WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY Minutes of the Faculty Meeting

January 27, 2000

Attendance: Approximately 38

Announced Agenda: 3 items

1. Approval of minutes of November 11, 1999
2. Approval of students graduating mid-year
3. Other reports and announcements

President Malcolm Gillis called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm. Alan Chapman served as Parliamentarian. No guests from the Media were present.

1. Minutes of 11/11/99 Faculty Meeting - APPROVED as circulated (see Minutes).

2. Conferral of Degrees - Gillis expressed appreciation to those in attendance, noting that this was only the second time (at least since World War II) that degrees had been conferred mid-year. He reminded the faculty that this very appropriate action is in the best interests of the students. The then called on Ed Billups, chair of the Examinations and Standings Committee, to present the candidates for the various undergraduate degrees. Noting that EX&S found no exceptions to graduation standards, Billups moved that the faculty approve the 61 candidates [see Attachment A] for the various Bachelors Degrees. There being no discussion, the motion was unanimously APPROVED.

Dean of Enrollment Administration and Acting Registrar Barry McFarland explained that the number of students graduating this mid-year is almost double those from last year. In response to a question, he said that the students' transcripts would state that the degrees were conferred on January 28, 2000. These students receive no honors now but will be mixed back in with regular graduates for the May Commencement which makes them eligible for honors at that time. Gillis added that for a very few of these students, both position and compensation depend on having the degree in hand.

Speaking for the Graduate Council, Susan Lurie moved approval of the 101 candidates [see Attachment B] for the various graduate degrees that were listed in the handout at the meeting. Without discussion, the motion was unanimously APPROVED.

3. Other Business - Gerald McKenny (chair, Committee on Undergraduate Curriculum, CUC) requested that another faculty meeting be scheduled to allow presentation, discussion, and two readings this spring semester of a new degree being formulated by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. Without the extra meeting, it would be impossible to complete action this year on new policies that may be approved and integrate them into the curriculum for next year. The specific petition to be brought forward is the formation of a Bachelor of Science degree in the Wiess School of Natural Sciences. Alan Chapman said that the newly approved Bylaws allow for the suspension of rules by a two thirds majority vote, but Moshe Vardi urged the faculty not to forgo the second reading in this case to avoid setting a precedent which might create problems later. In response, Gillis agreed to schedule a fourth Faculty Meeting this spring, while still reserving the final meeting on Friday before Commencement for important ceremonial issues.

[NOTE: After the meeting, Gillis announced that General Faculty Meetings this semester would be held on:
February 16, Wednesday, 4:00 - 5:30 PM
March 15, Wednesday, 4:30 - 5:30 PM
May 12, Friday, 10:00 - 11:30 am]

There being no other business, upon a motion to adjourn the meeting was terminated at 4:44 PM, the 9 minute time eclipsing by 4 minutes the prior shortest Faculty Meeting set last month!

Respectfully submitted,

Joe W. Hightower, Secretary of the Faculty

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ATTACHMENT A

Recommended for Bachelors Degrees
January 28, 2000

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ATTACHMENT B

Recommended for Graduate Degrees
January 28, 2000

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