ebulletin - february 2010

8/14/2019 eBulletin - February 2010

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Volume LXIII Number 3

Jan/Feb/Mar 2010


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The TACT Quarterly eBulletinJan/Feb/Mar 2010 - Volume LXIII Number 3

In this quarters TACT newsletter...

Letter from the Presidentby Gary Coulton

Executive Directors Reportby Chuck Hempstead

To Delegate or Not to Delegateby Elizabeth Lewandowski

Letter to THECB Board Member: Dr. Dennis Golden

In Remembrance: Philip Lloyd White

Spring Membership Drive

TACT Spring Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

age 10

age 11

age 12

President

Gary Coulton

University of Texas -

San Antonio

Immediate Past President

Debra Price

Sam Houston State Univer

VP of Financial Affairs

Frank Fair


VP of Membership

Elizabeth Lewandowski

Midwestern State Universit

VP of Legislative Affairs

Cindy Simpson


Directors At Large

Allen Martin

University of Texas - Tyler

Mark GausSam Houston State Univer

Peter Hugill

Texas A&M

Executive Director

Chuck Hempstead

(512) 873-7404

Texas Association of College Teachers

5750 Balcones Dr., Suite 201 Austin, Texas 78731

[email protected]

[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

Copyright 2009 by the Texas Association of College Teachers. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be produced in any form without permission; Chuck Hempstead, Editor.
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[email protected]

[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

Cover Page

Index

The PresidentsColumn

The ExecutiveDirectors Report

To Delegate or Notto Delegate

Letter to THECBBoard Member: Dr.

Dennis Golden

In Remembrance:Philip Lloyd White

Spring MembershipDrive

TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors

MembershipApplication

Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

3

The TACT Quarterly eBulletinTexas Association of College TeachersDefending Academic Freedom

Letter from the President

by Gary CoultonTACT President

Dear Fellow TACT Members,

Hello, I hope your spring semester is progressing nicely. Id like to encourage you to take a littletime out of the semester for some professional development. You are invited to our spring confer

ence, conducted jointly with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the

Texas Council of Faculty Senates (TCFS). The Conference will be held February 26-27 at the

Crowne Plaza Hotel in Austin. Information on making hotel reservations is presented elsewhere

in this edition of the TACT eBulletin.

We have scheduled what promises to be a very informative and thought provoking program

In the interest of space I will limit myself to discussing Fridays program. Dr. Dawn Zimmaro,

Director, Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment (DIIA) at UT Austin will speak

one two issues. How assessment of instruction data are used at UT, and legislative issues on the

horizon regarding assessment.

Concluding the afternoon session, banquet speaker, Cary Nelson, will make what promises to be

a very interesting and informative presentation entitled Higher Educations Perfect Storm: What

Can We Do?

Also on the agenda is what promises to be a lively debate on the pros and cons of on-line educa-

tion. The participants will be Dr. Allen Martin (Professor of Sociology at UT-Tyler and also a

TACT Board Member) and Dr. Rob Robinson, Director of the UT Telecampus (Ill leave it to you

to guess who is on which side of the issue).

Just a reminder, the next session of the state legislature is now a little less than a year away

Important things are going on in preparation for the session. For instance, interim committee

charges have been made by Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Strauss (see

the November 2009 and January 2010 TACT Legislative Alert for details). This is just another

example of how TACT works to keep you informed about legislative issues concerning higher

education in Texas (during and between sessions).

Take care and I hope to see you at the Conference.

Gary F. Coulton, Ph.D.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio
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[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

Cover Page

Index





Dennis Golden



TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors


Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

4


Executive Directors Report

by Chuck HempsteadTACT Executive Director

The winds of change are blowing through our association. With spring just around the corner

we have been busy updating and improving some familiar facets of TACT. Change is good, and

were embracing it so we can bring you the services, information, and advocacy you need.If you have not recently moused-over the new TACT website, I encourage you to take a moment

to visit us at www.tact.org and get excited about the brand new layout. Remember to create a

new User Name and password as your own personal log-in to the website. This benecial feature

will allow you to access the member-only section of the site, including the most recent TACT

eBulletin newsletters, archived First Alerts, and the annual ORP Study.

