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Attendance: Approximately 45 persons
President Malcolm Gillis called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in 124 Herring Hall. The agenda consisted of four items:
- Approval of the minutes of the meeting of October 6, 1994.
- Faculty governance: Action on revised by-laws for Faculty Council (old business).
- Report on admissions exceptions (new business).
- Proposal to establish a graduate program in Bioengineering (new business).
As explained below, the faculty governance motion was defeated. The report on admissions was accepted, and the faculty approved a motion to limit reports on scores of Shepherd School students. The proposal to establish a graduate program in Bioengineering was passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Faculty Governance Proposal
At the beginning, the faculty voted to limit debate on this item to 45 minutes. Joe Hightower presented the by-laws for Faculty Council. The highlights of this proposal are shown on the attached exhibit, which was distributed at the meeting. Toward the end of the discussion period, Dean Jim Kinsey pointed out that the proposed by-laws were at variance with the University's policy on scholarly misconduct. As a result of this variance, a situation could arise in which the Tenure and Ethics Committee of Faculty Council could be responsible for investigating an allegation of misconduct (following the University policy) as well as for hearing the appeal on any decision it reached (following the provision of the proposed faculty by-laws). Because the discussion period was nearly over and the problem could not easily be solved, the faculty voted against the proposal.Report of the Admissions Committee
Chandler Davidson, Chair of the Admissions Committee, presented the report on exceptions and special admissions. The Committee compared the combined SAT scores of all students, athletes, music majors, and all students who were neither music majors or athletes. The key figures are summarized in the following table.
Comparison of Students' Combined Scholastic Aptitude Test Scores
Group
Year
SAT 4th quartile
SAT 1st quartile
All students
1994
1280
1450
Athletes
1989
893
1115
1994
960
1250
Music students
1989
1120
1205
1994
1165
1310
The scores of athletes and music students in the top quartile have risen since 1989; the scores of those students in the last quartile have not advanced as much. The numbers, as Chandler Davidson explained, must be considered in light of certain circumstances, such as changes in the number of students who did not take the SAT or the ACT this year, and so on. In addition, he presented comparisons of students' class rank, although some schools do not rank their graduates. Of the students who are neither athletes nor music majors, 94 percent are in the top decile of their classes. Of the music majors, 61.9 percent are in the top decile. Only 21.3 percent of athletes are in this decile. Professor Davidson noted that as many athletes scored below 1000 in 1994 as did in 1986, but fewer than in 1988 through 1990.
In light of the music students' improved scores over the past ten years, Bill Martin moved that the Chair of the Admissions Committee continue to check on the scores of students of the Shepherd School but, in the absence of lowered entrance standards, the Shepherd School be relieved of the onus of having the scores of its students reported. This motion was seconded. Alan Grob noted that the motion placed reporting to the faculty in the discretion of the Chair of the Admissions Committee, which Martin conceded. Stan Dodds urged that the faculty continue to receive these reports in order to monitor admissions practices. The vote was 21 in favor; 19 against the motion.
Chandler Davidson noted that there have been changes in the procedures for admitting athletes. Trainers and managers are no longer given athletic scholarships. The Registrar now reports each semester on the academic status and performance of athletes and musicians to the subcommittee on special admissions. The Masters of the several colleges also report on the integration of athletes in their colleges. These changes will ensure better faculty oversight of special admissions students' performance. Furthermore, as a result of discussions that President Gillis arranged between faculty representatives and the trustees, the trustees have agreed to give Dean Stabell complete authority over athletic admissions. They did not, as the faculty had recommended, raise standards for athletic admissions. However, Davidson reported that a subcommittee of faculty members has been formed, consisting of the Chair of the Admissions Committee, Philip Davis (Linguistics) and Ed Cox (History), to advise Dean Stabell on marginal admissions, and this committee may be able to support him in resisting the admission of unqualified athletes. Davidson said he was gratified with progress to date.
Graduate Program in Bioengineering
Professor Graham Glass, Dean of Graduate Studies, presented the proposal for a graduate program in bioengineering, which had been approved unanimously by the Graduate Council. The Council felt that the program met all the criteria for a successful graduate program. The plan conforms to existing regulations for degrees; requires no significant commitment of new funds or personnel, and is likely to attract students because of the high demand for people with this degree. The program came as a motion moved, seconded, and ready for faculty approval.
No additional demand on the Fondren Library is expected because the Medical Center Library maintains a collection of suitable materials. The program will include six new courses. Dean Michael Carroll said that personnel are already in place or are being recruited without regard to this program. Endowed funds for new chairs are being solicited, and joint appointments for some new faculty are being made at Rice and the University of Texas Medical School at Houston.
After a brief discussion, the motion passed decisively.
Faculty interested in a complete review of the meeting may view the videotape deposited in the archives in the Woodson Research Library in Fondren Library.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Driskill, Secretary of the Faculty