5363
DOCUMENTS OF THE GENERAL FACULTY
SECRETARY’S REPORT
May 7, 2007
| I. |
COMMENTS — None.
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| II. |
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT.
On April 16, 2007, President Powers appointed the following committee
to prepare a memorial resolution for Ruth Denney,
professor emeritus, theatre and dance: Rod Caspers (chair), Coleman
Jennings, and Oscar Brockett.
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| III. |
MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS COMPLETED.
| D 5395 |
Report of the Memorial Resolution Committee
for David Benjamin Cohen.
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| IV. |
CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP OF
THE FACULTY COUNCIL.
Effective April 23, 2007, Randy Diehl was appointed
dean designate for the College of Liberal Arts
replacing Judith Langlois.
Effective April 23, 2007, Professor Jeanne H.
Freeland-Graves (human ecology) replaced Professor
Luis A. Caffarelli (mathematics) who resigned
from the Faculty Council.
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| V. |
STATUS OF LEGISLATION APPROVED BY THE FACULTY COUNCIL OR THE GENERAL FACULTY.
| A. |
ITEMS COMPLETED SINCE THE LAST REPORT— None.
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| B. |
ITEMS UNDER REVIEW BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS — None.
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| C. |
ITEMS UNDER REVIEW BY THE TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD.
| D 4686-4710 |
Addition of the Jackson School of Geosciences Chapter in the Undergraduate Catalog, 2006-2008. Posted on the Faculty Council Web site on May 1, 2006, and approved by the Faculty Council on a no-protest basis on May 8, 2006. Transmitted to the provost on May 9, 2006. Approved by the provost and an informational copy was transmitted to the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs on May 31, 2006. Pending the approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
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| D 4711-4714 |
Changes in Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Asian Cultures and Languages and Asian Studies in the College of Liberal Arts Chapter of the Undergraduate Catalog, 2006-2008.
Posted on the Faculty
Council Web site on May 1, 2006, and
approved by the Faculty Council on a
no-protest basis on May 8, 2006. Transmitted
to the provost on May 9, 2006. Transmitted
to the executive vice chancellor for
academic affairs on May 31, 2006. Approved
by the provost and transmitted to the
executive vice chancellor for academic
affairs on May 31, 2006. Approval given
by the interim executive vice
chancellor for academic affairs on June
10, 2006. Pending the approval of the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
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5364
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| D
5155-5163 |
Final Version of the Amended
Motion on Curricular Reform. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site
on November 22, 2006. The Faculty
Council approved related legislation
D
5097-5105 and D
5109-5114 at
its meeting on November 20, 2006.
The legislation resulting from
the approval of these items was
presented to the General Faculty
on a no-protest basis on November
27, 2006, and approved by the General
Faculty on a no-protest basis on
December 8. Transmitted to the
president on December 12, 2006.
See D
5154 for notice of no-protest
procedure. Endorsed by the president
and transmitted to the executive
vice chancellor ad interim on February
19, 2007. Final approval received
March 5, 2007, from the interim
executive vice chancellor for academic
affairs. The legislation was forwarded
to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board for their information.
In a letter dated March 12, 2007,
President Powers wished "to
congratulate the Faculty Council
on the thorough deliberative process
it used to consider this substantial
undergraduate curricular reform." He
also directed the provost to work
with the Dean of Undergraduate
Studies and the other academic
deans to implement the necessary
degree changes.
In a letter dated March 15, 2007,
to Joseph Stafford, assistant commissioner
for academic affairs and research
at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board, Pedro Reyes, associate vice
chancellor for academic planning
and assessment, requested “approval
to modify the core curriculum,” and
later, “UT Austin has not yet
developed specific University-wide
lists of courses that will satisfy
the new and modified core component
areas, but we seek your approval
to begin the process of amending
degree plans to implement the new
core, with the understanding that
course lists will be developed and
submitted for your approval as soon
as possible.”