We are in the midst of planning our upcoming legislative visits to the Capitol on February 26th

including a visit with Lt. Governor Dewhurst. We need your continued support to inuence ou

success as we ght for faculty benets. When the state calls to slash higher education budgets,

we are working to keep your jobs and programs from being carted to the chopping block. Emai

me today with your issues and concerns to add to our visiting agenda and the Legislative Agenda

for the 82nd session.

These interim sessions bring much opportunity for input. There is much to be accomplished by

attending these meetings, shaking hands and introducing TACT to our state leaders, some for

the rst time. Please see my letter to recently appointed THECB Board of Directors Dr. Dennis

Golden in this eBulletin. During this interim, it is critical that we reach out to our legislators and

state ofcials so they will take the concerns of TACT to heart when crafting new legislation.

As always, our strength lies in our numbers. Now is the time to encourage your colleagues to join

TACT. Take advantage of our Spring-incentive membership rate (including EPLI) for only $109.

Membership is valid until 10.31.2010. Plus, for every new member that you recruit for TACT,

well send you a $20 Amazon.com gift card.

Please also consider a contribution to the James Puckett Government Relations Fund. These

funds are allocated for activities that will increase awareness of TACT among inuences of

public policy. Your contribution will assist in TACTs legislative efforts to improve Texas higher

education.

Thank you for your continued support, and were glad to ght for you in this new season of

possibilities.

Sincerely,

Chuck Hempstead,

Executive Director
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Austin, TX 78731

[email protected]

[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

Cover Page

Index





Dennis Golden



TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors


Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

5


To Delegate or Not to Delegate

by Elizabeth LewandowskiTACT VP of Membership

As I sit at my desk writing to you I am reminded by my to-do list for today of the myriad

things that are on my plate of responsibilities. From the esoteric to the mundane, each

of these items silently cries to be addressed NOW! Each of us faces decisions every dayabout which items are most urgent and which can wait, which need our attention and

which can be delegated.

Just under a month ago I was leaving a recruiting event and didnt see the curb. I slipped

fell and badly broke my foot. Normally an active, energetic person, my life has been

redened by this experience. Crutches and a boot limit my ability to move swiftly and

what I can carry in a backpack limits what I can carry. Pain limits my ability to work at

peak efciency. I seem to require more down time and everything I do seems to require

ve times the usual amount of time! I have been forced to ask myself, Do I really have

to do this *whatever it is* myself or can I delegate it to someone else? This isnt any

easy question and one I really hate making.

This experience has made me re-examine some of my activities and short-term goals. I

rely on our secretary much more than usual for copying. She kindly brings things to my

ofce on the second oor to save me steps. My student assistants coddle me, going so

far as to take my crutches away from me to ensure that I ask them for help rather than

get things myself. Ive more efciently arranged my desk and ofce for ease of reach.

What does this have to do with TACT? Each of us, as faculty members, has a wide range

of responsibilities both on and off campus. One of those responsibilities includes being

involved in the governance of higher education. Whether that means serving on universitycommittees, being on Faculty Senate or writing for a journal in our specialization, we

have a responsibility for seeing to the continuation of our mission the education of the

next generation(s) of the state of Texas.

All our universities have recently been told by the governor to return a percentage of

our state funds to the state coffers. Some departments are doing this without complaint

others are screaming all the way to the bank. Positions are being frozen and tuition is

being raised, all in the attempt to keep our institutions functioning in a downward turning

economy.


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[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

Cover Page

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Dennis Golden



TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors


Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

6


What can I do about that, you ask? Im not a legislator! Im not a lobbyist! Im not a

university president! No, you arent. But you do control your to-do list and what you

choose to do each day. If you are concerned about the impact of the nancial situation

being forced on our universities, if you are concerned that the tuition raises are being

seen as fat cat universities sticking it to the little guy, if you are worried that the hiring

freezes will make classes too large for optimal learning, then this is not the time to sit

back and put your feet up while you delegate the responsibility to those who are already

doing their best.

Dont try to put this on someone else dont delegate this responsibility. Sit down andcall your state representative and senator and let them know how difcult things are

getting. Write an email to them talking about your concerns. Send an editorial letter to

your local paper explaining that the tuition raises are a direct result of a decline in state

funding.

