[COSEAfaculty] Can of Worms

Thu Jul 4 10:18:32 CDT 2013

All:

As we celebrate Independence Day (or recover from it, tomorrow) let us consider the rationale behind the suggested revisions in the faculty workload.  I believe the intent was to empower faculty and departments to reward faculty for teaching overloads, give flexibility to department heads in making assignments, and create some validation of "all that we do."  However, thal ALL varies from college and department as well as with faculty members within the departments.  

I say that just like the myLeo issue, we should just stick to what currently exists as procedures, give department heads authority to "adjust" loads as needed as long as the load is reasonable and fair, and get on with our very important work (however, you define it).

I plan to continue to teach at or around 12 hours per semester, but know that in order for students to graduate/complete a thesis/etc., I may teach more for a semester or two.  That choice has always been mine to make, and I want to continue to have that choice.

Happy July 4th!  Be safe!

Bob

Robert L. "Bob" Williams, PhD
Associate Professor and Teacher Educator
Coordinator-Agricultural & Family Education
Department of Agricultural Sciences
Texas A&M University-Commerce
P.O. Box 3011
Commerce, TX  75429
903.886.5350 office
903.886.5990 fax

-----Original Message-----
From: coseafaculty-bounces at tamuc.edu on behalf of Pamela Webster
Sent: Wed 7/3/2013 6:28 PM
To: coseafaculty at tamuc.edu
Cc: Linda Openshaw
Subject: [COSEAfaculty] FW:  Workload Procedure

Hello, everyone.

Please see the comments below from Dr. Dorsett and comment as you see
fit.

Thanks,

Pamela.

Dr. Pamela S. Webster

Assistant Professor, Professional Track, 

Director of the Math Skills Center, and 

Coordinator of the Developmental Math Program

Texas A&M University - Commerce

Office Phone:  903-886-5950

Fax:  903-886-5945

Binnion Hall 315 

--It's not what you take with you, but what you leave behind, that
describes the quality of your life.

From: Charles Dorsett 
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 5:04 PM
To: Pamela Webster; Linda.Openshaw at tamu.edu
Subject: RE: [COSEAfaculty] Workload Procedure

Dear Pam;

I am sorry, but the attached proposed workload procedure for the CoSEA
is disappointing. 

In paragraph 2 section 2.1, what does "normally" mean?

In Math we teach four hour classes. For teaching two four hour classes
under this policy, the teacher will receive insufficient credit for a
reduced load forever and, at the same time, receive no other
consideration for teaching the extra hours. There are those in Math that
have taught 13 or 14 hours semester after semester with the repeated
promise of a reduce workload in the future. The proposed procedure will
make those many promises made faculty members by administrators of this
University totally false promises further destroying trust at this
University. Under this procedure the normal load for those faculty
members with the expertise and training required to teach the four hour
classes will remain at 13 or 14 hours.

Supervising an Honor's Thesis or a Master's Thesis or a Master's
Research Project or a Doctoral Dissertation is a "MAJOR" commitment for
a faculty member. In Math serving as a supervisor for an honor's student
or a graduate student is an addition to the "normal" teaching load of 12
to 14 hours. With the "small" master's program in Math, nobody will
receive a reduced load as a result of their supervision of honor's
students and graduate students. Within Math, the faculty has repeatedly
rolled-up their sleeves and done everything possible to make the
undergraduate and graduate programs the best it can be with hopes and
promises that things would improve in the future. The faculty members of
the CoSEA deserve a workload policy that will support, promote, and
reward them for their many "Extra-Ordinary" contributions to the College
and our students. The proposed procedure will ensure that not happen.

Charles Dorsett

________________________________

From: coseafaculty-bounces at tamuc.edu
[mailto:coseafaculty-bounces at tamuc.edu] On Behalf Of Pamela Webster
Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 12:56 PM
To: coseafaculty at tamuc.edu
Subject: [COSEAfaculty] Workload Procedure

Hi, everyone.

Dr. Cooper and I believe we have fulfilled the charge given to us of
writing the CoSEA Workload Procedure.  Please find attached the DRAFT of
the procedure, along with a sample NTT faculty evaluation form.  If you
feel the draft needs revision, please let us know as quickly as
possible.    We will make as many appropriate revisions by our deadline
of THIS FRIDAY, July 5th.

Also, just as a note:  If you are NTT faculty and you would like to
request a different workload, the deadline for THIS YEAR ONLY will be
extended (to be determined).  The July 1st date will begin next year
once the workload procedure is in place.  

Thanks so much,

Pamela.

Dr. Pamela S. Webster

Assistant Professor, Professional Track, 

Director of the Math Skills Center, and 

Coordinator of the Developmental Math Program

Texas A&M University - Commerce

Office Phone:  903-886-5950

Fax:  903-886-5945

Binnion Hall 315 

--It's not what you take with you, but what you leave behind, that
describes the quality of your life.

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