NEW MEXICO INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY
   
MEETING OF THE FACULTY SENATE
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008
4:00 P.M.
Workman 101

Call to order.  Dr. Westpfahl, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. by calling for approval of the Faculty Senate Minutes of December 4, 2007.

Approval of the minutes of Nov. 6, 2007 meeting.  The minutes were approved following a motion by Dr. Johnson and a second by Dr. Borchers.

Announcements

The following new faculty and professional staff were introduced:
            Dr. Jeff Johnson, Assistant Professor of Geophysics
            Dr. Clint Lanier, Assistant Professor of Technical Communication
            Dr. Bin Lim, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
            Dr. Karim Salehpoor, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
            Ms. Ruth Stoddard, Director of Auxiliaries and Residential Life
                        And Assistant Dean of Students on Judicial Student Matters
A round of applause was given to welcome them to New Mexico Tech.

Dr. Gerity gave a brief report on the spring enrollment, stating that the graduate headcount is up 12% over last year, up 2% on undergraduate headcount and 1% overall on credit hours.    Most important, fall to spring retention is up to 92% over last year’s 90%.

Dr. Gerity introduced Cathi Van Fleet as a new member of the Academic Affairs and R&ED Office.    He announced that there will be a Council of Chairs Meeting on Friday, February 8th at 12 noon and lunch will be provided. 

Dr. Gerity gave a brief Legislative update which he started off by saying that “it may or may not be factual after today.”   
            -Compensation package is at 2% and Dr. López is hoping to bring it up to 3%
-Geobond of 8 Million, plus the 4 Million we already have to complete the                        infrastructure, hot water loop, etc.
            -Planning money for the Geology building and the Wellness Center
            - Endowment of 5 Million is being split, giving Tech 1 million
            -Increase of 1.7% to the New Mexico retirement pool
            -Increase in the GRC funds
            -Additional monies for the MST Program

Dr. Romero also spoke on Legislative updates, asking faculty to encourage their state representatives to support the Governor’s science initiatives such as the Lambda Rail, the supercomputer project, and the energy innovation fund.    These projects are taking a hit

Dr. Westpfahl announced that the Faculty Senate Spring 2008 membership list is posted on the Academic Affairs website and asked that department chairs look over the list to make sure everyone is listed.

Dr. Sonnenfeld asked for an explanation of the endowed chair package from the Legislature.   Dr. Gerity explained that it is used to attract faculty by receiving private donations and the State will match those funds 1 for 1.   If departments are interested, Dr. Gerity encouraged them to work with the Office of Advancement.

Dr. Aster asked Dr. Romero about the proposed increase in GRC funding.   Dr. Romero stated that in previous years, GRC did not receive additional funds to cover salary increases.   The increase that they are asking for this year would bring the budget in line with current salaries and proposed increases.   Dr. Romero also reported that many of the special projects are currently under attack at the Legislature, and we are not sure what will be funded at the end of the session.

Committee Reports

Honorary Degree and Awards Committee – Dr. Sharon Sessions stated that a motion and second was given at the December Faculty Senate Meeting to grant an Honorary Degree, a PhD in Business Management, for Steve S. Torres.    Dr. Van Romero spoke to his nomination, stating that Steve Torres was a dedicated Regent for 30 years during the “good” and “bad” times at Tech.   Steve Torres was a Socorro resident at the time and fostered a good relationship between the city and the Tech community.    Dr. Wilson also spoke on behalf of the nomination, stating that after reading supporting letters from Drs. Colgate and Lattman, he felt that the granting of this honorary degree was of great merit.    A question was raised by Dr. Sonnenfeld as to whether it was appropriate to grant an honorary degree in an area in which New Mexico Tech does not award ordinary degrees.    Many assured him that it has been done in the past at Tech and at other institutions. The motion passed unanimously and will now go before the Board of Regents.
      
Old Business

Dr. Romero presented a draft Policy on Additional Faculty Compensation last semester.  At that time, he was asking for Regent and faculty input.   The Regents are in support but are asking for an endorsement by the Faculty Senate.    Dr. Romero asked for a consensus from this body.  He summarized the proposed policy.   Previously when this matter was first discussed, the issue of equity was brought up and it was again raised.   Drs. Gerity and Romero both encouraged interdisciplinary proposals.    Dr. Stone raised the issue of rewarding those for research and de-valuing the importance of teaching.   Dr. Romero stated that this is a way to reward the faculty member.   They will still be working the same amount of hours on teaching and research, just being paid more money.  Dr. Gerity reported that other universities have been using similar compensation policies for many years and they have proven to be very helpful in attaining and attracting faculty.   Dr. Liebrock made a motion in support of this policy.   Dr. Aster seconded the motion.    A friendly amendment was made by Dr. Sonnenfeld to state that the Faculty Senate is in support of the policy, but does have concerns of equity opportunities for both faculty and staff.    The motion as amended passed 35 to 2 opposed.    The policy as amended will be taken to the Board of Regents.

New Business

Ms. Baca Rivet made a motion to approve the December 2007 listed as distributed.    Dr. Johnson seconded the motion.    The December 2007 graduation list was approved unanimously.

Dr. Romero thanked Dr. Teare for serving on the MRO review panel.  

Dr. Romero brought up the discussion of a “near train wreck” that occurred recently when several faculty asking for matching funds from the administration came at the last minute.  He is requesting that a committee be formed to review and draft procedures for requesting matching funds.   Dr. Borchers called the entire process old-fashioned and a paper maze.  Another issue to be looked at is, when a granting agency requires only a specific number of proposals to be submitted from one institution, that a procedure be in place to allow us to know how many proposals are being written.   Dr. Wilson suggested that the existing Budget & Research Committee serve as that committee.     Dr. Borchers so moved that these issues be reviewed by the Budget and Research Committee.   The motion was seconded and passed.

Adjournment 

There was a motion and a second to adjourn.   The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            Debby Olguin
2/11/08