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| D. |
ITEMS UNDER REVIEW BY
THE OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR.
| D
4735-4738 |
Proposed
Changes to the College of Liberal
Arts Chapter of the Undergraduate
Catalog, 2006-2008. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web
site on May 1, 2006, and approved
by the Faculty Council on a
no-protest basis on May 8,
2006. Transmitted to the provost
on May 9, 2006. Approved by
the provost and transmitted
to the executive vice chancellor
for academic affairs on May
31, 2006. Approval given by
the interim executive
vice chancellor for academic
affairs on June 10, 2006. Provost's
office is determining whether
or not these items need to
go on to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board.
- Deletion of the Intercollege Major in the College of Liberal Arts Chapter of the Undergraduate Catalog, 2006-2008 (D 4735-4736).
- Deletion of the Intercollege Major in Kinesiology and Health for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Liberal Arts Chapter of the Undergraduate Catalog, 2006-2008 (D 4737-4738).
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| D 5117-5118 |
Proposed Addition of a Music Business Major to the Bachelor of Music in the College of Fine Arts Chapter of the Undergraduate Catalog, 2008-2010. Posted on the Faculty Council Web site on November 7, 2006. Approved by the Faculty Council on a no-protest basis on November 14, 2006. Transmitted to the provost on November 15, 2006. Approved by the provost and transmitted to the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs on November 28, 2006.
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| D 5119-5120 |
Proposed
Addition of a Recording Technology
Major to the Bachelor of
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5365
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Music in the College
of Fine Arts Chapter of the Undergraduate
Catalog, 2006-2008.Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site
on November 7, 2006. Approved
by the Faculty Council on a no-protest
basis on November 14, 2006. Transmitted
to the provost on November 15,
2006. Approved by the provost and
transmitted to the executive vice
chancellor for academic affairs
on November 28, 2006.
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| E. |
ITEMS UNDER REVIEW BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT.
| D
3719-3720 |
Revised
Proposal for Revision of The
Handbook of Operating Procedures Regarding
Discovery and the Rights of
Parties when a Formal Hearing
is to be Held. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web
site on February 18, 2005.
Approved by Faculty Council
on February 21, 2005. Transmitted
to the president on February
24, 2005. Letter dated June
14, 2005, from the president
states that the proposal is "under
review to determine whether
necessary revisions address
all substantive, legal, and
terminological issues satisfactorily,
and to determine whether the
revised text corrects references
to the Regents' Rules and
conforms to the new format
for the Handbook of Operating
Procedures." Endorsed
by President Faulkner and transmitted
to the Office of General Counsel,
UT System on August 12, 2005,
for review.
|
| D
3721-3722 |
Proposal
for Language to be added to The
Handbook of Operating Procedures 3.18
addressing Provost's Role in
Grievance Procedures. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web
site on February 18, 2005.
Approved by Faculty Council
on February 21, 2005. Transmitted
to the president on February
24, 2005. Letter dated June
14, 2005, from the president
states that the proposal is "under
review to determine whether
necessary revisions address
all substantive, legal, and
terminological issues satisfactorily,
and to determine whether the
revised text corrects references
to the Regents' Rules and
conforms to the new format
for the Handbook of Operating
Procedures." Endorsed
by President Faulkner and transmitted
to the Office of General Counsel,
UT System on August 12, 2005,
for review.
|
| D
3734-3736 |
Revision
of the Recommendation for Change
in The Handbook
of Operating Procedures Concerning
Disciplining of a Faculty Member. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web
site on March 8, 2005. This
legislation replaced D 3208-3209
and was approved by the Faculty
Council on March 21, 2005.
Transmitted to the president
on March 23, 2005. Endorsed
by President Faulkner and transmitted
to the Office of General Counsel,
UT System on August 12, 2005,
for review.
