Amjad A. Abdullat

The meeting included discussions and actions on several topics, such as faculty tenure, third-year review processes, and non-renewal notifications. There was a request from the Office of Student Accessibility to discuss a new system implementation in the next academic year. The Faculty Senate also addressed the Faculty Evaluation of Administrators, Comprehensive Peer Evaluation, and filled university committee vacancies. Elections for the 2025-2026 Faculty Senate were organized, and arrangements were made for college elections. Upcoming events with President Wendler were scheduled, and preparations were underway for new Faculty Senate meetings.

This 2020 update to the Texas A&M University System's strategic plan reviews progress made since 2016 across six key imperatives: ensuring access for qualified students; maintaining affordability and accessibility; preparing students for successful careers; increasing research prominence; providing services to Texans; and ensuring financial stewardship. The report highlights achievements in enrollment growth, student diversity, research funding, and agency service expansion. It also notes areas needing improvement, such as admissions yield and regional campus graduation rates. The update adds two new imperatives: pursuing opportunities to address national and global challenges and building a strategy for long-term sustainable growth. These additions reflect the System's expanding role and ambitions, including its involvement in initiatives like Army Futures Command and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The strategic plan, titled "The Pioneering Spirit: Pursuit of WT 125," aims to enhance the academic experience, achieve regional research university status, and meet the employment needs of the Texas Panhandle. Key initiatives include experiential learning, internships, student research, leadership programs, and high-quality digital platforms. The plan focuses on strengthening relationships with the Texas A&M University System, community colleges, independent school districts, community members, and government officials to prepare graduates for the workforce and contribute to the region's success.

The meeting addressed spring schedule issues resulting from classroom renovations and the need for rescheduling classes. Discussions included faculty questions and responses from the President regarding the spring schedule, exploring solutions such as utilizing Amarillo classes, negotiating special circumstances, and adapting the schedule. The meeting also covered tenure and promotion guidelines, focusing on grandfathering versus a more flexible approach. Retention efforts were discussed, including the Starr Center's focus on student persistence, interventions for at-risk students, and plans to add a transfer coordinator. Revised tenure and promotion and merit guidelines were reviewed.

The Faculty Handbook will take on responsibility for writing the Tenure and Promotion procedures, beginning in January 2008 to be effective in the fall of 2008. The senate discussed the proposals for the Annual Review of Faculty Performance. The need to replace Helen Reyes, who has been made department head for spring semester, will be pursued.