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3832 DOCUMENTS OF THE GENERAL FACULTY SEVENTH REGULAR MEETING OF THE FACULTY COUNCIL FOR 2004-2005 The University of Texas at Austin Monday, April 11, 2005 Main Building, Room 212 2:15 P.M. ORDER OF BUSINESS I. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY (D 3817-3821) — Sue Alexander Greninger. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. A. Minutes of the Faculty Council Meeting of March 21, 2005, (D 3822-3831). III. COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRESIDENT — Larry R. Faulkner. A. Comments by the President. B. Question to the President. From Janet Staiger (professor, radio-television-film) A question for the President for the next FC meeting: This is a question about exceptions to the Extension of the Tenure Track Probationary Period policy (HOP 3.11) which states that any request for an extension "shall not be made later than the end of the spring semester before the faculty member's sixth year of full-time probationary service." Two years ago, an individual had a successful vote in the first stage of the tenure process and then received a negative vote at second stage. A request for an extension made at that point was denied. This past fall an individual had a successful vote in the first stage but was subsequently advised to request a extension. That request for an extension was approved. What circumstances will produce an exception to the stipulated dates in the policy? IV. REPORT OF THE CHAIR— Linda Reichl. V. REPORT OF THE CHAIR ELECT —Alba A. Ortiz. A. Report on joint meeting of the UT Faculty Council and Texas A&M Faculty Senate, which was held Monday, March 28, 2005. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. At the request of President Faulkner, the Faculty Council will discuss proposed changes in the Jackson School of Geosciences.  Background information can be found at www.utexas.edu/president/speeches/jackson_report_2003.pdf www.utexas.edu/president/speeches/jackson_040104.pdf www.utexas.edu/president/speeches/jackson_042904.pdf "Organizational Charter" of the John A. and Katherine G. Jackson School of Geosciences (PDF). President Faulkner will give some general remarks. Invited speakers include: William Fisher, Director of the Jackson School; William Carlson, Professor of Geology; and Mary Ann Rankin, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences. The invited speakers have been asked to comment in general on the proposed changes to the Jackson School and more specifically on the following two points: 3833     1. The areas of research that fall within the scope of the Jackson endowment are  "...geology, geophysics, energy, mineral and water resources, as well as the broad areas of the earth sciences, including the Earth's environment." Research on these topics is pursued in a variety of departments across campus and much of it is interdisciplinary.  Please address the following questions: (1) How would removal of the Jackson School from the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) impact the fostering of outstanding research in the broad range of fields specified by the Jackson endowment?  (2) What structures have been put in place to ensure that the highest quality research related to these areas will be supported on campus, even if the investigators are not part of the Jackson School? 2. The Jackson School contains a relatively small academic department and two research units. In the proposal to move the Jackson School out of the CNS and set up an administrative structure headed by a Dean, it is proposed to form an "Appointments Committee" which would consist of  "Full Professors, Senior Research Scientists and persons of equivalent stature in other titles as determined by the Dean."  The Jackson School is proposing to use the "Appointments Committee" as a promotion and tenure committee. Is it appropriate that Senior Research Scientists and others make decisions regarding the promotion and tenure of faculty members?  Is there a precedent for doing this on campus and, if so, how is it working? B. Recommendations for changes in mission, name, or composition for Standing Committees of the General Faculty (D 3765-3773) — Larry Abraham (professor, curriculum and instruction and Committee on Committees chair). C. Proposal to change the Rules and Regulations relating to the election of chairs of the standing committees (D 3806-3807) — Larry Abraham (professor, curriculum and instruction and Committee on Committees chair). D. Proposal recommending the continuation and expansion of the Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP) as an interdisciplinary certificate program (D 3787-3788) — Archie Holmes (professor, electrical and computer engineering and Educational Policy Committee chair). E. Resolution endorsing the recommendation for the Task Force on Enrollment Strategy limiting undergraduate students to a maximum of ten long semesters in residence to complete a baccalaureate degree (D 3789-3790) — Archie Holmes (professor, electrical and computer engineering and Educational Policy Committee chair). F. Proposal recommending that University grade point average be based on in residence grade point average (D 3791) — Archie Holmes (professor, electrical and computer engineering and Educational Policy Committee chair). G. Proposal recommending the elimination of the table of scholastic standards and changing the criteria for probation and dismissal (D 3792-3795) — Archie Holmes (professor, electrical and computer engineering and Educational Policy Committee chair). H. Recommendations for change in the readmission after second dismissal policy (D 3796-3797) — Urton Anderson, (professor, accounting and Admissions and Registration Committee chair). I. Recommendations for change in enrollment as a nondegree seeker policy (D 3798-3800) — Urton Anderson, (professor, accounting and Admissions and Registration Committee chair). J. Recommendation for change in the Coordinated Admissions Program (CAP) Policy (D 3801-3803) — Urton Anderson, (professor, accounting and Admissions and Registration Committee chair). K. Recommendation for increasing the number of transfer credit required for admission from twenty four to thirty semester credit hours (D 3804-3805) — Urton Anderson, (professor, accounting and Admissions and Registration Committee chair). VII. REPORTS OF THE GENERAL FACULTY, COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS, AND COMMITTEES — None. VIII. NEW BUSINESS. A. Proposal to improve course availability for undergraduates — Archie Holmes (professor, electrical and computer engineering and Educational Policy Committee chair). 3834   B. Proposal to require 15 or more hours for merit-based scholarships — Archie Holmes (professor, electrical and computer engineering and Educational Policy Committee chair). C. Proposal to change the definition of University Honors — Archie Holmes (professor, electrical and computer engineering and Educational Policy Committee chair). D. Proposal to restrict the number of times a student can apply for an internal transfer— Archie Holmes (professor, electrical and computer engineering and Educational Policy Committee chair). IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS. A. The General Faculty Elections have been extended through Friday, April 15. B. The move date for the Office of the General Faculty and Faculty Council from FAC 22 to WMB 2.102 is scheduled for Friday, April 15. C. The special meeting of the 2005-2006 Faculty Council will be held on May 9, 2005, at 2:15 p.m. in Main 212. 1. Election of 2005-2006 Faculty Council officers. D. The next regular Faculty Council meeting will be held on May 9, 2005, at 2:30 p.m. immediately following the special meeting of the 2005-2006 Faculty Council. 1. Approval of 2005-2006 meeting dates. 2. Cancellation of summer meetings. 3. Nominations for Intercollegiate Athletics Councils and for the University Co-op Board of Directors. E. Standing Committee chairs should submit formal committee reports to the Office of the General Faculty by May 16. X. QUESTIONS TO THE CHAIR. XI. ADJOURNMENT. <signed> Sue A. Greninger, Secretary The Faculty Council Distributed through the Faculty Council Web site on April 8, 2005. Copies are available on request from the Office of the General Faculty, FAC 22, F9500.