Join TACT. If you are already a member, approach a colleague about membership. I

know that we are all feeling the pinch in our own pocketbooks but we cannot afford to

allow these nancial limitations to prevent us from making a difference in our passion

higher education.

Dont delegate this responsibility! Take action now and help make a difference. Im

checking the local paper every day to see when my editorial will run. How about you?

To Delegate or Not to Delegate

(contd.)


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[p] (512) 873-7404

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Dennis Golden



TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors


Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

7


Dear Dr. Golden:

Congratulations and thank you for your continued service to Texas higher education through your

contributions to the THECB.

I wanted to introduce this organization to you by way of a specic appreciation for your question

regarding educational quality during the momentum points and milestones discussions. TheTexas Association of College Teachers was an early and vocal proponent of Closing the Gaps

but always with an equal emphasis on more AND better degree attainment. My guess is tha

technology employers care not only about how many electrical engineers are in a hiring pool, bu

how well prepared is the individual actually hired.

Though not the focus of your particular discussion, I am hopeful that we as a State will go

beyond the answers you received of accrediting bodies and licensing pass rates. Of course, one

of our favorite solutions is smaller student/faculty ratios in classrooms with full-time, tenured

professors. As you begin to study faculty efciency, let us not assume that a classroom holding

200 students is twice as efcient at knowledge exchange as one holding 100 students. And i

Star Awards are presented to Amarillo College for expanded one-on-one tutoring, maybe the

auditorium-as-classroom model only addresses half of the quantity and quality equation.

Again, all the best as you continue to tackle the critical issues within the educational goals we al

demand. We stand at your service.

Sincerely,

Chuck Hempstead

Executive Director

Letter to THECB Board Member

Dr. Dennis Golden

Tact is Reaching Out to Legislators and We Hope

You Do the Same

Find Your Legislator Online
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[email protected]

[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

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Index





Dennis Golden



TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors


Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

8


An advocate of empowering professors, White helped to bring the rst major university chapter

of TACT to the University of Texas. He served as President of TACT in 1981 and, during his ten-

ure, was instrumental in ghting for salary increases and retention in higher education in Texas

He successfully sued the university after his salary had been suppressed due to political activities

His work on the effect of the salary crunch on higher education helped to shape TACTs legis-

lative focus and enabled the association to successfully lobby for level funding of the Optiona

Retirement Program in 1983 at a time of reduced funding for the Teacher Retirement System.

Phils legacy was in his ability to listen to faculty, hear their needs and instinctively move totake his research to the next level. We learned from him then and continue to lead by his example

today. Chuck Hempstead, Executive Director.

Philip White was born in Akron and raised in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He served as an army ser-

geant in WWII, and was stationed in SW England and outside Paris. During his service, he earned

a degree in political science from Baldwin Wallace College. He went on to Columbia University

where he earned a MA in economics and a PhD in early American History. He began teaching in

1955 at The University of Texas as an American History professor.

Philip married Meda Margaret Miller in 1958. Together, they spent time researching at Columbia

They moved to England for a year, where Philip was a Fulbright Professor at the University of

Nottingham. When they returned to the U.S., Philip taught for three years at The University of

Chicago before settling back in Austin at the University of Texas.

He was known for his good humor and tireless efforts to promote neglected areas of academia

and local history, and to empower minorities, students and neighborhoods. He advocated democ-

racy and equality for all, and fought to make it so.

Philip was the founder of the Tarrytown/West Austin Democrats, Austins rst neighborhood

group. He also founded UTs rst student political group. These groups helped to shape Austins

political sphere through organizing communities and registering voters.

Please honor Phil by visiting his memorial at:

http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/philwhite/Homepage.aspx

(Photo courtesy of http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/philwhite/Homepage.aspx)

In Remembrance

Professor Emeritus Philip Lloyd WhiteJuly 31, 1923 - October 15, 2009
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Austin, TX 78731

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[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

Cover Page

Index





Dennis Golden



TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors


Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

9


Recognizing that the colleges and universities of Texas exist for thebenefit of the students of these institutions and the people who

support them, and believing that the people of Texas want, and

should have, the best education system for higher education in the

nation, we herewith dedicate ourselves to the development of a

program designed to assist all like-minded persons and groups in

attaining excellence in higher education in Texas. We therefore

pledge ourselves to strive for the highest personal standards of

teaching, scholarship, and research.