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| |
Educational
Policy Committee Proposal to
Improve Course Availability
for Undergraduates. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web
site on April 11, 2005. Archie
Holmes, chair of the Educational
Policy Committee, was to present
the legislation to the Council
at its meeting on April 11,
2005. However, due to lack
of time, it was addressed and
approved at the meeting on
May 9, 2005. Transmitted to
the president on May 10, 2005.
Transmitted to the provost
for his consideration and action
on June 29, 2005. Transmitted
to the president from the provost
on January 19, 2006, with the
following recommendations:
"I recommend approval of Sections 1 and 3.
"Section I recommends the creation of a new symbol, N, to
be used when a student drops a course for documented non-academic
reasons. Section 3
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5366
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requires that faculty provide
a syllabus with specified information.
I recommend adding to Section
3 that the syllabus also provide
a description of the course,
an outline of the weekly topics,
and faculty and TA office hours.
In addition, I recommend that
we ask faculty to include the
statement, The
University of Texas at Austin
provides upon request appropriate
academic accommodations for qualified
students with disabilities. For
more information, contact the
Office of the Dean of Students
at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY.
"I also recommend the approval of Section 5, which limits
the number of Q drops, but with a modification. The
proposed legislation recommends that a student who has received
3 Qs must have documented, non-academic reasons for
any additional drops after the 12th class day. The limitation
on Q drops is a very good idea. Based on the data provided
by the Registrar's Office and consultation with academic advisors,
however, I recommend that the recommended number be increased
to 4. The purpose underlying the Faculty Council's proposal is
maintained, and student progress is not reduced.
"I do not recommend approval of the proposed Sections
2 and 4.
"Section 2, which proposes changes to the current add and
drop procedures, significantly shortens the period of time
students have to add and drop courses each semester. Data prepared
by the Registrar's Office indicate that these changes would have
minimal impact on course availability and would be costly to
implement. In addition, because students would have less time
to attend meetings of a course and thus consider whether a
course is suitable for them, it is projected that the likelihood
of adds and drops would increase substantially. In my opinion,
this would not be a healthy outcome for the institution.
"Section 4, which addresses course repeat policy, puts restrictions
on the number of times a student may register for the same
course. Colleges and schools currently handle these restrictions
quite successfully internally. They are in the best position
to determine the most effective practice for the courses they
offer. I recommend that college/school level discretion be continued."
In a letter to Provost Leslie dated March 13, 2007, President
Powers states "Because of the significance of this proposal
and the effect on the academic policy which you oversee, I
am returning all five recommendations of D 3832-3837 to you
for review, comment, and recommendation."
In a letter dated April 10, 2007 to President Powers, Provost
Leslie recommended disapproval of items 2 and 4. Regarding
items 3, he suggested "further modifications that serve
to include the list in the original legislation that should
be included on the course syllabus. This list is as follows:
Course name and number;
Faculty member name;
Faculty member office location
and office hours;
TA name, office location and
office hours if course has
a TA;
Overview of course, including
course prerequisites;
Grading policy for course,
including whether class attendance
is used in determining the
grade;
Dates during semester for
examinations and assignments
that count |
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5367
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20% or more of the
total course grade;
Final exam date and time;
Required materials for the
course (textbooks, supplies,
packets, etc.);
Course website; and statement:
The
University of Austin provides
upon request appropriate academic
accommodations for qualified students
with disabilities. For more information,
contact the Office of the Dean
of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441
TTY."
The provost also agreed with
the "recommendation to
approve item 5 with the modification
that limitation in Q drops
be increased to four rather
than three as suggested in
the legislation."
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| D
5314-5315 |
Proposal
to Revise the Principles for
Development of the Academic
CalendarPosted on the Faculty Council Web site on March 16, 2007. Presented
to the Faculty Council at its meeting on March 19, 2007. Approved
by the Faculty Council at its meeting on April 16, 2007. Transmitted
to the president on April 17, 2007.
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| D
5319 |
Recommendation
to update the Function of the
University of Texas Libraries
Committee.Posted on the Faculty Council Web site on April 10, 2007. Approved
by the Faculty Council at its meeting on April 16, 2007. Transmitted
to the president on April 17, 2007.
