrative Calendar will be available next week, and the 2003-04 calendar is also on the web. The updated Faculty Handbook should be published to the web in about two weeks. Professor Tolbert gave enrollment figures for the Fall Semester. She announced that the first University Curriculum Committee meeting will be September 18 and that proposals will be submitted electronically.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m. and was followed by lunch in the Multipurpose Room.

Pat Gilbreath, Recorder

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