TACT Bylaws

The Texas Association of College Teachers has been serving the needs

of university professors, staff and librarians in Texas since 1948.

TACT s legacy includes networking on issues of academic freedom,

statistical research, tenure implementation and protection,professional standards, working conditions and legislative advocacy.

We invite you to join our association to take a stand for your

career and let your voice be heard beyond your classroom.

Become an active member of an association rich in history

that focuses on you-the university professor-and your

career dedicated to the students of Texas.

Join today for only $109!Recruit a new member and we ll send you (and your new

member) a $20 Amazon.com gift card.

Discounted membership rate is available for a limited time. Membership is valid through

10.31.2010. Gift Card available to new members who join between 01.28.10 and 05.31.2010

and members who have not held TACT membership within last 12 months.

Membership Benefits

All memberships to TACT include Educators

Professional Liability Insurance (EPLI).

Receive up to $2 million in coverage plus leg

fees for damages.

We receive calls throughout the year from

concerned professors about student claims

that can ruin one s career and life savings.

Protect yourself.

TACT keeps a pulse on all agencies that affec

faculty members to ensure your interests ar

represented.

We keep you informed through the e-mailed

First Alerts, which provide you with same-da

developments on public policy issues and

how they affect you.

The Quarterly eBulletin newsletter highligh

association news in the profession.

Members are encouraged to contribute

articles.

We represent you at the Capitol.

Our focus is on university faculty issues inTexas. We lobby on behalf of you, with a

legislative agenda of top concerns develope

by members. We understand the issues you

face in your career being a member of TAC

lets you be part of the solution.

strong, responsive, effectiveadvocacy

5750 Balcones Drive, Suite 201

Austin, Texas 78731

Phone: 512.873.7404 Fax:

512.873.7423

WWW.TACT.ORG
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[email protected]

[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

Cover Page

Index





Dennis Golden



TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors


Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

10


Please join us!

TACTSpring Conference

Joint meeting with TCFS and AAUP

February 26 & 27 2010

Crowne Plaza Hotel

Austin, Texas

Participate in annual legislative visits to theCapitol including meeting Lt Gov. Dewhurst.

Support fellow colleagues as they speak to current

trends in higher education. Network with

members during evening social hour and banquet.

Vote on important Board of Directors items.

Registration is only $40!Call today at 512.873.7404 to register!

RSVP by Friday, February 19, 2010

Texas Association of

College Teachers


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Austin, TX 78731

[email protected]

[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

Cover Page

Index





Dennis Golden



TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors


Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

11


Key Election Dates 2010

Feb. 16 First day of early voting in primary.

Feb. 26 Last day of early voting in primary.

Mar. 2 Primary election.

Apr. 5 First day of early voting in primary runoff (if needed).

Apr. 9 Last day of early voting in primary runoff.

Apr. 13 Primary runoff election.

Oct. 4 Last day to register to vote in general election.

Oct. 18 First day of early voting in general election.

Oct. 29 Last day of early voting in general election

Nov. 2 General election.

Click here for more information on elections

Source: Texas Secretary of States Ofce
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[p] (512) 873-7404

[f] (512) 873-7423

Cover Page

Index





Dennis Golden



TACT Spring

Conference

Key Election Dates

GRF Contributors


Past eBulletins

CONTENTS

12


The James M. Puckett, Ph. D.Government Relations Fund

The TACT Dr. James M. Puckett, Ph.D. Government Relations Fund is a result of optional

contributions made by those committed to TACTs heightened public affairs program. It is not

used for candidate contributions, but is used for activities that will increase awareness of TACT

among inuences of public policy. Your contribution will assist in TACTs legislative efforts

to improve Texas higher education. All expenditures are approved in advance by TACTs

President, President-elect and Legislative Committee Chair.

Click Here to Contribute

Thank you to the following contributors

Gary Coulton

Jonathan Coopersmith

Mary DeShazo

Frank Fair

Clarke Garnsey

Mark Gaus

Chuck Hempstead

Peter Hugill

Elizabeth Lewandowski

Allen Martin

Debra PriceCindy Simpson

Andrea Williams

George Parangimalil

Robert Strader
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