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| D
5320-5321 |
Recommendation
to Update the Function of the
Calendar Committee.Posted
on the Faculty Council Web
site on April 10, 2007. Amended
and approved by the Faculty Council at its meeting on April 16,
2007. Transmitted to the president on April 17, 2007.
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| D
5322-5323 |
Report
of the Committee to Nominate
Faculty Member for Appointment
to the University Co-op board
of Directors.Posted on the Faculty Council Web site on April 10, 2007. Approved
by the Faculty Council at its meeting on April 16, 2007. Transmitted
to the president on April 17, 2007.
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| F. |
ITEMS REFERRED BY
THE PRESIDENT TO THE PROVOST FOR
REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION.
| D
3798-3800 |
Admissions
and Registration Committee
Proposed Recommendations
for Change in Enrollment
as a Nondegree Seeker. Posted
on the Faculty Council
Web site on March 10, 2005,
and presented to the Faculty
Council at its meeting
on March 21. On April 11,
2005, it appeared on the
Council's agenda as an
action item. However, due
to lack of time, it was
addressed and approved
by the Faculty Council
at its meeting on May 9,
2005. Transmitted to the
president on May 10, 2005.
Transmitted to the provost
for his consideration and
action on June 29, 2005.
As of January 19, 2006,
this item is still under
review.
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| D
4567-4568 |
Changes
to the Admissions Policy
for entry Majors in the College
of Natural Sciences Chapter
in the Undergraduate
Catalog, 2006-2008. Approved
by the Undergraduate Degree
Program Review Committee
on March 30, 2006. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web
site on April 13, 2006. Approved
by the Faculty Council on
a no-protest basis on April
21, 2006. Transmitted to
the provost on April 24,
2006. Approved by the provost
and transmitted to the executive
vice chancellor for academic
affairs on May 31, 2006.
Withdrawn from its submission
to UT System by the provost
in May
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5368
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2006. The item is still
under discussion in the Office of the
Provost.
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| D
4779-4780 |
Revised Motion
to Change the Definition of University
Honors. Posted on the Faculty
Council Web site on May 4, 2006. Amended
and approved by the Faculty Council
at its meeting on May 8, 2006. Transmitted
to the provost on May 9, 2006. Also
see D
4524.
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| D
5183 |
Faculty Welfare
Committee Recommendations Concerning
University Family Friendly Policies. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site on
December 6, 2006. Presented to the
Faculty Council at its meeting on December
11. Approved by the Faculty Council
at its meeting on January 22, 2007.
Transmitted to the president on January
23, 2007. On March 8, 2007, the president
referred the legislation to the provost
for review and recommendations.
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| D
5189-5190 |
Natural Science
Requirement of the Core Curriculum
for all Undergraduate Students at UT
Austin. Posted on the Faculty
Council Web site on December 11, 2006.
Presented to the Faculty Council at
its meeting on December 11. Approved
by the Faculty Council at its meeting
on January 22, 2007. Approved by the
General Faculty on a no-protest basis
on February 16, 2007. Transmitted to
the president for approval as General
Faculty legislation on February 19,
2007. The president referred the legislation
to the provost for review and recommendations.
See D
5226 for notice of no-protest procedure.
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| D
5191-5194 |
Proposal from
the Faculty Grievance Committee to
Create an Office of the Faculty Ombudspersons. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site on
December 11, 2006. Presented to the
Faculty Council at its meeting on December
11. Approved by the Faculty Council
at its meeting on January 22, 2007.
Transmitted to the provost on January
23, 2007.
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| D
5280-5282 |
Addition of a
Nursing Honors Program in the School
of Nursing Chapter of The Undergraduate
Catalog, 2008-2010. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site on
March 14, 2007. This proposal is legislation
of exclusive application and primary
interest to a single college or school.
