The meeting was called to order by Dr. Tim Nealon, Faculty Senate President, at 3:01 p.m.

Larry Duron made a correction to the minutes; date on heading of minutes distributed was incorrect (1/31/02), it was corrected to 1/30/02.

Emily Staats reported no activity in the account. Balance remains the same ($727.28).

March 1 – Intent to run email will be sent

March 13 – Deadline for faculty to submit intent to run notice

March 27 – Roster of faculty running to be published

April 7 – Absentee voting (Phil Raue volunteered to man the ballot box.)

Tim will follow up with Dr. Runnels on the formation of this Committee. The Campus Nurse, Urenena Polk, in attendance at the meeting, volunteered to serve on the Committee.

Larry provided information to her that was sent by Joe Gonzales regarding a City Ordinance on Smoking.

Dee Joseph reported for Amanda Salinas: the Committee met on February 22, the Committee is researching information from other Community Colleges. A request was made for volunteers from the Academic side of the House as the Committee is currently made up of only Applied Science Faculty. Ken Poff volunteered to serve on the Committee.

Dee reported that two emails were received from faculty regarding the elections not being held as had initially been stated in an email that was sent to faculty. Tim proposed to put the election of the Promotion Appeals Committee on the Senator Election Ballot in April. He made a motion, Phil Raue seconded the motion and everyone voted affirmatively.

Tim reported the Staff Council President emailed him about the luncheon and that he will be meeting with Dr. Runnels to discuss the event further and he will keep faculty posted on any decision made.

Dr. Byrd has charged the Faculty Senate to come up with a Ceremonial Mace to be used at graduation. He indicated the President’s Office would be providing the funds for procurement. Tim will meet with Dr. Runnels on this issue.

Tim indicated Dr. Byrd would like the Faculty Senate to establish an Honors Recognition Program for part-time students.

Bill Fuller suggested recognizing part-time students when they have accumulated the equivalent of full-time hours and the appropriate cumulative GPA.

Urenena recommended researching other Colleges to see if they have such a program. Dee to investigate this.

Tim reported that he has received negative feedback about this.

Previous misquotes by the Ranger are a concern.

Tim to investigate the opinion of other campuses.

The question of taping meetings was discussed, as was the issue of open meetings.

Another question that was prompted by this request focused on whether the Public Relations Department of SPC needed to have some oversight of what is to be published about the institution. Tim will follow up with the PR Dept.

Faculty expressed concern that it takes a long time to get reimbursed for travel expenses incurred when traveling on behalf of SPC. Timelines for faculty to submit documentation before and after traveling are in place and are strictly adhered to, but it is not reciprocated when faculty are to be reimbursed. Tim will follow up with Dr. Byrd on this issue.

Joe Whitson questioned the policy on returning equipment used for class off campus the same day it is used. Tim will follow up with Dr. Byrd on this issue also.

Questions rose as to the process for procuring funds, where the funds are allocated from, and the length of time it takes for reimbursement. Tim to follow up on this issue.

A Senator present at an Academic Affairs meeting questioned a comment made in the meeting regarding Department Chairs being evaluated by faculty.

Discussion ensued regarding terminology being used evaluation v. feedback. Faculty from the Applied Science & Technology Department indicated this was done several years back, but has since gone by the wayside. Tim to follow up with Dr. Byrd on this issue.