Proceedings

The pertinent proceedings for TCFS are the Business Meeting minutes, resolutions passed by TCFS, and the institutional Roundup Reports.The Roundup Reports are presented at each meeting by each institution, but are not included in this summary due to the number, size, and temporary aspects.

BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES

Council of Faculty Senates Executive Committee Statement on Confronting and Addressing Racism

6/12/2020

The Texas Council of Faculty Senates Executive Committee is horrified by the killing of George Floyd.

As university faculty leaders, we support confronting and addressing racism and other inequities in society through broadening and expanding the role of education toward the end of pursuing a just and civil society.

We strongly and unequivocally support initiatives that bring students, staff, faculty, and administrators together to take action that will improve and value the lives of people of color in Texas and throughout the world.

We stand against police brutality, against the suppression of free speech, against the suppression of votes, against systemic racism, and we support the right to protest peacefully.

RESOLUTIONS

Current resolutions approved by TCFS include the following:

• RESOLUTION REGARDING HAND GUNS

WHEREAS, allowing concealed firearms on university campuses threatens our ability to create and maintain a safe, open learning environment for students, faculty and staff,

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the members of Texas Council of Faculty Senates oppose any legislation or initiatives that will overturn the present prohibitions on carrying concealed weapons on university campuses.

• 60X30 RESOLUTION

The Texas Council of Faculty Senates resolves that work on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 60×30 TX plan should not proceed further without the formal participation of faculty governance representatives from Texas institutions of higher education.

• RESOLUTION REGARDING FUNDING

WHEREAS, funding by the State of Texas for higher education is not keeping pace with the needs of students in the State of Texas;

WHEREAS, funding by the State of Texas for full-time students at institutes of higher education has stagnated at 1990 levels;

WHEREAS, the 2012-2013 higher education cuts will further lower per-student funding levels in upcoming years;

WHEREAS, Texas higher education funding per full-time equivalent students has dropped 21.4 percent declining from $9,487 in 2001-2002 to $7,452 in 2009-2010;

WHEREAS, to fully restore funding would require a 27.3 percent increase;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Texas Council of Faculty Senates petitions the 84^th Texas State Legislature to increase funding for higher education by 25 percent. 

• RESOLUTION REGARDING HAZELWOOD

 WHEREAS, the Texas Council of Faculty Senates (TCFS) has the highest regard for the devotion and sacrifice of those who have served in the armed forces of the United States;

WHEREAS, we are committed to the education of these Texans and greatly value their contribution to the classroom and to our universities;

WHEREAS, the Texas legislature passed and implemented the Hazelwood Act so Texans who were honorably discharged from military service could receive a quality education;

WHEREAS, this was an unfunded mandate;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Texas Council of Faculty Senates encourages

the 84^th Texas Legislature to fully fund the Hazelwood act.

• RESOLUTION REGARDING T.E.O.G.

WHEREAS, the Texas Education Opportunity Grant Program was created to help students with financial need attend Texas institutions of higher education;

WHEREAS, the Texas Education Opportunity Grant Program is critical in assisting many students to meet their financial needs in order to persist and graduate in a timely fashion;

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Texas Council of Faculty Senates strongly recommends that the 84^th Texas Legislature increase funding for the Texas Education Opportunity Grant Program.

• ABBOTT RESOLUTION

Whereas, Greg Abbott has already provided a vision of higher education initiatives and

Whereas, future prosperity of the State of Texas is dependent on the education of 21^st century education citizens and

Whereas, Texans deserve the best educational system in the nation, be it resolved that Texas Council of Faculty Senates welcomes and supports the governor’s vision and mission for higher education.

Texas Council of Faculty Senates wholeheartedly supports the efforts of Governor Abbott and the Legislature to provide the resources and support to elevate the national research standing of our universities, educate new generations of Texans, and make college more affordable.

• STARVING THE BEAST RESOLUTION

On October 28, 2016, the Texas Council of Faculty Senates screened Starving the Beast, a film that documents efforts to severely reduce public funding of state colleges and universities in the United States.  The film lays out the breath of and the means by which this effort is being carried out and identifies politicians, persons with financial self-interests, and other key players who are leading efforts to adopt a business-oriented, market-driven higher education model.  The film articulates what this country and the world has to lose if the effort to control and defund public higher education is successful.  Although focused primarily on scholarly research and faculty governance at leading public research universities, the attack threatens the integrity and quality of the entire American academic system.

The Texas Council of Faculty Senates commends the director and producer and recommends the film for all university faculty and administrators, state legislatures, and organizations and members if the general public concerned with public education and research in higher education.

• IMMIGRATION RESOLUTION

Whereas, the Texas Council of Faculty Senates represents more than thirty-nine (39) institutions of higher education in the State of Texas.

Whereas, our universities depend on the free flow of ideas and people.

Whereas, we strengthen our institutions by welcoming students and scholars with diverse perspectives from around the world who are willing to engage in open-minded inquiry and debate.

Whereas, our academic excellence comes from cooperation, collaboration, and inclusivity.

Whereas, American colleges and universities must accelerate efforts to attract, nurture, and sustain more racially, ethnically, socially, culturally, geographically diverse faculty, staff, and student bodies.

THEREFORE, the Texas Council of Faculty Senates opposes any restrictions, in any form, that categorically denies individuals the ability to study, teach or engage in research based on their race, religion, immigration status, nation of origin, or any other such personal or social characteristic that is not relevant to their ability to participate in higher education communities.

• DACA SUPPORT

The members of the Texas Council of Faculty Senates remain committed to serve their students regardless of national origin.

We recommend that all students in the United States of America under the provisions of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) be provided a pathway to citizenship by legislation.