The proposal was approved by the Faculty
Council on a no-protest basis on March
23, 2007. Transmitted to the provost
on March 28, 2007. "
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| D
5283-5285 |
Deletion of the
Music Theory Major in the College of
Fine Arts Chapter of The Undergraduate
Catalog, 2008-2010. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site on
March 14, 2007. This proposal is legislation
of exclusive application and primary
interest to a single college or school.
The proposal was approved by the Faculty
Council on a no-protest basis on March
23, 2007. Transmitted to the provost
on March 28, 2007.
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| D
5286-5288 |
Changes to the
Jazz Composition Major in the College
of Fine Arts Chapter of The Undergraduate
Catalog, 2008-2010. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site on
March 14, 2007. This proposal is legislation
of exclusive application and primary
interest to a single college or school.
The proposal was approved by the Faculty
Council on a no-protest basis on March
23, 2007. Transmitted to the provost
on March 28, 2007.
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| D
5289-5291 |
Changes to the
Jazz Performance Major in the College
of Fine Arts Chapter of The Undergraduate
Catalog, 2008-2010. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site on
March 14, 2007. This proposal is legislation
of exclusive application and primary
interest to a single college or school.
The proposal was approved by the Faculty
Council on a no-protest basis on March
23, 2007. Transmitted to the provost
on March 28, 2007.
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5369
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| VI. |
LEGISLATION UNDER REVIEW
BY THE GENERAL FACULTY — None.
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| VII. |
LEGISLATION UNDER REVIEW
BY THE FACULTY COUNCIL.
| D
5316-5318 |
Educational Policy Committee
Motion Regarding Plus/Minus Grading
for Undergraduates. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site on
April 10, 2007. To be presented to
the Faculty Council at its meeting
on April 16, 2007.
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| D 5330 |
Recommendation to Update the
Composition of Information Technology
Committee. Posted on the Faculty
Council Web site on April 10, 2007.
Presented to the Faculty Council at
its meeting on April 16, 2007. The
Council will take action on the item
at its meeting on May 7.
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| D 5370 |
Resolution Expressing Support and Sympathy to Virginia Tech. Posted on the Faculty Council Web site on May 3, 2007. Endorsed by the Faculty Council at its special meeting on May 16, 2007. Transmitted to the president for informational purposes. No further action is required.
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| D 5371 |
General Faculty Research Policy
Committee State on Research Infrastructure
Support. Posted on the Faculty Council Web site on May 3, 2007. The Council
will take action to endorse the resolution at its meeting on
May 7.
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| D 5372 |
Faculty Council Resolution
Concerning the Honor Code. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site on May
3, 2007. The Council will take action
on the item at its meeting on May 7. This
is in response to the resolution from the Senate of College Councils
on encouraging the placement of the Honor Code on course syllabi
(D
5357-5359).
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| D 5373 |
Cancellation of Summer Faculty
Council Meetings. Posted on
the Faculty Council Web site on May
3, 2007. The Council will take action
on the item at its meeting on May 7.
|
| D 5374 |
Schedule for Meetings of the
Faculty Council in 2007-2008. Posted
on the Faculty Council Web site on
May 3, 2007. The Council will take
action on the item at its meeting on
May 7.
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| VIII. |
STATUS OF LEGISLATION NOT APPROVED BY THE FACULTY COUNCIL OR THE GENERAL FACULTY.
| A. |
ITEMS DISAPPROVED, TABLED, OR WITHDRAWN — None.
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| B. |
ITEMS UNDER REVIEW BY STANDING COMMITTEES — None.
|
| C. |
ITEMS UNDER REVIEW BY OTHER COMMITTEES — None. |
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| IX. |
SPECIAL COMMITTEES APPOINTED — None. |
Sue Alexander Greninger, Secretary
The General Faculty and the Faculty Council
Posted on the Faculty
Council Web site on May 3, 2007. Paper copies are
available on request from the Office of the General
Faculty, WMB 2.102, F9500.
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