University Faculty Meeting Minutes

August 23, 2006

Dr. Leo McGee, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, called the opening faculty meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2006, in Derryberry Hall Auditorium. Dr. McGee welcomed everyone to campus and made introductory remarks.

Reports

Dr. David Larimore, President of the Faculty Senate, explained the structure and makeup of the Faculty Senate. The Senate provides a mechanism for ensuring that there is faculty participation and that faculty have a voice in the government and operation of the University. He encouraged faculty to get involved and find out who the senators are by visiting the TTU Faculty Senate web site.

Dr. Kristin Pickering, President of the TTU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), stated that the AAUP is an organization that focuses on preserving tenure, promoting academic freedom, and advocating shared governance. AAUP is an advocate for faculty of all types – full-time tenured, tenure-track, and graduate students – and everyone is welcome to participate. TTU has one of the most active chapters in the state with a large membership rate. The first monthly meeting will be September 7, at 11 a.m., in the University Dining Room. All meetings are scheduled for Thursdays at 11 a.m. and dates are published in the administrative calendar. Visit the AAUP web site at http://www.aaup.org.

Professor Ray Jordan, President of the TTU Chapter of the Tennessee Education Association, stated that TEA has the largest family of educators in the country by a triad of NEA, TEA and the TTU Chapter, with 2.8 million members that includes 110,000 higher education personnel. For 148 years, NEA has been the champion for higher education for faculty and staff. He explained some of the benefits of being a member of TEA and invited faculty to join.

Introduction of New Administrators

President Bell recognized the promotion and expanded role of Dr. Susan Elkins as Vice President for Extended Programs and Regional Development. He also introduced and welcomed two new members to the President’s Cabinet, Mr. Mark Hutchins, Vice President for University Advancement, and Dr. Claire Stinson, Vice President for Business and Fiscal Affairs.

Provost Barker stated that upon Mrs. Tolbert’s retirement it was decided that she could not and would not be replaced. Her two primary areas of responsibility were the leadership of Enrollment Management and her extensive knowledge base of curricular issues. The curriculum issues will be managed by the individual colleges. The area of Enrollment Management will be led by an executive director of enrollment management, and during the search for a permanent person, Mr. Bobby Hodum from Enrollment Services will serve as the interim executive director.

Marc Burnett, Vice President for Student Affairs, introduced Mr. Dustin Rawls, Director of Orientation and Student Success; Mr. Charles Macke, Director of Residential Life; and Mr. Robert Owens, Director of Minority Affairs.

Mark Wilson, Athletics Director, introduced Mr. Mike Jenkins, Assistant Athletics Director for Academic Services and Students Success. Dr. Jeff Roberts, Professor/Chair of History, will serve as the new faculty athletics representative. Mark thanked Dr. Thurston Banks for all of his years of tremendous service to intercollegiate athletics as a leader in academics and athletics.

Introduction of New Faculty
Dr. Barker welcomed and introduced by college new tenure track faculty and new faculty members with term appointments. (List attached to the file copy of the minutes.) He also made announcements related to several academic units.

Recognition of Newly Tenured and Promoted Faculty
Dr. Barker recognized the newly tenured and promoted faculty members who received tenure and/or promotion effective with the Fall Semester 2006. (List attached)

President’s Address
President Bell asked for a moment of silence for the two students who were to be entering freshmen this fall that were recently killed in an auto accident – Rebecca Anderson and Lauren Knieling.

Dr. Bell welcomed new and returning faculty to another academic year and another Tech Pride week. He stated that the marching band is getting ready for the opening game Thursday night and two nationally televised football games in the next two weeks – at MTSU, September 14, and at home against EKU on September 21. ESPNU will broadcast the games

Dr. Bell congratulated everyone on another year of TTU being in the top rankings by U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review. He stated that the ground breaking for the new nursing facility will begin within the next two months. We remain on target for an opening date in 2008.

President Bell noted a few programs that have demonstrated great accomplishments recently:

The Oakley STEM Center has already begun living up to its high expectations, even though groundbreaking is not expected until next year. Workshops have been held for hundreds of regional K-12 teachers, middle and high school students and incoming TTU students to enhance their success in science, technology, engineering and math-related disciplines.

The Distance MBA program has grown substantially because of hard work and by the identification of a need and meeting the challenges to serve a new population of students in an innovative way.

The 2+2 Programs provide a bachelor’s degree in education at several community college campuses which demonstrates how faculty have created new ways to address an ongoing need.

The University has had a record-setting year for research dollars of $15.8 million; more than any other time in the history of TTU.

Dr. Bell discussed the three new initiatives for the University which will bring challenges, opportunities, changes, and the possibility for a brighter future:

1. Budget Initiative – will address rebuilding the university’s reserve fund balance.
2. Access to Education – continue efforts toward developing innovative programs aimed at serving more students and a more diverse population.
3. Stimulate External Funding – increase funding for programs like arts and humanities, faculty development, travel and operations through a long-range fund-raising plan.

Presentation of Service Pins
With the assistance of the deans, President Bell recognized 38 faculty members for a total of 860 years of service to Tech and presented service pins to those in attendance. (List attached)

Closing Remarks
Bobby Hodum gave an update on fall enrollment by stating that when asked about enrollment predictions the words are “cautiously optimistic.” Fall term looks very positive. The Admissions area is already working on the class of 2007 with a new electronic communication plan called “Fly Zone,” which will be launched September 1. Check TTU’s web site for more details. He also extended his appreciation to all the faculty for their participation in campus visits. This past year there were 1,800 VIP families that visited TTU’s campus. The opportunity for students to talk with faculty and advisors in their major sets this program apart. TTU is considered to have the premier campus visitation program in the state.

Dr. McGee stated that Dr. Mike Nivens, Director of Facilities and Business Services, has informed us that the parking lot at the end of the quadrangle, where the new nursing building will be built, will be fenced off before classes start. As a replacement for the loss of this parking lot, 211 new parking spaces have been provided near capital quad and the old nursing building.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20am

Carol Holley, Recorder

Documents on file with minutes:

New Faculty; Tenured and Promoted Faculty
President’s Address
Service Pin List

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